50mm Elmar-M vs 50mm Summicron v5

[RexGig0]

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I would have to shoot them side-by-side, with identical subjects, or at least identical framing of the same scene, in identical lighting, with careful notes of the aperture settings, to be more certain, and to generally refresh my memory, but my general impression is that the Elmar-M images are very sharp and modern, even at f/2.8, whereas the Summicron may be, well, less “modern,” with a bit of that Walter Mandler visual signature.

I also want to test them, side-by-side, for susceptibility to veiling flare. This has to be done quickly, as the sun’s apparent position moves so rapidly across the sky, changing the angles of the rays filtering through tree branches, or other suitable test aids. I learned this when comparing the flare resistance of my Summilux-M 50mm ASPH and my new Cosina Voigtlander 50mm APO Lanthar VM. (One can never have too many 50mm lenses. 😉 Interestingly, I was not much interested in using the 50mm focal length, until I added the Leica M system, in early 2018, starting with the Summilux 50mm ASPH as my first M lens.)

I bought the Elmar-M more for specific use cases, such as when wanting to be able to tote the camera, with a 50mm lens, in a large pocket, or get into a venue that frowned upon “professional” cameras and/or lenses. 

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[luigi bertolotti]

23 hours ago, JoshuaRothman said:

...Are they actually redundant, if the difference between f/2 and f/2.8 doesn't mean much to me?...

 

The redundancy I experienced was when I got the Summilux Asph and started to never more take on my Summicron V4... 😉 So 2 months ago exchanged the Summicron for a chrome , Elmar M, definitely lighter and very compact for usage in hiking: fully satisfied of my choice : could not make side comparision with the discarded Summicron, but I find it a really exciting sharp modern lens...maybe I am biased by the naming 😁... but i find its rendering similar to the Macro Elmar M 90

 

 

 

[charlesphoto99]

It's a great lens, and esp. handy for travel if one doesn't plan on using a 50 much. My current one (second time owning) is mint and six bit as well. I do recommend leaving it extended if  possible. My 90 Macro had to go back for a fix on the tube, and so now I try not to expand/collapse them unless needed. That said, I currently have four 50's and at least two of them need to go, and sadly it might be this one...

[spydrxx]

I found my Summicron V5 clinically too perfect. So I tried a Elmar-M which surprised me, especially with its sharpness...but alas it kept unexpectedly extending from the collapsed position when I was carrying it. In retrospect a comparison of the two, I think I preferred the Elmar-M. Since that time, though, I've developed a taste for a more classic look, and returned to an RS Elmar 50/3.5 (LTM) and a 50 collapsible Summicron V1, and am using a Zeiss 50/2.0 planar ZM for the modern ultra sharp photos. I did sell my 50 Summilux V1, while a really nice lens, I rarely used it wide open, but just in case I needed it, I bought a CV 50/1.5 Nokton ASPH. I also have a Summitar and several Canon 50s. I think my bag is full for whatever comes my way in terms of photo opportunities so don't think I'll be making more changes at the 50mm fl. In your case, you can never have enough 50s, so keep trying them out ...you'll eventually find a true favorite and a couple of follow-ups which may serve as temporary shelf queens.

[JoshuaR]

My issue, when I really think about it, is that I don’t like to own more than one lens in each focal length. I find it distracting and ultimately kind of confusing. I do own two 35mm lenses, because 35mm is my favorite FL, and owning two lenses (the Steel Rim Reissue and Summicron v3) lets me keep one mounted at all times on both my M10 and M10M. I also have an M6, and I wouldn’t be opposed to owning yet a third 35mm lens to keep mounted on that camera as well.

But 50mm is just not my default lens; it’s a special lens that I use either when I want more reach outdoors or when I want to make portraits. For those purposes, the 50mm Summicron v5 has been perfect. It’s just small and light enough to take everywhere, it has personality (but not too much!), it has little conveniences like a built-in shade, and the handling is top-notch.

So the decision I have to make with the Elmar-M is: do I want to complexify my life by owning two different 50mm lenses? (Obviously I should’ve thought about this before I bought it.) A follow-up question is: Could owning a more obviously different 50mm from the Elmar-M make a two-lens arrangement more rewarding? Or perhaps I could perform some sort of Jedi Mind Trick on myself—by, say, dedicating the 50 Elmar only to the M10M. Maybe I could stick a yellow filter on it.

[drew.saunders]

19 hours ago, jaapv said:

Well, if two uncontested experts provide different causes it is time for mere dabblers to take shelter. I guess both aspects play a role in the undoubted quality improvement. 

I took a quick phone snap of the diagrams of the 3 M versions of the 50 Elmar from the back of my Sartorius' "Identifying Leica Lenses" book (which I bought new long ago and now is probably worth as much as a Leica lens!) Anyway, it looks like not only did the aperture move from the older versions to the new, but the front element is much larger relative to the other groups in the 2nd version.

I had a 50/3.5 in LTM but didn't really get along with it, so sold it and my 50/2 "built-in hood" to get the modern Elmar-M and am really happy with it. If I need a faster lens, I have a CV 50/1.5 Nokton (1st M mount version with the scalloped focusing ring), and I'd recommend to the OP a similar combo.

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[junix]

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35mm is also my favorite FL so I decided that with 50mm I will not go above 2 lenses, I choose:

• Elmar-M 2,8 (slowish and compact)
• Summilux 1,4 ASPH (fast but not too big)

Both are beautiful chrome and I don't plan to sell any of the two for the foreseeable future. 

Try to rent/lend a Summilux and check for yourself if my 50mm setup works for you.