kenneth Posted July 15, 2009 Share #1 Posted July 15, 2009 Advertisement (gone after registration) I have a 50mm Summicron and a 35mm Summicron asph at present and I am considering the option of doing an swap with my local dealer for either a 50mm 2.5 Summarit or a 50mm 2.8 Collapsable Elmar. I will keep the 35mm but having something different to Summicron optics might give me differing results. What do you think? Should I proceed with the swap and if so, Elmar or Summarit? thank you Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted July 15, 2009 Posted July 15, 2009 Hi kenneth, Take a look here Thoughts on 50mm lenses?. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
NZDavid Posted July 15, 2009 Share #2 Posted July 15, 2009 Can't see any advantage in that move at all, Kenneth. The 50 'cron is an iconic lens, one of Leica's finest -- of any vintage. It's also compact. Why go slower? Why not keep the 'cron and add another 50? A 'lux would be my choice, but you could even consider a LTM with a converter for something completely different. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BenMacPhoto Posted July 15, 2009 Share #3 Posted July 15, 2009 I would say if you were going to swap at all, go for a Summilux. As stated before the Summicron has an iconic look, and may be one of the best lenses made by Leica. Or if you want a different look, find an optically nice 50mm f1.5 Summarit. Wide open it is nice and soft, stopped down it is sharp. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff S Posted July 16, 2009 Share #4 Posted July 16, 2009 Often mentioned in these forums, for a good reason....http://reidreviews.com... offers a lot of information on a variety of 50mm lenses. Well worth the small annual fee. Jeff Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shootist Posted July 16, 2009 Share #5 Posted July 16, 2009 If you're looking for a different/better 50mm lens then you want the 50 Summilux ASPH. I've had the 50 Cron and Elmar and have sold both once I got the 50 Lux ASPH. If that lens is to expensive for you then take a good look at the 50 Elmar f/2.8. Other then being 1 stop slower then the Cron I liked it better Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
thomasw_ Posted July 16, 2009 Share #6 Posted July 16, 2009 I use the summilux as my main all-round 50, mostly because I shot a lot in lowlight. But the Elmar-M 50/2,8 is just as wonderful as a all-round daytime lens. The lens is slow but if that's not an issue, you will be in for some beautiful OFF areas and a very compact lens. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
MPerson Posted July 16, 2009 Share #7 Posted July 16, 2009 Advertisement (gone after registration) Kenneth - Not sure which version of the Elmar you are looking at but I will wave the flag for the Elmar! I recently bought a 1959 Type 1 M mount version to go on my M2. It has a softer look to it but that is what I wanted and I am starting to love this lens. This is APX 100 in Rodinal 1:100 stand development for 1 hour. Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! I did look at the latest version after Steve (Stunsworth) posted this: I enjoyed the coffee but decided the older version would give me what I was looking for. Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! I did look at the latest version after Steve (Stunsworth) posted this: I enjoyed the coffee but decided the older version would give me what I was looking for. ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/90793-thoughts-on-50mm-lenses/?do=findComment&comment=963817'>More sharing options...
stunsworth Posted July 16, 2009 Share #8 Posted July 16, 2009 The latest version of the Elmar is excellent, and once I have the funds to buy one I probably will. I believe that one of the wedding photographers here shot an entire wedding using just an M8 and a 50mm Elmar. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
tobey bilek Posted July 16, 2009 Share #9 Posted July 16, 2009 Leica goes to great effort to make the lenses match and you want to make a mismatch! Original 50 2.8 is quite nice and similar to the DR and Rigid Summicrons. The new 50 2.8 is like the current Summicron less 2.0 stop. Summitar and Summarit 1.5 are old school old fashioned look but very nice. You might like the new Zeiss 50 1.4 Sonnar. It is a classic formula where as the Zeiss 50 2.0 Planar is thoroughly modern. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wizard Posted July 16, 2009 Share #10 Posted July 16, 2009 Kenneth, keep the Summicron 50. If you DO want to swap, then go for the Summilux asph. Absolutely no reason to go for the Elmar or the (new) Summarit if you have the Summicron. I have a bag full of 50s, new and old, but the ones that I use most are the red scale Elmar 3.5/50, the Summiluxes (both pre asph and asph) and the Tri-Elmar. I don't believe you will be able to see any meaningful differences between a current Summicron 50, an Elmar-M 50 (the modern version) and a 2.5/50 Summarit. Regards, Andy Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Bastian A. Posted July 16, 2009 Share #11 Posted July 16, 2009 If you want a different look go for an old and fast screw mount lens (Summar, Summitar, Summarit, 1st Summicron) and keep your Summicron. B. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveYork Posted July 16, 2009 Share #12 Posted July 16, 2009 I wouldn't do what you're thinking. For a compact lens, you already have the 35mm Summicron. Loosing even half a stop of speed off the Summicron would be something I would notice, since I do a lot of low light shooting. If you want a new lens, I'm in the camp that says go for the 50mm Summilux ASPH. I made the switch from where you are, but if I had to do it again, I would of kept the 50mm Summicron too. The Summilux Asph is a glorious low light lens, and if I only had one lens that would be it, but it is rather large. I don't carry a whole lot of equipment when traveling, but sometimes I feel the 100 or so grams saving on the Summicron would of been worth keeping. But then I'm a minimalist at heart. With Leica M, I believe everyone should have at least one super fast lens to exploit the available light ability of the camera. Mine is the 50mm Summilux ASPH. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
alman1 Posted July 16, 2009 Share #13 Posted July 16, 2009 IMHO for BW you will be very happy with old leica lenses. Sometimes cheaper is better, so sad for capitalism :-) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
andybarton Posted July 16, 2009 Share #14 Posted July 16, 2009 Definitely don't swap a Summicron for a Summarit. The Elmar is different, but I wouldn't swap for that either. As has been said many times here already, the only way forward from a Summicron is a Sumilux, IMHO. That's the only choice I would consider if I were wanting to move on my Summicron. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
delander † Posted July 16, 2009 Share #15 Posted July 16, 2009 I bought the 50 cron with my M8. Later I was affected by GAS and convinced by good user recommendations that I should get the 50 lux ASPH, which I did. By all acounts it is a great lens but I am still using my 50 cron. Why? I like the way it renders the image, plenty sharp when that is what you are looking for but at f2 it also produces nice OOF areas. Another important feature for me is its small size compared to the 50 lux. I dont see the point of swapping the 50 cron for the 50 Summarit (modern version) but the old Summarit 1.5 will produce a different look (but may be hard to find in good condition) as will the zeiss 1.5 Sonnar. The Elmar is another interesting lens, I'm not sure if the modern version renders so differently from the 50 cron. Just my thoughts. Jeff Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
kenneth Posted July 16, 2009 Author Share #16 Posted July 16, 2009 Thank you al,l well you have really convinced me to stay with what I have and save spending as well. In the medium to long term I might explore some of the older Leica lenses. Certainly, a collapsable lens quite appeals for ease of transportability but having said that once one adds a hood one is back to the same size of a non collapsable. I would not consider a faster lens as I have no need for it. if the light is too low to take a picture I don't take it. It's no big deal. Once again thank you Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
andybarton Posted July 16, 2009 Share #17 Posted July 16, 2009 He light isn't too low if you have the right lens and film... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
kenneth Posted July 16, 2009 Author Share #18 Posted July 16, 2009 He light isn't too low if you have the right lens and film... Agreed Andy but as I said, It's no big deal I'll do without the picture I am only an amateur and my livelihood does not depend on me getting the picture Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
NZDavid Posted July 17, 2009 Share #19 Posted July 17, 2009 Certainly, a collapsable lens quite appeals for ease of transportability but having said that once one adds a hood one is back to the same size of a non collapsable. Definitely! The old Summicron Collapsible certainly saves very little space. All Leica 50s (except for the Noctilux) are nice and compact. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
JBA Posted July 17, 2009 Share #20 Posted July 17, 2009 Kenneth, I know you're an anti-fast-lens guy, but you should really try the Summilux. The speed is almost a secondary consideration to how they (both asph and pre-asph) render an image. In any case, glad you decided to keep the Summicron. You would really stand to gain nothing by trading it away. Personally, I also have an interest in the Elmar (latest version) as a compact option, but would not trade either of my other 50s in order to get it. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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