Poll: What 50mm lens for BW for Leica M?

Poll: What 50mm lens for BW for Leica M?

  • Elmar 50 old

    Votes: 39 4.5%

  • Elmar-M (new)

    Votes: 45 5.2%

  • Summarit

    Votes: 43 5.0%

  • Summicron rigid/DR

    Votes: 194 22.5%

  • Summilux pre-asph (version1/2)

    Votes: 125 14.5%

  • Summicron tabbed/current

    Votes: 120 13.9%

  • Summilux ASPH

    Votes: 88 10.2%

  • Zeiss Planar

    Votes: 79 9.2%

  • Zeiss Sonnar

    Votes: 77 8.9%

  • Konica M-Hexanon

    Votes: 51 5.9%
  • Total voters
    861
I'll follow J Borger and give a little history:

Sold off:
M-Hexanon 50/2
Summicron 50/2 (latest)
Summicron Collapsible 50/2 (1950s version)
Elmar 50/2.8, (ca. 1965)

Currently own:
M-Hexanon 50/2
Summilux 50/1.4

I came all the way around and finally realized the Hexanon is as good as anything I've shot, and affordable. The Summilux has the best tonality of any lens I've shot.

Sample photo from Summilux:
http://www.apug.org/gallery/showfull.php?photo=27568
 
two years ago I would have voted for the Summicron (mid 80's version), but today I am firmly in the ZM Planar 50f2 camp.
This lens has some of the smoothest tones and gradations I have ever seen with black/white (TriX/Presto 400). It is similar in this aspect to the 28f3.5 VC lens. It is also very comfortable to use, although the "speed bump" focussing tab is not my favourite. Well, at least it has a something. The New Summicron does not have the focussing tab and the damned hood keeps collapsing all the time!
 
Everything I've seen (on-line only) indicates that the Planar is a winner, and I'd be tempted to try it.

Before buying into another 50 (and we are all tempted to do that), you should experiment with differnt B&W films, as they are a huge determining factor in the final look you might be after.
 
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Strange, I've seen so many postings over the years saying that the summilux ASPH 50 is the best lens for black and white ever made.
 
i still think the 50/1,4 Asph is the best 50 ever made! It has astounding sharpness and contrast as well as close focus capability. However, for my style of shooting, which is 100% black/white, it is VERY contrasty. Unless I 'sort" films according to which lens is used and develop accordingly, I find the 50 Asph too contrasty for easy printing - keep looking for 0,5 and 00 filters!
The Planar gives me the smooth tones without excessive contrast and it is plenty sharp. It will easily handle a 11x14 and, though I haven't tried yet, probably up to 24x36 if ever needed.
I tend to use the 50Asph during the winter month here in Vancouver, when the weather is grey and overcast.
 
I think $350 is a fair price (including the original cap and leather pouch). Prices may be inching up, so even $375-400 maybe okay for a mint example. Because I am thinking of getting into medium format, I may be selling mine, but I'm still on the fence, b/c I've made that mistake before.
 
A good Summitar or collaps, cron are lowish contrast until you stop down. Both are very sharp stopped down.

Rigids and DR`s are a nice combo of contrast and sharpness. So are original 50 2.8 Elmars and 3.5 Elmar Red Scale.
 
The DR 'cron does a really beautiful job for me- the prints from it are just beautiful. If I could ask anything, it would be identical performance in a lighter weight lens- maybe I should keep my eyes peeled for a Rigid- but the close focus is nice to have sometimes.

The other lens I would like to vote for is the LTM Canon 50 f1.2- this is a terrific low light lens, with beautiful sharpness, especially in the center- even wide open and fairly close. It shows very nice tones and transitions, too. Worth looking for.
 
Wow ... I'm impressed with what a hammering the DR Summicron is giving the opposition in this poll. Almost two to one which says a lot for how good M users think this lens is ... I have used mine a couple of times with the eyes on and the results really impressed me at that short range! 🙂
 
I think the majority of people are mainly recommending the lens they have as opposed to being really objective.
This being said, any choice is probably a good one...
 
It is a popularity contest based on ownership, as it has been pointed out above.

For me, I would say that the first version rigid Summicron is an excellent performer.

Then I have other options of 50mm that I really like with B&W:


1. Zeiss Jena Sonnar 50/2 (vintage look)
2. Nikkor 50mm/2 (a stellar performer)
3. Summar/Summitar 50mm/2 (both are great in open shade)
4. Elmar 50mm/3.5 (the old style)


It is a matter of personal preference.
 
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NB23 said:
I think the majority of people are mainly recommending the lens they have as opposed to being really objective.
Click to expand...

Not necessarily. That implies most of the advice is useless. I have a Jupiter-8, a 50/1.5 Summarit, a 50/2 Summitar, the 50/2 Summicron DR I recommended, a 50/1.4 Summilux, a 50/2.8 Industar-22 and have owned the 50/2.8 Elmar-M and 40/1.4 Nokton. And I recommended the one I thought best after having used those lenses. I think others may have done something similar with their experiences.
 
NB23 said:
I think the majority of people are mainly recommending the lens they have as opposed to being really objective.
...
Click to expand...
Yes .... but it is objective if you have used other lenses in the past ..... or own different flavours, which is not unusual in the 50mm range.

Rich was faster with the same argument 😉
 
 
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