Elmar 50mm/2.8 Canon 50mm/1.4

raid

raid

Dad Photographer
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I bought two 50mm lenses the past 14 days. The first lens is the old style Elmar 50mm/2.8. It has received a new front element and these are the first results. I am not doing any adjustments of any sort with any software. The Gold 100 film was scanned at Sam's Club.

For extra details, I have not reduced the file sizes. They are not huge, but large.

First, these are photos of my family. I may have used 5.6-8.0.



460483-R1-13-12.jpg


460483-R1-18-7.jpg


460483-R1-22-3.jpg



What do you think?
 
I also checked for flare. I used a hood [maybe I shouldnot have done so], and I pointed the lens at the sun glare.

460483-R1-04-21.jpg


460483-R1-03-22.jpg


I may have set the aperture at 11.0.
 
Raid, those look fantastic. Are you sure you used 5.6-8.0? The first two not even the fence is in focus.

Can I have my lens back? :)
 
did they scan it for you at sam's club?

because the job wasnt really well done, lots and lots of dust particles!

otherwise, sweet pictures!
 
Guys, take it easy.It's just a first test of this lens.
As for the aperture used, I could be mistaken since it was in the late afternoon hours and early evening, so maybe the aperture was at 4.0.
 
Since the front element is new, is there a chance that Leica sold the front element from the new Elmar?
 
Anyways, I also bought a Canon 50mm/1.4 from KEH during the same time. The lens was graded as Bargain, and it is a bargain. The condition of the lens is closer to mint.

460482-R1-07-7A.jpg



460482-R1-10-4A.jpg


460482-R1-02-12A.jpg


460482-R1-11-3A.jpg



460482-R1-00-14A.jpg



What's your opinion on this lens?
 
My feelings on these two lenses are positive. The lenses appear to be sharp and they have excellent flare control. I am a happy dude.
 
Raid, I'm really glad you like the lenses, and one thing these tests show is that the lenses' focusing mechanisms are within acceptable tolerances; in other words, they match your camera(s) well.

However, I would caution that, without being in complete control of the entire workflow, you really don't know how much sharpening was done by the developing/scanning service you used. In my experience, these places scan at low dpi, then compensate by applying heavy sharpening. Anyway, I'm sure you know all this, but you won't know the subtle qualities of these lenses until you have taken control of the scanning process.
 
jja said:
Raid, I'm really glad you like the lenses, and one thing these tests show is that the lenses' focusing mechanisms are within acceptable tolerances; in other words, they match your camera(s) well.

However, I would caution that, without being in complete control of the entire workflow, you really don't know how much sharpening was done by the developing/scanning service you used. In my experience, these places scan at low dpi, then compensate by applying heavy sharpening. Anyway, I'm sure you know all this, but you won't know the subtle qualities of these lenses until you have taken control of the scanning process.
Click to expand...


I have been using the same scanning services with all my lenses and for several years, so a comparison is possible. Your words of cautioning are in place.
 
Wonderful pics Raid. Your images taken with the Canon 50/1.4 are good examples illustrating why I am selling my 50 Hexanon and keeping my Canon 50/1.4. Many people rave about the Hex, and rightly so, but I just prefer the character of the Canon 50/1.4
 
Xax said:
did they scan it for you at sam's club?

because the job wasnt really well done, lots and lots of dust particles!

otherwise, sweet pictures!
Click to expand...

My local Sam's Club usually does an excellent job in scanning. All lens test results were scanned there. Last evening, the young man working there may have been a new person at the Frontier machine. I will make sure next time to ask for the person in charge there.
 
digitalintrigue said:
I'm not sure about the front element, Raid, but I can find out for you...
Click to expand...

It would be interesting to find out which type of element they used and whether the final impact changes the performance of this particular Elmar to be closer to the new version Elmar. Is the new Elmar more contrasty?
 
I have sent an email to Focal Point about the front element, I'll let you know what he says.

My guess, is that it is a replacement front element from an original Elmar, not Elmar-M.

Looks like you have a nice pair of 50s. Flare control looks excellent.
 
I really like the "look" from the Canon lens; I need to get a post-war Elmar too...

Thank you for posting the test results ! Which body were you shooting with ?

I have been pleased so far with the items I have purchased from KEH; they seem to be very conservative in their grading.


Luddite Frank
 
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