Which 50 like a v3 Cron 35?

[nightfly]

I'd like to buy a 50mm lens for my m4-P. I had a Canon 50mm 1.8 that I didn't really care for (not too sharp, not too contrasy, too heavy, hate the infinity lock). I love basically everything about my v3 35mm Summicron, small, light, quick to use, incredible tonality.

What 50 would be most similiar to this? An older 50mm Cron? A new Elmarit? A new Heliar? A new Summarit? One of the Voigtlanders? I don't particuarly care for the tonality of my 28mm Voigtlander 3.5 for black and white, it's a nice lens, good build, great for color, but a little too contrasty for black and white. I'd like to have it be 2.8 or faster and not too fussy to use (which might eliminate both the Heliar and he Elmarit but I include them because they are supposed to gave a nice look).

I'd rather go used and cheap but not FSU as I don't want to have to buy more than 1 to get a good one or have it worked on to get it right.

 

[Ronald M]

Best match would be the 1969/1981 Summicron. This is next to the last or current optical formula.

I have a version 4 35 and it is a good match. ver 3 and ver 4 35`s were about the same lens.

 

[ferider]

I had the identical problem, Nightfly.

My answer was the last pre-asph 50mm Summilux that fits in contrast, OOF rendering and handholding capability, IMO.

Best,

Roland.

 

[Sofa King]

ferider, how much do those usually go for?

 

[ferider]

Around US 1050 per http://members.aol.com/dcolucci/a.htm.

Best,

Roland.

 

[CK Dexter Haven]

Pre-ASPH Summilux 50 or a 2.8 Elmar?

 

[tbarker13]

I notice that price list has not been updated since January. I've been keeping an eye out for one of these 50 pre-asph summiluxes (v3) - thinking I might buy one if the price is right.
I think you would be pretty lucky to get one in good condition for less than 1,100 right now. I've seen some go for $200-$300 more in recent weeks. But ebay pricing can be weird. Maybe I've just seen some anomalies.

 

[Rafael]

I had both the 35/2 (III) and the 50/2 (III - 1969). I kept the 35 but sold the 50. While these two lenses are from the same time period and, consequently, would seem to be an obvious pairing, I found that I much preferred the signature of the 35. To my eye, the 1969 50/2 is somewhat lacking in, for lack of a better word, boldness. I prefer the 50/2 (IV). But obviously, this is a personal feeling.

 

[pkreyenhop]

Hi, a good old v2 Summilux in chrome is a very good performer and a good buy - a couple of hundred dollars cheaper than a v3 (if you can live with 1m minimum focus).

 

[nobbylon]

Go for the lux or the old elmar. to me the lux is a bit more contrasty than the elmar, but the elmar is smaller and a third of the price! The elmar produces a lovely smooth look and is great for portraits wide open and when stopped down is as sharp as the lux.
Sounds like you need to buy my elmar listed in the classified ads!