coelacanth
Ride, dive, shoot.
Hi,
I hope you can tell me if the Elmar-M 50 f2.8 that I got from KEH is normal. I tried to look for this information online, but I couldn't find much.
The aperture ring has very nice clicking at all stops/half stops, but the resistance to click and rotate is definitely lighter than other lenses I have (mostly CVs, and Hexanon 50 f2), and there is a tiny play (probably the gap between the clicking ball and the hole inside) at each stop, maybe a hair thin, and also about same amount of play going back and forth (facing camera/lens from front or rear). I'm talking about only the aperture ring. There is no play to the barrel once it's locked into extended position.
I guess it's still better too be a bit loose than too tight, but I don't have any other Leica lens (and never owned one before this) or chance to compare with another copy of the Elmar-M 50mm.
Would you say this is normal?
Thanks much for your help in advance.
I hope you can tell me if the Elmar-M 50 f2.8 that I got from KEH is normal. I tried to look for this information online, but I couldn't find much.
The aperture ring has very nice clicking at all stops/half stops, but the resistance to click and rotate is definitely lighter than other lenses I have (mostly CVs, and Hexanon 50 f2), and there is a tiny play (probably the gap between the clicking ball and the hole inside) at each stop, maybe a hair thin, and also about same amount of play going back and forth (facing camera/lens from front or rear). I'm talking about only the aperture ring. There is no play to the barrel once it's locked into extended position.
I guess it's still better too be a bit loose than too tight, but I don't have any other Leica lens (and never owned one before this) or chance to compare with another copy of the Elmar-M 50mm.
Would you say this is normal?
Thanks much for your help in advance.
monochromeimages
Established
I own too many lenses, both CV and Leica. The resistance of the click stops seems to vary a great deal between them and my 50 2.8 Elmar is one of the lightest. I have checked it for the aperture ring play you describe and it really is tiny but it is there so yours is probably normal..
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Erik van Straten
Veteran
The smoothness of the clicks is on purpose, so that when you're turning the aperture ring the lens head will not rotate to be pushed in.
Erik.
Erik.
coelacanth
Ride, dive, shoot.
Ahh, thanks guys. Now I see that makes a lot of sense. I guess I can stop worrying about it. 
Thanks again for clearing this out.
Thanks again for clearing this out.
sleepyhead
Well-known
I've owned two of these lenses, and I remember when I got the first one wondering the same things. It's normal.
CONGRADS, you have yourself there one of Leicas greatest lenses in my opinion. I use mine WAY more the 50mm Summilux ASPH. If f/2.8 max aperture is sufficient, then the Elmar-M is without fault in my opinion!
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CONGRADS, you have yourself there one of Leicas greatest lenses in my opinion. I use mine WAY more the 50mm Summilux ASPH. If f/2.8 max aperture is sufficient, then the Elmar-M is without fault in my opinion!
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Dralowid
Michael
I agree that it is normal. After a few years I have noticed that very slight play can develop in the focussing helical but this can be sorted by re-greasing.
Chuck all your other 50s away, the Elmar M is the one!
Michael
Chuck all your other 50s away, the Elmar M is the one!
Michael
Erik van Straten
Veteran
Hi Michael,
Optically it is very good, but ergonomically I very much prefer my old Leitz M-mount Elmar 50mm f/2.8 and Elmar 50mm f/3.5. I prefer the focussing knob to the narrow focusing ring of the Elmar-M.
Erik.
coelacanth
Ride, dive, shoot.
I was happy with Hexanon 50mm which is supposed to be a copy of Summicron. I find it to be a bit too contrasty to my personal liking, and I shoot b/w 95% of times.
I think I prefer Elmar's "classic" images with a bit less contrast and its compact size. For my use of M6, I don't find F2.8 to be too slow. I've shot only a few frames with elmar, but so far so good and I'm looking forward to seeing more from this lens. Now I think back, I preferred Tessar to Sonnar or Planar. Probably some people would disagree, but I often like older, simpler designs better.
I do like knob focusing with other lenses I have, but coming from slr with pancake lens, rollei 35 and other classic non-rf cameras, I find new elmar-m's focus ring to be fine.
I think I prefer Elmar's "classic" images with a bit less contrast and its compact size. For my use of M6, I don't find F2.8 to be too slow. I've shot only a few frames with elmar, but so far so good and I'm looking forward to seeing more from this lens. Now I think back, I preferred Tessar to Sonnar or Planar. Probably some people would disagree, but I often like older, simpler designs better.
I do like knob focusing with other lenses I have, but coming from slr with pancake lens, rollei 35 and other classic non-rf cameras, I find new elmar-m's focus ring to be fine.
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