scorpius73
Well-known
I just picked up one of these today at lunch. Bought in a fit of GAS. I'm wondering of impressions of this lens. Things like bokeh, sharpness, contrast and etc. I will try to get out this weekend to use it. But, just wondering what other users think of it?
tennis-joe
Well-known
I had one cleaned and lubed by Sherry and it is very wonderful. It doesn't take up very much room and the shots are great.
I recommend it.
Joe
I recommend it.
Joe
brachal
Refrigerated User
I love mine. If you look through my gallery here, you'll find lots of shots with the Elmar.
Bingley
Veteran
I like it a lot. Sharp (including wide open), w/ moderate contrast which makes it a good landscape lens in sunny situations. It's nice for b&w but also produces nice color images (try it w/ Ektar 
). Nice bokeh, IMHO. I recommend getting a hood; the one made for the recently discontinued v.2 M mount version works fine and is generally available. Here are some sample pix:
Wide-open:
About f5.6:
f.5.6:
f.11:
W/ Ektar:
W/ Portra 400NC:
). Nice bokeh, IMHO. I recommend getting a hood; the one made for the recently discontinued v.2 M mount version works fine and is generally available. Here are some sample pix:Wide-open:
About f5.6:
f.5.6:
f.11:
W/ Ektar:
W/ Portra 400NC:
back alley
IMAGES
the latest m mount and discontinued one?
Bingley
Veteran
I thought the OP meant the older version, which was produced in both M- and LTM mount. Mine is the v.1 in LTM.
scorpius73
Well-known
It's the discontinued one from 1958 according to the Leica lens serial number.
Bingley
Veteran
It's a little confusing b/c v.2 was also discontinued by Leica recently; that version was only in M mount, and is a very high contrast lens. If your Elmar 50 is from 1958, it's v.1, and I assumed it's LTM too (like mine) b/c you started this thread in the LTM forum.
Rico
Well-known
The two versions are very different, and I could see owning both, but I have the v1 only. This one is a classic with moderate contrast, beautiful bokeh, compact size, great DOF scale. Makes an ideal travel lens.
Garyj12
Newbie
Hood for Elmar f2.8 LTM
Hood for Elmar f2.8 LTM
Hi,
I'm looking for a hood for my 50mm Elmar f2.8 ltm, will the Leica hood 12550 fit ok? a bit expensive though at £60 any other suggestions welcome!
Hood for Elmar f2.8 LTM
Hi,
I'm looking for a hood for my 50mm Elmar f2.8 ltm, will the Leica hood 12550 fit ok? a bit expensive though at £60 any other suggestions welcome!
scorpius73
Well-known
Thanks for the info Rico. I can't wait to get out and use mine sometime this week. I toyed around with it last night on my M6. Meter doesn't work unless the lens is extended and locked. I think this is definitely a slower style of shooting.
scorpius73
Well-known
Nice images. I simply can't wait to get out and use it.
I like it a lot. Sharp (including wide open), w/ moderate contrast which makes it a good landscape lens in sunny situations. It's nice for b&w but also produces nice color images (try it w/ Ektar
Wide-open:
About f5.6:
f.5.6:
f.11:
W/ Ektar:
W/ Portra 400NC:
dfoo
Well-known
I find the idea of the lens better than it is in actual use. I find the ergonomics very annoying.
Bingley
Veteran
If that's the hood for the v.2 Elmar-M, then yes it will fit. It's what I use on my Elmar 50/2.8 LTM.
Bingley
Veteran
Scorpius -- Thanks. I think you'll enjoy it!
Well, yes, there are some challenges there, but the ergonomics on this lens are an improvement, IMO, over the original Elmar 50/3.5. Easier to change the aperture, for one.
Well, yes, there are some challenges there, but the ergonomics on this lens are an improvement, IMO, over the original Elmar 50/3.5. Easier to change the aperture, for one.
Luddite Frank
Well-known
I would agree about the challenging ergonomics of the early Elmar 50 and 35 mm lenses ( aperture setting on front of lens).
The f:2.8 re-design with the "rim-set" aperture must be a thousand-times easier to use, especially with a hood !
jearley
Newbie
I have the LTM 50 2.8 and Red Scale 3.5. I also used to have a Black Scale 3.5. I once did a side by side test of them - colour neg - and they're all great. The RS was a tad sharper and much more contrasty than the (coated) BS lens. The 2.8 was almost identical the the 3.5 but a tad softer at 2.8.
My favourite is the 3.5 RS for the tiny size of the thing, and I use the 2.8 on my M2.
My favourite is the 3.5 RS for the tiny size of the thing, and I use the 2.8 on my M2.
