Leica LTM looking for a collapsible...

Leica M39 screw mount bodies/lenses
msbarnes

msbarnes

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One that is not incredibly expensive, with moderate speed, and small. Not sure where my priorities are but they all seem to have some good fans. Does anyone have a size comparison of these lenses in the collapsed position? Any of them, because I've thought about Elmars (new and old, f2.8 and f3.5), Summicrons, and Summitars. Summar, I think, is too old.

I'm leaning towards the Summitar or an M mount Summicron (seem to be cheaper in this mount than LTM). Not sure on the mount. LTM would be more versatile as I've thought about getting an LTM for a daily carry but sometimes M mount is just cheaper so I might as well use my M more.

Also a lot of people discuss the hoods/filters for the 36mm threaded lenses. Can't one just easily adopt to 39mm filters and use 39mm hoods?
 
Yeah, I have two M mount Leica's. I'm happy with Rigid lenses when I go out shooting but sometimes I want something smaller (lighter is a secondary concern).

I have a Retina, which I find OK, but I don't like the ergonomics so a Leica LTM + collapsible or Leica M + collapsible seems like a better choice. I thought Rollei 35 but scale-focus is a bit limiting. All things equal I'd prefer LTM lenses so that I have more flexibility but I do realize that filters can be a mess with Summitars and some Elmars but can't one just use a step-up ring?

I'm thinking that 50mm f2.8 Elmar might be easier to deal with.

If it matters, this is all b&w film. I primarily use a UV and yellow filter.
 
Go to Fedka dot com and buy an Industar 22. Almost as small as the Elmar and a good one is just as good. If you need faster then the Summitar is a good choice. Good Luck. Joe
 
I have a few collapsible lenses: Elmar 50/2.8 v2, and v1, Summicron 50/2 and Summitar 50/2.
In order of sharpness:
Elmar v2
Summicron
Summitar
Elmar v1

In my opinion all these lenses have their sweet spot for something, but seriously speaking, the Elmar M v2 is head and shoulders above anything else - in fact it has become my favourite Leica lens OVERALL, and I have several Leica lenses...
If it is too expensive, go for the Summicron ( there is an M mount version), hoping you will find one with clean glass. This has been the main lens of HCB over 50 years, and I think this speaks for itself. I would consider the Summitar or the 3.5 Elmar as last resort, mainly because of the flare you will get with these in contre jour.

Elmar M 50/2.8 v 2


201211428 by mfogiel, on Flickr

Elmar M 50/2.8 v1


20104504 by mfogiel, on Flickr

Summicron Collapsible 50/2


20101609 by mfogiel, on Flickr

Summitar 50/2


20094737 by mfogiel, on Flickr
 
The uncoated Hektor 50 mm is very good for moody pictures.

Leica II, Hektor 50mm f/2.5, Tmax400.

Babruisk, 2001.

Erik.

8204292766_0c02d0177d_b.jpg
 
Thanks!

I'm leaning towards the cron: it has the history, speed, ergonomics, sharpness, size, and I think, the price.

Is the LTM version at keh.com rare? I had the impression that the LTM was more expensive because of this. I checked ebay (I use to gauge market value) and I see plenty of them in the $400 range.

Many of the other options seem suitable too, but i guess it also depends on how I'm going to use the lens. M + Cron seems easy enough to use and not too expensive.
 
There is also a much-overlooked Canon Serenar 1.9/50mm that sometimes can be had cheap on eBay.

I've shot several vintage Canon lenses over time and in the end sold them to invest in Leitz glass but sometimes I suddenly do miss them a lot...
 
Some of the early LTM Summicrons had radioactive glass, and these might be collectible in clean condition. Otherwise, I'd expect LTM to be cheaper than M mount. The key consideration is condition of the glass -- these lenses had softer glass and coatings than modern lenses (or their Japanese contemporaries, for that matter), so finding examples without a lot of cleaning marks or haze is a challenge.
 
I was aware that a lot of the older leica lenses had soft coatings but are they the same for the lenses that were offered in both mounts? Like the case for the collapsible 'cron.
 
If you are using an M I'd suggest going the extra mile for the Elmar-M (code 11831 or 11823) by which I mean the last Elmar-M and not the version from 1957-74 (good though it is).

Look at other threads, this lens is all you will ever need...maybe!
 
Yes, the collapsible 'cron also has very soft coatings. Well worth looking out for a good clean one if you can find one, but watch for cleaning marks and haze.
 
What's the going rate for an Elmar-M?

I might stretch my budget a bit. I notice that sometimes, but not all the time, I have regretted not spending a "little" more. Any pics of it on an M?
 
There was a 1990s Emar M listed in the classifieds here recently if I remember correctly. Might be worth checking.
 
I have a 50mm f2.8 Elmar of 1958 vintage and it's one of my favorite lenses. It looks nice on my chrome M6 and makes lovely images. Still, there are times I'd like an f2.0 collapsible lens. I have two rigid 50mm Summicrons and I'm thinking about getting a Summitar. Joe
 
Sometimes, when you are lucky, you have the right lens on the right camera on the right spot.

Leica II No. 74510, pre-war Elmar 50mm f/3.5 coated, Tmax400.

Amersfoort 2012.

Erik.

8294695219_8ff474792d_b.jpg
 
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