50 2.8 collapsible

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ncd_photo

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Hi, I've been reading up about a possible 50mm lens to go with my M2. I'm currently shooting with a CV 35 2.5 P2 which I like very much, however the depth of field is immense even wide open. I'm looking for a compact 50mm with a nice creamy bokeh that I can shoot at 2.8 - 4 most of the time and the elmar 2.8 seems to fit the bill.
They seem to be quite reasonable second hand but I've read comments about early versions not being that great.
How can I tell which version is which and how small are they when collapsed?

Thanks

Nick
 
My opinion: any Elmar is a great lens, either 3.5 or 2.8. The LTM ones are more compact than the current M version, but they're all compact enough.
I've got a preference for the red scale Elmar, but it's a "slow" lens, that is 3.5. The LTM 2.8 is a wonderful lens, more expensive than the 3.5 but it's worth the money. The current M Elmar (2.8) is also very nice; find some pictures taken with if on RFF. For instance, I know that Budgreen uses it sometimes.
Good luck!
Marc-A.
 
The new/current version of the 50mmf2.8 collapsible Elmar is said to be sharper than the original version. The new/current is more expensive than the original version. I have the original version and am quite happy with it. If your other lens is a CV35, you may want the new/current version to match its sharpness.
 
The new Elmar 50/2.8 is nicely sharp. It's what I use with my M2 and they are a very good pair.

With the CV Skopar 35/2.5 PII, however, the Heliar 50/2 might be a good companion as well. The shots posted on this forum look good to me, you'd get another stop when you need it, and I think it can use the same hood as the Skopar 35/2.5 PII.
 
I'm in a similar state of indecision about a 50mm for my M6. At the moment I'm using a Jupiter 8 is which very good for its price but noticeably less sharp than my CV 35 and 75.

I'd go for the CV 50/2.5 because I think these little skopar lenses are superb for the price but I would like larger aperture. I have heard poor reports on the f2 Heliar which looks a wonderful lens.

Budget is reasonable but not unlimited and I can't stretch to a modern summicron. Any recommendations please.
 
I use the Elmar f3.5 and current (f2.8). Yes the curent one is sharper but the difference disappears when you get to f5.6 or f8.
 
The original LTM Elmar 50/2.8 collapsible is a wonderful lens. As Frank says not as sharp as some modern lenses, but its other qualities (I've used it under lighting ranging from available darkness to shooting into the sun) outweigh any missing sharpness.

Peter
 
I had an original elmar 2.8 M mount and now have the current version and there are a couple of differences to consider. On the original, the focus and aperture ring rotate together so that focusing will change the aperture and visa-versa. The way around this is to focus first and then hold the lens barrel with your fingers while setting the aperture. It takes a little bit of practice to do, however it does produce wonderful medium constrast images with a classic Leica 'glow' to them.
The current version doesn't have the same focus/ aperture ring issue and is a great lens IMO. It's very sharp with high contrast, compact and great for traveling. I also had the current summicron, but decided to sell it in favor of the elmar even though its one stop slower at 2.8.
The other option is a 40 Cron, which is a great lens for the price that I would highly recommend as well.
 
So funny that an outfit like B+H have a typo and call the lens an Elmarit.
Elmar, Elmar, Elmar.
 
ERV said:
I had an original elmar 2.8 M mount and now have the current version and there are a couple of differences to consider. On the original, the focus and aperture ring rotate together so that focusing will change the aperture and visa-versa. The way around this is to focus first and then hold the lens barrel with your fingers while setting the aperture. It takes a little bit of practice to do, however it does produce wonderful medium constrast images with a classic Leica 'glow' to them.
The current version doesn't have the same focus/ aperture ring issue and is a great lens IMO. It's very sharp with high contrast, compact and great for traveling. I also had the current summicron, but decided to sell it in favor of the elmar even though its one stop slower at 2.8.
The other option is a 40 Cron, which is a great lens for the price that I would highly recommend as well.
Click to expand...

Not if you use the focus tab. Set aperture first with lens at infinity lock, then focus.
 
Not sure where you're shopping but I'd strongly advise handling whatever you're thinking of buying mounted on your own camera. I was inches away from selling my 35 Ultron for a 35 Summicron ASPH and didn't - not because the Ultron is a better lens (I actually prefer the Summicron ASPH rendering) but because after trying it I just found it felt too small and fiddly. I love a small outfit but I know that for me, if the lens doesn't feel right I'm not going to use it. And the worst performing lens is always the one you left at home.

Just a thought.

BTW, the only danger to this is that I am now focused on saving for a 35 Summilux ASPH which I love the handling and rendering of...too bad they're so expensive. So the sword cuts both ways I suppose.
 
bmicklea said:
Not sure where you're shopping but I'd strongly advise handling whatever you're thinking of buying mounted on your own camera. .
Click to expand...

Good point, I had a play with a 50 F2 'cron in the dealers when I bought the M2 and am sort of kicking myself for not buying it at the same time. I do like the CV lens so will investigate the CV options as well.

Ultimately its the look as opposed to the sharpness I'm really after so the early elmar may well fit the bill.

Thanks for all the info!

Nick :)
 
dspeltz said:
I have the newer Elmar and it is a really nice lens (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=7074&A=details&Q=&sku=108306&is=USA&addedTroughType=categoryNavigation). I use it on my black M3. It is tiny. I will post some pictures this weekend when I get home using the lens if the thread is still in play.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the link, I now see that the lenses I've been looking are the original type, so will need to look at the focus/aperture control in a bit more depth
 
FYI: The current Elmar-M is pretty cheap on the used market. I've seen them sell for under $500 on ebay and other places.
 
The new 50 elmar is a good lens and I own a black one. But why Leica not have the extension tube made in black color as well! Its silver color looks very odd indeed. That's the only complaint I have with this otherwise excellant lens.

:) bm
 
FrankS said:
So funny that an outfit like B+H have a typo and call the lens an Elmarit.
Elmar, Elmar, Elmar.
Click to expand...
Doesn't Leica call all it's f2.8 lenses Elmarit except for this one? Maybe the person who wrote the blurb at B&H knows Leica (and the naming rule) but doesn't know this particular lens?
 
I own the Wetzlar Elmar 50/2.8. The single-helical design means the aperture assembly will rotate when focussing, but the aperture itself is unchanged. The classic 2.8 differs from the current version by having a long focus throw (and broad DOF scale), by having 15 aperture blades (not six), by having an infinity lock, and by having a chrome bezel (pretty). Unlike other 50s, both Elmars have aperture markings that are spaced irregularly.
 
You might also consider a collapsible 5cm Summicron in LTM or M mount for that extra stop & "creamy bokeh" wide open.

David
 
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