Best normal lens for Barnack?

[Krosya]

Hello All,
I was just wondering what people think to be the best normal (40-50mm) lens on their screwmount Leicas.? I would imagine that current summicron that mostly comes in M mount, but also available in screw mount . I know its not cheap and difficult to find, yet its possible. So, any others besides that? Somewhat cheaper yet very good optically? Would it be something from CV line?
Whats your experience? Some photos will help too - to illustrate why you consider it to be your best normal lens.
Thanks

 

[drewbarb]

Define "best". There are so many great normal lenses available in LTM- it's a great asset, that mount. What and how do you shoot? Film preferences? What sort of light do you tend to shoot in? What kind of subjects? What are your feelings about size and weight WRT equipment choice?

 

[Krosya]

Well, since there are so many variables, I wanted to get people's opinions - what they consider thier best one and why, and possibly with photos to support their statement. I understand that it's different for eveyone. Just want to get different perspectives and than draw my own conclusions. Hope this expains my original post/question.

 

[George Bonanno]

Gee, with all those cameras and lenses you have I would think you could tell us what's best.

Really, what's your point ??? And photos to support statements !!! Come on !!!

I'll tell you what, go out and take some pictures and then form your own opinion, or better yet, tell us what's best.

I don't mean to be mean... I was just born that way.

Best,
George

PS: Yesterday (Easter), I saw this older hippie dude with a short gray ponytail attempting to take a snapshot with a really cool looking 4x5 view camera. I peeked at the ground glass image and the moron had the lens mounted upside down. Go figure !

 

[Jerevan]

Best one? The VC 50/2.5 would be a great one as you can buy it new, get a warranty and don't need to worry about scratches and earlier owners. I've only tested it in a shop, but I was really impressed by the solid construction. A plus point is the 39 mm filter thread. My personal best are the 50/3.5 Elmars, both the coated and uncoated ones are very nice. Collapses well, small size, lightweight (I think it weighs something like 140 grammes). I like mine!

 

[harmsr]

I have tried a bunch of different LTM 50s including the modern Summicron re-issue.

My favorites on my iiif are the original coll. Summicron and the 2.8 Elmar. Both can be had for reasonable prices in excellent condition and have a CLA done for $85.

Those are the two lenses that live on my iiif.

Best,

Ray

 

[Rob-F]

The collapsible Summicron if you need the speed. A coated f/3.5 Elmar red scale (or late black scale) if you don't.

My $0.02.

 

[raid]

There must be 20 different 50mm lenses you could get for a LTM camera.

Raid

 

[Krosya]

Gee, with all those cameras and lenses you have I would think you could tell us what's best.

Really, what's your point ??? And photos to support statements !!! Come on !!!

I'll tell you what, go out and take some pictures and then form your own opinion, or better yet, tell us what's best.

I don't mean to be mean... I was just born that way.

Best,
George

PS: Yesterday (Easter), I saw this older hippie dude with a short gray ponytail attempting to take a snapshot with a really cool looking 4x5 view camera. I peeked at the ground glass image and the moron had the lens mounted upside down. Go figure !

Well, you are right, I do have some gear. And I know what works for me from what I have. However, I always want to learn about things I do not have. Hence the question. So, if you don't have anything to contribute - please feel free to ignore my post. We are here to help each other learn about photography and RF equipment. Hope you can do your share. I try to do mine.

 

[gregg]

The 50mm/f2 Summitar is, in my opinion, the best. Quite a few examples in my gallery, mostly with a iiic - some with a M6 and adapter.

 

[Krosya]

I have tried a bunch of different LTM 50s including the modern Summicron re-issue.

My favorites on my iiif are the original coll. Summicron and the 2.8 Elmar. Both can be had for reasonable prices in excellent condition and have a CLA done for $85.

Those are the two lenses that live on my iiif.

Best,

Ray

HI Ray,
Thanks for your answer. Could you tell more about your experience with modern Summicron re-issue lens? I don't seem to find much info on it.
Thanks.

 

[George Bonanno]

Well, you are right, I do have some gear. And I know what works for me from what I have. However, I always want to learn about things I do not have. Hence the question. So, if you don't have anything to contribute - please feel free to ignore my post. We are here to help each other learn about photography and RF equipment. Hope you can do your share. I try to do mine.

OK... I'll bite. The best normal lens I've used (and do use) on my IIIf is my postwar coated 50mm f3.5 Elmar. It's a wonderful lens for taking snaps, especially of people. It produces smooth skin tone images and open shadow detail under bright sunlight and high contrast lighting conditions. It's an amazing lens if one does not mind the added depth of field wide open, being it's an f3.5. Typically, I shoot at f4 - f8 using B&W film. Below is an example under a single high wattage 150 watt lamp. It's a quickie flatbed scan of the neg but hopefully you get the idea. Personally I like the flair. The lens was hooded but we were both smoking heavely. I think the smokey conditions might have added to the open shadow, somewhat like a pre-exposure. With color film the Elmar produces sort of an old time pastel, mellow look.

I recently did try a 40mm Sonar. However I did not like it. Too contrasty and over saturated color for my taste. That's just not the way I see things in reality.

Hey Krosya... I did not mean to be offensive to you. I was just in a good after hours Easter mood. I sure wish you would give us your opinion on the lenses you use and what works for you. That would be a plus and contribuite to our (my) interest.

Best,
George

 

[jkelly]

Some people, including me, like to pair the camera with a lens of the same vintage. For instance, with a Leica II or III or IIIa, pair it with an uncoated Summar or 1930s Elmar. Use a Summitar, coated Elmar or early Summicron with a post-war IIIc or IIIf. That's just one of many ways to determine the "best" normal lens to use with a Banack.

 

[Krosya]

OK... I'll bite. The best normal lens I've used (and do use) on my IIIf is my postwar coated 50mm f3.5 Elmar. It's a wonderful lens for taking snaps, especially of people. It produces smooth skin tone images and open shadow detail under bright sunlight and high contrast lighting conditions. It's an amazing lens if one does not mind the added depth of field wide open, being it's an f3.5. Typically, I shoot at f4 - f8 using B&W film. Below is an example under a single high wattage 150 watt lamp. It's a quickie flatbed scan of the neg but hopefully you get the idea. Personally I like the flair. The lens was hooded but we were both smoking heavely. I think the smokey conditions might have added to the open shadow, somewhat like a pre-exposure. With color film the Elmar produces sort of an old time pastel, mellow look.

I recently did try a 40mm Sonar. However I did not like it. Too contrasty and over saturated color for my taste. That's just not the way I see things in reality.

Hey Krosya... I did not mean to be offensive to you. I was just in a good after hours Easter mood. I sure wish you would give us your opinion on the lenses you use and what works for you. That would be a plus and contribuite to our (my) interest.

Best,
George

Thank you - now this is what I was looking for. I too will get some photos together and post them with my impressions in a few days - sorry too busy at work to do it right now. Thanks again for the info. Nice photo, btw.

 

[FrankS]

Some people, including me, like to pair the camera with a lens of the same vintage. For instance, with a Leica II or III or IIIa, pair it with an uncoated Summar or 1930s Elmar. Use a Summitar, coated Elmar or early Summicron with a post-war IIIc or IIIf. That's just one of many ways to determine the "best" normal lens to use with a Banack.

I agree, although right now there is a CV50f2.5 lens on my IIf. It's also fun to pair my Summar to my Hexar RF. Time warp kind of thing.

 

[arbib]

PS: Yesterday (Easter), I saw this older hippie dude with a short gray ponytail attempting to take a snapshot with a really cool looking 4x5 view camera. I peeked at the ground glass image and the moron had the lens mounted upside down. Go figure !

😀 😀 😀
Thanks for the Camera Joke....Made me laugh and Grin 😎

 

[raid]

I'm still hoping to find another clean Summar one day. I may go to my collapsible Summicron the next weeks.

Raid

 

[easyrider]

That is quite a striking shot Mr. Bonnano. Somewhat reminiscent of Bellocq (no offense to the lady). Congrats.

I am glad to see that despite the debate over 'porn" in another thread, we do have tolerance for a beautiful female body.

 

[arbib]

I am glad to see that despite the debate over 'porn" in another thread, we do have tolerance for a beautiful female body.

Here Here 😀

 

[George Bonanno]

Coated Fed 50mm f3.5...

Coated Fed 50mm f3.5...

Here is another IIIf snap but taken with a coated FED 50mm f3.5 I got from Fedka. We were illustrating an antique dress that was for sale and trying to give the pic a period look. The lighting was controlled. Main light overhead to the right with a fill light next to the camera. The IIIf was on a tripod and from what I remember the exposure was 1 sec.+ @ f8. Don't quote me on this, I'm guessing here. Tri-X film developed in HC-110 1:50 for 11 minutes with 1 min agitation. The neg is snappy from being overexposed but the grain is fine. A simple flatbed screen scan. I know some of you get off on this tech stuff so I'm mentioning it. The FED did a good job and without a hood. This was taken shortly before I got my Elmar off eBay... such a deal. Two things I regret about this session are not putting a low wattage lamp behind the posing chair to separate the background drape from her hair and not noticing the posing chair's metal rod. Oh well, live and learn. Anyway, having shot with the FED and then the Elmar it's really hard to tell them apart visually. However, the Elmar has a tad smoother feel with less drag while focusing. So, that's that on that.

I hope some of you contribute to this thread and with an example.

Best,
George

BTW: Who the heck is Bellocq ?