50mm choices

AgentX

AgentX

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Hi everyone--

Been off the forum for a while.

Could use an opinion from the Cosinaphile crowd: for an upcoming motorcycle trip, would the 50mm 2.5 skopar or the 3.5 Heliar be the better choice? Also looking for something that would make my M3 a bit of a better carry-around tool in general.

I am looking for a 50 that will let me carry or pack the camera with a relatively flat profile; preferably light. My 1.5 Summarit just doesn't do well in that department, as it's decidedly heavy and presents a pretty good snoot.

I realize extending the Heliar slows things down a bit, but I am also intrigued by its optical reputation, lightness, and seemingly tiny size when collapsed. The Skopar has a good rep but I hear it's a pretty heavy little chunkster.

Any opinions from those who've used both? Will be shooting a mix of b/w and color print. Mostly daylight, medium to fast film...



Also interested to hear if any old-school Leica lenses would fit the bill, but frankly don't want anything to antiquated or funky in terms of mechanics/ergonomics (like the tiny aperture tab on the 50 3.5 Elmar, for example.)

Or should I just buy a Rollei 35 and learn to trust scale-focusing instinct??

Thanks!
-MD
 
Moriturii said:
Collapsible Summicron.
Click to expand...

Thought of it, of course. But every description I've read, however, describes the front element as a real problem area. Soft and easily scratched and truly rare to find in even decent shape. (Same on my Summarit, of course, and it's a fine piece, but I see that more as one lucky break and I shouldn't gamble on such things.)

Just didn't feel like gambling in this case, especially since getting the lens here and back around the world is a pain if the purchase turns out to be less than desirable in person.

Maybe I should just use my old Olympus XA, dim rangefinder be damned.

MD
 
If you pay attention to ergonomics I doubt you will be happy with the Heliar.
And if you use the hood it is not so tiny.
Otherwise it is a nice lens for daylight.
 
Vics said:
3.5/50 Elmar with M adaptor! Everybody needs at least one! Then you can lust for a IIIc to go with it! The lens that made Leica famous.
Click to expand...

I just don't see manipulating that tiny aperture tab with my riding gloves on...think I'll need to take a pass.

MD
 
Geez, I did this scenerio a couple times also. The 50mm I ended up with is a 40mm M Rokkor/CL Summicron. As compact as a collapsed Heliar and lighter. Also one stop faster. I have one on my M5 that brings up the 50 lines and just frame a bit loose. The one on my M8 has been filed to bring up the 35 lines and is almost spot on unless I'm in close. If you are considering a Rollei scale focus try a c 40mm Summicron or M rokkor first. Plus it's faster. I did not get on with collapsible lenses. To fiddly was my experience with a couple of them now.
 
Maybe the answer is I don't need a new lens at the moment...ride with the 35mm Summaron with goggles mounted; bulky, but at least it's flat. Switch out to the bigger 50mm when needed. Or just take a 35/90 combo, maybe a 21mm with finder too in case it's useful sometime.

So much to consider; thanks for indulging. Still interested in a small general-purpose walk-around 50mm, though. The Skopar sure seems like it might fit the bill; the 40mm is a good idea, too, but then I'll be too tempted to get a CL to go with it.
 
This is what I use for exactly the same purpose:

899645663_gKHN2-M.jpg


Not cheap, but nothing Leica is currently.

You might also consider a CV 35/2.5 PII - very compact and great all around, if 35 is an option.

Roland.
 
Cv 50/2.5

Cv 50/2.5

AgentX said:
Hi everyone--

Been off the forum for a while.

Could use an opinion from the Cosinaphile crowd: for an upcoming motorcycle trip, would the 50mm 2.5 skopar or the 3.5 Heliar be the better choice? Also looking for something that would make my M3 a bit of a better carry-around tool in general.
[...snip...]
Click to expand...

For a small set I would suggest the Skopar(s). No tube fussling like the Heliar or Elmar but they still use very little place on your camera.

U41720I1320395897.SEQ.0.jpg

My CV 50/2.5 and 28/3.5
 
AgentX said:
Maybe the answer is I don't need a new lens at the moment...ride with the 35mm Summaron with goggles mounted; bulky, but at least it's flat. Switch out to the bigger 50mm when needed. Or just take a 35/90 combo, maybe a 21mm with finder too in case it's useful sometime...
Click to expand...

Right...

Thanks for asking tho' 😀
 
Don't forget the Skopar. It is a nice small lens that you don't have to extend to use, performs very well, and is very, very small. All the the other choices mentioned are good too, but don't sell the CV short.
 
What about Hexanon L (LTM) 50/2.4 (collapsible) or Elmar 50/2.8 collapsible? Then there is the Summarit 50/2.5 - should be a great performer.

But I personally would probably give the little Skopar a try - I would find the f/3.5 of Heliar too slow probably.
 
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