50mm daily driver: Canon 1.8 or Elmar 3.5?

[rbrooks]

Everyone should have a 50mm Elmar. It's mandatory. Nothing else is this small with this quality.

 

[Monochrom]

Everyone should have a 50mm Elmar. It's mandatory. Nothing else is this small with this quality.

Amen!

🙂

 

[Erik van Straten]

Elmar if a red Scale or a coated one.

I would not consider a non coated lens.

When they are without haze - even the lightest haze is killing - the uncoated ones are great.

Leica I model A, Elmar 50mm f/3.5, Tmax400.

Erik.

 

[uhoh7]

The Elmar is really a daylight lens.

The Canon is day and night, with DOF options.

As my only 50, I would take the Canon for this reason, assuming no haze on either.

Of course the elmar is tiny, but the Canon is not a big lens.

I have both, but rarely shoot either LOL

 

[goamules]

I agree. But I think the OP was saying he puts a priority on collapsible/small. He also said he uses fast film for low light, and that he dosn't mind the fiddly iris adjuster on the I-22 clones. So I think his decision is now made - an Elmar.

 

[Whateverist]

Thanks for all the great advice. I think goamules summarized it nicely - I'm going for the Elmar.

 

[Doug]

In regard to 50mm f/3.5 lens... One might consider the excellent collapsible Voigtlander Heliar 50mm f/3.5 as offered at the Cameraquest website. (might still have some...)

 

[AlexBG]

The Elmar's aperture is too fiddly for me to use daily. I had a nice example and sold it, the compact nature was not enough to sway me. I'd take the Canon every time.

I agree with this 100% and add in extending it to be ready for the shot.

The Elmar is a great lens though.

 

[Whateverist]