Leica LTM 50mm Elmar f3.5 LTM - first images

Leica M39 screw mount bodies/lenses
New Orleans City Park - in summer, humidity levels here are usually high and there is typically bit of natural glare and haziness in the atmosphere. The sky is often washed out looking.

M2406792 by Brusby, on Flickr
 
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brusby said:
New Orleans City Park - in summer, humidity levels here are usually high and there is typically bit of natural glare and haziness in the atmosphere. The sky is often washed out looking.

M2406792 by Brusby, on Flickr
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I particularly like this one. You’ve captured the texture of the tree bark and the compo is v pleasing. You’ve inspired me to break out my RS Elmar 50 and try on my M-E 240.
 
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brusby said:
'Just got a nice clean copy and took it out for a spin at the local lakefront on M240. It's coated and it has the modern f stop scale, so I'm guessing early 50s.

All hand held, available light, although the evening/night shots were at max ISO.

M2406527 by Brusby, on Flickr
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Beautiful tonality. People tend to think that things in general are improved by technology. I'm a big fan of the characteristics of classic lenses, whatever the format, be they Dagors, or Tessars, Elmars or Summarons
 
Deardorff38 said:
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Beautiful tonality. People tend to think that things in general are improved by technology. I'm a big fan of the characteristics of classic lenses, whatever the format, be they Dagors, or Tessars, Elmars or Summarons.
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In the world of photographic equipment, “new technology” improves sales more than it does tonality. Picture you highlight is a case in point. There are others:)
 
Larry Cloetta said:
In the world of photographic equipment, “new technology” improves sales more than it does tonality. Picture you highlight is a case in point. There are others:)
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Larry,"conventional wisdom" keeps the photo business & discussions/conversations on photo forums running.
 
'Been really liking the size and image quality of the 50mm Elmar f3.5 so when I ran across a clean red scale version recently, I couldn't resist. From first shots with it today on the way home from dinner. 'Wanted to try pretty strong backlight to check for flare and/or haze.

M2407121 by Brusby, on Flickr
 
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Sorry to barrage with such similar scenes, but I really like what the kids add and how this older lens handles such delicate details, particularly with problematic backlighting.

The girl in the foreground is barely on the edge of the plane of focus due to the lens being set at infinity.

M2407123 by Brusby, on Flickr
 
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Knowing how the good the Elmar lenses are, what really impresses me is how well they work with the M240. I might have to get me one (M240) someday.


PF
 
I can't blame the M240 for any problems with my photos. A bit more dynamic range and a little faster refresh in live view mode would be nice but for most things its really lovely as it is. And I've got other cameras that cover those things better than Leica's current offerings. Think I'll just continue to grow old with my trusty M240 watching the black paint slowly wear away to reveal the beautiful brass beneath while trying to coax from it whatever images I can.
 
Really nice shots. That lens is cheap (by Leica standards) so I may have to get one, even though I've got the more modern 50/2 Summitar already.
 
Thanks Jeremy. Yep, this lens is an absolute bargain and I love using it. So small, light and compact. I still find it hard to believe the amount of detail from this simple older design (for anyone interested, best to click through to see the Flickr image cause the fine details seem a tad obscured on the forum viewer and even flickr seems to lose a little detail from the original).

'Just did my first photos after our city was hit pretty hard by Hurricane Ida. This is a couple of images stitched together of the very first hint of sunrise over the Mississippi River.


M2407904-Pano by Brusby, on Flickr
 
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brusby said:
'Been really liking the size and image quality of the 50mm Elmar f3.5 so when I ran across a clean red scale version recently, I couldn't resist. From first shots with it today on the way home from dinner. 'Wanted to try pretty strong backlight to check for flare and/or haze.

M2407121 by Brusby, on Flickr
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Beautiful, Bruce. And the color shots too. I should use my Elmar 50 more… But when looking for a vintage look, I tend to reach for a Summitar, bc having f2.8 is v useful (I rarely shoot wide open).
 
Ooooh, 'love the Summitar too, Steve. What a great lens and another of my absolute favs. 'Been meaning to do some comparison shots with the Summitar and Elmar under similar circumstances so I can have a better understanding of the differences between them.

And thanks for the nice comments. When I looked closely at those first images from the new-to-me red scale Elmar posted above and others from that shoot, I noticed the right side seemed just a bit sharper and/or more in focus than the left. Suspecting the cause was most likely an element not seated properly, I removed the first one and re-seated it. That seems to have fixed the problem 'cause it's pretty symmetrical now. Sure would be nice to have a collimator.
 
That's some pano, Bruce. It all seems so nice and peaceful. I'm hoping the area can recover soon, but the hurricane season isn't over for quite a while yet. Good luck to you and all that have been affected by the storm.


PF
 
gelatin silver print (elmar 50mm f3.5) leica Ia (1928)

Erik.

51442833727_4867d20994_b.jpg
 
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