50mm f2.8 Elmar-M?

[ktmrider]

Yes, a lens with just an f2.8 aperture can be fine for available light. We get spoiled with faster lenses like f2, f1.4 or even f1. Most professional zooms have a max f stop of 2.8. And ISO adjustable in camera, what is the world coming to.

I remember shooting high school football at night when I was a professional newspaper photographer back about 1975 using a Nikon F and 180f2.8 and pushing TriX to 1600-3200 and then printing on Number 4 or 5 paper to get a usable image. What we would not have given for a digital SLR with ISO's above 6400, auto focus, and 10fps drives. Guess it would be a surprise today but we came home with usable images.

 

[palec]

Is this an illustrative description for a sleeper lens?

by [URL="https://www.flickr.com/photos/helenartemishill/"]Helen Hill, on Flickr

 

[Johann Espiritu]

I use the 50 Elmar-M on my M240 (and yes, it does collapse safely). I find it to be the perfect mix of classic + modern look. Probably not "fast enough" for most, but plenty enough for me.

I traded my black version for a chrome one. Both were excellent copies.

Samples:


Look at that Cadillac, look at that. by Johann Espiritu, on Flickr


Chic Chapeau by Johann Espiritu, on Flickr


Atari - Under the Table and Dreaming by Johann Espiritu, on Flickr


Cuenca Park by Johann Espiritu, on Flickr

 

[ktmrider]

Had a beautiful example of the 50f2.8 Elmar M from Classic Connection for a few days. I ended up sending it back primarily because I did not need a seventh M mount lens and I hate duplicating focal lengths. I have a perfectly fine 50 Summicron in chrome.


By the way, I talk a bit about a light weight travel kit. Well, the kit is flexible as I leave tomorrow for two months in Asia with an M9 35f1.2. 50f2, and 90f2.8. The 35 Nokton sure is not part of the "lightweight" kit.