50mm Question

[Bernie/Is/No/More.]

Hello!


I only shoot b&w and I have a tabbed 80s Summicron (same optical formula than the new one without tab) and it's my standard 50mm. Also, I have a Leitz Summar from 1936 for those moments when I really want a true vintage look. But recently I'm starting to think if I'm losing something in my photography with this set and I wonder if I should sell both lenses and buy a collapsible Summicron or a Rigid one. In this way I'd get the best of two worlds - a stellar performer with an unique vintage look.


Thanks in advance for your responses.

 

[Marsopa]

Hi Bernie (Hola):

I'll try to answer in english... I've both the rigid summicron and a modern summicron, one of them atached to an M2 and the later one in the M6, and the summar... three great lenses being the summar the one that see fewer use. Between rigid and modern summicron the main difference (IMHO) is in the contrast being the two lenses very good performers, surely there are users here with more experience and better photog. than me that can be more helpful than me. If I were you I wouldn't worry about the subject but it's true that you could sell the newer lens and find a rigid one (I bought mine in leicashop.com) at a good price. I found myself thinking, not to buy another rigid but to buy a Nikon scanner...

(De nuevo saludos, como te dije por flickr me alegro de saber de ti de nuevo, que la cosa vaya bien y suerte)

 

[cwatgo1970]

Greetings Bernie, What type of film and chemistry are you useing if you don't mind sharing? Are you referring to scanned or (darkroom) printed work? Film processing tecqniques are an important factor for achieving this look. Any samples you can share might help us determine as well. Regards- Charles

 

[jmcd]

I have the tabbed 50 and the rigid. The tabbed 50 is my favorite overall for great image quality, great handling, close focus, and light weight.

The rigid is great and it creates a strong 3d look and is lovely and sharp. It operates well, but is considerably heavier, close focus is at 3 feet 4 inches, and flare can be overwhelming with an intrusive incoming light source.

So for me, I would add the rigid to the collection, but I would not sell my tabbed 50 to make that happen.

 

[Bernie/Is/No/More.]

Thanx for your responses guys.

@Marsopa: Gracias por tus palabras. En serio. Yo el Summar si que lo uso a menudo, pero se que aún no he encontrado la combinación perfecta de película-revelador para sacarle todo el look que quiero. En breve empezaré a probarlo con película de color, a ver qué tal. Muchas gracias!

@cwatgo: I use HP5+ and Ilfotec LC29 as my standard. Normally I scan my negs and I prefer to work with Lightroom. You can find samples in my Flickr photostream. I like the look of the tabbed Summicron and the Summar. The tabbed Summicron is really a wonderful lens with a classic feeling but without the aberrations of the classic lens (maybe like a Summicron 35mm v3 or v4?). Probably when Leica released a new 'Cron 50mm ASPH the tabbed and the built-in hood 'Cron will become classics. The Summar is a very rare lens. Sometimes very good, sometimes very very lo-fi. I prefer the lo-fi side of that lens, of course.

@jmcd: Thanks for your words. I'm really decided to keep the tabbed. I don't know if I should sell the Summar and get a Collapsible or Rigid. The Summar is a very unstable lens. I need to domesticate it.

 

[retnull]

I have 5 Leica lenses (mostly cheaper vintage models), and the tabbed Summicron 50 is the one that gets the most use. A really excellent lens...you might regret selling it.

I also own and regularly use a Summar. A midway compromise between Summicron and Summar might be a clean Summitar. Should be available for $200.

 

[jmcd]

The rigid is extremely well built and smooth operating. I think that its look is unique, and images take on an unmistakable 3d look. I don't know firsthand about the collapsible.

 

[rlouzan]

A 50mm Elmar f3.5 - Pero no vendas el 50mm Summicron.