50mm: Summitar or Elmar (1958)?

[J. Borger]

I am looking for a low contrast 50mm lens.
I am looking for creamy B&W tones and a "screwed up" vintage color look.
I have the choice between.

- a minty 1958 Elmar/ 2,8 (no haze, fog, fungus or scratches)
- a 50 Summitar in very good shape with "almost no fog/ haze at all" and a few "minor hairline scratches"

Different fingerprint from my pre-asph lux and 50 summicron is the goal.
What would be the effect of the very minor haze & scratches, if any at all?

I am impressed from the Summitar samples i have seen ... i have seen almost none of the 1958 Elmar/2,8 ......

samples welcome!

Thanks in advance!

Han

 

[OldNick]

Your caption says "Summitar", while your message says "Summarit", so I am confused. Having used both of the above, from my experience, the Summitar, though older, is the better lens. However, if you really have access to a pristine Elmar 5cm 2.8 lens, then I would probably go that way.

Jim N.

 

[Todd.Hanz]

I have the "Summitar" and can recommend it, it has a distinctive footprint (classic) wide open and sharp as hell stopped down. Scratches probably won't matter unless shooting directly into bright light, I always use a hood.

"Screwed up" vintage color look may have more to do with film/post processing than lens choice, here are a couple examples of the Summitar:

Color (Fuji Reala):
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=26292&cat=5500

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=26287&cat=5500

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=26228&cat=5500

B/W:

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=25972&cat=5500

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=25732&cat=5500

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=25102&cat=5500

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=24127&cat=5500&ppuser=489

Todd

 

[MCTuomey]

Here's on sample of the Summarit, just a snap at home (wide open):

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=22888&cat=4840

I have no experience with the older Elmar, since mine is late vintage. Although I've not had the lens out nearly enough, my take is the Summarit's got a nice feel wide open for portraits, soft with gentle contrast. 40's - 50's feel. Stop down and it sharpens up, likewise the contrast.

That said, the more I use it, the more I like my Elmar. I prefer its look to my other fifties: DR Summicron and Summilux (no, that's not a typo). If I were to thin the kit today, I'd probably keep the Summarit and the Elmar, and sell the others.

Hope this helps.

 

[doubs43]

The Summitar is not only a "faster" lens than the Elmar but, IMO, gives a superior image in most instances. The Summitar is also pretty easy to clean so I wouldn't find a minor amount of haze to be a problem at all. I have three Summitars and have cleaned two of them.

Walker

 

[J. Borger]

Thanks for the great input so far guys... and sorry for the confusion .. it's the summitar or elmar i can have acces to !

I am leaning towards the summitar ... will see if i can get a money back guarantee!

Han