Anyone have a 50mm "carry everywhere" solution?

While I love my T, pocketable with a finder is a stretch. I would say an L with a CV 25/4 would be better, but we are talking 50s here. While I love the Fed-2, reliable they are not alway, compared to a Leica. You can pick up a great users IIIx (a or c) and have it CLAed, combine it with a 50/2 and you have a great pocket combo that will actually fit in your pocket. I love my M, but pocketable she is not. You're talking about millimeters here as being important, that's why I say L over T.

I have a IIIa, it's a fine camera, IIIc is a bit better, IMHO g or f are a bit much. I like simple pocket cameras.

B2 (;->
 
I have the current 50 mm Elmar-M and do carry it everywhere. As has been said before, it is a stellar little lens. Collapsed without the hood is is only 21.6 mm long and only 37.6 mm extended!

BTW, have you noticed how rangefinder shooters tend to argue about who has the smallest... while shooters of evil SLRs boast about who has the largest... just an observation on lenses, that is. :D

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An ltm Leica I weighs less than an Elmar M (lens only) but is really a little short of features (unless you include the hockey stick infinty lock).

Some sort of Leica III/a/b/c/f is very pocketable when equipped with an Elmar but still takes getting used to.

It's a shame the Ricoh GR1 etc never had a lens longer than 28mm

So you are back to an M with an Elmar M. I've used one for a few years now and hardly ever use another 50mm lens.

(and the others are in the cupboard)

Michael
 
I had the same problem. And I found the solution for me:
Pentax MX with 45mm Rikenon Pancake lens. (same size like the
origninal Pentax 40mm, same quality). The same with the Me Super,
if you want automatic exposure. Fits easily into my pocket...

Thomas
 
Dralowid said:
An ltm Leica I weighs less than an Elmar M (lens only) but is really a little short of features (unless you include the hockey stick infinty lock).

...by this I mean a current chrome Elmar M...

Michael
Click to expand...
 
Pitxu said:
I have to dissagree, HCB often said that he could't shoot with his camera around his neck, (or shoulder) only in his hand.

Also when asked which lens he used most he would reply "the one on the camera".
Click to expand...
I have a copy of a photo somewhere of HCB with a Leica dangling from his shoulder not neck. He was always ready for "bear".
 
the Leica CL with C-2/40 is as small as a pocket camera.
Or you take a Leica CM with its great Summarit 2,4/40. But if you want exchangeable lenses the CL is the best idea. I mostly use it with Cron 50, but if you want a pocket format the 2/40 is better. You may also use a 35 (the 2/35 is very small) which covers quite exactly the whole viewfinder window.
The CL is fine with Luigi's handstrap, I prefer this solution, since the neckstrap is fastened at the small ends of the camera ...

Cheers,
dacaccia
 
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Rafael said:
Thanks for all of the suggestions so far.

A CL with the 50/1.5 is a good idea. Is it easy to use a 50mm lens with the 40 framelines?

The 50/1.5 is a great little lens. But, even without the lens hood, it is still about 66% longer than the collapsed Elmar-M.

CL + 50/1.5 vs. M2 with collapsible 50... I guess it's time to talk to Santa.
Click to expand...


The Cl doesn't le collapsible lenses. If you push it in too far it can damage the metering cell. But the original 40/2 is very small also.

Cheers,
Michiel Fokkema
 
Michiel Fokkema said:
The Cl doesn't le collapsible lenses. If you push it in too far it can damage the metering cell. But the original 40/2 is very small also.
Cheers,
Michiel Fokkema
Click to expand...

Putting a Rubber O-Ring on the lens (of the right size of course) will make the lens stick out a bit more, but will save the meter arm. The CL is a nice little camera.

B2 (;->
 
BillBingham2 said:
Putting a Rubber O-Ring on the lens (of the right size of course) will make the lens stick out a bit more, but will save the meter arm. The CL is a nice little camera.

B2 (;->
Click to expand...

Would that screw up focusing though ?
 
My vote to CL and 40/2. Also second suggestion of collapsible 50 on CL, provided the meter arm is removed. I want to remove the arm too, as the meter doesn't work anyway.
I sometimes carry a M3 with 50 Elmar current version. This lens performs better than my 40 summicron-c...for my case. However, the set up is heavier and more bulky, as compared to the CL set-up.
:) bm
 
It may be a bit off-topic.

I long looked for the perfect camera to carry everywhere. The hexar AF was one, but I also looked for the 50mm angle.

I think the CL with coll. summicron might be it.

What really bugged me is to carry expensive stuff for days to shoot one or two pictures in a while. I think I found the right stuff for me:

Japanese 70's RFs!

The konica S2 is beautifully made and its lens seems to be superb.
The yashica GSN also

Pocketable... well they are not. but I throw them in my bag without any care and just pull them for shooting.
 
My collapsible 50/2 Summicron worked on my CL. People who claim it doesn't haven't tried.

Sanmich has a point: a Canon P with collapsible Serenar is not expensive and for all
practical purposes will give you the same quality as most cheaper Leica combos, at half price or better.

Marc, you mention the Color Skopar in your first post. Why did you discard that as an option ?
 
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