Black elmar 2.8 retro stylin

[Jaans]

Who else has the latest discontinued 50mm black elmar 2.8? I'm keeping things simple and am down to two lens and have been pairing the elmar with my Rokkor 40mm.

The elmar gives images with a super sharp strong contrast and I love how it also renders fine details. The purple coatings are something to behold.

BUT most importantly (I will get shot by the old time p.journalist/purists for saying this) if looks could kill, then my verdict is that it has to be one of the coolest retro Leica lens ever sold. Especially how it retracts snugly back into itself with its shiny barrel. In terms of asethetics, I find that this this lens matched to a black M just draws looks, let alone shots taken on the run.

In terms of usage, I find that once it is extended, it is super fast to focus - faster than my 1980's era summicron. Sorry Summicron, but I did indeed sell you out.

So, is anyone else here Elmar retro stylin?

 

[250swb]

I never thought of it in terms of retro styling, but the last Elmar is one of my favourite lenses. And now I have a 35mm Perar its the best possible conundrum, which to take out with me?

Steve

 

[jsrockit]

Any photos from it?

 

[alun severn]

Yes, I too love the Elmar -- fast to use, dinky, light. THis picture is taken with it:

http://35mil.blogspot.com/2010/04/survivors.html

And this:

http://bp2.blogger.com/_BT2NorqwyIM/R9bPFdkFWbI/AAAAAAAAAWQ/CIEsbD7qjtQ/s1600-h/#164-23-web.jpg

 

[hlockwood]

I agree. I love this lens for its contrast and sharpness. And size. All of the shots from my NY walkabout in June of last year were made with it.

See them at http://www.pbase.com/hlockwood/nyc_june_2010&page=all

Harry

 

[Jaans]

Any photos from it?

Yep - literally hundreds. Actually they are all recorded on film and as I don't have a scanner and don't intend on purchasing one in the near future until my current project is finished, then perhaps follow the links provided by the other contributors. There is also flickr to access images.

 

[akiralx]

I've just bought one on eBay - would have preferred 6-bit coding but will probably use it on the M7 anyway. I wonder if it can be collapsed into my Zeiss Ikon?

Just have to remember to keep the 50 Summicron glued to the M5 and not be tempted to swap them!

 

[Jaans]

I've just bought one on eBay - would have preferred 6-bit coding but will probably use it on the M7 anyway. I wonder if it can be collapsed into my Zeiss Ikon?

Just have to remember to keep the 50 Summicron glued to the M5 and not be tempted to swap them!

I was also in a similar situation and ended up selling my Summicron as I preferred the contrast and rendition from the Elmar. I wanted to keep things simple as I had a M6 and M2 at the time and found chopping and changing lost me shots.

In my view, images from the latest modern 50mm Summicron and the earlier one from the 80's (apparently same formula - but of course different hood) have less appeal than the modern 50mm Elmar 2.8.

The summicron appears to produce images that are more even across the field, while the elmar gives images with a more unique character.

Cheers,
Jaans

 

[monochromeimages]

A wonderful little lens which often seems to be overlooked. The contrast and sharpness makes for some excellent images and I certainly feel that it has extra appeal for its retro styling. I have ended up with two - a black and a chrome - can't really justify two but can't bear to sell either of them.

 

[Jaans]

A wonderful little lens which often seems to be overlooked. The contrast and sharpness makes for some excellent images and I certainly feel that it has extra appeal for its retro styling. I have ended up with two - a black and a chrome - can't really justify two but can't bear to sell either of them.

Thanks Monochrome for your input. I would also find it hard to part from my black lens and intend to keep it for a very long time. I don't normally get sentimental with equipment, but its quite cute as well.

Almost in a strange way I like that it is often overlooked in favour of its faster brothers and sisters - the summicrons/summiluxes. It is a cool little retro lens that when stopped down to f5.6 delivers killer performance with better character than both said lenses.

Actually I have been out and many people have asked me what it is protruding from my camera^^ I shoot with it a lot in San Francisco and many arty types approach me about the combination as a whole - especially when combined with my M2 - it must be the silver and black combination.

When all is said and done, it is certainly a good excuse to chat up arts students!

 

[Erik van Straten]

Leica M3, Elmar-M 50mm f/2.8 (new), Tmax400, negative scan.

Erik.

 

[Erik van Straten]

Leica M3, Elmar-M 50mm f/2.8, Tmax400, negative scan.

Erik.

 

[Erik van Straten]

Leica M3, Elmar-M 50mm f/2.8 (new), Tmax400, negative scan.

Erik.

 

[Jaans]

Great photos Erik! It is interesting how with the first shot that your use of your feet enabled you to get back, hence giving the appearance of a wide angle lens.

 

[Erik van Straten]

Thank you, Jaans.

Erik.

 

[pagpow]

I shoot with it a lot in San Francisco and many arty types approach me about the combination as a whole - especially when combined with my M2 - it must be the silver and black combination.

Naw -- silver and black is Oakland.😛:

 

[PatrickONeill]

you guys gotta stop posting about this hidden gem. you want the prices on these things rise before I get my hands on one? 😉

 

[ferider]

Jaans, stay away from this lens then, looks just as cool, half stop faster and much sharper 🙂

 

[Jaans]

ferider - ha! well done - is that a Hexanon by any chance? is it rare? 2.4/2.5?

without being accused of bias, i still way prefer the 'design' of the elmar - the outer ring next to the aperture of your lens is way too chunky almost bulky looking, while the elmar is thinner with a cooler looking design.

with regards to lens speed, i think i wouldn't purchase either of these if i wanted speed. 2.5 is like that nether world -here nor there. you use the elmar because you know that it will be especially for outside use (of course you can use it inside under some conditions if you have a good technique). i think the 2.5 is just too close to f2

i would just use a f2 lens like the rokkor that i have if i need that stop speed

with regards to image quality comparisons, i can't comment because i haven't seen images from your lens, or perhaps i have inadvertently viewed them, so who knows...?

besides, your lens doesn't have the leica name attached^^

cheers,
jaans

 

[Jaans]

Naw -- silver and black is Oakland.😛:

that was spot on, very good 😱