collapsible summicron or nikkor f2.0 LTM?

[Sonnar Brian]

Did you shim this particular lens? Do they typically need to be shimmed for wide open ?

Nikkor lenses are factory-set for close-up and wide-open use. My Nikkor-SC 5cm F1.5- perfect focus on my M9. Same with my Collapsible Nikkor-HC 5cm F2. The F1.4 and F2 lenses - all perfect wide-open.

More with the Rigid Nikkor-HC 5cm F2,

 

[Timmyjoe]

I'd take the lens that is the cleanest optically. I love the way both lenses render, but I also realize much of that rendering comes down to the sample of the lens you have. Had a Summicron collapsible for a few years, and though I loved it, the fine scratches on the front element (cleaning marks) did affect the image. Would have loved to use that lens as new, before anyone scratched the front element. Same for the Nikkor, though I don't think the front elements of the Nikkor lenses of that period had glass as soft as the Leica on the front element.

Have a great trip, whichever lens you take.

Best,
-Tim

 

[Sanders McNew]

Shooting kids with a fast 5cm lens wide-open is a tall order. Think like a street photographer. Shoot a wide lens (I use a 25mm Snapshot Skopar), stopped down to f/8 or f/11, focused at 4-5 feet, and shoot away. No focus needed.

That said, the Nikkor 50/2 is lovely, and at f/2.8 gives great results. Try setting focus at the minimum distance and moving yourself in relation to your subject to get focus right. It's easier to move the camera than it is to fiddle with the lens. Here's a link to a shot of my niece from yesterday through the Nikkor at f/2.8 using this technique:

https://www.instagram.com/p/CO4S5i_rb6_/?igshid=mnsax4ocw33j

Sorry to post an IG link -- I've been away from the forum for many years and forgot how to post images properly here.

Sanders
www.instagram.com/sandersnyc

 

[Erik van Straten]

When I must choose between the Collapsible Summicron 50mm f/2 and the Nikkor 50mm f/2 for holiday purposes, I would choose the Color Skopar 50mm f/2.5 LTM.

gelatine silver print (color skopar 50mm f2.5) leica m3

Erik.

 

[raid]

Shooting kids with a fast 5cm lens wide-open is a tall order. Think like a street photographer. Shoot a wide lens (I use a 25mm Snapshot Skopar), stopped down to f/8 or f/11, focused at 4-5 feet, and shoot away. No focus needed.

That said, the Nikkor 50/2 is lovely, and at f/2.8 gives great results. Try setting focus at the minimum distance and moving yourself in relation to your subject to get focus right. It's easier to move the camera than it is to fiddle with the lens. Here's a link to a shot of my niece from yesterday through the Nikkor at f/2.8 using this technique:

https://www.instagram.com/p/CO4S5i_rb6_/?igshid=mnsax4ocw33j

Sorry to post an IG link -- I've been away from the forum for many years and forgot how to post images properly here.

Sanders
www.instagram.com/sandersnyc

Welcome back to RFF, Sanders.

To post an image here:

Place the image file in the middle.

 

[Sanders McNew]

 

[raid]

Leave out the space after

There are ways for extracting image files from Flickr or Instagram, and I hardly ever use either one.

 

[Ko.Fe.]

It is hard to imagine something better than collapsible Cron on BW film.
I would get CV CS 50 2.5 if it would be color film 🙂.

Taking kids pictures with f2 lens and 50mm is not a problem. As long as you understand the limits.



With Summar. And it is not OOF, it is Fomapan 400 in Rodinal 🙂 .

 

[Sanders McNew]

Chloe shows me her Caterpillar

Chloe shows me her Caterpillar

I figured out I could upload the photo to the RFF Gallery, and then post it here from there. 🙂

So, this was shot with the Nikkor Tokyo 50/2 (collapsible) @ f/2.8. If it matters, I used a Sony A7 body @ 2500 ISO -- the photo is pretty much out of the camera, cropped to square.

 

[ulrich.von.lich]

Quick trip coming up, with space at a premium. I am taking an M4. Collapsible Summicron or Nikkor 50mm f.20 LTM via adapter?

If space is priority, I don't think one is much smaller than the other. The collapsible Summicron is slightly thinner when collapsed.

I somehow think collapsible lenses are less weather resistant. So I would probably avoid to take the collapsible Summicron on a trip to the desert, for example.

Having them both, I like low-light pictures from the Nikkor a bit better, but I enjoy day-light f5.6 to f8 pictures from the Summicron a bit more. I think they both have good contrast that is suitable for B&W pictures. My Nikkor copy has been modified to focus closer than 1m which can be useful.

 

[Sarcophilus Harrisii]

Welcome back to RFF, Sanders.

To post an image here:

Place the image file in the middle.

Indeed, welcome back, Sanders; you have been missed.
Cheers
Brett

 

[bluesun267]

I have used both and like the Nikkor for people/street shots, or anything closer than 15 feet; and the Summicron for distance (particularly wonderful for landscapes in B/W)

 

[Sanders McNew]

Indeed, welcome back, Sanders; you have been missed.
Cheers
Brett

🤗 I feel a bit rusty at this -- in photography, and in the community generally. Thanks for the kind words.

 

[Bingley]

If you can get a clean collapsible chron, get that. Otherwise, the Nikkor-HC 50mm f2.0 is a stellar lens and the ability to close focus is a real plus.

But I agree with Erik that the better choice is a Voigtlander Color Skopar 50mm f2.5.