JSteed#2
Established
Quick trip coming up, with space at a premium. I am taking an M4. Collapsible Summicron or Nikkor 50mm f.20 LTM via adapter?
Ccoppola82
Well-known
If you can find a clean cron, it’s one of my favorite BW lenses. Hard to find a good copy though.
nickthetasmaniac
Veteran
I can’t speak for the Nikkor but I really enjoyed my 5cm Collapsible Cron. Wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it, particularly for black and white.
As above though, it’s a challenge to find a clean copy (very soft coatings) and you’ll pay for the privilege.
Hot tip if you do get one - collapsible lenses don't *need* to be collapsed. I generally left my Cron extended unless I know it wasn't going to be used for a while. It's not an issue putting the camera back in its bag with the lens extended.
All on my M2...
HP5+
400TX
HP5+
[url=https://flic.kr/p/2fQPXKF]
Portra400
HP5+
Portra400
HP5+
As above though, it’s a challenge to find a clean copy (very soft coatings) and you’ll pay for the privilege.
Hot tip if you do get one - collapsible lenses don't *need* to be collapsed. I generally left my Cron extended unless I know it wasn't going to be used for a while. It's not an issue putting the camera back in its bag with the lens extended.
All on my M2...
HP5+
400TX
HP5+
[url=https://flic.kr/p/2fQPXKF]
Portra400
HP5+
Portra400
HP5+
Highway 61
Revisited
Nick, the photos above are beautiful, thanks for sharing these. I used to own a collapsible Summicron and had its front element professionally repolished, the results were really outstanding onwards from that.
That said, the Nikkor-H-C 5cm f/2 (genuine Sonnar formula) is a stellar lens, it has become my favorite standard lens for rangefinder shooting, and I doubt you would have seen any difference if the same photos had been taken with it at the same apertures. Yesterday I made some large size wet darkroom prints of photos taken with that humble Nikkor and, like each time, I was very impressed with the results, that lens delivers everything you need IMO, it's both plenty sharp where you focused with very smooth OOF areas rendition, both in front of and behind the focusing plane, it doesn't vignette, and has an exceptional resistance to flare for a lens this age. Its front element is way more resistant to scratches than the collapsible Cron one so it's not that hard to find one in almost perfect condition. It's not collapsible, of course, but it remains very compact, with a sturdy and faultless build quality.
As for an obvious comparison between the collapsible Cron and the Nikkor, Erik will probably tell us something about their relative behaviour regarding distorsion. This is probably how they mainly differ, more than for sharpness or bokeh etc. I have never compared them for this, and I have no idea.
That said, the Nikkor-H-C 5cm f/2 (genuine Sonnar formula) is a stellar lens, it has become my favorite standard lens for rangefinder shooting, and I doubt you would have seen any difference if the same photos had been taken with it at the same apertures. Yesterday I made some large size wet darkroom prints of photos taken with that humble Nikkor and, like each time, I was very impressed with the results, that lens delivers everything you need IMO, it's both plenty sharp where you focused with very smooth OOF areas rendition, both in front of and behind the focusing plane, it doesn't vignette, and has an exceptional resistance to flare for a lens this age. Its front element is way more resistant to scratches than the collapsible Cron one so it's not that hard to find one in almost perfect condition. It's not collapsible, of course, but it remains very compact, with a sturdy and faultless build quality.
As for an obvious comparison between the collapsible Cron and the Nikkor, Erik will probably tell us something about their relative behaviour regarding distorsion. This is probably how they mainly differ, more than for sharpness or bokeh etc. I have never compared them for this, and I have no idea.
nickthetasmaniac
Veteran
Yep, mine was overhauled by the previous owner (a RFF member) and was very clean. I haven’t seen many like that.
Probably! I guess that’s the point. Both are great lenses and are plenty capable in the hands of a talented photographer
Ccoppola82
Well-known
Being a sonnar lens...does it focus shift? Or does the f2 design prevent that?
Nikkor 5cm F2, wide-open on the M Monochrom.
Very little focus shift, due to F2 design. Smooth Bokeh compared to the collapsible Summicron.
Very little focus shift, due to F2 design. Smooth Bokeh compared to the collapsible Summicron.
Mackinaw
Think Different
I have both lenses and prefer the Summicron.
Jim B.
Jim B.
raid
Dad Photographer
Both lenses should work well for you in the trip. Take the one you have been using more often so far.
Nikon 5cm/2
Collapsible Summicron
These are old images and without any PS. They were taken handheld with a Bessa T.
Digital images with Coll. Summicron and M9:
Nikon 5c/2 and E-P2:
Nikon 5cm/2
Collapsible Summicron
These are old images and without any PS. They were taken handheld with a Bessa T.
Digital images with Coll. Summicron and M9:
Nikon 5c/2 and E-P2:
JSteed#2
Established
Thank you all very much. Beautiful images to add to the dilemma. But...the assortment you posted made me realize that since i will be photographing the young grandchildren (for the first time in a year and a half), i would be better off with the Nikkor because i might fumble with the 'cron and lose the shot.
xayraa33
rangefinder user and fancier
I prefer non collapsible lenses when possible, not the first time I ruined several shots by pulling the lens out and not locking it in place when shooting in a hurry. The f2 Nikkor lens is first class and you cannot go wrong with that lens.
raid
Dad Photographer
I would also use a small AF camera or the phone for sharp images of the grandchildren.
helen.HH
To Light & Love ...
Nikkir 50 f2 ...
Bill Blackwell
Leica M Shooter
Leica M2
50mm Collapsible Summicron-M
Arista EDU Ultra 200
f.hayek
Well-known
Don't collapse it so you won't fumble. Kids are impossible to track with an MF lens unless it's set at a hyperfocal f-stop.
Either way, you must choose the seller carefully for these vintage lenses. Scratches, fungus and haze are common in these antiquities but don't seem to preclude an Ex+++ from unknown Japanese vendors on the evil auction site (EAS). Sources like Tamarkin, PopFlash, Head Bartender-CameraQuest and Igor Camera grade with brutal honesty. They also only re-sell items that are in the best shape to begin with.
nickthetasmaniac
Veteran
This.
As I mentioned in my first response, there's no need to collapse collapsible lenses when they're actually in use. Mine always stayed extended unless it was going into storage for a while... I never missed a shot fumbling with the extension mechanism, and never accidentally took a shot with the lens collapsed.
D
Deleted member 65559
Guest
Exactly..... the collapsible feature is for storage/transport. After all you just want a keeper image or two....not a stack of forgettable snapshots.
hap
Well-known
Nikkor 5cm F2, wide-open on the M Monochrom.
Very little focus shift, due to F2 design. Smooth Bokeh compared to the collapsible Summicron.
Did you shim this particular lens? Do they typically need to be shimmed for wide open ?
Highway 61
Revisited
raydm6
Yay! Cameras! 🙈🙉🙊┌( ಠ_ಠ)┘ [◉"]
I'm partial to the collapsible summicron. Youxin did a CLA on mine and cleaned the elements. Beautiful lens.
And I agree with the above; always leave the lens extended until you are done shooting. No need to collapse it if you're out and about photographing. Get a nice lens hood also. I use the Summicron barn-door type.
And I agree with the above; always leave the lens extended until you are done shooting. No need to collapse it if you're out and about photographing. Get a nice lens hood also. I use the Summicron barn-door type.