Elmar 50 2.8 collapsable

[nobbylon]

I'm looking for a 50 and would like to know from those who have them if these are ok being used without the hood. Hood looks screw on to me and by the time i've put a uv on the front and then the hood it's getting toward the same size as a summicron. I like to be able to fit my M6 in my jacket pocket and do this with my 35 asph without the hood and fits ok hence the question.
Secondly can anyone recommend a push on cap for the 39mm size like the ultron 35 type as the round summicron cap doesn't fit when a uv is on,
thanks j

 

[markinlondon]

When I first got my old type Elmar I had no hood. It could have done with one. The benefit of the older lens is that it uses a clip-on hood which is more easily removed.

The cap you want is an A42 size. They're available new from Leica dealers or copies can be had on ebay for a little less.

 

[nobbylon]

thx Mark, when you say older type, what year where they made up to? any idea? j

 

[markinlondon]

The original f2.8 elmar was made from 1957 to 1974. Mine is from 1965. This was shot without a hood but I was taking a chance due to flat light that day.

I've had a thought about the cap, are you talking about a current summicron with built in hood because then the caps I mentioned won't fit at all?

 

[Ronald M]

The current 2.8 Takes A 42 caps, 39 screw in filters and a screw in shade or the clip on vented shade.

Caps fit over the screw in shade or you take it off.

The large vented one is no more effective in blocking stray light than the screw in.

 

[richard_l]

Put the screw in hood in another pocket. Use it only in situations in which there is a significant possibility of flare, such as a light source near the angle of view.

Richard

 

[peter_n]

The current one has excellent coating and you don't really need a hood.

 

[PCB_RF]

I had the newer version, and found it fiddly to extend the lens without the hood mounted---there's not that much to grab on to. Adding a filter helps, but I found it easiest to extend the lens with the hood attached. As nobbylon suspects, once you add a filter & hood the collapsed lens is much less compact. I would suggest, if possible, to play with one a bit before making the decision.

Good luck!

 

[rich815]

I used it without a hood as it kind of defeats the whole benefits of the collapsible concept with one. Worked fine and I really liked the character of the lens. I had the version one prior to the most recent version. I sold it off as I found it awkward to use, the focus and aperture rings spin together which I really disliked. Plus I found I wanted more speed. Have a 50/2 Summicron DR which I found to have similar character in many ways. Also nailed myself a nice 50/1.4 Summilux pre-ASPH (with the built-in hood) and love it's character just as much but with much faster speed of course.

Just some thoughts to share....

 

[sepiareverb]

The new Elmar is a very nice lens, but size does come close to the summicron with hood & filter. The Leica UV filter is a bit shorter if that little bit helps.

I have some 'thin ring' B&W filters in the 49mm size that came with a cap included- one that fits very well (read snugly), and the thin filters are slightly oversized in diameter, which might help in opening the lens. Don't know if they are available in 39mm.

 

[vrgard]

I use mine (a vintage 1961 lens) without a hood. Yes, it's a bit more fiddly than my rigid cron. But it is smaller when collapsed which makes it very nice for around town carry. And I really like the character of this lens. So, it's what stays on my M3 more than any other lens I own. And I do have one of the clip-on hoods for it but rarely use it and haven't had much of a flare problem either.

-Randy

 

[richard_l]

A word about adding a filter to the Elmar. The Elmar is a triplet. As such it contains relatively few glass-air surfaces, which helps reduce flare. Putting a filter on the Elmar adds an additional glass-air surface, which would have a negative effect on the flare resistance of the triplet design. Therefore a hood becomes even more important when a filter is used.

Richard

 

[nobbylon]

thanks to all for the reply's, wondering now if I should just get a summicron and accept it's not pocketable! and even if I should get the summilux instead of that ! j

 

[rich815]

thanks to all for the reply's, wondering now if I should just get a summicron and accept it's not pocketable! and even if I should get the summilux instead of that ! j

Good thing about Leica lenses is if you buy smart you can typically sell for what you paid. Almost like a free rental.

 

[sepiareverb]

A word about adding a filter to the Elmar. The Elmar is a triplet. As such it contains relatively few glass-air surfaces, which helps reduce flare. Putting a filter on the Elmar adds an additional glass-air surface, which would have a negative effect on the flare resistance of the triplet design. Therefore a hood becomes even more important when a filter is used.

Richard

Good point Richard.

Don't discount the Elmar nobbylon- it is quite a stunning performer in every instance I've used it. The size is more compact even with the hood, and even without it seems to be pretty flare-resistant from what I'm reading. I have it in my bag right now in a spot an M won't fit with the Summicron attached. True it isn't the 'tiny gem' I was hoping with filter & hood, but without them it really is. Not trying to steer you away from the summicron, which is my most used lens, but just adding a few more cents.

 

[Dralowid]

I have an old filter ring (empty) screwed into the current Elmar which makes it much easier to grab hold of. Don't use that hood anymore. Great lens, pocketable.

Michael

 

[richard_l]

I have an Elmar and a 'Cron (latest 50mm versions) and love them both. However, with or without hood, the Elmar is the least flare-prone. Partly because of this, I use the Elmar the most, by far. I use the 'Cron mainly when I think I may need f/2.

Leica Trivia. Did you know that Elmar is derived from Ernst Leitz + Max Berek? The letter r was substituted for x because Berek already had designed a lens named Elmax.

Richard

 

[Peter55]

Yes I knew

Yes I knew

Yes I know this. I'm still looking for a nice Elmar in LTM.

 

[richard_l]

Yes I know this. I'm still looking for a nice Elmar in LTM.

2.8 or 3.5?

 

[Xmas]

A collapsible summicron or summitar will/may squeeze into the compact ERC...

The cron will murder the Elmar at f/4, if it does not flare..

Noel