Elmar-M 50mm 2.8 II

[Erik van Straten]

By the way, it seems no one else is using this lens right now on RFF.

Giulio

Most people find the lens too slow, but honestly, I like this lens way more then the Noctilux. Very practical when traveling too.

Erik.

 

[Papercut]

Thank you Erik, the last one is indeed precious for me and so is the portrait of my father.
The last two rolls from my week at home are drying now. Will post few more photos here.
By the way, it seems no one else is using this lens right now on RFF.

Giulio

I shoot with the Elmar regularly (for me), just haven't had time to shoot much at all the last few years, so very few images to post. (Academic who has not yet secured tenure = indentured servant.) I check this thread every time someone else posts as the Elmar-M is a lens I won't ever sell. If I'm shooting a 50 the only reason I would switch to something else is if the light is prohibitively low and I absolutely need something faster.

Keep posting! 😀

 

[Pioneer]

I personally prefer the Elmar M 50/3.5, much older, but they are really all very nice lenses.

The Elmar reminds me very much of the Tessar, which I also love. There are many, many examples and most are excellent lenses, but it can be very tough to tell them apart by the photos they provide. Particularly when they are downsized for web display.

 

[giulio stucchi]

Thank you all, two more.

m6, elmar-m 50 2.8, tmax 400, perceptol 1+1

Milano:

Giulio

 

[giulio stucchi]

m6, elmar-m 50 2.8, tmax 400, perceptol 1+1

Giulio

 

[michaelwj]

Love your family shots Giulio, keep em coming!

 

[giulio stucchi]

Thanks Michael!

Another portrait of my father.

m6, elmar-m 50 2.8, tmax 400, perceptol 1+1

Giulio

 

[Robert Lai]

I'm reminded by this thread that I do own this lens. However, I've never taken even one picture with it! Usually I reach for the latest version non-ASPH Summicron, the Collapsible Summicron, or the ZM 50 1.5 C-Sonnar. Well, sometimes the Heliar 50 f/2, or new Jupiter 3+, or Nikkor 50 1.4 SC. Rarely the Canon 50 1.4, which somehow doesn't click with me, but I still own it. I find it rather bulky and heavy. Optically it's a very nice double Gauss lens, so I keep it.

I'm leaving for Canada at the end of the coming week to visit relatives. I may as well take this one and try the 50 Elmar M II out.

 

[Richard G]

I'm reminded by this thread that I do own this lens. However, I've never taken even one picture with it! Usually I reach for the latest version non-ASPH Summicron, the Collapsible Summicron, or the ZM 50 1.5 C-Sonnar. Well, sometimes the Heliar 50 f/2, or new Jupiter 3+, or Nikkor 50 1.4 SC. Rarely the Canon 50 1.4, which somehow doesn't click with me, but I still own it. I find it rather bulky and heavy. Optically it's a very nice double Gauss lens, so I keep it.

I'm leaving for Canada at the end of the coming week to visit relatives. I may as well take this one and try the 50 Elmar M II out.

You must have the silver one like me, as that is heavy. But I certainly don't find it bulky - precisely the opposite. I often use it without the hood and collapsed the camera fits snugly in all sorts of places, even the digital Ms. I like it for that more than anything else. I am seriously thinking of getting a second black one just for the weight and to keep on my Monochrom which usually carries a Summicron. I don't really need f2 with that camera.

 

[Robert Lai]

You're right Richard, my Elmar M II is silver. It weighs just about as much as my black Summicron.

 

[Richard G]

Ha. I was weighing those two, one in each hand this morning, and came to the same conclusion.

 

[jonmanjiro]

I find it rather bulky and heavy. Optically it's a very nice double Gauss lens, so I keep it.

I chose the black version because its so light! The optical formula (which I thought was a Tessar) is also a bit unusual as per the following (link to the article Giullio is referring to here).

(Marco Cavina as an interesting article on leica M 50s and the elmar-m is included, the article also indicates the peculiarity of the front element (high refraction and reduced dispersion).

I often use it without the hood

I've thought about going hood-less with this lens but haven't as yet. Would certainly make the camera very compact when the lens is collapsed. Have you experienced any flare with this lens when shooting hood-less, Richard?

Some really excellent photos in this thread from Erik and Giullio. Keep 'em coming guys!

 

[Erik van Straten]

Thank you, Jon.

In any case, the lens is totally different from the old Elmar 2.8/50mm from the fifties, not only optically, but also the mount. The mount is more like the Summicron Collapsible.

I too have the chrome version and have been thinking of adding a black one because of the light weight. But then, I have so many lenses around already.

I can make small negative note on the Elmar-M: when collapsed, it takes some time to get the lens ready for shooting. I've missed some shots because of that. A Color Skopar 50mm f/2.5 is faster in use, has a rendering that is close to that of the Elmar-M, is a lot cheaper and can also be used on a screw-mount Leica.

Leica M2, VC Color Skopar 50mm f/2.5, Tmax400.

Erik.

 

[Richard G]

I've thought about going hood-less with this lens but haven't as yet. Would certainly make the camera very compact when the lens is collapsed. Have you experienced any flare with this lens when shooting hood-less, Richard?

I haven't noticed any flare, but maybe I haven't been in very challenging environments. I spent months using the lunchtime walk for shots with the M9-P and the Elmar-M with just the cap, but high sun probably let me get away with it. My Summicron flares, and the little VC 25/4 at lunchtime even with the hood. I think the Elmar M is probably reasonably flare resistant. With film I suppose it's a different consideration: you only find out when it's too late.

 

[giulio stucchi]

Few comments from my side too.
I got the elmar-m in silver end of june and shoot a dozen + film in the meantime.
I really love the rendering, less the fact that is collapsible (would love a rigid version of it). Btw, I keep the lens extended all the time even in my bag (if I am carrying one).
I don't mind the weight at all and the size is fine too (I only carry 1 lens at time).
Max aperture 2.8 could be challenging shooting at 200 iso in low light but it was perfect for the sunny week I spent in Milan.
Inspired by Erik’s work I tried out the combination of T-max400 and Perceptol for the first time and I do like the result so far.
The skopar 2.5 was a possible alternative while I was looking for a new slow 50 but I do not own any LTM body hence I went for the Elmar-M.


Now I am lusting after a lux 50 asph to cover low lights situation 🙂


m6, elmar-m 50 2.8, tmax 400, perceptol 1+1

Giulio

 

[Erik van Straten]

Giulio, after seeing so many pictures of your daughter I am curious how she is called.

Erik.

 

[giulio stucchi]

Her name is Vanina, but we call her Nini most of the time.

m6, elmar-m 50 2.8, tmax 400, dd-x 1+4

Giulio

ps: we found out about Dave's song "Vanina" only after we named her.

 

[Dralowid]

Just a note about nomenclature or the names of these various Elmars. Please correct me if I am wrong.

50mm 3.5 LTM mount was called Elmar and coded ELMAR. This is the original classic lens in all its variations. '30 - '59

50mm 3.5 M mount was called Elmar and coded ELMAM / 11110. This is quite a rare lens made between '54 and '61. One doesn't hear much about it but I understand it is very good, as you would expect. Ergonomically it is similar to ELMOM below.

50mm 2.8 LTM mount was called Elmar and coded ELMOO. '57 - '62

50mm 2.8 M mount was called Elmar and coded ELMOM /11112. '57 - '74

Note that none of the above are called 'Elmar M' or 'Elmar-M'

Then in 1994 the M6J kit comes along with a different 50mm 2.8 Elmar in M mount called Elmar-M.

The M6J Elmar-M is optically the same as what was to become the Elmar-M but with the addition of a focussing tab that looks like an infinity lock, a mount that looks more 'traditional' and a chrome 'beauty ring'. It is chrome only and and I do not know its code. There are other variations with different engravings for limited editions.

In 1995 the Elmar-M is introduced. Chrome 11823 and black 11831. No focussing tab etc etc. Again there are limited editions.

The point that I am labouring with is that the original M mount Elmar (ELMOM) is not called Elmar-M, that name only applies to the post 1994 lenses.

...retires to darkened room exhausted...

 

[Erik van Straten]

50mm 3.5 M mount was called Elmar and coded ELMAM / 11110. This is quite a rare lens made between '54 and '61. One doesn't hear much about it but I understand it is very good, as you would expect. Ergonomically it is similar to ELMOM below.

Great overview, Michael! Thank you very much.

Indeed a very good lens. I think it is optically the same as the last LTM-version, known as the "red scale Elmar", but the mount is much better of course. I am not sure if there is an LTM-version of this ELMAM, like ELMOO.

Leica M2, Elmar 50mm f/3.5 (ELMAM), Tmax400.

Erik.

 

[miha]

Thank you, Jon.

In any case, the lens is totally different from the old Elmar 2.8/50mm from the fifties, not only optically, but also the mount. The mount is more like the Summicron Collapsible.

I too have the chrome version and have been thinking of adding a black one because of the light weight. But then, I have so many lenses around already.

I can make small negative note on the Elmar-M: when collapsed, it takes some time to get the lens ready for shooting. I've missed some shots because of that. A Color Skopar 50mm f/2.5 is faster in use, has a rendering that is close to that of the Elmar-M, is a lot cheaper and can also be used on a screw-mount Leica.

Leica M2, VC Color Skopar 50mm f/2.5, Tmax400.

Erik.

Great capture!
I remember you used to post print scans from MG FB 5K if I'm not mistaken?