Elmar-M 50mm 2.8 II

mounting modern Elmar-M 2.8/50mm

mounting modern Elmar-M 2.8/50mm

May I just confirm, in case I do something silly and damage my shutter curtain....

Am I right in saying you should mount the lens in the extended position but that thereafter it is perfectly safe to close the lens so that the barrel is fully retracted?

The bodies I would be using are an M6 original (small shutter speed dial) or an M6TTL (large dial) or M7. At some stage I might use anything from M3 through to M4-P but not a CL or M5.

Thank you; I have been lucky enough to find one in virtually unused condition from a local shop but no instruction sheet with it. Tom
 
May I just confirm, in case I do something silly and damage my shutter curtain....

Am I right in saying you should mount the lens in the extended position but that thereafter it is perfectly safe to close the lens so that the barrel is fully retracted?

The bodies I would be using are an M6 original (small shutter speed dial) or an M6TTL (large dial) or M7. At some stage I might use anything from M3 through to M4-P but not a CL or M5.

Thank you; I have been lucky enough to find one in virtually unused condition from a local shop but no instruction sheet with it. Tom

Simple. Use like any Leica lens and enjoy.

It does not extend significantly deeper into the body when collapsed.
If yours does, it is a plain Elmar, not Elmar M, but still a nice lens.
 
May I just confirm, in case I do something silly and damage my shutter curtain....

Am I right in saying you should mount the lens in the extended position but that thereafter it is perfectly safe to close the lens so that the barrel is fully retracted?

The bodies I would be using are an M6 original (small shutter speed dial) or an M6TTL (large dial) or M7. At some stage I might use anything from M3 through to M4-P but not a CL or M5.

Thank you; I have been lucky enough to find one in virtually unused condition from a local shop but no instruction sheet with it. Tom

The ones to worry about are the CL and the M5
 
OK, you've put my mind at rest. Thanks. Looking forward to shooting with this. After using the very fast lenses for the last 20-25 years I'm enjoying moving gradually to the small jewels with 39mm filter size; portable and somehow what Leica was originally about (I think).
 
Can the vented hood 12585 be used on the Elmar-M? Or do you have to use the screw-in hood that comes with it?
 
Can the vented hood 12585 be used on the Elmar-M? Or do you have to use the screw-in hood that comes with it?

I'm pretty sure I've used the vented 12585 on mine, but just now I can't get it to go on. It is a very snug fit on my DR Summicron, so maybe it's a problem of my particular hood. I can't see how it would obstruct, if it will actually go on. My Canadian 50mm Summicron 12538 plastic hood just fits and works fine.
 
I'm pretty sure I've used the vented 12585 on mine, but just now I can't get it to go on. It is a very snug fit on my DR Summicron, so maybe it's a problem of my particular hood. I can't see how it would obstruct, if it will actually go on. My Canadian 50mm Summicron 12538 plastic hood just fits and works fine.

The reason for my concern was that, just looking at pictures of it, I can't tell if there is a groove for the hood to clip into. But if the plastic one goes on securely, then I guess the 12585 should work OK. Thanks, Richard.
 
The screw-in collapsible generic rubber hoods work just fine with this lens. They provide more protection than the hood that comes with it, and don't add much to the size of the lens when it's collapsed.
 
It does not extend significantly deeper into the body when collapsed.
If yours does, it is a plain Elmar, not Elmar M, but still a nice lens.

From pictures (I don't have one) it looks that way to me, and I should think it would be OK to collapse into the M5; but then:

The ones to worry about are the CL and the M5

And finally, (and this may be the final word):

The Head Bartender says no. So I won't try with my M5 and Elmar-M.
http://https://www.cameraquest.com/m5.htm

I plan to buy one, even if I can't collapse it into my M5.
 
My metal Leica vented hood works fine on the Elmar-m . The reverse is not true, i.e. elmar M screw in on 50 mm V3 where I get vignetting at 2 and perhaps 2.8.

This tells me the screw in hood although small, is more efficient.
 
Coming back to the beginning of this thread who is going to volunteer to accurately describe, in words, the very real differences in rendering between the Elmar M and what I shall call the Elmar 2.8 (ELMOM)?


I'm not up to it.

Elmar M has a more modern rendering, more contrast. Original is very similar to Rigid or DR Summicron
 
My metal Leica vented hood works fine on the Elmar-m . The reverse is not true, i.e. elmar M screw in on 50 mm V3 where I get vignetting at 2 and perhaps 2.8.

This tells me the screw in hood although small, is more efficient.

I would draw that same conclusion. However, I suspect that if a filter is used, and the screw-in hood is applied to the filter, there may be a risk of vignetting with the Elmar-M.
 
I totally regret selling my 50 Elmar-M. I'm going to be trying just 35mm for a while but I will inevitably get another one.
 
I have zero experience with this lens, but I recall being at the bi-annual Vancouver Camera Show several years ago and overheard a conversation Tom A. was having about the Elmar. Tom was talking about how Leica had sent him a copy anxious for his feedback. He said that he told Leica that he was so impressed with the lens, it's character etc. then suggested they would see a decline in Summicron sales as word got out. It was not long after that I read the lens was discontinued.
 
I have zero experience with this lens, but I recall being at the bi-annual Vancouver Camera Show several years ago and overheard a conversation Tom A. was having about the Elmar. Tom was talking about how Leica had sent him a copy anxious for his feedback. He said that he told Leica that he was so impressed with the lens, it's character etc. then suggested they would see a decline in Summicron sales as word got out. It was not long after that I read the lens was discontinued.

The persistence of the focus-shifting, circa-1979 50 Summicron whilst the arguably superior circa-1994 50 Elmarit M went the way of the dodo, is indeed a mystery.
 
Are you able to compare it to the version III and/or version IV?

Much closer to IV then III. I don`t own a IV as I am so impressed with Elmar M. It matches my current Summilux between 4 and 11.

Bokeh is nicer with Elmar M & current `Lux than with Summicron. I have tested.

I have two Elmar M they are that nice. Sharp but without the edgy look of Summicron.
 
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