Elmar-M 50mm 2.8 II

Erik van Straten said:
Nice one, Daan!

Leica M3, Elmar-M 50mm f/2.8, Tmax400.

Erik.

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Very poignant.
 
After many years I found out the secret of this lens. The front lens, a rather thick element, is made from a glass with a very high refractive index (greater than 1.8) and relatively low dispersion (Abbe number 45, 2) so the corrections could be made spectacular for such a small lens. Usually only lenses with apertures of f/1.4 or higher are equipped with lenses made from glasses like this.

Erik.
 
This lens has appealed to me for years, and lately I've felt the need for an M mount 50 so have actively been searching for one. I've heard rumors that the last production of this lens was six bit coded - does anyone know?
 
Ken Ford said:
I've heard rumors that the last production of this lens was six bit coded - does anyone know?
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Mine is 6-bit coded and the S/N is 4047xxx, which I think places it in the last batch. FWIW I heard the last batch didn't leave the factory 6-bit coded, but were actually recalled to the factory for 6-bit coding.
 
Archlich said:
My apology if there's any misunderstanding: mine's the later modern version. Which has no infinity lock, of course.

My question is when fully extended, does it suppose to have some friction so you are not rotating the barrel while changing apertures? If so mine's may need service, as it has no resistance at all.
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It absolutely should not rotate while rotating the aperture ring.

HFL
 
It is possible to pull it out, rotate it and think it is properly deployed but it is not. Under those circumstances it will rotate freely. Pulling out the lens barrel with the black aperture alignment dot in line with the red dot of the lens mount lock will ensure the proper alignment of the shallow bayonet of the lens barrel lock. There is some resistance in full extension when you rotate the front of the lens to put the black dot at 12 o'clock. I doubt the lens is old enough for any to have worn the bayonet out to the point of looseness. Imperfectly deployed, the photos should all be blurry.
 
elmer3.5 said:
i´m considering one sample...i´ve seen a lot of shots done with it and i´m very pleased, i ove collapsible lenses but also want a modern one, think this model would do.
Also there is a hexanon 50mm 2.4 but it´s chrome and really at least on pics isn´t up to leica standard.
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Erwin Puts tested it as being sharper than the Leica. But it is not the same kind of lens; it is a 6-element planar type that is a very close cousin of the 50/2 Hexanon. Given that the 50/2.4 is hotter contrast wise, it's not the lens you're looking for if you want the classic rounded look of an Elmar.

Dante
 
I like simple lenses and this is one. 90 macro is another. The simpler the lens, the better the bokeh.

Some lenses have to be complicated, 24 3.8 75 APO fast teles 50 1.4 Lux current. I use them when I must.
 
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