Elmar-M 50mm 2.8 II

The images in this thread are doing absolutely nothing for the affordability of this lens, so in the interests of fairness to those who are currently looking to purchase the Elmar-M I offer the following counter point:

I don't know why anyone would want to use this lens, it's really not that small once you add the required hood, not much smaller than a Summicron (which is way better). And anyway, it's not like a Leica M is that pocketable, if you want small, get a barnack with a collapsible LTM Elmar.
Which brings me to my second point. The previous collapsible Elmar in both LTM and M mount is so much cheaper, better made, and with a better rendering. They are everywhere on the used market - even better, the collapsible Summicron - now that's a lens!
Now lets talk about handling, you have to pull it out before you can take a photo! Say goodbye to the decisive moment! And the aperture ring, non even spacing, half stops to f/8 then full stops, what were they thinking! Did Leica forget how a lens is used? :bang:
Even Ken Rockwell says he'd prefer either a Summicron or the previous collapsible Elmar to this half-baked modern version. I'll go one further and combine the two - if you really want the best lens in this category, and a nice price, the collabsible Summicron is the lens to get!
If the collapsible Summicron is to old, then you really need the ZM C-Sonnar 1.5/50. From 2.8 it will give you that "classic" look, with modern contrast, small size, and no-hood-required flare resistance. No need to remember to extend this baby, it's ready for the decisive moment full time! Plus you have 2(!!) more stops in case you need it! And you can use it on the fabulous M5 with reckless abandon :angel: What could be better!

To make life easier for all of you, you can sell your Elmar-M lenses here: http://www.rangefinderforum.com/photopost-classifieds/

There we go John, you should see a glut of Elmar-M's appearing in the classifieds soon and record low prices as everyone rushes to rid themselves of their copy. Snap one up before people see through my post! :D
 
A valliant effort to counter inflation Michael. I do recall early prices around $400-600. However, the images in this thread bear out the "picture tells a thousand words" maxim so I think there is little hope of downward trend.

That said, I see stellar images from the photographers in this thread using other glass too, or bodies. E.g. the collapsible cron, SA21mm, or the CV 50 2.5. And of course the M5 thread which I know you frequent, being such an avid fan ;-)
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Perhaps I must look inwards at the craft rather than outwards at the gear! But that is half the fun!
 
LBA is fed by the beautiful photos......However,

LBA is fed by the beautiful photos......However,

The photographer eye is responsible for the quality of the photos we observe here, not the lens. Years ago, I thought I was going to be a better photographer if my gear was the best and more expensive (wouldn't that be nice??). However, I am still the crapy photographer. So, I am going back to the basics and re-learn everything. The only thing I like of the Elmar 50/2.8 ltm is the 16 blades. I cannot use it on the M5.
 
m6, elmar-m 50 2.8, tmax 400, perceptol 1+1

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Giulio
 
Great picture, Giulio. Photogenic guy! Can you see any difference with Perceptol compared to other developers? Incredible quality in my opinion.

Erik.
 
... and I'm back looking again. The one I found was supposed to be six bit but wasn't, so it went back. Bleah.
 
Thanks Vincent.

Erik,

This is my first roll with tmax400 and perceptol, I have more rolls to develop from my week in Milano and I will comment back about how I like it compared to my other standard developers (LC29 and DD-X).

The photogenic guy is my father drinking a beer on his balcony.

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

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Giulio
 
I have two new collapsible and one old. All are mint. The old one makes pics like my rigid Summicron. Both new ones are sharp almost clinical like my new `Lux at 4.0 or smaller and as good or better than a borrowed new Summicron without the flare .

Take the shade off, and it is flatter than 35 mm Summicron V4. Nothing is better than my 3.5 Red Scale as far as flatness goes.

Every lens is a compromise. The bokeh of the `Lux makes the Summicron look sick. I tried them both, same subject, same time.

There is a reason why these are not often for sale
 
Thanks Erik, it has been a quiet week mostly spent at home and in the neighbourhood where I grew up.

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

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Giulio
 
That last picture is absolutely gorgeous, Giulio. Congratulations. The other shots are fine too, but this last one is very special in my eyes. Your father on the balcony too, of course.

Erik.
 
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 agree with Erik. This thread is becoming like the banjo duel in Deliverance, Giulio and Erik posting gem after gem while we stand in awe hoping it doesn't stop.
 
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