Rob-F
Likes Leicas
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.
Focus-shifting? Shift of focus when stopping down? I'm not aware of this with the Summicron. Do you mean the version IV, which commenced in 1979?
Richard G
Veteran
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 too can confirm that this is not a problem. Elmar M plus Leica UVa filter plus the Elmar M cylindrical hood is fine.
Richard G
Veteran
Richard G
Veteran
This one more blue....

noisycheese
Normal(ish) Human
For those of you who have the 50/2.8 Elmar M, what are your thoughts on its predecessor, the 50/2.8 Elmar no M?
I have the earlier version and I'm not sure what to make of it in terms of image quality. I suspect it is fine for web use but I am leery of using it for making images that I will want to make exhibit prints of.
Thoughts?
I have the earlier version and I'm not sure what to make of it in terms of image quality. I suspect it is fine for web use but I am leery of using it for making images that I will want to make exhibit prints of.
Thoughts?
Rob-F
Likes Leicas
For those of you who have the 50/2.8 Elmar M, what are your thoughts on its predecessor, the 50/2.8 Elmar no M?
I have the earlier version and I'm not sure what to make of it in terms of image quality. I suspect it is fine for web use but I am leery of using it for making images that I will want to make exhibit prints of.
Thoughts?
How big a print would you make? An 11 x 14 is no problem, assuming the best technique. Optimum aperture and a tripod are always a plus; but even without those measures, the Elmar can hold its own. By "earlier version" I don't know if you mean the f/2.8, or the earlier f/3.5. Some feel that the f/3.5 is the better lens. And special praise goes to the Red Scale version.
The ability to make large prints from the miniature negative is what put Leica on the map, and the Elmar helped earn that reputation!
james.liam
Well-known
Focus-shifting? Shift of focus when stopping down? I'm not aware of this with the Summicron. Do you mean the version IV, which commenced in 1979?
Yes. Stopped down beyond ƒ/2.8, gone by 5.6. That was my experience. YMMV.
karlin
Well-known
After long time being curious about this lens I've found one for a good price.
yet, I dont know what I think about it. its bitingly sharp, contrasty and clear.
will have to use it more to make an opinion.
Elmar-M ii
m6
trix@800
img018 by ophir segal, on Flickr
yet, I dont know what I think about it. its bitingly sharp, contrasty and clear.
will have to use it more to make an opinion.
Elmar-M ii
m6
trix@800

fer_fdi
Well-known
excellent!
analoged
Well-known
analoged
Well-known
Vincent.G
Well-known
Nice! I like the flare!
I have both the ELMAR 50/2.8 version I and II.
My chrome ELMAR 50/2.8 version I lens draws like a blunt tipped HB pencil; low contrast, seemingly softer images wide open, beautiful bokeh and pleasant tones. More classic look with B/W film and pastel-like colours with colour film.
My black chrome ELMAR 50/2.8 version II lens draws like a sharp tipped 2B pencil / mechanical pencil with 2B pencil lead; higher contrast, seemingly sharper images wide open, relatively less pleasant bokeh than version I and pleasant tones. I think images taken by the version II lens appears sharper probably due to higher contrast from modern coating.
Each lens has different character so I still keep both. Both use E39 filters. Both are nice lenses and your choice is just a personal preference like what type of pencil you like for drawing.
I have both the ELMAR 50/2.8 version I and II.
My chrome ELMAR 50/2.8 version I lens draws like a blunt tipped HB pencil; low contrast, seemingly softer images wide open, beautiful bokeh and pleasant tones. More classic look with B/W film and pastel-like colours with colour film.
My black chrome ELMAR 50/2.8 version II lens draws like a sharp tipped 2B pencil / mechanical pencil with 2B pencil lead; higher contrast, seemingly sharper images wide open, relatively less pleasant bokeh than version I and pleasant tones. I think images taken by the version II lens appears sharper probably due to higher contrast from modern coating.
Each lens has different character so I still keep both. Both use E39 filters. Both are nice lenses and your choice is just a personal preference like what type of pencil you like for drawing.
Emile de Leon
Well-known
I really like the way ver 2 renders in both color and B&W...


Ko.Fe.
Lenses 35/21 Gears 46/20
Focus-shifting? Shift of focus when stopping down? I'm not aware of this with the Summicron. Do you mean the version IV, which commenced in 1979?
My Cron IV does shifts, and so did Rigid, but it is mostly noticeable at minimum focus distance and at large apertures on far distance. My IV has no focus shift at f2 and then at f8.
The lens in this thread makes IV and Rigid on BW film, but I didn't checked it with color film and on digital where Rigid and IV are nice.
Richard G
Veteran
Nice! I like the flare!
I have both the ELMAR 50/2.8 version I and II.
My chrome ELMAR 50/2.8 version I lens draws like a blunt tipped HB pencil; low contrast, seemingly softer images wide open, beautiful bokeh and pleasant tones. More classic look with B/W film and pastel-like colours with colour film.
My black chrome ELMAR 50/2.0 version II lens draws like a sharp tipped 2B pencil / mechanical pencil with 2B pencil lead; higher contrast, seemingly sharper images wide open, relatively less pleasant bokeh than version I and pleasant tones. I think images taken by the version II lens appears sharper probably due to higher contrast from modern coating.
Each lens has different character so I still keep both. Both use E39 filters. Both are nice lenses and your choice is just a personal preference like what type of pencil you like for drawing.
What a wonderful analogy, the different grades of pencil, drawing.
Vincent.G
Well-known
What a wonderful analogy, the different grades of pencil, drawing.
Thanks Richard.
Btw I just edited my previous post. Supposed to mean f/2.8, not f/2.0.
karlin
Well-known
excellent!
Thank you Fer!
karlin
Well-known
Vincent.G
Well-known
Brilliant work, karlin!
Papercut
Well-known
That's fantastic! Hope you print that and hang it up -- very worthy image.
Surprised by the "slowly warming up" though. The Elmar-M is one of those lenses that I was smitten with the very first time I saw images from it. Flawless to my mind.
Share:
-
This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.