Elmar vs Summitar

[davidnewtonguitars]

I use a yellow filter as a "cap"

Good option! I'm not much for filters though, maybe I should & they will make my pictures outstanding.

I'm sort of a "shop bodger" and can solder one together out of copper sheet, but I'd rather one with "Leica" pressed in, because before all photographic considerations, I am a quiet name-dropping show-off.

 

[davidnewtonguitars]

Oh, the Wells Fargo Wagon is a comin' down the street...

Oh, the Wells Fargo Wagon is a comin' down the street...

 

[davidnewtonguitars]

So now I have to switch from single lug wrist strap to a regulation 2 lug neck strap?
The only pocket this kit is fitting is my heavy winter coat, which in Texas is about 3 times during the season.
I know, I was warned.

 

[traveler_101]

Yes - I guess that extra width and weight do make a difference when it comes to portability. Well . . . don't go too hard on yourself. You had to try it out. I've put off getting a Summitar for my IIIf for years; I've stuck with the Elmar because of portability issues and well . . . Summitar's alleged superiority gets a rather mixed report from the many threads I've read on this issue . . . plus there is a tendency on my part toward indecision. So now that you took the plunge I hope you'll come back to say whether the lens is really worth it!

 

[Mr_Flibble]

I don't think pocket-ability is reduced that much with the Summar/Summitar.
Try a fast 50 like the Xenon/Summicron!

Of course I usually carry my Leica around my neck when I'm out shooting.


Enjoy your Summitar, David. 🙂

 

[davidnewtonguitars]

I did find a yellow filter for Summitar at a good price, to use as a cap, since all the Leica caps were around $75.

Then, a month later KeH shows up with a Summitar cap for $21. Can anyone tell by looking at their picture, is it a repop?

 

[Scrambler]

Sorry, can't answer your latest Q, but like you I have a IIIc that I got a Summitar for. Despite all the "bokeh" hype, you just need to use it in a specific way to get the Bokeh King title back off whoever has it now. The OOF in front of the focus point is quite nice. But as already said, behind is an acquired taste/acquired distaste issue.

I like the combo because its a match for time. But for bokeh, get a fast Sonnar design. Uncorrected spherical aberration is a beautiful thing IMHO.

My lens cap, and two comparison photos of near OOF with Sonnar and Summitar

 

[Scrambler]

No difficulty deciding which is which when OOF is behind the focal point.

Mine is a prewar Sonnar, uncoated, so doesn't cope as well with bright light as the postwar coated Summitar.

 

[beyond]

Leica I, Elmar 50mm f/3.5 uncoated, 400-2TMY.

Erik.

Beautiful output

 

[Erik van Straten]

Thank you, Jason.

Erik.

 

[Emile de Leon]

Summitar bokeh...is bloody awful...imo...lol..
Even though...I don't think I will sell mine..
Still.. a pretty cool lens..
For what it is..

 

[sleepyhead]

I like the boke of the Summitar. Sure, it can get a little "overly swirly" sometimes, but then so can several other older lenses.
Here's a shot with a 1939 uncoated Summitar. I think the boke is gorgeous.

 

[Ronald M]

I will take my Red Scale Elmar any day over my 2 Summitars. both coated.

Talk about moving locomotives, I worked for Electromotive Div of GM and we got an order for some diesel locomotives for British Rail. The first unit was late as usual even though it had to be in England for a celebration that could not be postponed because the CEO was retiring. They are normally shipped by boat but that is 6 weeks. The solution was to hire the largest air freight airplane in the world, Russian wouldn`t you know.

It went on a truck to O`Hare field and was flown across the ocean. I hate to think of that invoice.

The loco was easily 3 x the size of City of Turo.