getting closer with 50mm

[jbielikowski]

I swiched from 50 to 90 cause at 1m its perfect for close-up portrait and 50 was not. But 50 is more versatile FOV so maybe there is something between. And its cheaper than 50 lux asph, well much more cheaper. I'm not considering DR Cron cause its too much hassle with goggles when shooting candid portraits.

So, the question is, is there a nice, reasonably priced 50mm lens that will focus down to 0.8m-0.7m? Or maybe better solution is a Summaron with goggles, iirc they focus pretty close.

 

[Particular]

Most summicron 50's, with exception of the early ones, focus to 0.7m. Not sure they are in the price range you are thinking of.
What M body is it for? I had my M3 altered to focus past 1m (to about 0.75m).

 

[Gabriel M.A.]

So, the question is, is there a nice, reasonably priced 50mm lens that will focus down to 0.8m-0.7m? Or maybe better solution is a Summaron with goggles, iirc they focus pretty close.

That focuses to 0.8 or 0.7m? The tabbed or current 50mm Summicron, or the 50mm f/1.4 Nikkor (although that one, below 1m, isn't coupled). Also, there's the 50mm Hexar.

 

[jbielikowski]

Thanks, I was looking at Rigid Cron as they look best with M3 (they need to be modified to focus closer? damn, now I understand the whole buzz with DR Cron). I'd like to pay less than for new a Summarit 50/2.5.

 

[former member]

The original Chrome Rigid Summicron does not focus close. The Black Wetzlar version does.

The Nikkor 5cm F1.4 and rigid 5cm F2 in Leica thread mount will close focus with coupling after Modifying the threads mount. Basically, you file down the threads for the RF Cam follower to keep up with the cam of the lens.

The Jupiter-3 can also be modified to focus to 0.8m be removing an internal stop screw and filing the threads.

The Cheapest and Easiest lens to modify for close focus is the later Black Jupiter-8. Remove the close-focus stop screw, file down the threads.

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=93825&highlight=jupiter-8

 

[Moriturii]

Using the DR Cron is really a pain in the ass. It's like how loading a Leica IIIc is a pain in the ass. You would get sick of it very quick. Rigid is fantastic, don't know which 50mm focuses to less then a meter though.

 

[rogerzilla]

Nah, the DR seems (to me) fine to use; it's just that it doesn't focus *that* much closer than a new 50mm. I'm not convinced by the claims of unsurpassed sharpness; I reckon my old Summar has the edge in the centre of the frame, although that's been serviced and recollimated whereas the 'cron is probably as it left the factory.

 

[jbielikowski]

Lens is meant do be used when hanging around with friends, so DR is rather bad idea. So, will Hexar focus down to its 0.7m with M3 without mods?

 

[Gabriel M.A.]

rogerzilla: you must have a not-that-good copy of the DR

 

[Gabriel M.A.]

Lens is meant do be used when hanging around with friends, so DR is rather bad idea. So, will Hexar focus down to its 0.7m with M3 without mods?

The 50mm Hexanon will indeed focus down to 0.7m

 

[jbielikowski]

Great, now its between Hexar, newer Cron and my bank account. Or maybe there is something else, more exotic?

 

[leicamshooter]

Go with the newer cron. You may find a version 3 model blCk one and it will focus to .7. However your M3 will need to be adjusted to do so. Mine was adjusted by Sherry and I have a current cron with pull out hood. Very nice combo with Griptac.

 

[paulfish4570]

my 50/2.5 and 35/2.5 color skopars - in ltm-to-m adapters - both focus well within a meter on my bessa R2m. whether they would do so on your M is a mystery to me ...

 

[porktaco]

40mm cron focuses to 0.7.

 

[skibeerr]

I think you are in slr terrain here.

 

[Bingley]

my 50/2.5 and 35/2.5 color skopars - in ltm-to-m adapters - both focus well within a meter on my bessa R2m. whether they would do so on your M is a mystery to me ...

I was going to mention the CV Skopar 50/2.5 (focuses down to .7 m) but Paul beat me to it.

 

[rogerzilla]

rogerzilla: you must have a not-that-good copy of the DR

It's clean and unscratched (immune to flare) but could probably do with a disassemble and recalibration. The Summar is an exceptional example though: it's sharp down to ISO 100 film grain level on a 3600dpi scan.

 

[LeicaFan]

The ZM 50/2 Planar focuses down to .7m.

 

[former member]

On the M3- a stock M3 only focusses to 1m. It can be modified to focus to 0.7m, but the Auto-Parallax compensation cuts out at about 0.8.

You would be better off with an M2 for close work, unless the M3 has been modified.

 

[jbielikowski]

Thank you gentlemen for suggestions, chrome skopar look pretty neat. however slrs fit the bill better and cheaper, damn.

edit: Brian, thats very important piece of information, thanks, cant find it on the web. now I need second M, very good, very good.