I want to purchase a sharp, small....

[steve garza]

50mm lens in M mount. I'm considering: zeiss 2.0 planar, Elmar 50 (new), and Zeiss 1.5, maybe Summicron pre-asph.
Trying to keep the $ output on the lower side.

Any experience w/ these? any suggestions? (suggestion here at RFF? that may be possible)

Thanks, Steve

 

[back alley]

i really wouldn't call the planar small.

 

[steve garza]

How would you describe the planar

How would you describe the planar

i really wouldn't call the planar small.

in terms of size? I've never seen one except in ad literature?

 

[saxshooter]

I'd say go with a 50 summicron. If you can find a collapsible 50 summicron, check for front element scratches and haze, since the coatings were prone to that. For me, the Elmar is too slow.

 

[steve garza]

is it larger than the

is it larger than the

i really wouldn't call the planar small.

pre-asph 'cron?

 

[saxshooter]

Is the current 50 summicron aspherical? The Summilux is noticeably heavier than the Summicron. Fatter too.

 

[Ronald M]

The new 50 2.8 or last Summincron (1980 or later) outclass the `lux pre asph by a large margin.

Never shot a new Zeiss 2.0, but it is probably so close to the latest Leica lenses you can`t tell the difference. Problem is it is a CV manufactured lens from Japan. I never heard anybody complain about the current line from Japan though. CV is a low to medium quality manufacturer. If they build to Zeiss specs as they say, it should be excellent value for the money.

Right now I`m using a new 50 2.8 and new 90 4.0 are they are sharp and contrasty and perfect for landscapes. I kept all the old glass for the different looks achievable all the way back to uncoated 3.5 Elmars, Summitars, DR `crons and many others.

 

[back alley]

if you look at my avatar, it's the second from right.
far right is the 90/2.8 hex, then the 50 planar, then the 35 biogon, the cv 28/1.9 and far left is the 25 biogon.

 

[back alley]

Problem is it is a CV manufactured lens from Japan...

some of us don't necessarily view this as a problem.

 

[steve garza]

Sax--
It's my understanding the current 'cron is asph.
Since I alrwady have the 35 and 75 lux lenses, I'm not so concerned w/ speed. I really want a smaller, lighter 50mm lens which I plan to use in daylight for the most part. I'm considering the Zeiss option because I loved the images from my Old G2 system. I like the idea of a new Elmar, but am worried that I may not like the operation, i.e., opening and closing it all the time. Also, the Zeiss lenses click in 3rds rather than 1/2s.

 

[Terence T]

The collapsible 50 cron is pretty amazing and good value for money if you can find one in EX condition or better for under $400.

Including an image taken with this lens on my R-D1, right out of the camera, no edits other than a 80% crop and resize.

 

[steve garza]

How do you like your

How do you like your

if you look at my avatar, it's the second from right.
far right is the 90/2.8 hex, then the 50 planar, then the 35 biogon, the cv 28/1.9 and far left is the 25 biogon.

25 biogon? I'm interested in one at some point in the future. I think the finder is a little overpriced.

 

[steve garza]

Terrence....

Terrence....

The collapsible 50 cron is pretty amazing and good value for money if you can find one in EX condition or better for under $400.

Including an image taken with this lens on my R-D1, right out of the camera, no edits other than a 80% crop and resize.

very nice. Do you find it nice and light?

 

[Flyfisher Tom]

Steve,

There is no summicron pre-asph, they are all pre-asph 🙂 The 4th and 5th versions are optically identical. The Rigid and DR are similar. The 3rd is different, but no personal experience there.

Only the 50 summilux has an aspherical version.

For what it is worth, all the 50 crons are highly competent lenses. good luck

 

[Stephanie Brim]

Why not go for a CV 50/1.5 Nokton? Yes, it needs an adapter, but you can get a new Nokton + adapter from Cameraquest for under $400. The lens isn't exactly the smallest you can buy, but it isn't huge either.

 

[saxshooter]

Sax--
It's my understanding the current 'cron is asph.
Since I alrwady have the 35 and 75 lux lenses, I'm not so concerned w/ speed. I really want a smaller, lighter 50mm lens which I plan to use in daylight for the most part. I'm considering the Zeiss option because I loved the images from my Old G2 system. I like the idea of a new Elmar, but am worried that I may not like the operation, i.e., opening and closing it all the time. Also, the Zeiss lenses click in 3rds rather than 1/2s.

Hi Steve, if speed is no concern but compact is, maybe you want to take a look at the 50mm 2.5 color skopar from cosina voigtlander. $289 but you'll need the screw to M adaptor. I've never used this particular one.

The collapsible 50 summicron is nice. But finding one in good condition (ie coatings, front element) may be a challenge. But one I had even with not so great coatings (sold) had a nice glow to it.

Cheers, Charlie

 

[Flyfisher Tom]

Steve,

another to keep in mind in terms of modern formulations is the excellent 50/2 m-hexanon.

 

[Terence T]

very nice. Do you find it nice and light?

In its collapsed state, it is hardly longer than a CV 15/4.5 (a pretty small lens itself). It is significantly heavier than the CV but lighter than the more modern 50 crons. A very compact package. I personally find the weight balances my R-D1 very nicely.

I picked up this lens from B&H yesterday for a friend and have been using it for quite a bit yesterday. Am so tempted to get one for myself.

 

[back alley]

25 biogon? I'm interested in one at some point in the future. I think the finder is a little overpriced.

i love it. i can't seem to remove it from the zi.
i didn't buy a finder but use the entire fov in the zi. works pretty good.

when i got it, i posted a shot of a city block and then a 100% view of a movie marque from that same shot. it was scary sharp.

 

[telenous]

Hi Steve,

The Planar 50 is a superb lens and if you liked the Planar 45 for the G2 I believe you will like this one too as it is reported to be a near identical formula. I used it and I was very happy with it. In terms of construction quality I am with those who think that it is not quite Leica but it is very, very good indeed. I have only used the very old rigid Summicron which I loved too and have no experience with the newer versions but I 'd trust Puts when he says that the Planar has nothing to envy in its performance from the equivalent lens of the Leica stable. I 'm personally not so keen on the Zeiss Sonnar but everyone else is very excited about it and it surely is a matter of taste.