Leica LTM Leica 5cm Lenses: Which would you recommend?

Leica M39 screw mount bodies/lenses

Leica 5cm Lenses: Which would you recommend?

  • Elmar 5cm 3.5

    Votes: 122 32.1%

  • Summar

    Votes: 65 17.1%

  • Summarit

    Votes: 68 17.9%

  • Summitar

    Votes: 120 31.6%

  • Collapsible Summicron

    Votes: 100 26.3%

  • Rigid Summicron

    Votes: 88 23.2%

  • Summicron DR

    Votes: 80 21.1%

  • Other [old] Leica 5cm lens

    Votes: 54 14.2%
  • Total voters
    380
  • Poll closed .
It is becoming quite clear that the Elmar 3.5 and the later Summitar and collapsible Summicron are the most popular here. The Summar is skipped for some reason.
 
raid said:
It is becoming quite clear that the Elmar 3.5 and the later Summitar and collapsible Summicron are the most popular here. The Summar is skipped for some reason.
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Under ideal circumstances the Summar is a killer. But it flares and wide open it is soft. I think a good coated Summar with a round diaphragm would win a a high place in the top 10 of 50mm lenses.

Erik.
 
Erik,
There used to be a place which coats lens elements, and then a Summar could be coated as you want it to be.
 
Raid,

Do you know such a place? I once heard about a place in Ukrania that did coating on old lenses, but I think I would rather not send anything in that direction. I'd better look out for one that is already coated. They do exist.

Erik.
 
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Xenon!

VinMerVerdun.jpg
 
DR Summicron - at apertures around f5.6 this lens is great for this type of shots: contrasty lighting, old architecture...

3700469932_e43127d9ab_b.jpg
 
The three posted images are just wonderful looking. I rarely see examples from a Xenon. One day I may add such a lens to what I have on LTM 5cm lenses. It is most likely similar or worse than a SUmmar when it comes to flaring up in direct light. As for the Summarit, I own a "defective" one that is soft. I had the chance to buy a Sumamrit for $250 recently, but I passed since it had wipe marks.

The last image is beautiful. The DR has lots of supporters, and it is a great lens, just as rigid Summicron is.

Thanks.
 
Leica I with Elmar 50mm f/3.5 (1930) full aperture, focused with the aid of a FODIS, Tmax400 printed on Ilford MG IV.

Erik.

4083574847_6564fcb8ee_o.jpg
 
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Coating

Coating

Concerning coating old lenses, might be worth contacting Malcolm Taylor in the UK. He did a great job refurbing my Summitar.
 
I am curious why this poll was put under "Leica Screw Mount / LTM Cameras ". Actually for Leica Screw Mount / LTM Cameras, there are not too much selections as LTM rigid and summilux are very expensive.
 
roundg said:
I am curious why this poll was put under "Leica Screw Mount / LTM Cameras ". Actually for Leica Screw Mount / LTM Cameras, there are not too much selections as LTM rigid and summilux are very expensive.
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Four lenses are LTM while two are M mount, so I picked the category fitting the majority.

There is no LTM/M category here.
 
1956 collapsible cron...first shot on a Bus

Sharp but not Extreme....LOVELY Falloff
3888558844_274a4ed42e_o.jpg
 
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What a lovely image this is, Helen.
My collapsible Cron is clean but it has a small chip in the front glass.
 
Thank YOU , Raid !
Its a real Jewel
I was pleasantly Surprised & Quite Pleased
Its a Keeper:)
 
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