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

[Al Kaplan]

I had a 50mm f/2.5 Hektor for a year or two. It was uncoated, flat as you could imagine, and didn't really get sharp until about f/5.6. It cost me $20 in Boston back in '63.

 

[raid]

Al,
I would be interested in such a lens one day. If I keep my eyes open, I may find one for a reasonable price.

I guess that any Hektor is regarded as "low quality". My 135 Hektor is built very well.

 

[Erik van Straten]

The collapsible Summicron 50mm is one of the finest lenses ever created. This picture is of a stunning quality. At about f/8. Tmax400. Printed on Ilford multigrade IV. Leica MP.

 

[raid]

What is it in the collapsible Summicron that so many people here seem to like?
If it is sharpness, then most Leica lenses are sharp at f 8.
Is it something else maybe?

 

[Erik van Straten]

What is it in the collapsible Summicron that so many people here seem to like?
If it is sharpness, then most Leica lenses are sharp at f 8.
Is it something else maybe?

Yes, it has a very fine tonality no other Leica lens has. This lens is a bit prone to flare, but otherwise... It is hard to get an unspoiled example, but looking for one is worth the effort. It is also very sharp at f/2, see my test on a M8 in another thread.

Erik.

 

[Erik van Straten]

Summaron 35mm f/3.5. Easy to get, not expensive. Tremendous quality. At about f/4. Tmax400, printed on Ilford multigrade IV.

 

[raid]

Thank you for the photos, Erik.

I have both lenses you mention here.

 

[Erik van Straten]

This is another fine result of the 50mm collapsible Summicron. Wide open this time. Tmax400, printed on Ilford multigrade IV.

 

[Erik van Straten]

This is an Elmar 50mm f/3.5 postwar, at about f/5,6. Tmax400, printed on Ilford multigrade IV.

 

[Erik van Straten]

I can also recommend the rigid 50mm f/2.0 Summicron (the first version). This is at about f/5.6, TriXpan, microdol X, printed on Ilford multigrade IV.

 

[raid]

Erik,

Keep posting images taken with Leica 5cm lenses.

I used today a Summicron [first version rigid]. It is a wonderful lens, isn't it.

 

[Erik van Straten]

Raid,

It sure is. It is less prone to flare than the collapsible and also more sharp, but it lacks somehow the fine tonality of the collapsible.

Here is another one with the first version rigid Summicron 50mm, but now at f/4. TriX and microdol, printed on Ilford multigrade IV.

Erik.

 

[reuno]

hello everyone, here's one from the summitar i just bought.

As mounted on my M6.

 

[thinkfloyd]

Question, since I have yet to get my first Leitz 50mm, is $250 a good price for a 50/2 summitar that is coated and in great condition? (no haze, scratches, fungus, etc. barrel is in great condition as well.)

Thanks!

 

[jarski]

Old Elmar's delivers nice vintage results IMO, although havent done any lens comparisons etc. perhaps when digi-age comes to my Leica land 😛

I have one without any serial, and here is one simple example.

 

[raid]

Raid,

It sure is. It is less prone to flare than the collapsible and also more sharp, but it lacks somehow the fine tonality of the collapsible.

Here is another one with the first version rigid Summicron 50mm, but now at f/4. TriX and microdol, printed on Ilford multigrade IV.

Erik.

Erik,

How do you best describe "tonality"? Must you see a large B&W print to be able to actually see differences in tonality between different lenses?

 

[thinkfloyd]

what is a good price for a near mint 50/2 coated summitar?

 

[DennisPT]

I had a 50mm f/2.5 Hektor for a year or two. It was uncoated, flat as you could imagine, and didn't really get sharp until about f/5.6. It cost me $20 in Boston back in '63.

Hi Al,
So how much was a gallon of gas in 63?
Cheers,
Dennis

 

[raid]

Al sent me some beautiful set of photos [posted on one piece of cardboard] taken of the Jefferson Airplane in 1969.

 

[Erik van Straten]

Erik,

How do you best describe "tonality"? Must you see a large B&W print to be able to actually see differences in tonality between different lenses?

Raid, as I only work on film and make b+w-prints, it is from this kind of work that I've made my observations.
There is however an obvious difference between the two lenses, big enough to justify to own both.

Erik.