Leica Elmar 2.8/50 or Zeiss Planar 2/50?

[Marko]

Iam in trouble with my modern 50mm. I use on my M6 a Leica Elmar 2.8/50 current version. Iam very pleased with it. Then i see the shots made with a Zeiss Planar 50! Now iam confused between the little pocket Elmar and the biger Planar! The image quality of the Planar is better but my Elmar is much smaller! Dam.. A f/2 is also better then a f/2.8 :bang:

Any opinions or experiences? What do you say? 😕

 

[back alley]

i doubt that one is noticeably better than the other.
i have seen some great stuff from both.

 

[FPjohn]

Equally good...

Equally good...

Hello:

A late classic Elmar and the current Elmar-M vs the Planar are equally good but different. Do you want a faster lens?

yours
Frank

 

[xabi]

If you take pictures indoor, you really need a f/2. I had the planar for a while and it's a really nice lens. I sold it and buy the 50mm summilux because I need the extra stop.

 

[Marko]

Yes, a faster lens is that what i needed. But i can also put a Fuji Press 800 in my M6 and voilá i dont need a extra stop! I have seen the Planar bokeh at f/2 and i was really surprised! My Elmar make a curl wide open and the Planar makes a near Summilux like bokeh! I love my Elmar but i love also this Planar bokeh at f/2! Frustrating..😡

 

[triplefinger]

Hello,
i have the modern elmar-m 50/2.8 and the planar. I too think they are both very nice, the elmar has a punchier look, slightly more contrast. but i love to shoot in low light and am considering the new sonnar ZM when it comes around to replace the planar. The feel of the planar is better than the elmar, as far as smoothness of operation.

Mike

 

[Nachkebia]

yohoo! look what I learned from been here! planar design is favored because of its circular bokeh at wide open! well, not only but.... 🙂

 

[back alley]

The feel of the planar is better than the elmar, as far as smoothness of operation.


could you expand on this mike?
joe

 

[Magnus]

"If you take pictures indoor, you really need a f/2." .... BS !

I findoor picture taking is your trade go with 1.0 or 1.4. If you use colour film, it doesn't really matter anyway, especially if you scan.

 

[xabi]

Well, magnus, I mean between f2.8 and f2, and if you need to take indoor pictures, you really need to go for the f2.

 

[Ronald M]

Wait for the new 50 1.4 Zeiss and keep both until you decide or forever as I do.

If you are not doing magazine covers, any newish 50 is better than you are anyway.

 

[awilder]

I've used both and optical performance differs up to f/5.6. Basically, the new Elmar has a tad more contrast overall but the Planar gives better definition to the edge of the frame from f/2.8 - f/5.6. If you need f/2 there is no contest. The most noticable difference though might be in the degree of vignetting which is higher in the Elmar at f/2.8 and f/4 than the Planar at those same stops. The biggest advantage of the Elmar is it's collapsability making it more compact yet providing top notch optics at all stops especially f/5.6 and smaller.

 

[triplefinger]

Hi Joe,
the planar in its operation, focus ring movement, aperture ring movement is smoother.

the elmar, because of its ability to collapse, also has a smaller area for grabbing the focus ring. my sausage fingers like a little more space. the elmar M has no focusing tab, as do others.

Mike

The feel of the planar is better than the elmar, as far as smoothness of operation.


could you expand on this mike?
joe

 

[Nachkebia]

triplefinger : I have observed same thing with 35mm LUX, pitty...

 

[Marko]

Many thanks boys!

I think i will let the Elmar on my M6. I will wait for the new 1.5/50 Sonnar or a possibly coming 1.4/50 Biogon/Planar or so. Or at last it cames a very good offer for a Planar 😀

Iam very nosy for a Planar and i can use only one lens hood for two lenses. Then i have also a 2/35 Biogon that has making me hungry for more Zeiss lenses! 😉

 

[back alley]

Hi Joe,
the planar in its operation, focus ring movement, aperture ring movement is smoother.

the elmar, because of its ability to collapse, also has a smaller area for grabbing the focus ring. my sausage fingers like a little more space. the elmar M has no focusing tab, as do others.

Mike

very interesting. i also find the best word to describe the 'physicality' of the zeiss lenses is 'smooth'.
it is a feeling i enjoy.

my elmar 50/2.8 ltm lens is not rough by any means but it's not nearly as smooth as the zm, nothing has proved to be as smooth actually.

thanks for the feedback.
joe

 

[Berliner]

Hey--What's this about new ZM lenses? A 50mm Sonnar? A faster Planar? Is Zeiss working on new lenses in ZM mount? Please clue me in...

I have been using a 40mm Nokton, and 90mm Tele-Elmarit until I can save up enough for a 28mm Biogon, and 50mm Planar, Then maybe the 21 Biogon--but that's a year or so away. I am a week or two away from the 50mm, but the others will have to wait--I still need to eat & pay the mortgage!