Leica Elmar 50mm F2.8

[Brian Atherton]

I just love the Elmar-M 50mm f2.8.

For what it's worth, my opinion of it can be found here:

https://asingulareye.wordpress.com/2014/02/03/elmar-m-50mm-f2-8/

 

[Erik van Straten]

Leica MP, Elmar-M 50mm f/2.8, Tmax400.

Erik.

 

[krötenblender]

I hope, I'm not too wrong here:
I'm also a big fan of the Elmar 50/2.8 and I had several of the, mostly from the 1960ies.

But as much as I love it, I wish, there were something like it with 35mm. Does anyone here know about a 35mm lens, collapsible and really small, with similar qualities like the Elmar? (Qualities: Sharpness and rendering, size and handling)

I have the 35mm Summilux ASPH. for my M240 and it is my main setup, I see and think in 35mm focal length. But I sometimes like to have something less clunky, like my M6 with Elmar, which is a fantastic pocket combination.

This in 35mm would be just great

 

[oltimer]

Been out for years in the Leica 35 Elmar.

 

[megido]

The 2.8 Summaron 35mm is similar to the Elmar 2.8 50 in my experience.

 

[Vincent.G]

I just received my 1958 Elmar 50mm f2.8 in the mail today. It's my first collapsible lens.
Will be taking it out for a spin tomorrow.

 

[Rollmo]

I think Tom was quite a fan of the later version. I seem to remember that it was discontinued largely due to it's impact on Summicron sales.

 

[karlin]

M2
elmar 50/2.8 v1
trix


EL5028 (1 of 1)-61 by ophir segal, on Flickr

 

[jbielikowski]

Elmar-M, RPX 25

 

[Vincent.G]

M2
elmar 50/2.8 v1
trix


EL5028 (1 of 1)-61 by ophir segal, on Flickr

Magic !!! :angel:

 

[philipus]

Thank you, this was interesting to read.
br
Philip

Elmar M 1st is an M mount version of the original 50/2.8 LTM Elmar, with the aperture iris right behind the first lens and with almost circular aperture. It is lower contrast, and somewhat soft wide open, sharpens up around f 5.6-8. The second version has been made in the nineties, I believe as part of some special edition Leica, and then it has remained in production for a few years. The lens has been recomputed, the aperture is now more recessed and it only has 6, although somewhat curved blades. One minor improvement is that the f stop ring does not rotate when you focus - I believe Tom Abrahamsson was actually responsible for that ;-). The good news though, is that the lens is substantially sharper and very flare resistant, while conserving a Tessar like 3D effect and very pleasant bokeh. Mr Puts claims it is almost at par with the later Summicron versions, perhaps even sharper in the field. The rendering in B&W is particularly equilibrated, with medium contrast.

 

[karlin]

Magic !!! :angel:

Thank you very much Vincent.G !

 

[karlin]

M2
elmar 50/2.8 v1
delta 100

elmart (1 of 1)-82 by ophir segal, on Flickr

 

[Erik van Straten]

Leica M3, Elmar-M 50mm f/2.8, Tmax400.

Erik.

 

[richard_l]

Clean, crisp rendering. In some ways I like it better than the Summicron 50. A yellow filter was used for this shot.

Elmar-M 50mm f/2.8, M2, XP2 Super

 

[Vincent.G]

ELMAR 50/2.8 (1958); ACROS 100

 

[tinfoiljesus]

My copy was made in 1960, I use it on my 1954 IIIf.


On flickr
Crop (around 33% of picture area) from Ilford FP4+ negative (Rodinal 1+25 9m). Shot wide open. I need a better scanner...

Shot at f/4. Same roll as above (my first with this camera and lens). I am more than happy with this lens.

 

[__jc]

Welcome tinfoil! Nice camera/elmar/pics!

Love this little lens - mine is from 1965:

 

[thompsonks]

Question about Elmar 2.8 LTM vs. 2.8 in M mount:

Does the newer version with fewer aperture blades retain the characteristics/charm of the older lens, or does bokeh deteriorate with fewer aperture blades?

Kirk

 

[mfogiel]

The new Elmar only has 6 blades, and also the aperture iris is more recessed, but the resulting aperture shape is fairly round till f4.0. They are both very charming lenses bokeh wise:
Elmar old
2008050714 by marek fogiel, on Flickr
Elmar new
201210105 by marek fogiel, on Flickr