Leica LTM LTM Collapsible 50mm f/2 Summicron vs. 50mm f/2.5 Color-Skopar vs. 50mm f/1.5 Nokton?

Leica M39 screw mount bodies/lenses
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chuckroast

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I currently have an LTM 50mm Collapsible 'Cron.

I bought a 21mm f/4 Color Skopar and - frankly - I've been shocked how good it is. I'm getting the itch to try one of their 50s.

I'm wondering if anyone has experience with the 50mm f/2.5 Color-Skopar or f/1.5 Nokton, and how they compare with the Summicron.

Alternative suggestions welcome.

The Summicron is a wonderful lens but it's materially less sharp and contrasty than a modern 'Cron, hence the looking around ...

The context here is for monochrome film only, though I do use my LTM lenses on both Barnack and M film bodies.

Thanks!
 
The 50mm f2.5 Color-Skopar is excellent and a favorite lens of mine and others on this forum. I have found the LTM CV 50mm F1.5 Nokton to be too big on a Barnack but is otherwise a nice lens. In short, these are all great lenses.

The updated VM 50mm f1.5 Nokton is one of the smallest 50mm M lenses but you can't shoot it on your Barnacks.
 
The Color Skopar is a beautifully built brass lens. I no longer have an LTM Leica.....but i've kept the lens. It is sharp and thoroughly modern.
IMG_5824.jpg
 
milescl said:
I have found the LTM CV 50mm F1.5 Nokton to be too big on a Barnack but is otherwise a nice lens.
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This was my opinion, too. It felt bloody huge on a IIIf and basically necessitates the use of a SBOOI as there was a lot of finder blockage (if I remember it correctly - it's been at least 12 years since I last used one).

Out of the two CV lenses mentioned, and specifically for use with LTM cameras, I'd take the Color Skopar every time for that reason alone. Bear in mind the haze problem with these early LTM CV lenses, however. Make sure you get a clean one.
 
I have the Collapsible Summicron 50mm f2 and the Color-Skopar 50mm f2.5. Wonderful lenses on the M and screw mount Leicas. I have a Nokton 50mm f1.5 too.

gelatin silver print (color skopar 50mm f2.5) leica m2

Amsterdam, 2003

1722796814831.png
 
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Erik van Straten said:
I have the Collapsible Summicron 50mm f2 and the Color-Skopar 50mm f2.5. Wonderful lenses on the M and screw mount Leicas. I've never tried a Nokton 50mm f1.5. Is it an aspherical lens?

gelatin silver print (color skopar 50mm f2.5) leica m2

Amsterdam, 2003
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How would you say they compare or differ?
 
If I needed or wanted one for any reason, I would not hesitate to try most any CV lens. I have 21, 25, 28 & 35mm CV LTM lenses and have been more than happy with the images. And though I don't own one, the 50/1.5 Nokton has a fine reputation! No, I don't think it's aspherical, Eric.
 
This image was taken with the Heliar Classic 50 1.5 and an M10.

Heliar2-X4.jpg


HeliarClassic-5--X4.jpg
 
I have the Heliar Classic 50mm f1.5 too, I'm sorry I forgot that one for a moment. It is good for subjects that don't fit sharpness, dreamy moods and such. The lens has a special "feel"; it is mechanically a very fine lens, also the engravings are special. I would not like to miss that one, although it is difficult to say exactly why not.

gelatin silver print (heliar 50mm f1.5) leica mp

Amsterdam 2021

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No, the collapsible Summicron is a beautiful lens. It was Cartier-Bressons favorite, maybe because the rigid was too heavy for him. I am always surprised when I use that lens. I have one that is totally scratch free, the front lens of most collapsible Summicrons is full of scratches. The number of my collapsible Summicron starts with "13".
I guess that the rigid Summicron has a very hard coating, usually they are free of scratches.

gelatin silver print (summicron 50mm f2 collapsible) leica lll

F.B., Amsterdam, 2024

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A great lens too is the early Summilux 50mm f1.4, a batch of black lenses with a number beginning with "1703". Raid's picture above makes me think of that lens. Totally distortion free and bokeh-balls with a very sharp edge at one side. Very sharp at full aperture.

gelatin silver print (summilux 50mm f1.4 v1 black) leica mp

Amsterdam, 2019

1722801566338.png
 
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