F
Frank Granovski
Guest
I thought that the 50mm F2 'cron was the best Leica M lens. :bang:
Most "Leica" Lens
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J. Borger
Well-known
From my lenses the 50 summilux (pre-asph) and 75 summilux are the most "Leica" .
Both with very different signature from the modern summicrons ( i have a 35 & a 50).
The 35 summicron asph is the least Leica in my stable. And my least prefered lens at the same time. A good, sharp and (too) contrasty lens but not that different from a Canon 35 1.4L imho.
I'm glad i picked up a 50mm pre asph summilux .... i really love that lens. Does not come off my camera lately. I really do not know where the bad stories about that lens come from.
Han
Both with very different signature from the modern summicrons ( i have a 35 & a 50).
The 35 summicron asph is the least Leica in my stable. And my least prefered lens at the same time. A good, sharp and (too) contrasty lens but not that different from a Canon 35 1.4L imho.
I'm glad i picked up a 50mm pre asph summilux .... i really love that lens. Does not come off my camera lately. I really do not know where the bad stories about that lens come from.
Han
I will vote for the rigid type 1 50 Summicron. I believe this is the lens that Leitz was striving for and the one they build to match even to today. Both a success and a measuring stick.
Alec
Amateur
I second the opinion that the 75 Summilux is the most characteristic Leica lens I own (never touched a Noctilux, though).
It is more about 'pop', but it provides 'glow' aplenty.
Almost on topic: it is just like a 50mm with a little reduced field 😉
It is more about 'pop', but it provides 'glow' aplenty.
Almost on topic: it is just like a 50mm with a little reduced field 😉
Traut
Well-known
35mm 2.8 LTM Summaron has a great mix of virtues, relatively reasonable$$, and complements your 50mm. Just a thought
S
Stephan
Guest
The 50mm canadian summicron, the exact one I'm selling strangely enough.
😀
😀
ERV
Well-known
When I think of a classic Leica look I think of images with that Paris in the 50's quality.
The summitar is a real surprise, it can make the junk on the top of my desk look classic.
It's a favorite. For modern lenses, I agree that the latest Elmar-M is also a versatile lens in terms of its 'look'. I like it very much as well.
The summitar is a real surprise, it can make the junk on the top of my desk look classic.
It's a favorite. For modern lenses, I agree that the latest Elmar-M is also a versatile lens in terms of its 'look'. I like it very much as well.
Biggles
My cup runneth amok.
I haven't tried enough different Leitz optics to be able to pick a specific optical formula yet, but I know that if I had to roll the dice and pick one Leitz lens to shoot through for the next fifty years, it would be a 50mm. No-brainer.
Why? Because to me, rangefinders and Leicas exemplify uncomplicated, realist photography; "life as found". I enjoy planning and printing full-frame pictures, and I find even my 40mm Summicron sees more than I want or expect it to; a 35mm would just have me cropping like mad in the darkroom. And, I have enough hours spent shooting formal portraits behind short and medium telephotos to know how they compress reality as well.
I grew up with a Voigtlander Prominent and a 50mm f/3,5 color Skopar; with that set-up, my pictures ended-up framed pretty much as I'd remembered seeing them through the viewfinder. For good or ill, I guess I'm programmed to think as a fifty.
With the focal length settled, the fact that there don't seem to be any truly unsatisfactory Leitz 50mms makes it easy for me to be so simultaneously vague and bloody-minded. For me, the "most Leica" lens will simply be the best of their fifties I can afford, because it will almost certainly capture exactly what I'm seeing, and deliver it to the film in a pleasing manner.
Why? Because to me, rangefinders and Leicas exemplify uncomplicated, realist photography; "life as found". I enjoy planning and printing full-frame pictures, and I find even my 40mm Summicron sees more than I want or expect it to; a 35mm would just have me cropping like mad in the darkroom. And, I have enough hours spent shooting formal portraits behind short and medium telephotos to know how they compress reality as well.
I grew up with a Voigtlander Prominent and a 50mm f/3,5 color Skopar; with that set-up, my pictures ended-up framed pretty much as I'd remembered seeing them through the viewfinder. For good or ill, I guess I'm programmed to think as a fifty.
With the focal length settled, the fact that there don't seem to be any truly unsatisfactory Leitz 50mms makes it easy for me to be so simultaneously vague and bloody-minded. For me, the "most Leica" lens will simply be the best of their fifties I can afford, because it will almost certainly capture exactly what I'm seeing, and deliver it to the film in a pleasing manner.
FrankS
Registered User
While many people regard the latest Leica lenses as the best, there definitely is a feeling expressed by some that the latest (aspherical) lenses are too sharp/contrasty/clinical and lack a certain "look" that previous Leica lenses provided. I've seen several adds by folks selling there latest lens and looking for a previous version of that lens. That is what we're talking about here, I think. I'll soon be in a position to test 3 older Leica 50mm lenses (col Summicron, Summitar, Summarit) against a more modern Summicron. (first black version)
raid
Dad Photographer
FrankS said:
How would you be conducting your tests? The older Leitz designs were sharp in the center with some falloff. Also, contrast will be lower in the older designs, while keeping resolution high. In the end, it is a personal choice. I "prefer" what I happen to own; older designs. If I ever had used a new Leitz lens, I may or may not change my mind. Overall, I like the first version Summicron 50 lens more than any other lens.
Graybeard
Longtime IIIf User
The Leica is superbly suited for shooting nearby subjects in available light.
I suggest that, for this reason, the ideal lens is a fast (f3 or faster) 50mm or 35mm. Any modern Leitz lens of this speed and focal length, and most LTM Nikkors and Canons, will serve very well indeed.
I suggest that, for this reason, the ideal lens is a fast (f3 or faster) 50mm or 35mm. Any modern Leitz lens of this speed and focal length, and most LTM Nikkors and Canons, will serve very well indeed.
egpj
50 Summilux is da DEVIL!
Well, I am just going to be contrary here and not go the 50 route. My favorite most Leica lens is (
drum roll please) the 28 Summicron. It is dreamy and I can not get enough of it on my camera. Open it up all the way and then just sit back and enjoy the images.
That having been said, on my other camera body I keep a 50 Summilux ASPH. The 50 I sort of use as a short telephoto (whatever 😛 )
drum roll please) the 28 Summicron. It is dreamy and I can not get enough of it on my camera. Open it up all the way and then just sit back and enjoy the images.
That having been said, on my other camera body I keep a 50 Summilux ASPH. The 50 I sort of use as a short telephoto (whatever 😛 )
F
former member
Guest
> contrast will be lower in the older designs, while keeping resolution high.
And I think that is what makes a lens "the most Leica". It differentiated them from Zeiss and the Japanese competition. As the consumer base started to prefer more "color picture postcard" results, Leica shifted their designs into that direction. You can read opinions expressed on other forums concerning that move. BUT, for the "most Leica" look in a lens, it is probably the Leitz Glass from the '50s. The Summicron's, Elmar's, Summarit's, Summitar's, Hektor's (no 50 Hektor's after the 1930's), and early Summilux of the '50s are sharp, lower contrast, and yield a pleasing picture different from the '60s and later generations of lenses from Leica or anyone else.
So which one for a college student with a late generation Summicron? Try a good Summarit. It will give a wider aperture at F1.5 and a more gentle look than your late Summicron. And they tend to be the cheapest of the bunch, but watch for internal haze and factor in a CLA to the cost.
And I think that is what makes a lens "the most Leica". It differentiated them from Zeiss and the Japanese competition. As the consumer base started to prefer more "color picture postcard" results, Leica shifted their designs into that direction. You can read opinions expressed on other forums concerning that move. BUT, for the "most Leica" look in a lens, it is probably the Leitz Glass from the '50s. The Summicron's, Elmar's, Summarit's, Summitar's, Hektor's (no 50 Hektor's after the 1930's), and early Summilux of the '50s are sharp, lower contrast, and yield a pleasing picture different from the '60s and later generations of lenses from Leica or anyone else.
So which one for a college student with a late generation Summicron? Try a good Summarit. It will give a wider aperture at F1.5 and a more gentle look than your late Summicron. And they tend to be the cheapest of the bunch, but watch for internal haze and factor in a CLA to the cost.
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FrankS
Registered User
raid amin said:
I think I'll do 2 setups. One, an interior prortrait, up close, with lenses wide open (f1.5 and f2 with the Summarit) and two, a detailed landscape-type shot outside at f8. Lenshades, no filters, and tripod/cable release of course to eliminate camera shake, all on one roll of medium speed B+W film, shot in one body (M6).
K
Kin Lau
Guest
FrankS said:
I can loan you a Summar and an Elmar if you want make this even more complete, and help you scan the negs if that helps.
FrankS
Registered User
Thanks Kin, that sounds like a good idea!
If I'm lucky the Summitar from Vancouver and the Summarit from Australia will arrive by early next week.
If I'm lucky the Summitar from Vancouver and the Summarit from Australia will arrive by early next week.
Trius
Waiting on Maitani
Frank: You'll be needing an extra gadget bag for lenses on Saturday!
No one has mentioned the Summicron 50 DR. It's the only Leitz 50 I ever owned, so I don't know how it would fare in "Leicaness", but I liked it, and the ability for closer focus was something I really enjoyed.
Trius
No one has mentioned the Summicron 50 DR. It's the only Leitz 50 I ever owned, so I don't know how it would fare in "Leicaness", but I liked it, and the ability for closer focus was something I really enjoyed.
Trius
raid
Dad Photographer
There is a cult following for the lens mentioned above, and many "swear" that it is sharper than the non-DR Summicron. Some claim that it brings out the Leica glow, simmilar to what a Summitar lens does.Trius said:
Dan Chang
Established
ZeissFan said:
no no Zeiss never made 16mm, it was 15mm/f8, but you can buy Contax G version 16mm converted by some Japnaese repairman.
F
former member
Guest
The DR Summicron is supposed to be identical to the Type I Rigid Summicron Optically; but the DR can focus closer. That is what I've read, although you think it would have been optimized for closer work. I have the Type I Rigid Summicron, and it is a terrific lens. Wide-Open it is Sharper and more contrast than the Summarit at F2. At F4 they get fairly even.
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