Gerry M
Gerry
What Voigtlander M mount lens would give similar (or better) results, on my M4-2, than my Summicron 50/2 collapsible? The 50/2 is clean & clear.
Thanks,
Gerry
Thanks,
Gerry
Replacement for Summicron 50/2
- Thread starter Gerry M
- Start date
- Latest activity Latest activity:
- Replies 36
- Views 3K
aizan
Veteran
all of them? 50/1.5 nokton, 50/2 heliar, 50/1.1 nokton, 50/3.5 heliar...
rfaspen
[insert pithy phrase here]
I don't own the Nokton, but I've only looked through it and borrowed it for a spell. Images I've seen and made (straight from camera) are quite good and my naive eyes can't tell them from the v4 summicron I also used on that camera. But, because I already have the summicron, I have no need to look further. (well actually, I'm looking further at the pre-ASPH summilux, but they aren't cheap).
Someone will chime in on the collapsible offerings from CV. Also supposed to be stunners, but I have zero experience with those.
Someone will chime in on the collapsible offerings from CV. Also supposed to be stunners, but I have zero experience with those.
Gerry M
Gerry
What about build quality on the Voigtlander's? I doubt they are equal to the Leitz? I should have added that I want a rigid, not collapsible, lens body.
ferider
Veteran
The chrome VM 50/1.5 is better built than many Leica lenses. Similar to a DR Summicron, handling feels similar, too. Outstanding lens. And the 50/1.1 is optically even better, but not as well built, and big.
Roland.
Gerry M
Gerry
Roland,
Thanks, that is what I was after. I will look for the 50/1.5.
Gerry
Thanks, that is what I was after. I will look for the 50/1.5.
Gerry
Steve M.
Veteran
Nothing you buy from any lens maker is going to give the same or equal IQ (or as good as in my book) as a Leica Summicron. You may get sharper, but you won't get beautiful bokeh and that 3-D look. Modern lenses do not image like the classic lenses. Most anyone who has tried this (and in all these years, LOTS of people have) inevitably go back to the Summicron. We won't even mention the difference in build quality.
Gerry M
Gerry
Ko.Fe.
Lenses 35/21 Gears 46/20
Honestly, none!!!
The only one 50 lens I regret to sell is Cron Collapsible. Best 50mm lens I ever have on M4-2 with bw film. I went through all common older Leica 50 lenses, except Elmar 50 3.5. Also, I used to have Elmar-M 50 2.8, Rigid, FSU 50mm lenses and modern Planar ZM 50 2, Nokton 50 1.5 VM. Two last one didn't even lasted couple of months with me.
Do not sell your collapsible Cron! Or get Lux 🙂
The only one 50 lens I regret to sell is Cron Collapsible. Best 50mm lens I ever have on M4-2 with bw film. I went through all common older Leica 50 lenses, except Elmar 50 3.5. Also, I used to have Elmar-M 50 2.8, Rigid, FSU 50mm lenses and modern Planar ZM 50 2, Nokton 50 1.5 VM. Two last one didn't even lasted couple of months with me.
Do not sell your collapsible Cron! Or get Lux 🙂
Gerry M
Gerry
tunalegs
Pretended Artist
Define "similar (or better) results" - what qualities are you looking for?
Robert Lai
Well-known
I have the Summicron 50 in the collapsible, and the latest non-ASPH version (designed by Mandler) with the pull out hood.
I searched for a long time for a collapsible Summicron with perfect glass (they are out there), and had DAG clean and relube the lens. I can't see why people say that it is prone to flare or has low contrast wide open. Not mine! It is an excellent performer all around, once haze free.
I'm something of a 50mm fetishist, so I will say that the 50 collapsible Summicron images about the same level as my Nikon 50mm f/1.8 AI. Except, that the Summicron has no distortion, and the Nikon had barrel distortion when focused closely.
Yes, the latest Mandler Summicron 50 is sharper across the field wide open, and has higher levels of contrast for that very modern look. However, there is really nothing to criticize about the collapsible, or the last of the Mandlers either.
I also have the 50 f/2.8 Elmar-M. Great lens if you can tolerate the collapsible mount. I never collapse any of these lenses. It scratches up the barrels, loosens the locks, and adds time to get the lens ready. Also, I own an M5!
Voigtlanders that I have known have excellent construction. Metal mounts, brass helicoids. Built to last and last.
50 f/2 Heliar - I have this in the non-collapsing mount. Imagewise, it may be a bit of a cross between the collapsible and the last Mandler Summicron. Wide open, a bit glowy (really beautiful for portraits of women), but close to f/2.8 or smaller and it's just as sharp and modern as any other lens.
50 3.5 Heliar - Supposedly one of the sharpest lenses, but I didn't get along well with the narrow collapsible mount. The latest version has the Mountain Elmar type barrel, and may give a better impression of solidity. At f/3.5, it's really hard to tell any of these lenses apart, to be honest. So, I sold this one.
Then there are the 50mm f1.4 Nikkor HC in LTM. A bit like the 50 f/2 Heliar with vintage rendition. Very solid, focuses very closely (without RF coupling after 1 m).
You never said what it is with your collapsible Summicron that you were not happy about. Perhaps a visit to DAG would cure any issues with that lens?
I searched for a long time for a collapsible Summicron with perfect glass (they are out there), and had DAG clean and relube the lens. I can't see why people say that it is prone to flare or has low contrast wide open. Not mine! It is an excellent performer all around, once haze free.
I'm something of a 50mm fetishist, so I will say that the 50 collapsible Summicron images about the same level as my Nikon 50mm f/1.8 AI. Except, that the Summicron has no distortion, and the Nikon had barrel distortion when focused closely.
Yes, the latest Mandler Summicron 50 is sharper across the field wide open, and has higher levels of contrast for that very modern look. However, there is really nothing to criticize about the collapsible, or the last of the Mandlers either.
I also have the 50 f/2.8 Elmar-M. Great lens if you can tolerate the collapsible mount. I never collapse any of these lenses. It scratches up the barrels, loosens the locks, and adds time to get the lens ready. Also, I own an M5!
Voigtlanders that I have known have excellent construction. Metal mounts, brass helicoids. Built to last and last.
50 f/2 Heliar - I have this in the non-collapsing mount. Imagewise, it may be a bit of a cross between the collapsible and the last Mandler Summicron. Wide open, a bit glowy (really beautiful for portraits of women), but close to f/2.8 or smaller and it's just as sharp and modern as any other lens.
50 3.5 Heliar - Supposedly one of the sharpest lenses, but I didn't get along well with the narrow collapsible mount. The latest version has the Mountain Elmar type barrel, and may give a better impression of solidity. At f/3.5, it's really hard to tell any of these lenses apart, to be honest. So, I sold this one.
Then there are the 50mm f1.4 Nikkor HC in LTM. A bit like the 50 f/2 Heliar with vintage rendition. Very solid, focuses very closely (without RF coupling after 1 m).
You never said what it is with your collapsible Summicron that you were not happy about. Perhaps a visit to DAG would cure any issues with that lens?
Gerry M
Gerry
Resolution and contrast.
Robert Lai
Well-known
Just get the latest non-ASPH Summicron then. But, keep the collapsible. If you want the closest thing to optical perfection outside of a spy satellite, then the $7000 Summicron ASPH will give you a lens that is not bettered by anything else.
Gerry M
Gerry
Robt,
Nothing wrong with my collapsible, just haven't used it much. Years past, I had a 50/2 DR and liked it a lot. Maybe I better spend more time with what I have.
Nothing wrong with my collapsible, just haven't used it much. Years past, I had a 50/2 DR and liked it a lot. Maybe I better spend more time with what I have.
Gerry M
Gerry
😱
Only if I win the lottery. That probably won't happen 'cause I don't buy tickets.
Robert Lai
Well-known
If flare is your problem, then have Don clean it out. I had a Nikkor 24mm f/2.8 AI that flared like crazy in backlit situations, though it looked clear. Once I had it serviced, and fine haze removed, it markedly improved the lens performance.
The collapsible Summicron, as well as the DR were designed to have high resolution, but the sacrifice was lower contrast. So, if you have even the slightest haze, the increase in flare may ruin your image.
The collapsible Summicron, as well as the DR were designed to have high resolution, but the sacrifice was lower contrast. So, if you have even the slightest haze, the increase in flare may ruin your image.
Gerry M
Gerry
Robert,
I will inspect the lens again, this time under led light. I don't have a flare problem and do have the proper 12571 hood.
I will inspect the lens again, this time under led light. I don't have a flare problem and do have the proper 12571 hood.
Gerry M
Gerry
Inspecting with led light source, I did find very minor haze on elements. 🙁
Robert Lai
Well-known
Contact Don. It's inexpensive to get this historically significant Summicron back into its true imaging glory.
BTW, I have the giant folding barndoor Leica shade for mine, but find it easier just to use a $5 heavystar hood.
BTW, I have the giant folding barndoor Leica shade for mine, but find it easier just to use a $5 heavystar hood.
Similar threads
