Short 50 mm lenses

[degruyl]

Are there any 50mm non-collapsible M or LTM lenses that are short? (I am thinking about pocketing, so the shorter the better).

I have a 50 mm Summicron collapsible, but I always feel nervous with it. I just purchased a rigid, but I was thinking about other options for use in carrying around.

 

[Sparrow]

The LTM cv 50 f2.5 is pretty compact, and underrated too

 

[Turtle]

CV 50 2.5 or summarit 50 2.5.

 

[rover]

The LTM cv 50 f2.5 is pretty compact, and underrated too

I was going to say that. I don't know that there is a smaller 50 out there.

 

[Merkin]

consider this another vote for the cv 50 f2.5. the small aperture is made up for by having f22, which isn't always incredibly common in this day and age.

 

[Erik van Straten]

Another vote for the Voigtländer Color Skopar 50mm f/2.5, wich has however been discontinued.

Erik.

 

[raid]

Not 50mm, but the 40mm Summicron-C/Rokkor is small and is a great lens.

 

[Sonnar Brian]

The Canon 50mm F1.5 is the shortest of the lenses that I own. It does not protrude into the finder of a Barnack Leica. On the bessa R2, you can leave a filter and Walz hood on it, and close the standard fitted case. It fits in the pouch case on the Leica CL, with filter and cap on it.

 

[ferider]

The Canon 50mm F1.5 is the shortest of the lenses that I own. It does not protrude into the finder of a Barnack Leica. On the bessa R2, you can leave a filter and Walz hood on it, and close the standard fitted case. It fits in the pouch case on the Leica CL, with filter and cap on it.

Hey Brian,

I haven't compared them side by side, but I would think the Nikkor 50/2 to be just as short. Can you confirm ?

Thanks,

Roland.

 

[Sonnar Brian]

I popped the Nikkor-H 5cm F2 Black-Aperture ring off of the CL: the Canon is "ever so slightly shorter", but no practical difference.

Of course, my collapsible Nikkor 5cm f2 is shorter until extended.

 

[Erik van Straten]

Another result of the Voigtländer Color Skopar 50mm f/2.5, Leica M2, Tmax400, printed on Ilford MGIV fb.

Erik.

 

[Rafael]

I have a 50 mm Summicron collapsible, but I always feel nervous with it.

Out of interest, what is it that makes you nervous? Is it that particular lens or is it collapsible lenses in general? I use the 50mm Elmar-M (new version) quite extensively and have never had any problems with it. It is very robust and makes for a very compact kit. The lens is superb and, in my opinion anyway, is currently the most under-valued m-mount Leica lens of any focal length. Some people are selling these for close to $500 these days. Just a thought.

 

[Sonnar Brian]

Some people forget to extend the lens before using it. Happened to me ONE time. After that, no problem.

 

[rpsawin]

And another vote for the Voigtländer Color Skopar 50mm f/2.5.

Bob

 

[bwcolor]

Hexanon 50mm f/2.0 short but heavy

 

[Erik van Straten]

In high contrast situations the Voigtländer Color Skopar behaves brave.

Leica M2, Voigtländer Color Skopar 50mm f/2.5, Tmax400 printed on Ilford MGIV fb.

Erik.

 

[degruyl]

Out of interest, what is it that makes you nervous? Is it that particular lens or is it collapsible lenses in general? I use the 50mm Elmar-M (new version) quite extensively and have never had any problems with it. It is very robust and makes for a very compact kit. The lens is superb and, in my opinion anyway, is currently the most under-valued m-mount Leica lens of any focal length. Some people are selling these for close to $500 these days. Just a thought.

Oh, two issues:
1. Time to extend the lens, rather than just pop a cap off (I am careful, and it does take some time to do it properly)
2. At almost 50 years old, I get nervous with moving parts. Especially since torquing the tub will break a nice lens.

Note, I did not say that it was rational. The lens works beautifully, is only slightly hard to focus (I am not a tab person), and probably just needs to be lubricated. I just don't want to break it.

 

[degruyl]

Hexanon 50mm f/2.0 short but heavy

On an M6, the lens weight is hardly noticeable. Unless it is ridiculous.

 

[Ronald M]

The utimate short is the 50 3.5 Elmar. The later coated versions are good and the best is Red Scale. Good luck finding one. 50 2.8 Elmars are like Summicrons.

 

[BobPS]

Are there any 50mm non-collapsible M or LTM lenses that are short? (I am thinking about pocketing, so the shorter the better). (snip)

Are you thinking about pocketing the camera with the lens mounted on it, or pocketing just the lens?
I don't know about the former, but if it's the latter, a 50 cron is small enough that when walking around with 2 lenses without a camera bag, I always put one lens (either 28 or 50) in my pocket (jeans or pants). Lens in my left pocket and extra roll of film in my right pocket.

Bob