What 50’s to keep. What to sell?

[kknox]

I have too many 50 mm M mount lens. I have a Leica Elmar M 50 2.8 that is compact. Zeiss Plannar 50 2.0, Zeiss Sonnar 50 1.5, Leica Summarit 50 2.5, & the 7 Artisins 50 1.1. Shot all but the Sonnar and the 7 Artisins Im hard pressed to see a differance on digital. I want to keep the Elmar as it is a small carry lens. The Sonnar renders old school also. Any opinions on what you all think would be great, and what you would keep. I shoot leica film and digital. Also have Fuji XH1 with adapter.

 

[jarski]

I'd keep only ones you really notice difference in output, and/or provide some special feat. you appreciate. Perhaps Elmar for travel and Sonnar or Artisans for special situations?

 

[Ccoppola82]

Off the top, I would offload the 7artisans and the summarit.

You are keeping the 2.8 Elmar.
The 1.5 Zeiss Sonnar is too unique to get rid of, so I would keep that as well if you can handle the focus shift.

I’ve not shot a planar, but I’ve always been impressed by it. I generally shoot people in one way or another, so the Sonnar was my pic.

 

[Larry Cloetta]

Only keeping one, keep the Zeiss Planar 50, because it’s the best all rounder.
Keeping two, keep the Zeiss Planar 50, and the Leica Elmar 50, as they are the most different, yet could both be considered all rounders after a fashion.
Keeping three, keep the Zeiss Planar 50, the Leica Elmar 50, and the 7 Artisans 50 f/1.1.
Those are all three very different renderings.
Keeping four, add the Zeiss Sonnar 50 f/1.5, but that’s too many lenses.
(Wait, there’s no such thing.)
If you have all those, the Summarit adds nothing.

 

[giganova]

I'd sell all of them and get a Summilux. All you need is one 50mm anyway.

 

[Ko.Fe.]

1.5 and 2.8.
I'm keeping SU version of 1.5. Fine lens on film and digital M. Compact lens.
I had 2.8 M on film M. Second best lens I ever had on film M. First was Cron collapsible.

 

[aizan]

Hold each of them in your hand and see which ones spark joy.

 

[michaelwj]

I'd sell all of them and get a Summilux. All you need is one 50mm anyway.

I'd sell tham all and buy a 35mm.

But seriously, like most people have already said, I'd keep the 2.8/50 Elmar M and the 1.5/50 Sonnar.
Hard to go wrong with that pair.
IF I was to go just one (which I would), I'd follow @giganova's line, and get a Summilux (or a Nokton and a weekend away).

 

[FrozenInTime]

Similar dilemma to the o/p kknox.

I’m rather pleased with the Voigtlander 40/1.2 and wondering if I would regret selling some 35 and 50mm lenses.

Last year I did sell a 7A 50/1.1, but parting with a 50 sonnar or Elmar would be more difficult.

 

[telenous]

If you are set on keeping the Elmar-M 50, then the Summarit is kind of superfluous, no?

Apologies for going OT: May I ask if you have a preference for any one of these lenses for use with colour film? I am condidering getting a second 50 and am between Elmar, Summarit, and Planar - I think.

 

[Huss]

i’ve got those. if i was to keep two it would be the planar and the 7A. The planar is a ‘perfect’ lens while the 7A is a super fast character lens.

 

[santino]

I‘d keep the Elmar and Sonnar. The Elmar is a compact allrounder, the Sonnar is a classic fast lens.

 

[Archiver]

You've already stated you're keeping the Elmar, so cross that off the list. I suggest you keep the Zeiss Sonnar, because it is considerably faster than the Elmar and renders in a very attractive and unique way.

I have three 50's including the 50 Summicron, Zeiss Sonnar and Voigtlander collapsible Heliar f3.5. I use the Voigtlander the least, but I still really like it because it renders in a uniquely 'organic' way which none of the others do.

 

[jsrockit]

Of these, I prefer the Planar, Summarit, and the Elmar...but I prefer small lenses. I think the Sonnar has too much shift to rely on when using a RF.

 

[mcfingon]

With the Sonnar 50/1.5: it's the challenge of calculating focus shift amounts for each aperture that keeps my brain active. Got to be a good thing...
John Mc

 

[raid]

While I am keeping my 50mm M mount lenses, if you want to reduce the number of 50mm lenses, I would keep one modern lens and one older lens.

 

[Ko.Fe.]

Of these, I prefer the Planar, Summarit, and the Elmar...but I prefer small lenses. I think the Sonnar has too much shift to rely on when using a RF.

Planar as any CZ lens is not really small. It is actually large for 50/2 non ASPH lens.

This is why I prefer J-3 to CZ Sonnar. No crazy focus shifts.

 

[raid]

I love using the J3. The old Zeiss 5cm/1.5 is of course as good. Both lenses can be very sharp lenses.

 

[jsrockit]

With the Sonnar 50/1.5: it's the challenge of calculating focus shift amounts for each aperture that keeps my brain active. Got to be a good thing...
John Mc

I`m the opposite, I prefer to concentrate on framing and content than when I have to lean in or lean back in order to compensate for focus shift. I`d hate to ruin a a good photo due to shift. That said, I feel magic comes from light so much more than lens characteristics. To each his own though... it`s a beautiful lens and when in focus, looks great.

 

[jsrockit]

Planar as any CZ lens is not really small. It is actually large for 50/2 non ASPH lens.

True, but it`s just a little long. It was worth it to me because I liked it.