what "normal" lens between these?

[-vin-]

Yes, I know these are different lenses, for carachteristics focal lenghts, etc.
But Id like to know which one would you choose, not considering the price but the fact that it should be your only lens for a long time.

(when Ill have more money Ill probably buy a superwideangle, like 21 or 25mm. and maybe, later, a moderate tele)

 

[Xmas]

J8 + LTM to M adapter if I was poor, check the replacmenet is better, before selling the J8 on...

Noel

 

[-vin-]

I already have the elmar, and dont know if I should keep it or trade it for one of the others...

 

[Ronald M]

Keep it if it is fast enough.

Rigids and DR are not sharp corner to corner wide open. There is perhaps only a 10mm area in the center that is sharp.

General image characteristic is the same between Elnar and `cron.

If you want the older look, 40 mm NOT multicoated. Then you don`t have correct frame lines.

 

[Uwe_Nds]

I already have the elmar, and dont know if I should keep it or trade it for one of the others...

Vin,
are you happy with the lens? Then keep it.
If you want to trade, I second Noel regarding the J-8.
What about the 35/2.5 Skopar and the J-8 replacing the Elmar? Would that be within your price range?

Best regards,
Uwe

Edit: btw: what camera are we talking about?

 

[-vin-]

Keep it if it is fast enough.

Rigids and DR are not sharp corner to corner wide open. There is perhaps only a 10mm area in the center that is sharp.

I didn't know this: I thought the cron were of excellent quality, in all of their versions...

I like to shoot fast film, so probably I could keep the elmar...

 

[venchka]

I had no idea...

I had no idea...

...what I was doing. Through dumb luck or misguided misconceptions, I purchased 2 50mm lenses 30+ years apart. A late model Nikkor 5.0 cm 1:1.4 S-C bought in the mid-70s and a 1961 50mm 1:2.0 Dual Range Summicron purchased last year. I like both of them. Last year they were teamed with an original Canon 35/2.8 (purchased at the same time I bought the Nikkor) and a 1965 90/2.8 Elmarit (purchased at the same time as the Summicron). After waiting 40 years, I had my 35-50-90 kit that the first Leica rep. (and only Leica rep.) I met suggested I should own. I have since upgraded and widened my lens selection. Early results say that I still like my 2 50mm lenses. Teamed with either old or new 35mm or 28mm lenses. YMMV. Enjoy!

 

[raid]

I own and use twelve different 50mm lenses. For my taste, a 50mm is the best focal length. The "rest" come in as seconds.

Raid

 

[venchka]

I'm almost halfway there Raid. Wait, counting zooms & MF, I'm past halfway. I do think I'll stop now.

 

[Finder]

The 40mm would be my choice. It is actually close to "normal" on a 35mm (which would be 43mm). I find that focal length a very good general lens for landscapes, still-life, and portraits.

 

[raid]

I'm almost halfway there Raid. Wait, counting zooms & MF, I'm past halfway. I do think I'll stop now.

Wayne,

I have so far the following 50mm lenses:

Canon 50/1.2
Canon 50/1.8
Nikon 50/2.0
Menopta 53/1.8
Jupiter 3 50/1.5
Juipter 8 50/2.0
Summicon Rigid
Summicron Collapsible
Summitar
Summarit
Elmar 50/3.5
Luxon 50/2
Industrar 61-L
Industrar 50 50/3.5 rigid

None of the above is really expensive.

Raid

 

[venchka]

You need the Dual Range Summicron. To complete the trio.

 

[raid]

Wayne: I forgot to list a relatively rare Zeiss 50/2.0 in LTM. As for the DR Summicron, we'll see ... I still need to replace my Summar that was stolen from me.

Raid

 

[payasam]

Since I cannot decide whether 50 mm is the best all-purpose focal length or 35 mm, it seems that 40 mm wins as the best compromise. The choice of RF bodies for that focal length is limited, to say the least.

 

[-vin-]

Since I cannot decide whether 50 mm is the best all-purpose focal length or 35 mm, it seems that 40 mm wins as the best compromise. The choice of RF bodies for that focal length is limited, to say the least.

that's the same thing I thought, but having an M2 and beginning to photograph with a rf now, it's hard to figure how the 35mm framelines match with a 40CV (the one I'd buy...)

 

[raid]

Most users here would say that using the 35mm farme is fine with a 40mm lens. I find the 40mm lens having a rather tighter focusing frame than 35mm lenses.

Raid

 

[gb hill]

For me it's the 35/2.5 color skopar. The 50 is just too narrow for my taste anymore. But I guess it depends on your style of shooting.

 

[colinh]

There are several threads along the lines of favourite focal length. It seems to boil down to 35 and 50. I thought 50 would be ahead, but when I checked it was 17 to 17. So I fixed that. 🙂

I would assume that the Summicron was the sharpest and it's the second fastest.

I guess it just depends mostly on what you shoot.

colin

 

[Vics]

The one that brung ya...

The one that brung ya...

I voted for the closest one to the one I have. Mines a DR, but optically the same as the rigid.

 

[Krosya]

Keep it if it is fast enough.

Rigids and DR are not sharp corner to corner wide open. There is perhaps only a 10mm area in the center that is sharp.

.

I think this would apply only depending on lens' condition. Many older crons have some haze or other issues. But a good clear Rigid is pretty much as good as it gets and easy outperforms all those lenses listed in question IMO. I have Rigid, had newer black cron and have ZM Planar and Rigid can clearly hold it's own. To the point where I liked it better that the black cron. But my Rigid is super clean and superb condition.
Just my 2 cents.