What's the smallest M lens?

[axiom]

Kenrockwell claims that the 28mm Elmarit-M asph is smallest.
but I find the 40mm Summicron-C that I borrow from md2008 could be even smaller. (what does C stand for?)
Is there something even smaller than that?
What's the smallest M lens to your knowledge?
It seems that the C Biogon 21/4.5 is Zeiss' smallest, but it's quite a bit bigger than Leica's smallest.

 

[35mmdelux]

One of the VC's is the smallest --possibly the 25mm skopar.

 

[Pablito]

depends if you include collapsible lenses.

 

[axiom]

depends if you include collapsible lenses.

What if I do include collapsible?
There is something smaller than the 40mm Summicron-C?
it only measures 2.5cm in length from the flange

 

[hans voralberg]

VC 21 or 25mm, or if you count in LTM -> M then nothing beat the 50/3.5 Elmar, it's probably ~1.5cm from the flange collapsed, ~ 4cm extended 😉

 

[axiom]

VC 21 or 25mm, or if you count in LTM -> M then nothing beat the 50/3.5 Elmar, it's probably ~1.5cm from the flange collapsed, ~ 4cm extended 😉

Will I get RF coupling on the 50/3.5 Elmar via an adapter?
If this is indeed the smallest, I think I will put it on my to-buy list

 

[le vrai rdu]

of course you will keep the coupled RF 🙂


CV screwmount 35 2,5, 25 and 21 share the same "body" they are very very small 🙂

 

[axiom]

What if we exclude collapsible, then the smallest goes to CV?

 

[le vrai rdu]

any screwmount lens will keep rf coupling with an adaptater 🙂

 

[le vrai rdu]

What if we exclude collapsible, then the smallest goes to CV?

yes i think

 

[Nando]

The 28 f6.3 Hektor and the 35mm f3.5 Elmar are smaller than anything from CV.

 

[maddoc]

Leitz 35mm Summaron 3.5 in LTM mount is very tiny, too. 🙂

 

[buckpago]

kenrockwell, a guy doesnt even know to develop his film,



perhaps C means compact.

for me the smallest relative to its opening/performace/design is the 35mm lux preasph.imho

vc25 and vc 21 are very much similar, is it the vc35 2.5 pancake smaller?

 

[Nando]

Take a look at this:

http://www.auspiciousdragon.net/photowords/?p=1038

I don't have a 28 Hektor but I do have the 35 Elmar. I think that the 35 Elmar may be slightly smaller than the 28 Hektor.

 

[Al Kaplan]

The Zeiss Hologon made by Zeiss in Germany was very compact. The optics were recessed into the camera body.

 

[maddoc]

for me the smallest relative to its opening/performace/design is the 35mm lux preasph.imho

vc25 and vc 21 are very much similar, is it the vc35 2.5 pancake smaller?

The CV 35/2.5 PII (pancake) is a little smaller than the 35mm Summilux pre-ASPH but only a few mm. Had a photo for comparison but have to look for it...

 

[Nando]

The Zeiss Hologon made by Zeiss in Germany was very compact. The optics were recessed into the camera body.

It does look like the Hologon is the winner.

http://rlfc.world.coocan.jp/PlaywBody/M_Body/Hologon/hologon_1.html

... unless we count those lens-caps with a pinhole or zone-plate.

 

[Al Kaplan]

I wanted one of those Hologons so badly back in the early 70's but we had a new baby and the wife threatened to divorce me if I sold both cars to buy one itty-bitty little lens. I was just SO happy when I got a 15mm Heliar all those years later. It was a lot less expensive and faster too.

 

[tbarker13]

I don't know where it stands, but the Canon 28/2.8 ltm is very small. Has to be in the mix.

 

[notturtle]

The CV 28 3.5 is smaller than the 21/25. Its their smallest lens and way smaller than a V4 cron etc (which is smaller than the 28 elmarit asph btw - Ken R is wrong is he says smalles ever - smallest in the current line up perhaps). As for Leica ever, I dont know.