Which 50mm lens?

Krosya

Krosya

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Hello,

I'm fairly new to the Leica game. Use Bessa R with Summitar coll. lens mostly. Have a few others. But after reading here how many 50mm lenses some people have - I decided to get one or two more as well. Now, the question is - is there any info someone can point me to where it talkes about different signatures/performance of different lenses in 50mm size? Leica alone has a bunch, - Elmar, Summitar, Summar, Summicron, Summilux, Collapsibles and Rigids - and possibly others. Plus Canons, Nikons, etc. So, Any personal comments with examples? Or links on the net? It's all very confusing to me. I'm looking for a sharp lens, with "old" B&W photos feels/signature, Nice bokeh, etc. Hard to explain - but if I see a photo I like - I'd know. So, pls post some examples with caption which lens was used.

Thank you very much.
 
Here is a shot from a Summitar at f2: http://www.rangefinderforum.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=41352&cat=5782

I have a DR Summicron, and it is good. Mine is from the last run with different coatings than the others. It renders color the same as my 40mm Cron. The 50 is big and heavy, so it mostly stays at home.

One from the DR:
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=46564&cat=5782

Consider the 40mm Cron:
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=28670&cat=5782
 
beetle.jpg

Canon 50mm 1.8 II, Canon 1N.

I wouldn't recommend it if you're also looking at anything by Leica, just not even in the same universe. Good bargain though, nice and sharp at about f/8, and fast.
 
In a nutshell, older lenses are less contrasty the first few stops and the area of really good resolution is small wide open on older lenses and that area gets bigger with each generation. The reach optimum faster also and the latest ones are just incredably sharp compared to the best of the 1950/60 glass.
 
recently i did a bokeh comparison of mainly my 50mm lenses - while i missed my intention a bit due to a quite imperfect setup, it may still give you an idea how old and new lenses compare in a straightforward every day situation.

cheers,
sebastian

edit:
PS: there are several 50mm lenses in the classified section
 
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I've owned a Modern 50 Elmar, modern Summicron, and older chrome Summilux. The Summilux was good but too heavy so I sold it. I'd like to get another for the extra stop, preferably an ASPH, but they're god-awful expensive.
The Elmar is as sharp as anything out there but only goes to 2.8. You can see mine still for sale in the classifieds (a deal fell through). I'm selling it to finance buying another lens.
The Summicron is the measure of all 50's. It doesn't get any better. Starting with the tabbed Canadian (3rd gen, to me), the optical formula is still the same.
FWIW, I think all the effects people like about older lenses can be replicated more or less in PS but you can't add detail that isn't there. Buy as good as you can afford, imo.

I also own two J-8's -nice, but not in the same league as the others
 
One thing that seems to get lost in this thread is the mount. Can you use an M mount lens, or are you limited to LTM only? You mention the Bessa R, but we don't know if you have an M camera available. If so, you'll have more options. Like many folks, I have tried lots of 50's, but I still use my DR 'cron the most, despite it's weight. I have not tried any of the FSU lenses, but I am eager to find a cheap and tiny one that does a nice job. Do a search here and at photo.net and other like sites and read for a few days, then try out whatever you can get your hands on.
 
Thank you all, keep'em coming

Thank you all, keep'em coming

drewbarb said:
One thing that seems to get lost in this thread is the mount. Can you use an M mount lens, or are you limited to LTM only? You mention the Bessa R, but we don't know if you have an M camera available. If so, you'll have more options. Like many folks, I have tried lots of 50's, but I still use my DR 'cron the most, despite it's weight. I have not tried any of the FSU lenses, but I am eager to find a cheap and tiny one that does a nice job. Do a search here and at photo.net and other like sites and read for a few days, then try out whatever you can get your hands on.
Click to expand...

HI,
First I wanted to thank all that posted their contributions - I have some reading to do now. Keep them coming - everyone's experience is great.
As far as lens mount - I have Bessa R with LTM and I just got me a Leica M3, so I can get Leica lens in M mount - which is mostly why I asked - now that I'm open to more options I want to get a really good Lens.
Thank you
 
I just got me a Leica M3, so I can get Leica lens in M mount - which is mostly why I asked - now that I'm open to more options I want to get a really good Lens.
Click to expand...

Oh, in that case, Rigid Summicron, same vintage as your M3. It was made for the camera.
 
Summicron - vintage?

Summicron - vintage?

rover said:
Oh, in that case, Rigid Summicron, same vintage as your M3. It was made for the camera.
Click to expand...

Hi,
Ok, but how do I define which one is the right one? I mean right vintage? What do I look for? Serial number, or it has distinct characteristics I can spot?As I said before - I'm new to Leica, so - if my question is stupid - forgive me, pls.
 
I'll put my 50mm Hexanon up against any Summicron of the past. I'm sure it will compare favorably, and it's only ~$300 used.

edit: hexanon, not hexar..i always do that!
 
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Krosya, there really is no such thing as "the right one" that anyone can choose for you. What you are asking about is not an exact science, it is completely subjective. There is no such thing as a (single) right 50 lens for everyone.
 
Clarification on 50mm Summicron

Clarification on 50mm Summicron

FrankS said:
Krosya, there really is no such thing as "the right one" that anyone can choose for you. What you are asking about is not an exact science, it is completely subjective. There is no such thing as a (single) right 50 lens for everyone.
Click to expand...

I think I was not clear before - what I was asking is what's the same vintage as M3 for a 50mm summicron? How do I distinguish it from older/newer ones?
BTW, Is dual range Summicron better?
Thanks
 
I have the Dual Range Summicron and it is wonderful - better than the normal Rigid Summicron? Some say yes, some say no...I can't say I've noticed any difference.

My DR Cron was manufactured in 1956 - the serial number is 14665xx. That's basically the vintage of the M3. (My M3, serial No. 918xxx, was manufactured in 1958.) If you're looking for a vintage lens, that would be the ball park of the serial numbers you're looking at.

No real reason to confine yourself to that vintage, though. Someone mentioned the current Summicron which is my favorite lens - someone else mentions the Konica Hexar 50/2 M-mount lens which is a great alternative to the current Cron at half the price.

You really have a ton of options - there's little risk to buying a lens and giving it a try. The market value of the lenses tends to remain level and you can usually sell it for what you paid for it.
 
The original Rigid summicron is a contemporary of the DR Summicron, and both would be contemporaries of your M3.

I think what you are asking for is a general treatise on the various lenses. www.cameraquest.com look under classic camera profiles, and then under either M lenses or leica screwmount lenses profiles. It gives just about every possibility under the sun.

All of the above are stellar: any version of the 50/summicron (collapsible, rigid/DR, 4th tabbed, 5th hooded), any version of the 50 summilux, 50 hexanon-m, 50/1.2/1.4/1.5/1.8 Canon LTMs, Voigtlander 50/1.5. Your possibilities are literally endless. I think that is why so many of us end up with so many 50s 😉
 
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