Which collapsibles are okay?

[ambientmick]

I'm looking for a 50mm lens for my R-D1S and I would like an old 50/2.8 Elmar lens which is collapsible. Anyone using this lens? Is it safe? Any other 50mm options?

 

[ZorkiKat]

I'm looking for a 50mm lens for my R-D1S and I would like an old 50/2.8 Elmar lens which is collapsible. Anyone using this lens? Is it safe? Any other 50mm options?

I have used the Leitz Summitar 50/2, Canon 50/1.9 Serenar, and Leitz Elmar 50/2,8 (1960s LTM) on the R-D1s without poblems. I would have wanted to use the collapsible Industars too, but the focus tab lock prevents it from being mounted properly on the LTM39 > M adapter.

To be on the safe side, do what the others who use collapsibles have done-
place a restricting gasket around the neck (a flexible wire will do) to prevent the lens from collapsing all the way in.

Jay

 

[LCT]

Sorry to repeat it but the current 50/2.8 is definitely NOT safe if one don't put a protection like this (or even thinner) on it.

 

[ambientmick]

I have used the Leitz Summitar 50/2, Canon 50/1.9 Serenar, and Leitz Elmar 50/2,8 (1960s LTM) on the R-D1s without poblems. I would have wanted to use the collapsible Industars too, but the focus tab lock prevents it from being mounted properly on the LTM39 > M adapter.

To be on the safe side, do what the others who use collapsibles have done-
place a restricting gasket around the neck (a flexible wire will do) to prevent the lens from collapsing all the way in.

Jay

Thanks. Did you have to use the wire with the old (1960s) Elmar or did it collapse all the way on the R-D1S?

 

[Didier]

The collapsible 50/2 Summicron is safe.
Didier

 

[ambientmick]

The collapsible 50/2 Summicron is safe.
Didier

Thanks, i'll look out for one.

 

[LCT]

Thanks. Did you have to use the wire with the old (1960s) Elmar or did it collapse all the way on the R-D1S?

The old one does collapse all the way and does not need any protection but it is far from being as good as the current version in terms of sharpness, flare and color rendition IMHO.

 

[Abbazz]

The Classic Heliar 2.0/50mm can be used with the R-D1S. It collapses fully without any problem. Highly recommended.

Cheers,

Abbazz

 

[RichC]

See http://www.richcutler.co.uk/r-d1/r-d1_11.htm

 

[BigSteveG]

Don't know about safety....

Don't know about safety....

The Classic Heliar 2.0/50mm can be used with the R-D1S. It collapses fully without any problem. Highly recommended.

Cheers,

Abbazz

Since don't have an RD1. But the Heliar is great little lens. Can be had for $450 USD at Photo Village.

 

[Steve Litt]

My 1958 50mm 2.8 Elmar fully collapses into my RD-1.

Regards
Steve

 

[AhShun]

My Red-Scale collapse safely, as long as I remember to turn it to the close focus range. Not yet tried to "fully" collapsed (i.e. at infinity).

 

[DwF]

Second the Collapsible Summicron. The coatings were soft and so it takes looking to find a good one. And while they do not have the contrast of newer Summicrons, the bokeh is really smooth. I particularly like these for B&W.

If you can ever find one, the Hexanon collapsible 2.4 is an amazing lens but not sure how it works with the R D1.
David

 

[Didier]

Second the Collapsible Summicron. The coatings were soft and so it takes looking to find a good one. And while they do not have the contrast of newer Summicrons, the bokeh is really smooth. I particularly like these for B&W.

Mine was strongly scratched and corroded when I bought if for CHF 70.00 ($50). John van Stelten of focalpointlens.com did a superb job recoating and restoring it. I believe his (single) coating gives more contrast and is much tougher than the original Leica coating.
Didier

 

[pfogle]

Mine was strongly scratched and corroded when I bought if for CHF 70.00 ($50). John van Stelten of focalpointlens.com did a superb job recoating and restoring it. I believe his (single) coating gives more contrast and is much tougher than the original Leica coating.
Didier

I just bought one last week - paid an arm and a leg for it! However, it has a perfect purple coating (recoated?) and butter-smooth focusing, so I guess it was worth it. Takes gorgeous pix (not too sharp, not too contrasty)

... and it collapses all the way with no problems on the R-D1.

 

[ulrik]

LCT, why do you say the current 50/2.8mm is not safe? I have collapsed mine since the R-D1 was launched and have had no problems.

 

[LCT]

LCT, why do you say the current 50/2.8mm is not safe? I have collapsed mine since the R-D1 was launched and have had no problems.

I own two current Elmar's from 1994 & 2004 and two Epson bodies, R-D1 & R-D1s.
Both lenses touch the "roller cam" of the rangefinder in the lens mount when i collapse them.
Do the test carefully. You'll see that the tube does not slide as smoothly as on a Leica M for instance because the bottom of the tube hits slightly the roller cam each time you collapse it.
Also my 1994 version touches something else into the body when focussed at infinity.
Must be a matter of half a millimeter perhaps but beware...

 

[galavanter]

Is it safe?

Is it safe?

See http://www.richcutler.co.uk/r-d1/r-d1_11.htm

I followed your link and you list the Jupiter 12 as a lense that is "not safe" to use on the R-D1 because it protrudes too far into the lens mount. While I have read about it partially blocking the meter on the R-D1 and some having focusing problems I have never come across this before.
Since I bought one from Ukraine 3 days ago would you kindly elaborate?

 

[RichC]

you list the Jupiter 12 as a lense that is "not safe" to use on the R-D1 because it protrudes too far into the lens mount. ... I have never come across this before.

Sorry if I alarmed you: you are quite correct - the Jupiter-12 can be used safely on the R-D1. I've amended the web page.

(If anyone else spots errors in my website or has some new info on the R-D1 that they think would be a useful addition, please contact me.)

 

[galavanter]

Sorry if I alarmed you: you are quite correct - the Jupiter-12 can be used safely on the R-D1. I've amended the web page...

No problem. Now I just hope my "mint" Jupiter 12 arrives intact. I enjoyed perusing your site.

Jim