which one to chose?

I will sell the Elmar and keep the Cron 🙂

Hi Bruno,

I'm joining-in a little late, but think you're on the right track, if you have to sell a lens to finance purchase of another:

The f:2 Summicron is still one of Leica's strongest lens formulas, and while the 50 mm Elmar is a good lens and has lots of passionate fans, if you're on a budget, it doesn't make a lot of sense to duplicate focal lengths... UNLESS your f:2,8 Elmar is MINT, then you might want to keep it... 😉

As for a longer lens, I like the screw-mount Elmar 90... it's reasonably compact, and I find I use it more than my Hektor 135...

Satin chrome / leatherette Elmar 90 lenses are among the more reasonably-priced LTM lenses ( at least here in USA ).

Personally, I am a big fan of having a UV filter over the lens, especially with Leica's notoriously soft glass.

As for the Summar, it is a decent performer when clean and un-scratched; finding a clean example may be time-consuming and expensive. That's definitely one to keep a UV filter over.

As for filters, be careful about used filters - if they are scratched or hazy, they will add flare and degrade the image quality. New filters are still made in most LTM sizes.

I have a 1934 Leica III in my "everyday" LTM kit, along with the following lenses: 35mm Elmar (uncoated), 35 mm Canon f:1,8, 50mm Summicron (collapse), 90 mm Elmar ( postwar, coated ), and 135 Hektor ( post-war, coated). I have UV filters on all but the 35 Elmar. Also have the FIKUS collapsible hood, "barn-door" hood for the Summicron ( but it also fits my Summar), and a "heavystar" aluminum hood for the 90 & 135mm lenses.
A Nikon varifocal finder, Gossen Luna-Pilot meter, and minor sundries.

I have shot hundreds of rolls of film with this outfit, and it does a good job.

Good luck with your III-f !

Regards,

Luddite Frank
 
Thanks luddite, I'm trying to decide between M6 or Barnack system, just want to put the bullet on one.

One question, is there any LTM smalles than IIIF which shoot at 1/1000? have You find a big issue the 1/500 limited speed?

Cheers.
 
Hi,

A little late but I would go for a 35 and a 90mm, the versions and body depending on how rich you are. A 90 is very useful when travelling for isolating details and people.

Regards, David
 
One question, is there any LTM smalles than IIIF which shoot at 1/1000? have You find a big issue the 1/500 limited speed?

Yes, there is. There are two Leica LTM bodies a couple of mm smaller than the IIIF: IIIa and IIIb. The IIIb is a bit more "modern" with the viewfinder and rangefinder windows closer together.
 
I'm pretty sure!

Actually, I sold my M cameras and selling my all M lenses; I have IIIF RD, Summaron 35 and 50 Summarit, I will add a 90 in the future.

Next week, We, fiancée and Me, will go to Morroco for 2 weeks and I'm excited about the possibility using just the Barnack equipment. I've understood the "mantra" wait and see instead of hubting blind.

Erik or another kind user: is it necessary the hood for the Sunmaron 35/3.5 e39 filter size?

And about the Summitar... Is a good lens?

And last one: I used to shot TriX 400, what about the Tmax, both scanning and wet printing?

Thank You very much!
 
I'm pretty sure!

Actually, I sold my M cameras and selling my all M lenses; I have IIIF RD, Summaron 35 and 50 Summarit, I will add a 90 in the future.

Next week, We, fiancée and Me, will go to Morroco for 2 weeks and I'm excited about the possibility using just the Barnack equipment. I've understood the "mantra" wait and see instead of hubting blind.

Erik or another kind user: is it necessary the hood for the Sunmaron 35/3.5 e39 filter size?

And about the Summitar... Is a good lens?

And last one: I used to shot TriX 400, what about the Tmax, both scanning and wet printing?

Thank You very much!

I hope you enjoy the trip - sounds great.

1) Sorry, I can't help re the Summaron hood
2) The Summitar is a great lens for sharpness, particular stopped down to mid-apertures. You will want a hood with it for maximum benefit. Cheap adapters are available on ebay.
3) I can't really help with this either, but I haven't heard any complaints as such with Tmax. It is a different grain structure, though.
 
I'm pretty sure!

Actually, I sold my M cameras and selling my all M lenses; I have IIIF RD, Summaron 35 and 50 Summarit, I will add a 90 in the future.

Next week, We, fiancée and Me, will go to Morroco for 2 weeks and I'm excited about the possibility using just the Barnack equipment. I've understood the "mantra" wait and see instead of hubting blind.

Erik or another kind user: is it necessary the hood for the Sunmaron 35/3.5 e39 filter size?

And about the Summitar... Is a good lens?

And last one: I used to shot TriX 400, what about the Tmax, both scanning and wet printing?

Thank You very much!

You changed camera again! How many times is this?
 
Hi,

I don't know what the others think but it might be an idea to consider a slower film as fast ones in bright sunlight are rather limiting.

Regards, David
 
Hi,

I don't know what the others think but it might be an idea to consider a slower film as fast ones in bright sunlight are rather limiting.

Regards, David

Agree, consider ISO 200 or use a filter. I shoot with a IIf and 1/500 max in Southern California conditions similar to where you're going. When I use Tri-X, I use a yellow filter for one stop or a red filter for 3-4 stops.
 
Thanks!

I'll introduce You later my new friend: Leica standart convert into a Leica II with Summitar and Summaron lenses.

Any place in EU which sell a filter adapter? A36 to A39? The most important thing as Erik said and I think, is a hood on the lens.
 
Hi,

You were asking about a Summitar (or Summarit?); anyway, if it's a Summitar then I'd say it's one of the best lenses ever made. Mine's a coated 1946 version, btw. A lens hood, obviously, improves it but as I've only ever found the proper one (SOOPD), which is a heavy lump with the wrong clips on it, I seldom use one.

A clip or screw on one with vents like the modern ones would be nice but I've never found one.

As for filters, apart from the occasional light yellow or light green I seldom use them with B&W and only then for the clouds. Other and deeper colours being too contrasty or distorting, imo. Perhaps a ND would be suitable if you prefer just one type of film...

Regards, David
 
Thanks David.

Actually I've been looking for Summitar pictures and Oh my! Looks so good with at least 70 years!!

I will post results on Tuesday if I can, before I go to Morroco.
 
My IIc+ (pretty sure it started life as a IIc and was factory upgraded to IIIc specifications later) goes to 1/1000th. I thought most Barnacks do....
 
Back
Top Bottom