whiich 50mm lens?

FrankS

FrankS

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What would you do if you were given the option of:

1957 Elmar 50mm f2.8 (excellent cond.) @ $300US

1960's Summicron 50mm collapsible (mint) @ $500Cdn (say $450US)

brand new Ultron 50mm f1.5 @ $350US

I've asked Denis in another thread about comparing the Summicron and Ultron as he has both.

Any thought s on the f2.8 Elmar vrs. the f3.5 version?

One of these lenses may make it to my 50mm lens comparo which will include a Canon f1.8, a Jupiter 8, and an Industar 61L.

Thanks
 
Frank, if my memory of this is right (and someone please correct me if it isn't) the 60's collapsible Summicron 50 scored the highest resolution of any lens ever tested by the now defunct Modern Photography.

Gene
 
Frank, I'd say it depends on what you're looking for in a lens.

For general shooting, I think that used Elmar 50/2.8 can't be beat. But, I'm talking about the NEW version - I used one in black, collapsible, when I tested some lens before purchase. It's the one which is currently sold. It's sharp, but I can't say much about bokeh....
If you're looking for that 3D effect, then by all means go for a good Summicron....

BTW, I think I could post some scans of my test roll with different 50mm lens which I shot as a test before purchase - the roll was shot on Fuji Superia 100 with a Leica M6, with current Elmar 50/2.8, rigid 'Cron 50/2, collapsible 'Cron 50/2 (the one I finally bought), Jupiter 8 in LTM, and Summilux 35/1.4 Asph.
I think I don't have to tell you which one was a clear winner - and by far - the Summilux.... But, it also costs a heap of money - too expensive for me....

Denis
 
Frank I think the 1957 Elmar 50mm f2.8 is a bit steep at US$300. I bought a current Elmar-M (2 months old so virtually new) for US$350 last year and I would agree with Denis that it's just a great "normal" lens. If you want to see the OOF of the lens this pic from my gallery might be helpful. It was taken at f4.

I also have a 1949 Elmar f3.5, mainly for sentimental reasons. A very nice little lens, sharp but a bit low on contrast. No comparison with the current Elmar-M, as you might expect.
 
denishr said:
Frank, I'd say it depends on what you're looking for in a lens.
Denis
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I'll echo what Dennis has said. It depends upon your needs and purposes.

You already have an f/2.8 lens and an f/2 lens, both quite capable if they're decent specimens of their kind. So IMO it boils down to cutting edge accutance and resolution (Summicron) or the roughly 1 f-stop gain of the Ultron. I have no experience with the Ultron but expect that it would be quite capable wide open and excellent when turned down a couple of f-stops.

In terms of retaining value, the 'Cron in mint condition will always have value. The Ultron may or may not.

While the Elmar may be a nice lens, I think it's out-classed by either of your other choices. Just my opinion, of course.

Walker
 
I was leaning towards the Summicron to begin with. It's just nice to have such an astute and sophisticated group as this to run ideas/options by. Thanks all!
 
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FrankS said:
I was leaning towards the Summicron to begin with. It's just nice to have such an astute and sophisticated group as this to run ideas/options by. Thanks all!
Click to expand...

What a nice complement. I so love this place. :) You are a real gentleman.

If anyone has ever been to dpreview....I used to go there. This place is SO different from there.
 
I would go with the Summicron; If you want near mint, $450US is the going rate. The problem with a "user" is that the coatings get marred and that can degrade the image. Recoating is expensive. If you can find a "user" that is hazed over but is not scratched-up, a $90 CLA will make it first-rate again. My EX+ Summarit 50mm F1.5 in LTM ran $240 including the CLA.

Do not rule out the Summarit on the basis of what you see in print. If you have a sharp lens (the 50mm F1.8 Canon) then the Summarit can make a nice complementary lens.

Summarit Pictures

Type I Rigid Summicron Pictures
 
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Thank you, David and Brian.
Was a collapsible Summicron ever made in M mount only, or are these lenses all screw mount with an M adapter optional?
 
Frank -- I have a collapsible summicron in M-mount. I would say go with the summicron. It is an astounding lens. If you are worried about the coating, just put on a B+W MRC filter on there.
 
FrankS said:
Thank you, David and Brian.
Was a collapsible Summicron ever made in M mount only, or are these lenses all screw mount with an M adapter optional?
Click to expand...

Yes, it was - my Summicron is collapsible, but in M bayonet mount. SN: 1378xxx

Denis
 
Maybe you could give the CV Nokton 50mm/1.5 a closer look. At US 345.00 from Cameraquest, you get a lens on par with the Summilux 50mm.
 
Guys -

If you get a Bessa R, you can use an adapter to fit non-LTM lenses on it? Or is it the other way around, like, on a bessa r2+ you can use adapter for LTM lenses?
 
It is the Bessa R2. You get LTM adapter for LTM lens to fit them on M mount cameras like R2 Leica Ms and the coming new Zeiss.
 
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