who likes collapsable lenses?

back alley

IMAGES
Local time
10:11 AM
Joined
Jul 30, 2003
Messages
41,289
and why do you like them?

i have one such lens, the newer version elmar m 50/2.8 and i love how it makes images, soft but sharp and with lovely colours.
almost nostalgic...

but i really don't care for the feel of a collapsable in use and so i think i use this lens much less than if it were a non collapsable.

what's your experience?
 
I like collapsible lenses because they reduce the front to back dimensions of a camera, which makes it easier to carry.
 
Have one, the Hex 50/2.4. Once it's extended, I don't find it different in handling than other lenses.

Every RF collection worth its salt needs at least one collapsible and one bug-eyed lens :)

Roland.

PS: sounds like you are thinking about the next move, Joe :)
 
Six of one and half a dozen of the other.

The collapsible benefits never really made an impression on me, because the reduction in volume wasn't much. It would be so neat that if you collapse the lens, it would reduce the overall weight by 66%.

And so many hassles with whether you could collapse into an M5 or CL or M6 and newer.

The signature of the collapsible lenses tend to be unique, so, all are worthwhile lenses to have.

...Vick
 
Have one, the Hex 50/2.4. Once it's extended, I don't find it different in handling than other lenses.

Every RF collection worth its salt needs at least one collapsible and one bug-eyed lens :)

Roland.

PS: sounds like you are thinking about the next move, Joe :)

not at all rollie, the elmar stays.
 
Absolut love

Absolut love

Hi, i like them so much even my nick has to do with my elmar!

I can pocket even my Hexar RF not to mention the m8!
I would really love an m9 just to collapse and get full frame with my beloved elmar f3.5! and get variable iso pics!

Cheers!
 
A 1958 Elmar f2.8 on a chrome M6. Compact travel camera that makes lovely images. I just spent a week in Colorado with it, a 28mm Summicron and a 15mm CV. Worked well. Joe
 
I love them - they really do reduce the size of a camera. The collapsible Summicron is one the finest lenses ever made - a rare bargain from Leica! The Elmar 5cm/3.5 and all its various Japanese clones are also excellent, not to mention the fabulous Summitar.
 
I like my collapsible lenses, for the images they make. I usually always leave them in "shooting" mode.
 
I have the 50/3.5 Elmar and 50/2 Summitar. I like the way they render but I don't use them as much as my other lenses because of the feel. The ability to collapse them and put the camera in my pocket is a plus but I prefer the ergonomics of a regular, non-collapsable lens.
 
I have the Summicron, Elmar and Summitar. All great B&W lenses, the Summicron being the sharpest and most contrasty, but still less contrasty than the DR, and lots less contrasty than a lens like the 50 Planar. All have great bokeh and are invaluable when the light is very harsh - the light weight is also a bonus:

Summicron Coll.
4651922781_1b261e8aa5_b.jpg
 
I like my Collapsible lenses, have several Summicrons, Summar, Elmar F3.5, Nikkor 5cm F2, and an I-50. The latter is brass rather than aluminum, gives some heft.
 
Thought I'd chip in for the contax owners :)

I love my 5CM sonnar, its a compact unit at best, but pop it back and the camera and lens slip into my inside pocket, great for candids as I can totally hide the camera away until I need it.

As several people have said, all lenses have there uses, but I couldnt be without a collapsible...
 
I absolutely adore my collapsible Summicron - it makes my camera much easier to stow, much less of a worry when its slung across my shoulder and facing behind me. the look of the photos it produces is truly unique and captivating.
 
Oh, Oh, I do, I do!

I've got Elmar-M 50/2.8, Elmar 50/3.5 and love them both. I've had another Elmar-M, older Elmar 50/2.8, Rollei 35 (40/3.5) in the past.

I love how the Elmar-M renders the image, but I actually like the fact it's collapsable. Especially 50mm lenses are always tied to higher profile compared to 35mm or even 40mm so the ability to make the carrying profile of the camera low is quite useful.

When I went to Paris in winter, I could put my MP and collapsed Elmar-M in my coat pocket, and walk around without looking too much like tourist. (well, I'm a Japanese dude from California, so you can see how far I can go with that. :p)

I could take out the camera and snap, put it back to to pocket and scram. I was able to shoot quite a bit of nice candid stuff that way. That's why I didn't use Nokton 50/1.5 that I also brought with me. Having "pocketable" M with 50mm is irreplaceable for me.

And of course you can't beat Barnack + Elmar for everyday shoot if you are into 50mm. :)

All shot with technique above.

4338521647_3bfbb38290_z.jpg


4441913275_1887d2af91_z.jpg


4374422882_1d13968930_z.jpg
 
Last edited:
I like my old 50mm f/2.8 Elmar because it makes my M3 a back-pocket camera. On the other hand, if the camera's on a sling then I don't ever bother to collapse the lens.l
 
i do. my summicron renders gorgeously. thank you DAG.

sure it's a pain in the ass to open, close, open, close, but it's kinda cool.
 
Back
Top Bottom