How about the new version Elmar 50/2.8 collapsible ?

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Hi: How about the new version Elmar 50/2.8 collapsible ? What's the difference between it and the Summicron 50/2.0 ? Regards. Chih-Chien Lin

-- Chih-Chien Lin (chihchienlintw@yahoo.com.tw), December 27, 2001

Answers

One stop, less sharpness, very little difference in size once you attach a filter and/or the screw-on shade. For the money you can't beat the Summicron.

-- Jay (infinitydt@aol.com), December 27, 2001.

Agreed.

Get the Summie. Almost the same price...

Unless you really need the lens to collapse for some reason.

-- Steve Hoffman (shoffman2@socal.rr.con), December 27, 2001.


From: Popular Photography Buying Guide, 1998-99>>>

"IN THE LAB: SQF data for both Leica Lenses (the 50 'crom and 50 Elmar-M) indicates well above average image quality-- extermely good at f5.6 and f8, very good overall for the 50mm f2 Summicron, and excellent overall for the 50mm f2.8 Elmar. We were particularly impressed with the almost complete absence of distortion in both these lenses, especially the Elmar, though field curvature in both was high.

"IN THE FIELD: Slides shot with the 50mm f/2 Summicron and 50mm f2.8 Elmar were very crisp and contrasty at all aperatures, and exposure accuracy at all aperatures was impressive. The 50mm f2.8 Elmar exhibited no light falloff at any aperature, and flare was well controlled throughout except at f/16. The 50mm f/2 Summicron showed slight falloff at f/2, but it was gone by f/2.8. Flare was very well controlled except at maximum aperature."

This Popular Photography test showed the 50mm Elmar-M slightly eclipsing the 50mm Summicron in the subjective quality factor tests that give lines-per-mm resolving power. Somewhere (perhaps Erwin Puts' site) I read that the new Leica f/3.5 Anastigmat 2000 is the sharpest 50mm Leica lens. It is used on the commemorative Leica "O".

My one complaint with the 50mm Elmar-M involves the click stop settings, which, after f/8, can only be set at the nearest halfstop. These click settings are too pronounced. My hand-held Gossen meter reads in tenths of a stop. I'd like to be able to get to the nearest quarter stop, if it were possible. The old Leitz lenses would easily do this. I suspect that the new Summicron 50mm is similar in this regard. I think a rigid lens is more ergonomic than the collapsible. If prices are anywhere near close, I get the 'cron. I just happened to get a good deal on my 50 Elmar-M and I am VERY happy with it.

-- Frank Horn (owlhoot45@hotmail.com), December 27, 2001.


I think Frank meant to say that on the Elmarit, after f/8 (i.e. f/11 & f/16) the aperature has click stops only at *FULLstops*. In other words, on the Elmarit you lose the half-stop click stops after f/8. The Summicron has half-stop clicks throughout the aperature range - none are lost. I find the Elmarit very handy for very light and compact travel. It has a lower profile than he Summicron when collapsed without hood, which fits tight compact shoulder travel bags better. I carry the hood in my pocket or elsewhere, and mount it only when not traveling. If you can have only 1 lens, however, the Summicron is the better all around companion.

-- Ken Shipman (kennyshipman@aol.com), December 27, 2001.

if you can live with the lesser speed of the elmar, this is in my opinion one of the coolest lenses ever. i love the collapsible idea. that is so retro! fabulous! i have the 50 lux and consider to get the elmar just as a fashion statement. isn't that why we all have these silly expensive toys? or is anyone out there really taking pictures with it?

-- stefan randlkofer (geesbert@yahoo.com), December 27, 2001.


I had the latest version of the Elmarit-M 50mm. Nice enough lens, but I got rid of it because it had a lot of trouble coping with backlight. Let the sun shine into the lens and you can kiss the shot goodbye.

The 50mm Summicron however copes with lens flare much better. Of course it will still flare under extreme conditions, but nowhere near as hair-trigger sensitive to it as the Elmar-M.

Of course, this is in Australia where the sun is laser-light strong. In softer northern-hemisphere light I expect the lens would behave better.

-- Andrew Nemeth (azn@nemeng.com), December 27, 2001.


IMHO, the main advantage of 50/2.8 Elmar-M is its light weight and compactness. I kicked myself for not taking it with me when hiking in the mountains of Acadia National Park about a month ago. I took Nokton instead, but I never shot wider then f/2.8 (I've been shooting Velvia and Provia 100F).

If I had only one 50mm it would certainly be current 50/2 Summicron (I am not a big fan of tabbed lenses and detacheable hoods). But I appreciate having both 50/1.5 and 50/2.8 and flexibility they give me.

-- Alexander Grekhov (grekhov@wgukraine.com), December 27, 2001.


Hi: Thank you all! I have just bought an Elmar 50/2.8, and I havn't received it. I will pay special attention to the aspects you point out here. I think I will be happy with the lens. Thank you again. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year !!! Chih-Chien Lin

-- Chih-Chien Lin (chihchienlintw@yahoo.com.tw), December 28, 2001.

I use both and my observations are: the elmar is more rounded tonally so better for soft light portraits. the cron has a more graphic quality though. i find the flair effects and halo that the elmar make can be very beautiful if you like that sort of thing. the elmar has a real lens cap that works!

-- charles curry-hyde (charles@chho.com.au), December 28, 2001.

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