LTM 50s

No matter what 35mm camera I use, my usual lens is a 50. I've got a III and a IIIf and an Elmar 3.5 and a Sumar

for them. I wanted, as well a less "vintage" or more "contemporary" lens as well. I bought a VC Nokton 1.5, but

use it little because of its size. I have not gotten comfortable with it. Otherwise, I've no issues with it.

I'm going to sell it if I can find a contemporary 50 but smaller.

 

I'd appreciate your thoughts and recommendations for a "contemporary look" small LTM 50.

CV 50 f2.5

<p>There were 1000 units of the modern Summicron 50/2.0 lenses made in LTM for the Japanese collector market, but they fetch a pretty penny used.<br>

There's the CV 50/3.5 Heliar. Very modern optics.<br>

There's less than unanimity about the optical quality of the CV 50/2.5.<br>

The Canon 50/1.8 is compact, and has a much more modern look than the vintage Leica glass. The 40mm filter threads are a downside of that lens.<br>

There's the Pentax Limited 43/1.8 LTM lens, I think another 1000 unit limited edition.</p>

<p>I have a similar problem, and the f1.5 lens blocks much of the small VF. If Leica had decided to make an LTM version of their (for Leica) modern collapsible 50mm f2.8, that might have been the right solution. Agree with John's comment about the f3.5 Heliar, but it depends whether you need more speed than that.</p>

<p>Small correction: I missed inserting "inexpensive" immediately after "(for Leica)". </p>

<p>Other than the CV 50/2.5 and CV 50/2, there doesn't appear to be much other choice in a modern (or "contemporary look") and smaller 50mm lens. It may not be of much appeal to you, but the 35mm f2.5 classic V-C lens is really small, well corrected, and handy on thre III series Leicas, although an accessory brightline 35mm V-C VF is necessary (the combo presently runs about $620).</p>

<p>The Industar 61 L/D should also be a contender. Not well constructed but optically excellent.</p>

<p>I have a mint Industar-22 50mm f3.5 collapsible lens that I've never used, but I imagine it is superb. Too bad Leica screw mount bodies are so expensive these days.</p>

<p>I wouldn't expect the Industar 22 or 61 to look a lot different from the 50/3.5 Elmar, other than the advantages of coating. They're all Tessar designs.<br>

The Canon 50/1.8 used isn't <em>that</em> expensive yet. KEH.com has them used for from $99 in Ugly condition (will have haze or scratches) to $245 in Bargain (physical wear, but optics still clean). The black and chrome ones are lighter (aluminum mount), but a little more prone to fatal internal haze.</p>

<p>To me Industar-61 L/D looks very different from plain Industar-61, or any other Industar. Definitely a "modern" look.</p>

<p>An f1.5 Jupiter 3 can be an nice lens if you can find one with clean glass (not too hard) AND send it to a repairman to have the collimation checked (not too costly). This is a compact lens - for example, it takes a 40.5 mm filter.</p>

<p>There is a Canon 50mm F1.8ltm (ex+) in classifieds</p>

Thinking things over this weekend...the desire for a 'contemporary' LTM lens comes from not wanting to go to an slr for it because the "Barnacks" have become my goto cameras (for the reason given in the Leica Minimalist thread). When focusing became too stiff on the Elmar, I realized how much I depended on it to be there. It revealed my other 50s were not replacements for it for general use. The Nokton is simply too big for that, although a very good lens, one I use for indoor available light. The Summar has its limitations and I don't want to carry around a lens shade. I have an Industar L/D labeled 55/2.8. It works well, but there is the collimation issue.

 

I've decided to set aside the matter of a contemporary lens, and have the bodies and the Leica lenses brought up to spec by a pro since it has become obvious to me how important they are to my photography. I'll probably buy another Elmar, or perhaps another Leica 50 that has the general usefulness of the Elmar.

 

I'll keep the Heliar 3.5 in mind, as well.

<p>All of the LTM Canon 50s are useful, and cheaper than Leica lenses. (Although not as cheap as they used to be.) The silver and black f1.8 is my favorite. The 2.8 is a Tessar, tiny, but a little hard to find.<br /><br />Industars are cheap and extremely variable, but some are fine.<br /><br />The Jupiter 8 50mm f2 is similar, some very good, some not so much, all pretty cheap.<br>

A clean Leica Summitar 50mm f2 is a fine lens, less expensive than other decent Leica lenses (though still not "cheap"), and I guess not "modern look". </p>

 

<p>I have a Canon 50mm f/1.8 that is superb. I also have a 55mm Indutar f/2.8 the was to stiff to focus. I sent it to DAG for a CLA and Don adjusted it to perfection. I am very surprised just how sharp it is.</p>

<p>As to the 40mm filter size of the Canon, I had SK Grimes make a custom 40mm to 39mm step-down ring and I use my Leica shade and all my 39mm filters with it. Just a great adapter; Iit has a groove in it so that my Leica shade clips on.</p>

<p>I tried a 40 to 39mm ring off of eBay and it really didn't fit.</p>