Just buying my first M6, but not sure which lens to buy either the 50mm f2.8 Elmar or 50mm f2 Summicron?, help please

-- Gary Perlmutter (gary@psionara.freeserve.co.uk), August 27, 2001

Answers

If it's between these two, get the Summicron. It's a stop faster, sharper, and they're almost the same price. The 'cron is bigger and doesn't collapse however.

-- Jack Flesher (jbflesher@msn.com), August 27, 2001.

At the beginning of this summer, I found a pristine Leitz M6 "Classic" which I coupled with an Elmar-M. I wanted a globe trotting camera that wouldn't take up much room, yet would offer the highest quality available for my b&w work. For me, there's something about being able to put this camera/lens in a small $20 Lowepro waist pouch, with a couple extra rolls of b&w in my pocket, and walk the streets of New York. As I've pulled prints out of the selinium toner, I been amazed at the "character" of the Elmar-M. I've always liked the 4 element Tessar design, probably better than any other, and the Leica engineers do not disappoint. The Tessar design is a classical design used in many highly toted cameras. When this design is done right, I think its hard to beat. It's sort of like the girl whose not the prettiest, or sexiest, but the one you'd give your right arm to wake up too the next morning. Of course the Summicron is faster, and rated as the top Leica lens. Either way, you can't go wrong, but I feel many Leica users overlook the Elmar-M for the wrong reasons. I've also heard rumors that it might not be around much longer, since Leica is selling precious few. You know what that means, don't you? A year after it's discontinued, and it's in short supply on the used market, everybody and their brother/sister will want one.

-- Leicaddict (leicaddict@hotmail.com), August 27, 2001.

Well, I'm not one to equate cameras or lenses with women or any other romantic notions. Strictly fact and practicality. I owned a 50/2.8 Elmarit-M and sold it. It was less sharp than the current Summicron at 2.8 and 4, plus it was slower. The kicker was that with a UV filter and the screw-on hood, when collapsed it was barely shorter than the Summicron. And the Summicron is always ready to shoot.

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

The Elmar 50/2.8 is an excellent lens. I never use a tripod with my Leica and cannot find noticeable differences in terms of sharpness with the 'cron. The Elmar handles flare incredibly well: You can use it without hood except in extreme back-lighting conditions. This being said, if the size or look of the lens is not important to you, the 'cron is probably a better choice.

-- Xavier Colmant (xcolmant@powerir.com), August 28, 2001.

Dear Gary, If I were you I would buy the Summicron: the type of lenses is very different and the results too. If it would be possible I may suggest you to search on the used marked the last type of the summicron but with the hood detacable, not inserted within the lens. The last type, but not the last last, just to understand. It is cheaper and more usefull. Secondly: use the tripod when necessary, and even when not. Only in this way it is possible to recognize the difference between the two lenses, even if the Summicron is at all aperture, more clear end in focus up to the corners. Any way, a good help you may catch from the beautifull analysis of Edwind Puts. By Joe

-- joseph pelizza (breglumasi@hotmail.com), August 30, 2001.

If the Summicron is only about $150 more than the 50 2.8 Elmar-M, I'd opt for the Summi. Rigid lenses with extensible hoods are more user- friendly. I've done the tests with newsprint sheete and could see NO difference anywhere from wide open to f16 with my Elmar-M 50mm. Popular Photography tested the two 50s and they were about equal. I sent my Elmar-M back to Leica for removal of the click stop ball, so I can set it more accurately with my hand held Gossen Multi-Pro & M4- P Elmar-M has 6-blade iris; Summicron has 8 blades-- better.

-- Frank Horn (owlhoot45@hotmail.com), September 15, 2001.

Thanks for all your replies. In the end going on the majority and as they are the same price in the UK, I went for the Summicron. It is larger, but performance aside I like the convenience of the built in lens hood and I think it looks better too!

-- Gary Perlmutter (gary@psionara.freeserve.co.uk), September 16, 2001.

Gary:

You have made the right choice! I have the 50mm/f2 lens and it is a stunning performer, especially at f2!...................

-- Muhammad Chishty (applemac97@aol.com), September 17, 2001.