Last week I bought me an M2 with the old Elmar 50,2.8 collapsible. What can I expect of this lens? Is it as sharp as the current version? Is it contrasty or should I buy me a newer "glass"

thanks for all answers!!

-- Peter Flinkert (goflt@yahoo.com), December 25, 2001

Answers

It's an excellent lens. No it's probably not quite as perfect wide open as the latest version, but there isn't enough difference to warrent trading. You've got a great combination -- enjoy!

-- (bmitch@home.com), December 25, 2001.

With the lens off the camera, shine a penlight through each end while looking at the opposite end somewhat off-axis (i.e. not looking straight through the lens) and play the light around some. Some little dust specks are fine and normal but if you see a hazy, foggy or milky film on any of the internal glass surfaces (very common with older Leitz lenses)this will encourage reflective flare and detract from the contrast. The good news is that most of time most of the fog can be cleaned off by a trained Leica repairperson, usually for under $100. But you can't see the fog by simply holding the lens up to the light and looking through it like a spyglass.

-- Jay (infinitydt@aol.com), December 25, 2001.

The quality of the older lenses is often more of a factor of their condition than design. If the front and rear elements are relatively free of cleaning marks, and the inner elements are free of haze, I have found most of the 1950's Leica vintage lenses are excellent even by today's standards. Using a hood is even more important with the vintage lenses, which are not as heavily coated. At wider apertures especially, the older lenses are lower in contrast than their modern counterparts.

-- Andrew Schank (aschank@flash.net), December 25, 2001.

Hi Peter, I have that lens and it gives great results.Plenty of contrast and that wonderful way those older lenses catch light relected off shiney surfaces indoors. it is hard to describe but you know it when you see it. The thing I don't like about it is that the aperture ring will shift the focus if you don't hold on to the base of the lens as you change the aperture. It is enough of an annoyance to me that I got an old F2 to use on the street. It is not as convenient as the collapsible one while travelling but much more while shotting.

-- Seth Levine (pepe3@bellatlantic.net), December 25, 2001.