i have both the 35 and the 50 summiluces and recently i acquired a 40mm m-rokkor. since i have this lens i am so spoiled by its size, that i hardly use my 35 anymore. it is so nice to have a camera that fits in any pocket and doesn't give too much of a bulge.

my problem is though, that i am more at home with the 50mm focal length. which 50mm for leica m lens is the shortest, besides the elmar? i'd prefer 2.0 aperture, but do not mind any third party lenses.

-- stefan randlkofer (geesbert@yahoo.com), March 25, 2002

Answers

The collapsible 50mm f2 summicron is ideal. 'Shrinks' to about 3cm. Quie an oldy though but I think fairly easy to get hold of second hand. I got mine for around £300 in the UK.

-- Stephen Punton (stephen.punton@blueyonder.co.uk), March 25, 2002.

In the 1950's Leitz made a screw fitting collapsible Summicron (F2) in quite large numbers. Most of the regular M fit 50's are similar in length to each other. Voigtlander's 50 are not particularly short but the new 50mm F2.5 Skopar may be?

-- Giles Poilu (giles@monpoilu.icom43.net), March 25, 2002.

Stefan, I just had a look at the new R2 with the Skopar fitted in last weeks AP. It looks quite stubby with a good looking finger tab fitted - might be just what you're looking for.

-- Giles Poilu (giles@monpoilu.icom43.net), March 25, 2002.

Stafan,

Thew collapsabile 50mm Summicron in M mount would be your best bet other than either the first or second version Elmar.

Lots of them were made and still around, but inspect for fogging and especially cleaning marks.

Best,

Jerry

-- Jerome R. Pfile, Jr. (JerryPfile@msn.com), March 25, 2002.

Compact 50/2 lenses? The 50/2.0 collapsible Summicron is a decent lens, though not as good as the succeeding rigid lenses, but it's not particularly tiny, even when collapsed. The 50/2 Summicron 11819 older version w/o the built-in lenshood is a pretty small lens when the hood is not attached. Konica made a collapsible 50/2.4 Hexar. which is said to be a pretty good lens.

The most compact 50/2.0 lens made by Leica was the 50/2.0 Elcan M which was made for the KE-7A (military version of M4). Unfortunately this lens was made in tiny numbers (some 500 or so) and is very rare. However, it is positively tiny. Too bad they decided not to produce this lens commercially.

-- Eliot (erosen@lij.edu), March 25, 2002.

Stefan:

I have in my hand a collapsible 50 Summicron, screw mount version. This lens is #1041xxx, which would make it made in 1952. With front and rear caps the lens weighs in at 9 ounces (252 grams) and measures 1.25 inches (32mm) from the lens flange to the front of the cap in the collapsed position. Extended it measures 1.75 inches (44.5mm). This lens has the yellow cast to the elements and gives a very warm cast when used with slide film. If you look for one, be sure and check for fogging and cleaning marks. Mine has both. If you use the Leica 12585 hood on it, it can not be reversed in the collapsed position. The lens is not one of my favorites. I do not like the infinity lock, but I am reluctant to grind it off.

Goodl luck in your quest.

-- Mark A. Johnson (logical1@catholic.org), March 26, 2002.