View Full Version : Smallest/flattest collapsible?
Hi, I just bought a Leica III body (my 1st non-SLR Leica) and would like to pair it up with the flattest lens possible. I hear that the 50mm Elmars are probably my best bet - would that be correct? I'd appreciate any advice.
Gabriel M.A.
03-18-2006, 14:18
The flattest lens possible? By this I believe you mean "shortest"; I think that would be a 35mm lens. Maybe one of the Canon 35mm lenses.
Right, I meant to say shortest (although 'flattest' sounds better in my mother tongue :))
Gordon Coale
03-18-2006, 14:27
When the Elmar 50/3.5 is collapsed it's smaller than any non-collapsible. For less money there is the FSU Industar-50/3.5 which is an Elmar clone. Not exact, but close.
I think you mean a collapsible lens that collapses flat into the body? That would be a 50mm f3.5 Elmar lens, or an FSU clone of this lens.
Thanks a bunch, this confirms my suspicion (50mm f3.5 Elmar).
Btw, I read (on photo.net, I think) that Cosina made a collapsible 50mm in LTM, sold only in Japan, wonder if that’s true.
FWIW-- If you want to go faster, get a 50/2 Summitar. If you want to go wider, get a 35/3.5 screwmount Summaron, of the old kind. Both of these lenses are almost as "flat" as the old 50/3.5 Elmar (and its clones).
If you really want pocketable, you can always get an Olympus XA (though I personally dislike the film rewind).
Oh, and yes, Cosina did make a collapsible 50/3.5 Heliar. Steven Gandy has more information here: http://www.cameraquest.com/voigtlen.htm (scroll down).
... If you really want pocketable, you can always get an Olympus XA (though I personally dislike the film rewind).
Oh, and yes, Cosina did make a collapsible 50/3.5 Heliar. Steven Gandy has more information here: http://www.cameraquest.com/voigtlen.htm (scroll down).
Thanks, I appreciate the tip. Btw, I have the Olympus XA, find it really useful, although not much fun to shoot with.
The collapsible Heliar is a thing of beauty, too bad it's impossible to find. I just read the article in Popular Photo (wow) http://www.popphoto.com/article.asp?section_id=2&article_id=334
Lemures-Ex
03-18-2006, 15:06
Hoot: That quote from Lartigue in your signature is great!
Brian Sweeney
03-18-2006, 15:23
Go with the Elmar 5cm/3.5. Post-war lenses were coated, and quite good in sufficient light.
Prewar uncoated lenses usually run less.
Folds almost flat against the camera, all that is seen is the lens cap. When extended, it does not creep into my Leica IIIf viewfinder at all.
Jason Sprenger
03-18-2006, 15:29
Yes, Cosina put out the 50/3.5 Heliar with a special edition of the Bessa T.
It was only sold in the sets with cameras. It's not a cheap lens due to its scarcity and collectibility. Nevertheless, all accounts of it I have seen have been favorable.
An Elmar 50/3.5 is more easily available than the Heliar 50/3.5 and from what I can tell from pictures, collapses "flatter".
The other alternative are the Soviet versions of collapsible 50's. I have a FED 50/3.5 on my FED2 that I bought from Fedka which I am very pleased with. The Soviet lens collapses just as flat as an Elmar on a Leica IIf.
Well, I just bought a couple of FSU collapsibles, now just waiting nervously for my winning :D bid on the 5-/3.5 Elmar. The coolest thing is that your advice was so immediate that I will be able to wrap up this little outfit today, and with some confidence in the final result. You Gentlemen once again have been amazingly helpful - thank you! I hope one day to be of some (any :)) use for folks here.
the russian fac-similé of the leitz elmar is a four design tessar, the zeiss design. It also seems that this lens design requires a good mechanical precision adjustment that often lacked on the assembly line. Considering the price of film devellopment, I would go for an uncoated elmar collapsible that can be found on the bay for 150 bux.
Just won a 50/3.5 Elmar collapsible ($83) on ebay. In total, the Leica III + lens, both in nice condition, came out to just under $300. Not sure if that's a good deal but I am happy :D Now, must find a case, strap, hotshoe meter, cool new leatherette... :)
You are moving fast tonight Andy.
Luigi has a case and wonderful straps.
I bought a Gordy wrist strap for my IIIc today, they are very nice too.
Fast is the only way to go, isn't? :p Actually, a very old A/R cleared today so I am feeling a bit giddy..
I bought a case for my G2 from Luigi, it's very, very nice. Time to go back for more :).
a 3.5cm 3.5 Elmar is nice, and pretty flat. Don't forget that if you shoot with a lenshood you need to take that into account too....
50/3.5 Elmar is the smallest 50 for the Leica III. The 35/3.5 Elmar is non-collapsible and is actually _smaller_, but you won't have the framelines for it.
There are two 35mm Elmars listed on ebay today, still at a low price, I am hoping to snatch one if the price doesn't go up to much.
Btw, got a quote from Luigi on a half-case and strap but am also considering an original Leica full case, they seem quite affordable. Of course, Luigi's case is a masterpiece and has a built-in grip...
50/3.5 Elmar is the smallest 50 for the Leica III. The 35/3.5 Elmar is non-collapsible and is actually _smaller_, but you won't have the framelines for it.
True, but you can use a viewfinder....
Once you take viewfinders and lenshoods into account, the rig takes on a whole new dimension :eek:
Although - I can easily carry my 111c and 35/3.5 Elmar with viewfinder attached (but no hood) in a jacket pocket. :cool:
...I can easily carry my 111c and 35/3.5 Elmar with viewfinder attached (but no hood) in a jacket pocket. :cool: Would you happen to have a picture of your IIIc+35mm+finder outfit? I am just getting into this size of Leica and am fascinated by the possibilities.
Would you happen to have a picture of your IIIc+35mm+finder outfit? I am just getting into this size of Leica and am fascinated by the possibilities.
Any excuse :D to post a picture of my 111c!
When you look at this you have to bear in mind that I don't consider using the camera direct from my pocket ideal (although quite a few do). Thats why I'm buying a refurbished period case for the camera.
BTW the lens is under the lenscap - ready to shoot!
The second shot (with the print underneath) shows how much more room the lens + hood takes up, but I rarely use a hood. Incidentally, the print is a straight print from the 3.5cm lens, re-photographed with a digital point-and-shoot to show the camera. Take a look at the detail in the wooden bench...
Thank you for the pics - nice outfit. I like the 2nd shot a lot. It makes me want my new III right this very minute (it's in the mail - seems the best stuff is always "in the mail"... :))
ZorkiKat
03-22-2006, 10:26
the russian fac-similé of the leitz elmar is a four design tessar, the zeiss design. It also seems that this lens design requires a good mechanical precision adjustment that often lacked on the assembly line. Considering the price of film devellopment, I would go for an uncoated elmar collapsible that can be found on the bay for 150 bux.
The collapsible Industars go for around US$15 - 20. I've a bout 50 of these and they all work perfectly. None have the problems associated with the other soviet lenses.
The only ones which would cause problems (not due to faulty or haphazard assembly) are the prewar and immediate post-war lenses made for the FED. These had non-standard registers and would not fit a real Leica or Canon because of thread mount pitch differences. These issues did not arise from production defects, but rather incompatible designs.
However, all the later FED, Industar-22 and Industar-50 collapsible lenses would work nicely with my Leica cameras. I have a preference for the coated FED collapsible- they seem to do better ("draw" images in a different, charming way)
than the I-22 or I-50, though these latter lenses were supposed (and have proven) to be an improvement in more ways than one.
:)
Jay
... However, all the later FED, Industar-22 and Industar-50 collapsible lenses would work nicely ....... [...] ....though these latter lenses were supposed (and have proven) to be an improvement in more ways than one.
Jay Jay, the one problem I am running into is determing whether an FSU lens is of the "later" manufacture, especially when shopping on ebay. Are there any visual markers that one could look for to identify those newer collapsibles?
Though I've never seen it in the flesh, the C/V 28/35 Minifinder should make your combo even more pocketable.
Though I've never seen it in the flesh, the C/V 28/35 Minifinder should make your combo even more pocketable.
Yeah, but they're expensive, and even more expensive should you want to shoot with a 90 as well.
Meantime, here is my total LTM kit - can't get much more minimalist than this!
The meter is a Japanese Weston clone from the 70's, but about 2/3rds the size.
Yeah, but they're expensiveOnly reason I don't own one. :D
And that's a very nice kit!
Smallest 3 lens kit?
IIIa with 50 f3.5 Elmar, Nikon Varifocal finder, CV meter II, Canon 100 f3.5, Canon 35 f2.8
I will post tonight some results of 12 50mm lenses in Leica mount. Maybe you get inspired by some.
Frank, awesome looking outfit. The Cannon 100mm sure looks like a serous lens - is it hard to frame / compose on the III?
Raid, I can't wait to see yout lest test results, especially since after seeing all the screwmount goodies at the Phoenix photo show this morning, I am aching to "complete" my new Leica III kit.
The annual Photorama USA show in Phoenix, AZ was a small affair but pretty well attended, I'd say. The one thing I noticed was the average age of the vendors and attendees - my guess is well over 50. I wonder why that is - there were very few younger folks there.
Anyway, I saw this minty Summaron 35mm (see below) and couldn't resist. The picture doesn't do it justice, it looks and behaves like new (well, I imagine).
Also found a working Ricoh 35S for $4 and a Konica TC + 40mm/1.8 in perfect order for $45 - bargains galore :D
So now I have a 50mm Elmar 3.5 and a 35mm Summaron 3.5. Clearly, I need at least one fast lens for the III. For that, I assume, I'll need to look at CV lenses, perhaps the 28/1.9 Ultron?
Going to the Tucson photo show tomorrow, it is supposed to be huge, much bigger than the Photorama one today. I will probably take only one credit card with me and no cash...
Andy, let me know how you get along with your Summaron. I had to sell mine because it wasn't compatible with my Zorki-1 bodies (the focusing cam is the wrong shape). What I'm curious is whether it's possible to get used to the fact that the Summaron's aperture marking rotates when the lens is being focused.
It is such a gorgeous lens, though...
hoot, I plan to shoot lost of rolls with both lenses, will post anything that's any good :)
Cheers,
Anyway, I saw this minty Summaron 35mm (see below) and couldn't resist. The picture doesn't do it justice, it looks and behaves like new (well, I imagine).
So now I have a 50mm Elmar 3.5 and a 35mm Summaron 3.5. Clearly, I need at least one fast lens for the III. For that, I assume, I'll need to look at CV lenses, perhaps the 28/1.9 Ultron?
...
Andy - nice!
Do yourself a favour and pick up an old Leica case. Just got mine and it's amazing! Weighs nothing, and can take a filter and lenshood attached, with the front closed. Really makes the outfit (IMO).
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