leica elmar-m f2.8/50mm

[miatadan]

Hi new to this forum.
I ordered the Leica Elmar f2.8/50mm lens in black today
Most affordable Leica lens. Is this still a good lens?
Been looking at M series Leica cameras since 1989 and decided to get the lens first, than order either the Leice MP or M7 later this year.
When I used to have cameras ( high school ) and few years later I owned manual focus , manual SLRs 1979-83 era.
Never liked full automatic plastic cameras.

Any advice for first time rangfinder owner? Is it more difficult to focus than a mual slr?

Dan

[FrankS]

Never liked full automatic plastic cameras.

Welcome, Dan! You'll fit right in here. I don't think any of us do.

Advice for first time RF owner? I'd say try a cheaper RF camera than the M7 or MP first just in case you "don't get on" with the RF peculiarities/charateristics/idiosyncracies. I doubt it would happen, but it would be an expensive mistake if it did.

[Huck Finn]

Yes,Dan, users report that the 50/2.8 is still a very good lens; some like it better than the 50/2. And a rangefinder camera is not more difficult to focus than an SLR, just need to get used to a different operation . . . oh, yeah, & remember to take the lens cap off when you shoot.

Since you're waiting until later this year to buy your camera body, consider the Zeiss Ikon, due on the market in May with all of the features of a Leica M7 but for 60% of the cost. Also on the market that did not exist in 1989 when you began this flirtation are The Voigtlander Bessa series. The R2A & R3A are aperture priority cameras like both the M7 & the Zeiss Ikon. All of these cameras are M-mount.

[miatadan]

I am also looking out for M6 or M6 TTL if I can find one new, if the price is at least $700 less than a MP or M7.
As for less expensive m body I may consider Rollei RF 35.

Dan

[furcafe]

Yes, it's still a good lens. It's basically an update of the classic Elmar (c.1925), which was the lens that made the Leica's reputation as quality miniature camera. The Elmar is itself a variant on the very famous, & very old, Tessar design (1902). Not the fastest lens in the world, but they've had a lot of time to work out the kinks!

Originally posted by miatadan
Hi new to this forum.
I ordered the Leica Elmar f2.8/50mm lens in black today
Most affordable Leica lens. Is this still a good lens? . . .

Dan

[Huck Finn]

Originally posted by furcafe
Not the fastest lens in the world, but they've had a lot of time to work out the kinks!

Not the fastest, but ohh so compact . . . & very sharp in the middle apertures in particular - at least if my Nikon 45/2.8 is any judge. :cool:

[Huck Finn]

Originally posted by miatadan
I am also looking out for M6 or M6 TTL if I can find one new, if the price is at least $700 less than a MP or M7.
As for less expensive m body I may consider Rollei RF 35.

Dan

Dan, you can find intersting prices on M6 & M7 at Hong Kong Supplies @ www.hksupplies.com

Also, Rich Pinto has M6 & M7 demos at good prices, some with warrantees, @ www.photovillage.com

Do you know about the different magnification levels of M6 & M7? Prices at the 2 dealers I've listed vary with the magnification you choose.

Be aware that as you wait to buy later in the year, you will see Leica prices rise on the M7. This will not be an issue for the M6 because it is no longer being manufactured. Leica has announced price increases, effective January, 2005, but I think that you will only see the price increases as dealers re-stock their inventories. I have read that the increase will be about 5 - 10% across the board, which means that a new M7 will eventually be about $3000 USD.

Cheers,
Huck

[impact07]

Hey, another new guy! Welcome.

I have the newest Elmar, my wife got it for me. I quite like it. Judging from the few rolls I have put through my MP, it's plenty sharp and my people shots have been pleasing. I think you'll find plenty of people who prefer it over the the Summicron, if you don't need the stop.

Personally, I totally covet the collapsables, and my 2nd favorite (35mm at least) camera is my Zorki-C with a collapsable Industar-22, an old Elmar copy. I really enoy the images I get from the 50 year old beast.

As far as bodies, get whichever you like and enjoy. there are plenty of people on here who can point you towards the right one. If you're on a budget the Leica bodies may not be right for you.

Good Luck!

[rover]

Don't rule out a used Bessa R2 either to get you started. You could be shooting with your new lens for less than $500 with a camera that can be your mainstay for quite a while.

Also consider an older Leica. A 40 year old M2 or M3 may not have a meter, but if well cared for it will be your son's (or daughter's) favorite camera when he (she) retires.

[rover]

I bet this one doesn't last long.

http://www.photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg?msg_id=00AdrS

Cash sale though, be careful.

[Brian Sweeney]

I would 2nd the motion for an M3. An M3 with a Clean-Lube-Adjust can be had for about $700. You can always sell it for the same if you go with a new camera later. An external meter will work, and there are clip-on meters that couple to the shutter dial.

The M3 has the best finder of any of the M series cameras; but many require cleaning before use. I have had four Leica's cleaned at Essex in New Jersey, all of the finders came back like new.

[Bill K.]

Hi Dan & welcome,

Nice to hear from someone in Sudbury, "The Nickel Capital on the World". I grew up in Sudbury, and have fond memories of summers spent swimming in Ramsey Lake.

Regards,

Bill K.

[merciful]

Never liked full automatic plastic cameras.


Holgas are great.

[Huck Finn]

A Zorki was flying through the galaxy on an Industar-22 with the newest Elmar that his wife had found for him when up ahead he spotted an Aries 3c coming at him, manned by a Zorki copy. It was then that he realized he was caught in an attack from the Clones. The Zorki decided to abandon the Industar 22 & escape in his much faster Retina II-c & head for the rebel base at Kiev 4a on remote Olympus, a moon of the giant gas planet Holga. He turned to his faithful Wooky, Furcafe, & directed him to fire the newly installed Tessar raocket thrusters to send them into hyperspace before he jettisoned the Retina II-c. He knew that once in the Retina, he would be protected by the deadly Canonet GIIIs. He was glad that he had insisted on the much more powerful QL17 models of the Canonets rather than the much slower QL28. I just hope that this new Elmar is trained with the QL17s, he mused. The Zorki debated whether to activate his Contax to communicate with the Leica MP who was in charge, worrying that the radio signals would be detected by another Aries who might be in the neighborhood. He decided that he could risk it because he knew that nothing is more quiet than a Leica MP. The Zorky flipped the switch on his Contax Guide, selecting the Focal Press stealth program to signal the MP, while Furcafe activated the Rangefinder's Rover program to detect any other incoming Aries. Safety was now in the hands of the Leica Mp, but the Zorky had that feeling of security that one can only experience in the hands of a Leica MP. To be continued . . .

[rover]

I had a thought to make a comment urging Huck not to post before taking his medication in the morning...

but I kinda like that one.

[Huck Finn]

:D :angel:

[Brian Sweeney]

Hmmm. At F2.8 the IIc is not much faster than the Industar-22, just 2/3 of a stop. I have been thinking of making some special modifications to my IIc, fitting it with the Rear element, aperture plate, and front element from a junked IIIc. She may not look like much, but she'll make F2.0 past Lightspeed. And my Canon's sport an F0.95 that can sweep the photons out of a black hole.

[Huck Finn]

That & a light saber are all you'll need to make your way through the galaxy, Luke.

[peter_n]

Welcome to both Dan & Christopher! :) Dan I use an Elmar-M on a Leica M6ttl and highly recommend the combination. Here's a sample shot at f5.6 (http://www.rangefinderforum.com/photopost/showphoto.php/photo/3635/sort/1/cat/500/page/1).

The M6 cameras have different shutter speed dials. The "classic" M6 has a smallish dial that rotates in the same direction as all the Leicas before it. The M6ttl has a larger dial that rotates in the opposite direction (to match the direction of the exposure arrows in the viewfinder). The M7 has the same dial as the M6ttl. I bought my M6 from Rich Pinto in NYC and I recommend him, but the one on photo.net linked to above looks like a great deal. I bought my Elmar-M from a photo.net member and love it!

[Doug]

Great Holga! That's a fine story, Huckster!

Welcome, Dan! You must enjoy the topless Mazda (God of Light)?

[miatadan]

Been looking at other rangefinders such as Rollei RF35 and Voigtlander Bessa R3A, Zeiss Ikon :rolleyes:
Is there a chance Leica will notice these new models and come out with a more affordable M series body ?:confused:
Dan

[peter_n]

Dan I think they've noticed them already. Their prices go up this month. Pretty soon a new MP or M7 will cost close to $3000. :(

[Todd.Hanz]

Originally posted by miatadan
Been looking at other rangefinders such as Rollei RF35 and Voigtlander Bessa R3A, Zeiss Ikon :rolleyes:
Is there a chance Leica will notice these new models and come out with a more affordable M series body ?:confused:
Dan

Welcome Dan,

and the answer is most assuredly No!
I would love to say yes, esp. as you look at the success of Cosina Voigtlander, but the ultimate Leica snobs are actually Leica themselves.

Todd

[back alley]

but the ultimate Leica snobs are actually Leica themselves

very wise words! and oh so true...

joe

[Brian Sweeney]

I am a broken record.

At under $700 for a used body and CLA'd at Essex, I like to think that the M2 and M3 are the Affordable alternative from Leica. Leica still supplies parts for these 1950's vintage cameras; Essex had to wait a month, but got new gears for my rewind on the M2. How many other 1958 items can you get repaired like that?

[Huck Finn]

Brian, how will the new CV meters work with one of these? Does $700 include the CLA? Thanks

Huck

[woody]

Greetings.

I thought I'd chime in here, becaue my main shooter is an M3 DS with an Elmar 50/2.8 circa mid 70's. I also use the Leica MC Meter that came with the camera back in 1956. Just had the M3 cleaned and it's perfect. Only two things to think about with this setup: 1) no 35mm framelines and 2) no meter. for #1, I use the Summaron 35/2.8 w/ goggles or the CV Pancake II with the CV 35 brightline finder. Both options are great, but I prefer the look of the Summaron. For #2, an old Leica meter or the CV meter will work.

The other nice note is that the M3 + Elmar 50/2.8 will cost less than the M6 alone.

-w

[Brian Sweeney]

In my case of two M3's and an M2, the $700 included the CLA/repair at Essex. The M2 was $430 on Ebay and required a $188 trip to Essex to fix the rewind. and general CLA. My M3DS required finder parts and was $198. The M3 that I got here on RFF required a $158 CLA to fix the shutter capping problem and clean out the "spider-Hair" in the finder. That camera was advertised here with a 50mm Summicron and 90mm Elmar for $700, so the total price with CLA was $858 for the camera and two lenses. That latter one was an "outlier", but people have been putting up bargains here lately. I like to think of this as "conservation of inconvenience"; buying need-minor-repair cameras cheap and taking the time and effort to get them repaired.



The VC clip on meter should work fine; I use a clip on selenium cell or a handheld meter.