Black and White/Which Leica 50mm do you like Best

[walnut]

Hello, Iam in the market for a 50mm leica lens, could be LTM or M mount, i already have a 50mm cron latest version but would like something a little less brutal and more painterly. Can any of you , black and white shooters ,help me in my quest. thanks Dennis:)

[dpetrzelka]

I think the 50/2 collapsible Summicron is a great B+W lens.
A little lower contrast, beautifully soft wide open and sharpens up quickly. My only complaint about it is the "slow" focusing compared to my 35. The focussing tab has a very long throw, and is quite small- so quick focusing takes some practice.

The second and third where shot wide open at 1/30 or 1/15, so they are soft in part from the slow shutter speed, and my poor scanning abilities.

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/photopost/data/500/HArvey-on-Couch.jpg (http://www.rangefinderforum.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=73287&ppuser=8595)

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=51659&d=1194746718
(http://www.rangefinderforum.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=52748&ppuser=8595)
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=51658&d=1194746466 (http://www.rangefinderforum.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=52607)

[Zen-shooter]

I'm a big fan of the Nikkor-S.C 5cm / 1.4 LTM.
Doesn't have that harsh high contrast look.

[walnut]

Dpetrzclka, really like the last shot of child with the 50 coll cron. What was the vintage of it. S#? I was looking at one of these 50mm with S# 1210xxx fromsomething, and it looked remarkably clean. thanks dennis. lets see some more shots from those of you who like B&W with 50mm's.

[telenous]

Check out also the rigid 'Cron, a classic by any account. A few examples of my own below.

For more you may wish to have a look in the M-mount flickr group clicking on the appropriate tags/links for particular lenses (http://www.flickr.com/groups/m-mount/).

[john neal]

I find I'm torn between the LTM Summar (uncoated) and the f.14 Summilux - I guess it depends on the look your are after.

The Summar is definitely not brutal, but has a super period look, while the 'lux is sharper, and produces really creamy whites full open.

[rich815]

I think there's a poll somewhere on this site asking the best 50 for B&W. I think the 50/2 Summicron DR "won". It's my fav for B&W so far....

[dpetrzelka]

Dennis - thank you.

The look in that last shot of the boy eating is probably as much from the low light and really slow shutter as it is the lens signature. That extreme softness belies the lens' true capabilities, though the coll. summicron bokeh is all there.

The serial number on that collapsible Summicron is #1349xxx, a little later than the one you are looking at. The glass is pristine, and mechanics are smooth and solid.

If the glass is clean on the one you've seen, go for it - its a solid lens, and will not likely disappoint

[L39UK]

Any of the following should meet your needs depending on what you want to outlay and what look you are after in your photo's.

Nice clean 50mm f2 Summar (inexpensive,and many extol its virtues on the RFF).
50mm f1.5 Canon (" a sleeper" becoming something of a "cult" lens on the RFF).
50mm f2 Nikkor.
50mm f1.4 Nikkor (usually the most expensive of the bunch)

[Harry Lime]

1) 2/50 Summicron-DR
2) 1.4/50 Summilux-M (pre-ASPH)
3) 2/50 Collapsible Summicron
4) 3.5/50 Elmar

[walnut]

Hello again, Dennis here, about the 50mm lens for B&W shooting. Well I decided to pickup a Coll Summicron,vintage 1116xxx and I am working on getting a DR cron also but because of their age i am going to send them both in for a CLA before shooting with them. So wanted to say thanks for everyones imput on this topic and I am looking forward to shooting with them.
As a side question, if you had these lens who would you send them to for a CLA. Dag, Sherry or Youxin. ? I have used Dag for CLA on my M6, but have not sent in any lens for a CLA. After reading some posts here and elsewhere people seem to like Sherry at Golden Touch for Glass and Dag or Youxin for M's. What do you suggest,those of you who have sent in lens to your faves. Thanks Dennis.

[thomasw_]

DAG or Sherry or Kindermann. Youxin doesn't CLA lenses. I recommend the Summilux 50/1,4 type 2 or 3 if the loonies are all in a row:)

http://thomasw.smugmug.com/photos/183140235-M.jpg

http://thomasw.smugmug.com/photos/181883900-M.jpg

[Marc-A.]

I sum up:
- you already have a Summicron, last version
- you want another Leica lens (not Nikkor ...)
- you seek a lens taht produces a painterly effect, or at least less brutal pictures.

Suggestions:
- Summitar (cheap, unique rendition, excellent performer)
- Summilux pre-asph (if you can afford it)

PS: great pictures Thomas.

Some Summitar here (an old picture & two recent ones):

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1096/748139551_8caab832d2_o.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2132/2055699740_bd90cab03d_o.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2158/1817362857_51cbd525e1_o.jpg

[walnut]

Hello Mark -A, thanks for the photos and the suggestions, I guess the best thing to do would be to just start shooting with the coll cron I just purchased, and see how I like it. I think I would rather stay away from the lux as It takes a lot more clams to aquire it. Anyway I am looking forward to trying the coll cron and will post back later on this subject. Thanks Dennis

[FPjohn]

Subjective ranking of Leitz 50s - Previous version Summicron>DR Summicron~= F3.5 Elmar>Coll Summicron>Summar in terms of relentlessness. Invert the order in appeal to spouse or girlfriend.

yours
FPJ