50mm Leica screwmount lens?

Steve Mack · Aug 12, 2009

What lens(es) of the Leica screwmount in 50 mm are non-collapsible? I'd like to get one (or two) for my Bessa R or my two Ukrainian/Russian rangefinders, but I've been leery of trying out a collapsible with the FED and I was warned not to with the Bessa R, and not sure about the Zorki.

I know that a number of different permutations of the 50mm screwmount lens have rigid bodies, but I can't figure out the players without a program.:confused: Can anyone help?

Thanks to all who reply.

With best regards,

Stephen S. Mack

agfarapid · Aug 12, 2009

You can look for some of the Canon screwmount Serenars and Canons which were made in rigid mounts, as well as the 50mm 1.5 Summarit. I believe that Leitz also produced a screw mount Summicron. Also, consider some wides like the 35mm Summaron and Canon. Good luck!

Fotoguy20d · Aug 12, 2009

There's also the predecessor of the Summarit, which is the 50mm f1.5 Xenon.

My Zorki I came with the Industar-22, which is the same as the 50mm Elmar f3.5, so at least there the collapsing barrel isn't an issue. My Zenit C came with a rigid body Industar, but I believe that one is unique for the C due to it's different lens mount to film plane distance to accomodate the mirror box - it's an LTM based SLR.

Lee L · Aug 13, 2009

Just because a lens collapses doesn't mean you have to collapse it. Leica publishes widths of Dymo plastic labeling tape to put around the barrels of collapsible lenses to keep them from striking the interiors of certain cameras. You could use that same method to limit or prevent a collapsible lens from going into the body. That would open up your options.

Lee

Mark Fisher · Aug 13, 2009

I love my 50mm f2.8 Industar and my 50mm f2.0 Jupiter lenses. They do not have click stops, but I like that with a manual camera. The image quality is definitely good enough for me when stopped down a stop or two. It is really good enough wide open for most applications. I am not a sharpness freak, though, for 35mm. If you really value the highest sharpness, the Voightlander 50mm lenses are probably the best bet. I'd say try the Russian lenses and see it you like them....particularly the f2.8.

Uncle Bill · Aug 13, 2009

I have a Canon 50 f1.4 LTM I use on my Leica M3 with an adapter and it's a sweet lens. They go for about $300 USD on average out there.

PhotoJim · Aug 13, 2009

Also, the collapsible I-22 works on several cameras. I can state that it works for certain on my Fed 2b and 3c. I have a few other Soviet bodies I can try it on if you care (Fed 5c, Zorki 4 and 4K). And as mentioned above, you can simply leave it extended if it won't collapse on a certain body.

2F/2F · Aug 13, 2009

Lee L said:
Just because a lens collapses doesn't mean you have to collapse it.

What more does the OP need to know? That's it right there.

Ralph Javins · Aug 13, 2009

Good morning, Stephen;

The Jupiter-8 f:2.0/50mm lens is a non-collapsible lens, and it came on my Zorki 4K, so it also would be a good choice to keep your FSU rangefinders "authentic." It is a Leica Thread Mount lens, or 39mm by 1.0 mm.

Lee L · Aug 13, 2009

Just because a lens collapses doesn't mean you have to collapse it. <snip>
Lee

2F/2F said:
What more does the OP need to know? That's it right there.

Well, he may have good reason to want additional answers more specific to his original query. I'm only trying to provide possibly useful options, not the answer. The gist of my post was really to indicate that there is a standard way of preventing collapsible lenses from inadvertently sliding into the film chamber and damaging the camera, Dymo tape, or something that will behave similarly.

Lee

Steve Mack · Aug 13, 2009

I didn't know that the collapsible lenses don't necessarily *need* to be collapsed. I thought that one did that when the lens isn't in use, for portability, of course, and maybe to prevent damage???:confused:

Sort of like, I don't leave the *shutter* cocked indefinitely, although I have heard that is doesn't damage it to leave it that way, and I have heard that it does damage it to leave it cocked.:rolleyes: Go figure.

Anyway, thanks to those who have replied already.

With best regards,

Stephen

removed account4 · Aug 13, 2009

hey steve
i know you don't wanna hear this
but the collapsable suma-whatever it is called
is a pretty good 50mm lens. it doesn't have to be collapsed ...

john

blakley · Aug 14, 2009

Cosina Voigtlander's 50/1.5 Nokton is LTM as is the Nikkor 50/1.4; Cosina also made a Voigtlander 50/2.5 Color-Skopar in LTM. Leica made a screwmount version of the 50/1.4 Summilux and a screwmount version of the 50/2 (non-collapsible) Summicron, but both are rare and expensive. Canon made 50/1.2, 50/1.4, and 50/1.5 in LTM.

Venchka · Aug 14, 2009

Canon 50/1.8 and Nikkor 50/1.4 are the two I have owned. I still have the Nikkor. Very good lenses. No, better than very good.

Tim Gray · Aug 14, 2009

I'd look on the cameraquest site for some info. There are a couple of Nikkors as well, a f/1.4 and a f/2.0. I have the f/1.4. Great optics, funny ergonomics.

Venchka · Aug 14, 2009

3 consecutive posts touting the Nikkor 50/1.4 lens. Might be worth investigating, hey?

Tim Gray · Aug 14, 2009

It IS a good lens. Especially considering its 50 years old. Definitely funny ergonomics though. For me. It can be a little squirrelly with flare wide open, but that goes away stopped down a hair. It also gets real sharp stopped down. Wide open it has a dreamy look to it.

some photos with the nikkor

Eric Mac · Aug 14, 2009

Woodstock

My vote is for the Nikkor 50mm F1.4. Shooting this baby wide open evokes that Woodstock feeling after a few............

Eric

Venchka · Aug 14, 2009

...and at 1:2.8 you can shave with the photos.

IloveTLRs · Sep 7, 2009

agfarapid said:
... I believe that Leitz also produced a screw mount Summicron.

The rigid screw-mount Summicron is very hard to find and VERY expensive if you do! I'd guess $2000~3000 if not more (depening on condition.) There weren't that many made.

Venchka · Sep 7, 2009

If you want rigid LTM and 50mm, look at the Nikkor f/1.4. Or the Canon 50/1.8. I started with the Canon and still have the Nikkor. Either are troublefree great lenses.

Anscojohn · Sep 8, 2009

Steve Mack said:
What lens(es) of the Leica screwmount in 50 mm are non-collapsible? I'd like to get one (or two) for my Bessa R or my two Ukrainian/Russian rangefinders, but I've been leery of trying out a collapsible with the FED and I was warned not to with the Bessa R, and not sure about the Zorki.

I know that a number of different permutations of the 50mm screwmount lens have rigid bodies, but I can't figure out the players without a program.:confused: Can anyone help?

Thanks to all who reply.

With best regards,

Stephen S. Mack

******
Does it have to be 50. The 53 mm 2.8 lanthum glass lens on the Feds are quite sharp.

50mm Leica screwmount lens?

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