The Elmar is small and light and doesn't extend far when collapsed, almost like a body cap, making the camera a very (jacket) pocketable package. They are also relatively easy to find in nice condition. You can use A36 push-on accessories, with vintage filters easy enough to find (though of course they won't have modern coatings). The SOOGZ adapter (now rather overpriced) lets you use E39 filters. But the aperture is fiddly to adjust and awkward to use with A36 filters or the SOOGZ (you can get 19mm filters that fit the thread around the front element, but these are uncommon and the range is limited). The 2.8 Elmar is an improvement in this respect - it has a proper aperture ring and a standard 39mm filter thread. Optically the Elmar is very good - the Leica reputation was built on cameras that were most commonly fitted with this lens.
The collapsible Summicron is becoming increasingly hard to find in nice condition, as the front element is pretty soft. A clean Summitar seems easier to get hold of, and according to Erwin Puts it's a little sharper in the centre wide open than the Summicron, though the Summicron is better across the field and improves more when stopped down. The Summitar also has rather swirly bokeh in some situations, which you may or may not like, but its rendering is otherwise surprisingly 'modern'. It does have a unique conical filter thread, but modern adapters to E39, copies of the original Leitz SNHOO, are readily available. Both these lenses are of course heavier than the Elmar and stick out further even when collapsed. A luxury alternative is the very rare version of the current Summicron made in screwmount as a special edition around the turn of the century.
Summicron. If you want to get a great lens cheap look at the Nikon 5cm f2.
More of these fascinating Leitz gadgets! I've come across, but don't own, the VOOLA aperture setting ring, which I think you can turn by unscrewing and rotating a compatible filter or hood like the FISON, and the VALOO, which is a sort of hood with a setting device built in, originally intended for using the Elmar with an enlarger. Both a bit pricey today, like most of the useful Leitz gizmos. One of the few reasonably priced accessories is the clever adjustable FIKUS A36 hood, which 'zooms' for different focal lengths. It fits the Elmar, though it's a bit on the heavy side.Ditto!
However, I have small items (can’t look up Leitz name right now) that fit onto aperture ring, making changes in f stops rather easy with filter attached on my Elmars. Saves fingernails.
My Elmar with the cleanest, clearest, and coated glass is also the ugliest...chrome peeling of barrel along with discolored brass nose.
I would go with the Nikon screw F2/50mm it is/was a phenomenal optic. I had one on a Leica 3f and I have only seen a similar one since the 1970s and that too was on a Leica 3F. The Nikon lens equipped with a 39mm screw thread is a very rare lens indeed.
To indicate how good it was, I took a picture over the River Thames of the buildings on the north bank. About 200 yards beyond the front of the buildings was a very tall monument with a statue on top surrounded by iron railings. each of the railings was clearly defined. The film was Ilford Pan F developed in ID11. The distance from where I was standing was very close to being 600 yards.
The coated Summitar's I have seen have generally had far less cleaning mark problems, and have been cheaper than the LTM Summicron's.
I would personally prefer a lens with a non-rotating front which makes exposure adjustments easier without the need for refocusing - which would make me point towards the Summitar or Summicron.
If going for an Elmar, the 50/2.8 is more ergonomic, but perhaps less charming than the 50/3.5.
As have been said: go for the one in the better condition.
You have many Leitz options for your Barnack Leica:
1. ƒ/3.5 Elmar pre-war not coated
2. ƒ/3.5 Elmar coated with modern aperture scale, compact body
3.ƒ/3.5 Elmar modern body with 39mm filters
4. ƒ/2.8 Elmar modern body with 39mm filters
5. Summicron Type1 collapsible
6. Summicron Type 2 rigid body (quite rare, item SOSTA)
7. Summicron reissue (11 619 - special edition 1999). This is a big lens.
In terms of balance and ergonomics, the Canon 50/1.4 LTM is probably not well suited for a smaller body like Patrick noted. It's a wonderful lens, but mounted on a Barnack it is very front heavy and partially obscures the viewfinder.I'd get the Japanese Summilux (I have one already) but that isn't probably what you want on a Barnack.
More of these fascinating Leitz gadgets! I've come across, but don't own, the VOOLA aperture setting ring, which I think you can turn by unscrewing and rotating a compatible filter or hood like the FISON, and the VALOO, which is a sort of hood with a setting device built in, originally intended for using the Elmar with an enlarger. Both a bit pricey today, like most of the useful Leitz gizmos. One of the few reasonably priced accessories is the clever adjustable FIKUS A36 hood, which 'zooms' for different focal lengths. It fits the Elmar, though it's a bit on the heavy side.
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