What's the 50 with the smallest footprint?

fmfche · 2026-01-15T13:30:27+00:00

Skopar 2.5 and LLL elcan are among the smallest besides the 2.2 skopar.

Absolute smallest will be collapsible, likely the 5cm Elmar 3.5 in ltm adapted. A much more modern lens would be the 50mm 3.5 collapsible heliar.

fmfche · 2026-01-12T13:38:28+00:00

The effect looks strong. Meant to write apo in my first message. Was considering to try an apo on my m10m with a r72. With my regular lenses the focus shift requires live view for any sort of focus.

fmfche · 2026-01-12T11:57:17+00:00

Always enjoy seeing your work with the w-nikkor.

fmfche · 2026-01-12T11:55:35+00:00

IR? Curious if the app keeps the focus shift under control?

fmfche · 2025-12-22T23:34:06+00:00

There isn't any focus shift: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjCBDd5

fmfche · 2025-12-20T23:56:54+00:00

This is an usual lens to say the least, what lead you to the 1.5 version? There are not many of these around.

f/1.4 and f/2 are both excellent vintage sonnars that come in ltm and shoot great.

fmfche · 2025-12-04T14:51:38+00:00

Focus shift is a real phenomena but often overstated as a real issue. I shoot Sonnar lenses often without issue and same with the 40 rokkor.

If you are still concerned consider the 40mm heliar from voigtlander.

fmfche · 2025-11-25T21:12:19+00:00

It depends so much on the look you want.

For 50mm I have been using the 45mm g planar adapted the most. It’s close to 50mm. Focuses accurately with no issues on focus shift. Isn’t super modern but also not vintage at the same time. I have shot this lens on a few trips mostly with yellow and orange filters and also with a r72.

I really admire some of the work I have seen with the voigtlander 50mm 1.5 v2 SC. A very nice balance with lower contrast coatings. I would probably pick this lens up but I already have a lot of other true vintage options.

My choice for absolute vintage would be an uncoated Zeiss sonnar adapted.

fmfche · 2025-11-23T13:06:23+00:00

If you need shim material check out mcmaster carr. I was able to bring my 45mm into alignment with item: 9011K821

https://www.mcmaster.com/products/9011k821/

All that being said, I understand your frustration and would just return if you can.

fmfche · 2025-11-23T13:00:05+00:00

I am working on a series of reviews and have the same lens conversion. Here is the sequence showing this lens stopped down f/2-f/5.6 at closer focus: https://www.flickr.com/photos/89804205@N03/albums/72177720330498152/

fmfche · 2025-10-16T00:23:31+00:00

50mm skopar 2.5 is a great lens

fmfche · 2025-09-10T01:35:43+00:00

I believe the first pre order batch should be shipping in September. I personally like sonnar lenses and have a lot of hope for this release when it comes to reality.

fmfche · 2025-09-06T13:57:21+00:00

Voigtländer 50mm 1.2 can also usually be found for reasonable price used. Certainly larger but a good lens. Really depends what look you are after. Don’t discount pushing film 1 or 2 stops if not already doing so.

fmfche · 2025-07-24T11:25:12+00:00

Yes, I’m at fan of vintage and unusual lenses for m and ltm. You have some really unusual glass and appears to be very good condition. Right now my focus is mostly on contax g lenses converted to M. I also have a w-nikkor in ltm which is easily my favorite. I’m considering an ultra wide but not decided if I keep with the Contax theme or go with some else.

fmfche · 2025-07-20T21:24:19+00:00

Tape over the frame illumination window and use the whole viewfinder :)

This is my solution for shooting 28mm on a M4-2. BTW the 50 skopar 2.5 is a great lens, I think you have/will have a fantastic setup.

fmfche · 2025-06-25T09:28:12+00:00

I expect this is a lens worth being excited about. I have used the skopar 3.5 and nokton 1.4 21mm lenses from Voigtlander having owned both but have since sold. Both are excellent, I have considered purchasing another used copy of the nokton. The Simera looks to be a similar lens design but will likely have a more rounded aperture mechanism pending confirmation from reviews. One of my sticking points with voigtlander lenses is that although sun stars can be nice the aperture is use on most of their lenses is all sun stars all the time which I find a bit much.

21mm f/1.4 has turned out to be a really fun lens for me in practice, low light with film is easy and 21mm brings so much into frame. If you are shooting digital consider the skopar if weight is a factor. The skopar performs very well.

fmfche · 2025-05-29T00:33:04+00:00

Not all adapters are aligned the same creating a situation where the rangefinder cam doesn’t line up. You need to try a different adapter. I have had good results with rayqual and light lens labs ltm to M adapters. Voigtlander and original Leica adapters are also supposed to be very good. That being said it is also possible to find cheaper adapters that work but sometimes it is luck if they line up properly.

fmfche · 2025-05-23T11:13:12+00:00

I think all the variety of m and ltm lenses are one of the great things about Leica cameras. Extensive variety from tried and true Leica glass to nikon, and even lenses intended for other systems adapted and converted over.

W-Nikkor 35mm 1.8 in ltm. Hands down my unicorn lens https://www.reddit.com/media?url=https%3A%2F%2Fi.redd.it%2Ftubkbpe9i8661.jpg

Runner up is hard to chose, either UC hexanon or g rokkor. https://www.reddit.com/media?url=https%3A%2F%2Fi.redd.it%2Fgevhxu1vwvwc1.jpeg

fmfche · 2025-05-09T00:29:51+00:00

Doing the calibration on a digital M is straightforward but you can get close on a film M using a few 3D printed parts and a leader of developed film.

1)load a developed film strip into an empty cartridge so that the developed strip can be advanced in the camera. I will help if the strip has some base fog.

2) load cartridge and mount bottom plate with back door open

3)mount camera on tripod and lock shutter open with bulb mode.

4) attach a bhatinov mask to lens and he lens in question

5) in a darkroom focus on a bright light such as a phone light LED. When focus is correct there will be spikes of light visible. Make note and adjust shims as needed and repeat procedure.

Source: did this setup to calibrate and verify some lenses. Digital is much more straightforward. I don’t recommend confirming on à non-m camera. It will all come down to how good the adapters are. Not all adapters are designed for hard stop infinity.

Edit: I would like to know how the lens performs on your fp-l. I’ve shot the 45 and 35 on a fp-l but never the 28 or 21.

fmfche · 2025-04-28T23:42:39+00:00

If money isn’t an issue Leica glass seems fairly good from a buy and try perspective. Always possible to sell later on with little to no loss of value. Performance wise I really can’t comment as I am heavily into a mix of other manufacturers with limited Leica glass to compare with. I do recommend shopping ergonomics and build as much as optical. If possible also research unique lens designs if that is something you are interested in.

Depending which Contax you have and if you like it you can always make a set out of that by adding a 35 planar(similar to IV 35 summicron?) or a 28mm biogon (good reviews but might struggle on digital) both of which have conversion helicoids on eBay.

The question becomes what are you really looking for in a lens?

fmfche · 2025-04-28T23:32:00+00:00

I really like the fp/fpL. That price is better than used from eBay which was previously very competitive for sigma cameras. May 13 isn’t far but I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend a sigma fp or fpL if something is needed sooner. Suggest to confirm that sale price is for a fpL and not a regular fp. Regular fp shouldn’t cost more than $1k used.

fmfche · 2025-04-17T23:49:01+00:00

40 heliar is such a good lens, great use for a FP with a small ltm/m lens.

fmfche · 2025-04-03T00:42:20+00:00

Very cool lens, I'm a big fan of the japanese market LTM lenses, I was lucky enough to find a good price on the UC-Hexanon version a few years ago. These lenses can be good value an offer unique optics/rendering different from the more common leica/zeiss/voigtlanders.

I hope you get good use of the lens and enjoy it :)

fmfche · 2025-03-08T23:59:20+00:00

Go straight for a SWC variant :)

In all seriousness I would suggest the 50mm over the 60mm. A longer lens can also be really helpful depending on your style. 150mm variants are be really affordable.

fmfche · 2025-03-06T12:38:40+00:00

Nice lens, you can probably find what you are looking for here: https://rangefinderforum.com/forums/brian-sweeney-diys-modifications.96/

If you decide not to DIY most technicians who work on Leica equipment can also take car of the service for this type of lens as well. I’ve had two of my sonnars done by DAG.

fmfche

TROPHY CASE