00:11 lens presentation
02:12 full frame examples (Leica M240 m-mount 24Mpx)
09:22 full frame examples (Leica SL2 mirrorless 47Mpx)
11:32 APS-H sensor (Leica M8 CCD)
12:50 lens presentation on body (M240)

Welcome to this episode of VonCam, where we explore the Leica Elmar 50mm f2.8 collapsible lens. It's a retractable lens that becomes compact when closed, making it great for portability. However, to use it, you need to extend and lock it. This lens was produced between 1957 and 1974, and then reintroduced under the name Leica Elmar-M 50mm f2.8 from 1984 to 2007. It’s a classic with unique characteristics.

One challenge with collapsible lenses on modern mirrorless cameras is the risk of the tube damaging the sensor, so I added a lace to block it when using my SL2. The aperture ring is positioned distally, which can be tricky when fixing the lens. If the ring isn’t set precisely, your focus may be off, especially on non-digital cameras. But, with careful handling, this lens performs beautifully. The focus ring features an infinity lock that requires a press to unlock—a simple but effective mechanism.

Now, let’s look at some images. The first demonstrates what happens if you don’t fully extend the lens—you’ll get a blurry image, as seen on the left. On the right, when properly extended, the sharpness is impressive, especially in sunset scenes. The lens offers an old-school look but remains quite sharp, with soft yet character-filled images. For instance, when zooming in on a fence, the detail holds up well, showing a nice balance between precision and softness. The bokeh is soft with a bit of granularity, especially against textured backgrounds like concrete, giving the images a distinct feel.

Another example shows how the lens handles highlights. Older sensors, like the one in the M240 camera I used, tend to saturate quickly in high-contrast scenes, yet the lens manages to resist most flares. In some cases, you might see a small pink-orange disc, typical in strong highlights. But when used creatively, it adds character to the image. The lens is consistent in its precision across the frame, maintaining sharpness from center to corner.

Switching to more recent cameras like the Leica SL2, with its 47-megapixel sensor, this lens still performs remarkably well. The level of detail captured, even with high megapixel counts, is impressive. Close-up shots, like a dried leaf in a kitchen scene, retain incredible sharpness while the bokeh gradually fades into a busy yet appealing blur.

In landscape shots, the lens excels at rendering detail in both the foreground and background. The smooth transition between planes of focus makes it versatile for various compositions. Despite its vintage design, the Elmar 50mm produces images that feel modern in terms of clarity and color balance. The slight glow in high-contrast areas adds a nostalgic film-like quality, particularly evident in scenes with harsh lighting or neon signs.

Finally, using this lens with a smaller sensor, like on the Leica M8, the center sharpness is even more pronounced. I tested it on a flight over southwest Iceland, capturing landscapes with stunning detail and soft glow. This old-school rendering brings a lot of character to the images, making it a fun and creative tool for photography.

Overall, the Leica Elmar 50mm f2.8 collapsible lens is a compact, classic option with an understated charm. It may not have the widest aperture, but it delivers distinctive results with excellent sharpness and character. If you have any experiences with this lens, feel free to share! Catch you next time.

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