Collapsible vintage Leica Elmar 50mm in chrome, the most compact M-mount standard lens that retracts into the body.
The Leica Elmar 50mm f/2.8 Collapsible in Chrome is a classic compact standard lens for the Leica M system that retracts into the camera body when not in use, creating the most compact possible M-camera setup. The collapsible design was pioneered on early Leica lenses and provides extraordinary portability.
The Elmar four-element design delivers clean, contrasty images with a rendering character that many photographers find more appealing than clinically perfect modern designs. The f/2.8 aperture is modest but adequate for the standard perspective where depth of field is naturally moderate.
Build quality is vintage Leica with machined brass in chrome finish and the collapsible mechanism that locks securely in both extended and retracted positions. The compact collapsed dimensions create a camera-lens combination barely larger than the body alone.
The Collapsible Elmar 50mm f/2.8 holds collector and practical value on the used market as the most compact M-mount standard lens. The vintage rendering character and extreme compactness provide a shooting experience that modern lenses cannot replicate.