Fujinon 5cm F2 LTM on M11-P review – beautiful 1950s vintage.

By Keith Wee on July 24, 2024

Introduction

I guess it is inevitable that as one delves deeper into the world of Leica M-mount lenses, one will start exploring the more 'aged' lenses within the Leica system and, sooner or later, explore vintage third-party brands. Today, my experience with the Fujinon 5cm ƒ2 LTM is one such example.

Love the coating on this!

The released in Japan Fujinon 5cm ƒ2 LTM in Leica LTM screw mount is considered a rare lens and, more importantly, comes rangefinder calibrated. Let us take a deeper look at this lens released from the 1950s to the 1980s.

The Fujinon 5cm F2 was mostly bundled with the Leotax camera, there's a lot of details to read history wise and you can read all about it here.

tl:dr

The Fujinon 5cm ƒ2 LTM lens is a classic piece of glass that has captivated me (and others) with its distinctive characteristics. Known for its exceptional build quality and unique optical rendering, this lens has gained a devoted following among vintage lens enthusiasts. I am glad to have sourced a decently good copy for my own use.

In fact, I am only keeping two 50mm lenses for M mount, the Leica Noctilux 50mm ƒ1.2 (my review is linked) and this Fujinon 5cm ƒ2 LTM.

Fujinon 5cm ƒ2 LTM on Leica M11-P

While modern lenses wow us with their close to perfect clinical performance, there is always this attraction in the way vintage lenses draw, In fact, their clinical imperfections and flaws typically adding to the uniqueness of the lens that aficionados refer to as 'character'.

Using the example of the image above, one can see a healthy amount of aberrations and loss in contrast in some spots, however, the overall image however is a presentation I like over say, the 'starting to look all similar' images I get from modern more corrected lenses.

Technicalities

Leica thread mount (LTM), rangefinder coupled.
Produced around 1950s , around 5000 units
6 elements in 5 groups optical design with a 10 blades diaphragm
Minimum focusing distance of 1 meter
43mm filter diameter

Build Quality and Handling

The Fujinon 5cm ƒ2 LTM stands out with a very solid, all-metal construction, reminiscent of the robust craftsmanship of lenses from the mid-20th century. The build quality is comparable to any high end lens from the likes of a modern Leica or Voigtlander.

Black barrel with a chrome ring on top

In fact, seeing this 1950s lens on my 2020s M11-P gives an interesting sense of satisfaction.

The focus ring is smooth and well-damped for its age, providing a precise and enjoyable manual focusing experience. The aperture ring clicks confidently into place, allowing for easy adjustments while looking through the viewfinder.

All aperture values and focusing ring distance markings are also engraved and painted in, ensuring the longevity of the markings on the lens.

I understand Fujifilm made two production variants, and later batches were equipped with a focusing lever. I am unsure if the production of this lens varied across the 3 decades of production, but the set I tested is from the earlier batches.

Optical Performance, Bokeh, and Flare

One of the most lauded aspects of the Fujinon 5cm ƒ2 LTM is its optical character. Wide open at ƒ2, the lens produces a pleasingly soft and dreamy bokeh with a fair amount of glow, making it a favorite for portrait photographers who seek a classic look.

Fujinon 5cm ƒ2 LTM on Leica M11-P

Stopping down to ƒ4 and beyond, the lens sharpens significantly, delivering impressive detail and contrast. This makes it versatile for various shooting conditions, from low-light environments to well-lit scenes.

Fujinon 5cm ƒ2 LTM on Leica M11-P

Interestingly, I find the Fujinon 5cm ƒ2 LTM lending itself quite well for black and white shots. I am really to test this on film for the next shoot.

Fujinon 5cm ƒ2 LTM on Leica M11-P

In addition, the contrast and color rendition is towards the 'lighter' side with signature Fujifilm colors.

Fujinon 5cm ƒ2 LTM on Leica M11-P

There is little point in a lens which is not 'sharp' enough at center wide open and in this sense, the Fujinon 5cm ƒ2 LTM performs very well.

The character of the bokeh produced by the Fujinon 5cm ƒ2 LTM is one of its standout features. The out-of-focus areas are rendered smoothly, with a pleasing, almost painterly quality. This lens also handles flare gracefully, with minimal ghosting and a pleasant sun-star effect when stopped down to smaller apertures.

Compatibility

Mounting the Fujinon 5cm ƒ2 LTM on the Leica M body is easy with an adapter, and it comes rangefinder coupled, which, to me, is a huge plus. Using the lens on modern mirrorless cameras with an adapter is even more straightforward and a plug-and-play approach.

Fujinon 5cm ƒ2 LTM on Leica M11-P

The Fujinon 5cm ƒ2 LTM's compact size and relatively light weight add to its appeal, making it an excellent choice for street and travel photography. The lens's 50mm focal length provides a natural perspective, and it is well-suited for various subjects, from portraits to landscapes.

Fujinon 5cm ƒ2 LTM on Leica M11-P

Conclusion

In vintage lenses, the Fujinon 5cm ƒ2 LTM is a gem offering aesthetic appeal and optical performance. Its unique rendering and robust build make it a valuable addition to any photographer's collection, particularly for those who appreciate the charm of classic lenses.

A huge advantage is that the Fujinon 5cm ƒ2 LTM only costs a fraction of what one will have to fork out for a Leica 50mm Summicron and is in no way optically inferior.

While it may not match the clinical sharpness of modern optics, its character and handling more than compensate. This lens captures the essence of an era where lens design was as much an art as a science, delivering images with a timeless quality, which I am delighted to appreciate.

Thank you for reading.

Disclaimers:

All product photos and samples here were photographed by me. I believe any reviewer with pride should produce their own product photos.

2. All images were shot with the Leica M11-P and Fujinon 5cm ƒ2 LTM, both my personal sets.

3. This review is not sponsored.

4. I write as a passion and a hobby, and I appreciate that photography brands are kind enough to respect and work with me.

5. The best way to support me is to share the review, or you can always help support me by contributing to my fees to WordPress for the domain using the Paypal button at the bottom of the page.