Leica LTM New Zeiss Sonnar T in LTM?

Leica M39 screw mount bodies/lenses
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LeicaTom

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I`ve seen so much written about this lens here in the past week in the Contax and Nikon threads.........does anyone know if there`s been any made in Leica Thread Mount, or if any newer versions have been made in the past 10 years?

I`m curious, I`d really be interested if there was a modern day version of this classic lens in LTM - maybe a special run, or if anyone out there can modify lenses to LTM?

Does anyone know?

z1.5-50-s.jpg


Tom
 
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I've heard nothing, but I'd buy one if they made it...

I have the Planar in M mount and can't really justify picking up the Sonnar too, but if it became available as a screwmount, well that I couldn't resist.
 
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LeicaTom said:
I`m curious, I`d really be interested if there was a modern day version of this classic lens in LTM - maybe a special run, or if anyone out there can modify lenses to LTM?
Click to expand...

I don't think that the kind of lens exist. But I'm quite sure that Cosina has the knowledge and tools, if they one day want to make such a lens. But is there enough customers for it? If they just make a few, the lens would cost maybe quite a lot. 🙁
 
jsuominen said:
I don't think that the kind of lens exist. But I'm quite sure that Cosina has the knowledge and tools, if they one day want to make such a lens. But is there enough customers for it? If they just make a few, the lens would cost maybe quite a lot. 🙁
Click to expand...

Hmmm...well I`m sure if they would make a lot of 1,000 and NOT just for the Japanese market, they would be sold out within two or three months, even at $850 each

That would be a real killer lens that I`d sacrifice buying anything else for a while for, but I`d expect to pay that price if one came out

Tom
 
Well here`s the email I received from Zeiss a few mins ago.......

Thanks for your request and your interest in our products.
We will consider your idea, but we cannot make promises for the future

I asked them about doing a LTM version of the f1.5 Sonnar T

I think they would be fast sellers and very popular even if they cost $800+

ohh well it`s a good idea

Tom
 
Hmm.

If you are willing to spend 850 on an LTM Sonnar, add 400 US, get a used
M-mount copy, and add an M3 🙂 Your 85/2 will feel at home, too.

Roland.
 
with an LTM Sonnar, a 40 dollar adapter is all that is needed to mount this lens to your M mount camera.
 
Roland,

Hmmmm well I was just offered an original Black Paint M3 over the weekend, but pretty beat for $2k

and you KNOW that I really can`t afford that at all now 🙁

I guess I`ll stick with my Canon f1.5 50mm for the "Sonnar" look now
(one of them has focusing issues)
so I guess I`m down one and the other one I have`nt used yet

Tom
 
LeicaTom said:
Yes, I have just need to figure out "where" I`m going to find a decent one that`s all adjusted correctly and not just a junk paperweight......
Click to expand...
Come on, they're not that bad. Even if you get a bad lens and have a reputable repairman fix it for you, it will be something like $70 for the lens and $50 or so for the fxing job. Or get a known good one off an RFFer.

Philipp
 
I am not sure that buying a J-3 would make sense in this case. Both the J-3 and Canon 50/1.5 are Sonnar copies. In short, the J-3 should behave pretty much like the Canon, provided you get a good example.
 
Marc, one day you should compare the two !

My ZK 50/1.5 (call it either original Sonnar or J-3) behaves similar but different.
The Canon is sharper wide open but also it's bokeh is not quite as nice (some
hints at donuts). I always pick the Canon though, since it seems so much
better built than the fragile Russian lens.

The new Sonnar is an entirely different beast. Contrast is stronger,
sharper wide open without loosing OOF qualities.

Hey Marc, now that there is an alternative to the M mount, maybe there
is one on your horizon ? 😉 🙂

Roland.
 
Yeah, I guess I`ll just stick with the Canon f1.5 50mm
(I love mine, but I`be had some focusing issues with it wide open, it needs to be adjusted)
I just got another one from a job I did, so I have`nt tested it as of yet

I still think it would be great to have a modern Zeiss version of the classic lens in LTM, that`s why I started this thread in the first place, I wish the factory would consider it, perhaps they would if enough people wrote them 🙂

Tom
 
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ferider said:
Marc, one day you should compare the two !

My ZK 50/1.5 (call it either original Sonnar or J-3) behaves similar but different.
The Canon is sharper wide open but also it's bokeh is not quite as nice (some
hints at donuts). I always pick the Canon though, since it seems so much
better built than the fragile Russian lens.

The new Sonnar is an entirely different beast. Contrast is stronger,
sharper wide open without loosing OOF qualities.

Hey Marc, now that there is an alternative to the M mount, maybe there
is one on your horizon ? 😉 🙂

Roland.
Click to expand...

I agree with your assessment of the look of the J-3 and Canon. I should have been more specific, stating that a J-3 is not comparable at all to the new Cosina-made Sonnar.


Roland, I have nothing against M-mount cameras, just leicas.😀 I have been tempted to buy a Bessa R4A recently but have resisted thus far. Also, I had the opportunity this spring to buy a brand new ZI directly from Zeiss for $849, and passed. A large part of the allure for my use of RF cameras comes from using old cameras, although I occasionally cheat by using a modern lens, such as the CV wides in LTM.
 
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I am content with my Brain Sweeney J-3 lens. It is sharp, and its bokeh is nice looking. It is inexpensive. It is a light lens. I have a lens hood for it.

What else could I say here?
 
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