Need 50mm Recommendations For My New M3

[wgerrard]

I've lost my Leica virginity. A CLA'd M3 from Youxin Ye arrived today. Serial #966447. "Tis a fine thing, indeed. I should've been as sturdy when I was 50 years old.

I've even managed to load and unload a roll of film. Different, but not the evil bugaboo that some seem to make it.

And, of course, I'm primed to spend even more money. I put a Nokton 50/1.5 on it for the time being. I use that lens on my R4M and like it. Let's say, though, that I want to pick up a Leica 50mm for the M3, putting the Nokton back on the Bessa. (I'm thinking of devoting the M3 to b&w now that I'm lazily working my way toward doing my own b&w processing.)

So, then, what's available at $1000 or below? Smaller than the Nokton is a big plus. Ditto f2 or below.

Don't ask me about bokeh or the "flavor' of a lens I might like, 'cause I can't tell you.

And, what's the deal with collapsible lenses, like the 50mm Summicron? Smaller, lighter, more convenient? How foolproof is the collapsing mechanism? Is it subject to malfunction? Any optical differences between collapsible and non-collapsible lens with the same pedigree?

 

[ferider]

Congrats on the camera ! How do you like viewfinder and patch ?

Regarding the 50mm, the collapsible Summicron is nice, and the collapsing mechanism is very stable. Difficult to find a clean one, though.

However, if I had only one 50mm (and one M3 😱 ) it would be either Nikkor 50/1.4 or DR Summicron. The DR is the best built Leica lens - ever. Total overkill. And very sharp, smooth and nice color/BW rendering.

The 50/1.5 Nokton and the M3 go very well together, too, IMO.

Cheers,

Roland.

 

[x-ray]

I would suggest a 1st or 2nd version rigid 50 Summicron and not the collapsible if you want to stay in Leica glass. Optics are very good with the v2 Wetzlar having a little better flare control. MY first choice is the new Zeiss though.

 

[wgerrard]

Congrats on the camera ! How do you like viewfinder and patch ?

Thanks! The VF and patch are fine. A bit less bright that the Bessa's, but, so far, easier to focus. I attribute that to the magnification difference.

 

[dof]

If the Leica marque is not a prerequisite, I recommend the Zeiss f1.5 Sonnar.

 

[photo4ls]

50 Summicron DR and check for fogging. I think you
will be very happy and it won't cost you $1000. Works
well w/b&w film.
Nelson

 

[wgerrard]

...I recommend the Zeiss f1.5 Sonnar.

That's two for the Sonnar. Tell me more.

 

[benmacphoto]

I would recommend a collapsible Summicron for its size and quality.

 

[snausages]

the sonnar sounds great, but i'll throw in the zeiss zm planar 2.0 as well.

been enjoying its b&w so much i haven't even shot it in color yet.

 

[jonmanjiro]

I'll second the recommendation for the Zeiss Planar 50/2. Its probably the best bargain in the whole Zeiss ZM lens lineup. Matches an M3 nicely too.

 

[gilpen123]

I was in the same position not so long ago. I wanted a leica glass and was looking at an Elmar Collap 2.8 but stumbled upon a like new Hex 50 2.0 and likewise highly recommended by some members here. I grab it and I was amazed at it's built and quality and the results I get from it. I'll post some of my 1st shots with it all in B&W. Btw, it has a built in hood and quite useful but this lens handles flare very well so at times I don't bother to pull out the hood.

 

[elshaneo]

I'd personally recommend the Zeiss ZM Sonnar 50mm f/1.5, but the Zeiss ZM Planar 50mm f/2, Konica Hexanon KM 50mm f/2 and Leica M Summicron DR 50mm f/2 are also great lenses !!!

 

[x-ray]

I didn't make my self clear on the ZM I suggested. Im a major fan of the Planar f2. Its dead sharp, extremely flare resistant, very well made and exceptional contrast. I currently have a 50 asph summilux, planar and nokton 1.5 and like the Planar over all. In past years I've owned the collapsible, rigid and DR, wetzlar V2 black and V3 plus Elmar 2.8. IMO the Planar is my favorite.

 

[tbarker13]

And there's the 50 pre-asph summilux. The second version (with 43mm filter) is a nice lens that can be found for $900 fairly easily.

 

[mfogiel]

The Collapsible Summicron is very nice, the DR Summicron is similar, but looks even sharper and both these lenses excel in B&W, if you do not want miracles (super sharpness wide open or shooting against strong light). If you prefer a Ralph Gibson look instead, go for the Planar.

DR Summicron

Planar 50/2

 

[Krosya]

If you want a modern 50/2 lens - I like Hexanon the most. Great glass, focuses down to 0.7m, unlike some older lenses, great bulid, good prices (I'm selling one of mine now):

If you like Sonnar look - Nikkor LTM 50/1.4 is a very good lens too (can be made to focus closer than 1m:

 

[Melvin]

Let's say, though, that I want to pick up a Leica 50mm for the M3, putting the Nokton back on the Bessa.

Summicron, either latest version, or rigid/DR, would get my vote. I have a canadian one made in ~'89 and it's nonpareil.

 

[LChanyungco]

every M3 owner should have a collapsible Summicron in his/her kit, then from there you go for the other styles' 🙂

 

[maddoc]

DR Summicron (watch out for haze) or 50mm M-Hexanon but for BW photography, the DR Summicron is my favorite. 🙂

 

[marduk]

I second the DR/rigid summicron. if you want the lens faster than f/2 then pre-asph summilux is the way to go. Probably I'll add one in the future. Summarit 50/1.5 also appeals to me as I like the swirly bokeh and its character wide-open. Personally I am not after the highly corrected look of Planar. I have no experience with Sonnar but there was a nice discussion on the topic of pre-asph summilux vs sonnar at http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=77208