New to Leica, an affordable 35?

exe163

exe163

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Hello everyone! I just purchased my first Leica film body from a fellow RFF member and in need of a 35mm lens. I am fairly new to photography and completely new to film photography. The last film camera I had was a point and shoot with only one button to press and automatically rewind the film for me. So I know nothing film related. 😀

I really like shooting around the 35mm field of view range (50 is a bit too long), but the 35mm summicron is way out of my price range atm. So I need something cheaper to shoot with until I save enough for the grand daddy. Any suggestion?

I also need some advice on affordable meter, films, and how to get them developed.

Thanks in advance!
 
Depending on how much you are willing to spend:
Jupiter-12 with LTM>M adapter
Skopar 35 with LTM>M adapter
Older Leitz Summarons
 
Canon LTM lenses are fantastic - The 35/2.0 is my favorite 35, but even a Canon Serenar 35/2.8 I once had was amazing and reasonable priced. If you prefer the sharper, more contrasty modern look to your photos, go Cosina. the 35/2.5 Skopar Classic is good for that look. As stated, you'll need an M adapter. I'd stay away from the Jupiter 12, which, though it can be a good lens, you never know if your copy will be a good one or not.

Meter - get an old Gossen Lona Pro if you like old gear, or Cosina's shoe mount meter.

Film - stick with something cheap and easy to get processed for a while - color - Fuji Superia 200 or 400, for BW, Ilford XP2 is better than Kodak's BW400, but not by much. Get the cheaper of the two. Have a photo shop or camera store develop. I went to some drugstore labs and had badly scratched, dusty negatives more times than not.

Good luck. And TRY to get that Canon 35/2.0. You'll be very happy.

Good luck
 
Hexanon 35mm f2 KM ... better build quality than a Leica and a quarter of the price used!
 
+1 for CV f2.5/35mm color Skopar
Any version of the lens will do as the all are the same optics.
Contrasty, sharp, and very compact. It is a little wonder for a very little price.
 
A good discussion of the LTM options can be found in a recent thread here:
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=87189

With an LTM to M adapter, you should be able to use any of them.

The Jupiter-12 is cheap enough that I would just try one out to see for myself.

Film and developing: Are you in the US? Give your local drugstore a chance. Some of them have equipment that's on its last legs, and incompetent staff. Others still process a lot of film (often single-use cameras) and have a much higher level of maintenance and skill. Drugstore brand color films are all Made in Japan (i.e. Fuji) these days. I shoot CVS and Walgreens 200 almost exclusively. Fuji Superia can be found at basically the same price, though.

Do you have a scanner?
 
If your budget is less than US 100, try a Jupiter 12.

If your budget is around US 300, +1 for the Color Skopar. Every bit as good as any of the pre-asph Summicrons.

If your budget is higher than US 300, there is a variety of great options. To guide you, we'll need a bit more details on how much you are willing to spend and what you want to shoot.

Roland.
 
Thanks for the replies! Wasn't expecting so many in one night.

My maximum budget on a lens is $500. But of course the cheaper the better, leaving me with change for other accessories.

So far I am looking at the VC 35/1.4 like new for $450 or VC 35/2.5 at $350 new. There's also the 35/1.7 at around 400 used.

Anything Zeiss is out of my budget, and for the same price I rather get a used Leica.

I don't know much about other brands. Can you guys give me some feedbacks on the Canon, Hexanon(1k street?!) and other brands along with their approximate price range.

I have read the guide on camera quest. But without knowing the street price of the lenses, it's only a guide on what to avoid.

As for the meter, I don't really mind how it looks, as long as it can help me get the job done until I can train my eye to. How much does the "Gossen Lona Pro" usually cost?
 
Many people buy fast lenses and never shoot at full aperture. Whats the point? I'd suggest the 35/2.5 voighlander as an outstanding performer. As for meters, I'd suggest the pocketable Digisix. The Gossen Pro is too big, at least for me.

Voighlander lenses are reasonably priced. Buy used only when you get a fantastic deal.

As for film, I like Fuji NPS 160, Fuji 400 PRO, Ilford HP5 400. For slides I shoot Kodachrome so I cant help you there. Good luck.
 
I love my C-Biogon 35mm/2,8: very sharp, very flare resistant. I've only used it on the M8, though.

I too very recently started shooting film again (after decades of not doing so), and of the rolls I've shot since I got the M3, my favorite film so far has been TMax 400 (B&W film).

The meter I got is a Sekonic Twinmate L-208, and I like it very much. But again, I'm not an expert at all.
 
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