Non-Leica Lenses

HSI

The Fourth
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May 4, 2007
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I'm looking now to buy a M2, lever rewind I suppose, but I can't afford a summicron at the moment.
Can anyone offer me a good 35mm or 50mm alternative that won't break my wallet.
 
Agreed. Although I'm only using CV lenses on digital RFs they are terrific and the best bang for a buck out there IMO.

Check out Sean Reid's and Erwin Putts' reviews of the new Cosina-Voigtlander RF lenses.
 
Split the difference and get yourself a Voigtlander Nokton 40/1.4.

It's a fine lens at a great price.

You just won't have the luxury of a frameline that closely approximates the FoV.

John
 
Well I shoot alot of the time wide open, so would the 40 get the job done on the 35 end of work? Focus wise?
 
All the CV 35s are good, an older lens to go with an M2 for a reasonable price, >$250 (maybe less but they have been selling "high" recently), would be a chrome Canon 35/2.8.
 
HSI said:
Well I shoot alot of the time wide open, so would the 40 get the job done on the 35 end of work? Focus wise?

is the question will an M2 focus a 40/1.4? Yes, it most certainly will without a problem.
 
Ah.
Well I've been looking around and from what I can tell.
Summicron 35's go for round 450 up.
Summicrom 50's go for 300 up.
I'm looking for around 250 to 325 area.
 
Sure looks like it is.
Looks like hes got a buyer though.
300 any steep for Canon lens?
 
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Hmmm.
Might have to look into that one.
As for the collapsible, can't stand them.
Its either a rigid or no go.
 
Think about the Hexanon- they've been coming down in price- modern glass & coatings, stunningly sharp- I got one and was extremely pleasantly surprised with the quality.
 
Well those are all some good options.
I guess I'm just going to have the browse the used market for a while, see if any oppurtunites place themselves in front of me.
Let me know if any summicron 35's are going for cheap in the next couple months. :)
 
Our man in Florida, Raid, has spent a great deal of effort putting together a side by side comparison of 35mm lenses recently, as well as 50mm ones a while back.
Look at the images for a first hand impression of their characteristics.
 
They're getting quite scarce but you might want to look for an LTM non-Leitz glass and use an M adaptor on it. I had very good success using Steinheil and Schacht LTM lenses with my M2. Other optical companies made lenses in LTM during the late 40's>50's that still hold up well even by today's standards.

Generally these lenses (as I recall) were not as mechanically robust as Leitz counterparts but optically they did a good job.

dc
 
Ehh, I'm just looking for something that fits the M bayonet.
And can take a beating, so not to intrested in that option.
 
VC lenses are very good, especially considering the alternative. Look for a whole line of VC M-mount lenses to replace the recently discontinued line of screw-mount lenses.

I also have to recommend the VC 40mm f/1.4 Nokton. I was amazed at how sharp the example I had was - on par will all of my Leica lenses.
 
I'm being told the 40mm, what abou the 35mm Ultron?
Is it work a look, at least due to it holding a regular frame line?
 
Your opening post includes a 50 mm. Why not a Canon 50/1.8? Great lens, and can be had for under $300. Check out Dante Stella's website piece on "Canon Lenses for Leica": he gives this lens a great review, IMO.
 
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