pmu
Well-known
Ok, here's the deal; I need 50/2 lens for my kAmerA and I have this classic problem, small budget. So, modern 50/2 summicron is out of the question. Only 50/2 leica lens which I possibly could afford would be an older model in eye-sore shape. I have two questions:
- Hexanon 50/2 lens. I believe this is very good lens, right? What could be the price for used 50/2 hexanon in excellent condition? I know, it could be whatever the seller asks, but... you know.
- No money for Leica 50/2, so what would be the second best choice? New zeiss could be the one, but I get stomach aches when I even think of buing non-used equipment. Relatively easy to find 50/2 lens with good image quality and little-money-to-spend type of price - what lens would it be?
Pete
- Hexanon 50/2 lens. I believe this is very good lens, right? What could be the price for used 50/2 hexanon in excellent condition? I know, it could be whatever the seller asks, but... you know.
- No money for Leica 50/2, so what would be the second best choice? New zeiss could be the one, but I get stomach aches when I even think of buing non-used equipment. Relatively easy to find 50/2 lens with good image quality and little-money-to-spend type of price - what lens would it be?
Pete
1) Canon 50mm F1.8 with Leica thread mount to M adapter. Should run under $200 for lens and adapter.
2) Summarit 50mm F1.5 in M-Mount and a CLA, run under $250. -My two did-
2) Summarit 50mm F1.5 in M-Mount and a CLA, run under $250. -My two did-
einolu
Well-known
The zeiss 50mm planar is $600, is that too much? Its probably as good as the summicron...
http://www.cameraquest.com/ZM lenses.htm
http://www.cameraquest.com/ZM lenses.htm
Graybeard
Longtime IIIf User
When the Hexanon 50mm/f2 was in production, they were going for $200-250 new. Add $50-100 to the price now that they have become more scarce. This is a super lens which rivals the Summicron in optical performance and may be more robust mechanically.
The Nokton 50mm/f1.5 is a very good lens optically, very sharp wide open. I believe that this goes for about $300.
The Canon(aka Serenar) 50mm/1.8 and the Nikkor 50mm/2 a fine lenses with performance similar to the first generation Summicrons. The Canon often sells for under $150 and the Nikkor for $200. You'll need a LTM/M mount adaptor.
For the lowest price, try a Russian Jupiter-8 50mm/f2 (with LTM.M adapter). The lens (get a black one) will probably cost you less than the adapter (B&H has the best adaptor price). These can be astonishingly good value for the money and you can have a lens right away to do some shooting.
The Nokton 50mm/f1.5 is a very good lens optically, very sharp wide open. I believe that this goes for about $300.
The Canon(aka Serenar) 50mm/1.8 and the Nikkor 50mm/2 a fine lenses with performance similar to the first generation Summicrons. The Canon often sells for under $150 and the Nikkor for $200. You'll need a LTM/M mount adaptor.
For the lowest price, try a Russian Jupiter-8 50mm/f2 (with LTM.M adapter). The lens (get a black one) will probably cost you less than the adapter (B&H has the best adaptor price). These can be astonishingly good value for the money and you can have a lens right away to do some shooting.
aizan
Veteran
i second the hexanon. much better bokeh wide open and closeup than the modern summicron, with the same sharpness and more pleasing tonality.
pwnewport
portable image
Hi - I copped a Nikon Nikkor 50mm f/2 LTM for undred a hundred bucks that I'm going to use on a refurbished IIIa. Admittedly, I'm spending some more $ to have it cleaned and lubed, but that hardly counts. Dante Sella writes encouragingly about this particular lens, which was made for Tower cameras. From what I understand, these early Nikon lenses are a good match with Leica bodies.
Keep shooting.
Keep shooting.
back alley
IMAGES
hard to beat a canon 50/1.8 for sharpness and value.
joe
joe
I will vote for the Canon 50/1.8 for bang for the buck and a good moderately fast lens.
Vote two for the all time best $30 spent, Jupiter 8. Get one off ebay, black that is described as new or like new. I have bought two wonderful ones like this.
Vote three, get a Summicron. Either a collapsible or rigid will run you under $350 with a little shopping.
Vote two for the all time best $30 spent, Jupiter 8. Get one off ebay, black that is described as new or like new. I have bought two wonderful ones like this.
Vote three, get a Summicron. Either a collapsible or rigid will run you under $350 with a little shopping.
richard_l
Well-known
Summitar 50mm f/2
peter_n
Veteran
The Hexanon-M is a really excellent lens. There's one for sale on eBay at the moment. Hope you get it! 
Gabriel M.A.
My Red Dot Glows For You
If you value sharpness over beauty, and you're in a budget, then forget Leica.
But you can get a Summar for around $120, or a very good Summitar (very sharp if you stop down by f/4, but wide open it has a very unique signature) for about $175-250 depending where you get it. I've seen an Elmar (1960's I think, collapsible) that goes for about $200, but it's got some fog, a CLA would run you about $65-90
And then there's the Jupiter 55mm, dirt cheap; everybody that owns one loves it.
But you can get a Summar for around $120, or a very good Summitar (very sharp if you stop down by f/4, but wide open it has a very unique signature) for about $175-250 depending where you get it. I've seen an Elmar (1960's I think, collapsible) that goes for about $200, but it's got some fog, a CLA would run you about $65-90
And then there's the Jupiter 55mm, dirt cheap; everybody that owns one loves it.
JohnM
Well-known
Another vote for the Canon 50/1.8 - if you're on a budget, it's a great option.
Actually, it's a pretty good option even if you aren't on a budget.
Actually, it's a pretty good option even if you aren't on a budget.
R
rich815
Guest
I have both the Canon 50/1,8 and the Summitar 50/2 and I cannot decide which I like better. The Canon seems to have better feel and ergonomics for my taste but it's almost too sterile in it's sharpness (not a bad thing really just not what I always want) while the Summitar has a more "classic' look to its images. I'll probably keep them both. Got my Canon for about $150 and my Summitar for $135.
W
wlewisiii
Guest
The only one of the lenses mentioned here that I know is the Jupiter-8 and I do well love it. There is a look to that lens, like all Sonnars, that is as hard to describe as that infamous Lieca "glow". I can't say you'll like it, you'll have to decide that I fear. But it is unique and I do like it.
The biggest problem I see here is your aversion to pre-owned lenses. It's going to be very difficult to find any new lens that fits your needs. I wish you well in your search, but I'll still advise a quiet look at a nice little Jupiter-8...
Good luck,
William
The biggest problem I see here is your aversion to pre-owned lenses. It's going to be very difficult to find any new lens that fits your needs. I wish you well in your search, but I'll still advise a quiet look at a nice little Jupiter-8...
Good luck,
William
zeos 386sx
Well-known
There is a nice page with pictures about the Russian Jupiter and Industar lenses
http://home.att.net/~wayne.cornell/camera/lenslist.html
By all accounts the Industar 61 55mm f2.8 is excellent optically - and inexpensive. There is one being listed on eb-y with a "Buy It Now" price of US $7.00. I know it is not an f2.0 but for that little money what do you have to lose by trying it?
http://home.att.net/~wayne.cornell/camera/lenslist.html
By all accounts the Industar 61 55mm f2.8 is excellent optically - and inexpensive. There is one being listed on eb-y with a "Buy It Now" price of US $7.00. I know it is not an f2.0 but for that little money what do you have to lose by trying it?
pmu
Well-known
Thanks for your advices!
I forgot to mention that I live in Finland, so that narrows out some options... But I will try to find those mentioned lenses.
About that hexanon 50/2 - I was offered one such lens in "like new" condition at the price of 250 euros (300-320 usd?) and I believe that there might be some room for negotiating. Slightly more expensive than in U.S. but easier to buy because the seller lives in Finland...
I forgot to mention that I live in Finland, so that narrows out some options... But I will try to find those mentioned lenses.
About that hexanon 50/2 - I was offered one such lens in "like new" condition at the price of 250 euros (300-320 usd?) and I believe that there might be some room for negotiating. Slightly more expensive than in U.S. but easier to buy because the seller lives in Finland...
pmu
Well-known
zeos 386sx said:
Just to clarify - the adapter to this lens is just the regular screwmount-->M 50mm adapter?
VC M39-->M adapter is around 50-60 euros and the lens is around 10-20 euros shipped...
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pmu said:
Kind of ironic, but yes, the adapter may be more expensive than a Jupiter 8. I think it is worth buying just to have because it is so inexpensive and so so good.
Yes, you will need the correct LTM to M adaptor to trigger the 50mm framelines on a Leica RF camera.
What camera are you using by the way?
pmu said:
$300 ish US is a very good price for the 50/2 Hexanon. You can't go wrong with this lens. If as you state you can pick one up easily then don't look any further. It is mechanicly and opticlly the match of a modern Summicron. It has a 40.5mm filter ring which is relatively standard which is a big plus.
Heck, you guys are doing it to me, I may have to go look at that on on ebay again.
pmu
Well-known
Ok, I believe I have now 2 options:
-that mentioned hexanon 50/2
or
- industar 55/2.8 --> http://homepage.mac.com/mattdenton/photo/cameras/industar_61_ld.html
with adapter
One question popped to my mind;
do you know if this adapter fits to that particular industar lens? --> http://www.cameraquest.com/adaptnew.htm#Leica Screw Mount to Leica M Mount adapters
That hexanon would cost around 230 eur and industar around 80 eur with adapter and shippings.
And by the way, I use M2 body.
-that mentioned hexanon 50/2
or
- industar 55/2.8 --> http://homepage.mac.com/mattdenton/photo/cameras/industar_61_ld.html
with adapter
One question popped to my mind;
do you know if this adapter fits to that particular industar lens? --> http://www.cameraquest.com/adaptnew.htm#Leica Screw Mount to Leica M Mount adapters
That hexanon would cost around 230 eur and industar around 80 eur with adapter and shippings.
And by the way, I use M2 body.
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