50mm Lens Advice For A Leica IIIf

[George Bonanno]

I'm looking for a 50mm coated lens recommendation for my IIIf. It seems a used Leica lens is out of the question because of the high costs. Haze, scratches, etc. that go along with these used lenses is a real turnoff too. Speed is not an issue but a hood is manditory because I believe in them. My normal is a coated 35mm Summaron. It's in great shape and takes wonderful snapshots. However, now I find it time to get a second normal lens. I know nothing about Russian lenses but from what I've read they can produce very good images. So... I need some advice on choosing a 50mm coated lens for my SM Leica... priced around $100.

TIA... George

 

[George Bonanno]

Daniel... Thank you for your reply. I'm understanding Russian lenses now thanks to your info and links. The FED 50/3.5 lens seems like a good choice for me. Hopefully it will suite my needs and produce good snaps. If a hood isn't available I feel something can be fabricated. ...George

 

[phototone]

A word of caution. Many examples of these FSU lenses have focusing inaccuracies when used on Leica bodies. You may have to go through a few to get a really good one.

 

[rover]

You are more apt to find focusing problems with longer faster lenses. The Jupiter 3, Jupiter 9 and such.

I have had two Jupiter 8s and an ID 50 which have been excellent. A 50m lens with max aperture of 2 or less should offer enough DOF to offset any tolerance differences between the lens and camera.

 

[xayraa33]

the Industar 61 L/d offers very contrasty sharp negs, and this lens is very low priced.

 

[wlewisiii]

For ~$100 - 150, you can look for a nice condition Canon 50/1.8 LTM lens that will giver very good performance.

William

 

[ZorkiKat]

A word of caution. Many examples of these FSU lenses have focusing inaccuracies when used on Leica bodies. You may have to go through a few to get a really good one.

Phototone

It's hard to go wrong with Industars and other slower FSU 50mm lenses. The only ones to avoid with these 3,5 50mm lenses are those made for the earlier (pre- and immediate post-war) FED cameras. These had non-Leitz, though M39, pitched threads. The camming was often different too, so RF adjustments which work right with Leica, Canon or later FED or Zorki would not be correct with these early lenses.

I've used not only Industars, but the wider aperture and longer Jupiters as well on my Leicas. In fact, my J-9's focuses with more accuracy with my Leicas than on most of my FSU LTM RF cameras. I don't even have M mount lenses anymore-my M3 has an LTM -> M adaptor and uses only Jupiters exclusively.

Jay