50mm or 40mm Summicron

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maajka

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Hi, I need some help deciding which lens to get for an M6.
I'm new to rangefinders, I used Rolleiflex SLR with Zeiss 50mm and 35mm. I just got an M6 which I'm still waiting for to arrive. First I ordered a Planar ZM but it had some mechanical problems and I returned it. Now I'm thinking to get either 40mm or 50mm Summicron since I got only around 600$ left.
Is 40mm a good option to use with 35mm framelines for a guy new to rangefinders, or should I just get a 50mm Summicron and get a cheaper 35mm lens when I have enough cash. I'm only concerned that the lack of 40mm framelines will make my rangefinder experience harder. Thanks
 
I'd wait for M6 before making final decision. You'll see which framelines are better for you, 35 or 50.

In my opinion, you can use M6's 35mm framelines with 40mm Summicron, but you'll need to either adjust/file the mount ring on lens which switches the framelines, or lock the framelines lever (it's easy with small piece of carton) in 35/135 position.

35mm framelines on M6 in infinity will aproximately match the 40mm field of view and in close range just frame with little bit of tolerance outside the framelines (with rangefinder it's possible).

40mm Summicron is great little lens, said to be image quality wise between 3rd and 4th version of 35mm Summicron, which is great for it's price.

You may also consider Voigtlander Nokton 35/1.4 which seems to be fine universal lens (and fast too).
 
I like 40mm and have tried several lenses (including Summicron, Rokkor and Nokton SC and MC). All very, very capable lenses, certainly more capable than me.

The M6 35mm framelines are quite close to the 40mm FOV, but not exactly - AT INFINITY. So for the normal "street" shot and landscape you are good in most cases.

If you use it for portraits and other closer focus shots, the difference is bigger. Getting back cropped shots was frustrating enough for me in the end to decide that I use only lenses that I have framelines for.

There are great 35/50 alternatives out there, including the 35 Color Skopar, 35/1.4 Nokton, various 50mm Summicrons, and the 50mm Hexanon and Canon lenses (best M-mount lens deals out there, IMO).

Cheers,

Roland.
 
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Thanks for the replies. That is pretty much what I thought. I don't want to ruin my Leica experience so I'll just avoid all that hassle at the beginning.

Anybody selling a black 50mm Summicron 🙂
 
I have both 50, 40, and 35mm lenses for the M6. I find the 50mm framelines on my M6 & MP much too small. They cover only the same field as my 60mm Macro-Elmarit on the R6. The 35mm framelines are also a bit small--as others said, they fit the 40mm lens rather well. I'm using the 40mm Nokton, and the 40mm Rokkor. I use these oftentimes in preference to a 50mm. I can especially recommend the 40mm Nokton, as I've been very pleased with the images I get with it. Nothing wrong with the Rokkor, either. It is equivalent to the Summicron, but its 40.5mm filter thread is easier to find filters and sunshades for. The Summicron has a hard to fit thread, as nobody makes filters in that size anymore--that I know of.I also use several 35mm Leica lenses, old and new. But for a general walkaround lens, 40mm is very useable, and the ones I mentioned are very compact.
 
I have tried 4 different 50mm Summicrons (2x DR Summicron, Rigid I, Rigid II), the 35mm Summicron-M IV, and the 40mm Summicron-C. (with different Leica M bodies). They were all not my cup of tea for different reasons ...

What I use now is the 40mm M-Rokkor CLE version and this fits my needs for a small walk-around lens very well. You might also have a look in this thread. 🙂 Not to expensive, uses 40.5 filters, there is a screw-in shade available for low $$$ (Thanks again for this tip, Roland !) and it handles pretty well.
 
You should probably rethink about the Planar. In alternative, why not get the best 35mm lens on the market ? Try to see if you find a 35/2 Biogon second hand, and be off to a wonderful experience. However, as others have stated, there are hardly any bad lenses for the rangefinders in the 35-50mm range around.
40/2 C Summicron
3490753984_f20d7370e6_b.jpg


50/2 DR Summicron wide open:
3527814116_8a11acc7f8_b.jpg


35/2 Biogon wide open:
3485608142_367000d346_b.jpg


50/2 Planar wide open:
2214578213_3657a540e7_b.jpg
 
I know the 40 is a bargain but can't help thinking you'll then have the start of two outfits and will end up buying a CL body and then a 35 or 50 for the M6 body...

In your shoes I'd look for one of the 35's and then play with it and see how you feel.

Regards, David
 
I ruled 40mm pretty much out.
I thought about Biogon, but to be honest I'm disappointed by the build quality of the new Zeiss lenses. I had four 35 year old Zeiss lenses (by the way all under 200$) and I had no problems with them except a little stiff focussing. The Planar I received had stiff (uneven), squeaky and wobbely focusing ring, to me this is unacceptable for a relatively new Zeiss lens.
Too bad that 35mm Summicrons are so expensive.

Update:
I gave Zeiss Planar another try. I had the lens now for a week or two, and I must say it's great. The negatives are all excellent, the mechanical aspects also. I guess I just got a broken one the first time. If you are planing on buying one I would suggest buying form a trusted soruce just to be sure you are geting a good lens.
 
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Krosya said:
Actually Rokkor is a pretty great little lens. I came across this test - see link below, where Rokkors 28 and 40 were compared to ZM 28 and 35/2. I think rokkors hold thier own - I like results from rokkors better. After you follow the link, wait for pics to load:

http://www.dchome.net/redirect.php?tid=364218&goto=lastpost
Click to expand...

Thankyou for that link Krosya, I have never seen that comparison before and I must say Im stunned. I am a CLE fan and have both the Rokkors and love them but I never thought they would be a match for the new ZM offerings, The 35mm ZM has such a great reputation but the 40mm Rokkor is slightly sharper at f2 and 2.8. So too the 28mm Rokkor has the measure at 2.8. The ZM's look like they have slightly more contrast though. The 40 f2's at 250 dollars should go for twice the price!
 
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Well, I have 8 ZM lenses, and they are all perfect mechanically. The only thing that happens sometimes, is that you have to tighten the rear screw if the lens losens up a bit too much. In my personal perception, this is trivial versus having a lens which is unuseable because of flare, like my Elmatit 90., but your mileage may vary. I do not take the pictures with the brass but with the glass, although good overall functioning of the lens is indispensable. If you are after something solid, buy a clean Rigid or DR Summicron 50, they are not as sharp wide open as the Planar or current Summicrons, and yes, they flare a bit, but the rendering is particularly interesting, if you want to shoot B&W. If you want to shoot colour, you should look for a better copy of the Planar anyway.
 
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