50mm Upgrade from a Zeiss Planer f/2 ZM

Paul T. said:
there's no generalisation about creativity - and certainly no proven link between being creative and buying new gear. Works for some but it's probably the minority.
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You missed the point. Creative people get bored easily. That's a truth too big to deny. Just google it. That's what leads to new and novel stuff. Hackneyed is not creative. The greats in every art field are doing stuff different, because they're not following the herd. One way to shake things up is to try a new piece of equipment, or a different format, or a new developer ect., but as I allude to it's not the only way (obviously). It may be as simple as going on your same walk at a different time of day, when the light is different. And yes, I do believe photographers should focus on light, and think in terms of light, instead of equipment, because that's what really makes good pictures, but not everyone can get out early morning, late afternoon, ect.
 
steveyork said:
You missed the point. Creative people get bored easily. That's a truth too big to deny. Just google it. That's what leads to new and novel stuff. Hackneyed is not creative. The greats in every art field are doing stuff different, because they're not following the herd. One way to shake things up is to try a new piece of equipment, or a different format, or a new developer ect., but as I allude to it's not the only way (obviously). It may be as simple as going on your same walk at a different time of day, when the light is different. And yes, I do believe photographers should focus on light, and think in terms of light, instead of equipment, because that's what really makes good pictures, but not everyone can get out early morning, late afternoon, ect.
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You're suffering from confirmation bias. Creative people look for new ideas - not new gear. You're mistaking being an artist for being a consumer.

I've seen this over and over; I work in the creative industries. In music, where I've spent a lot of time, I can tell when kids, for instance, are jonesing over getting new gear, rather than making new sounds with what they've got, that they won't put the work in to achieve.

Sure, creative stuff can come from playing with new gear and discovering new looks or sounds. But that's a million miles away from "buy a new 50mm, it will make you more creative." No it won't. Same as using google doesn't automatically make you smart.
 
Paul T. said:
You're suffering from conservation bias. Creative people look for new ideas - not new gear. You're mistaking being an artist for being a consumer.
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Exactly.

And this also ties into the explosion of cat photos in the digital era.
"Look at what my new lens does!

"Dood, you just took a photo of a cat"

The idea comes before the equipment.
The equipment does not come before the idea.
 
You can be creative with anything.

But the Planar is a damn good start if you like to take 35mm photos with a Leica.

You are the one that takes the photo, not the lens. The creativity is inside you but you have to work hard, really hard, to get it out so others can see it.

Stick with the Planar and buy some more film. Save your money so you can print more often. Spend time contemplating your own work and then working hard to improve it.

Olympic class skiers don't get there by buying new skies.

Of course, if all you wanted was to spend some money, then go for it. 😀
 
I'v had the planar for 3y. while a great lens something bothered me. it was too sharp , too much contrast.
I replaced it with a Hexanon 50 M. a little better build and the rendering is more gentler.
 
For overall performance, the ZM may be all that is needed, but for additional enjoyment there is always room for additional 50mm lenses.
I recently added to my long list of 50mm RF lenses a Hexanon 50/2.4 ltm. It is a very sharp lens. I have been thinking of getting the 50/1.5 J-3+, but I have not done it yet. If you don't have a Zeiss 5cm/1.5 Sonnar, then maybe you should give it a try. Most will be sold in Contax mount, so you would also need Contax to LTM adapter. The Sonnar 5cm/1.5 is one of my all time favorite lenses.

Have fun!
 
I have a Summicron V.4, a Summilux V.2 (for the extra stop) and a Rigid Summicron (cos, well--you got to, right?). And I can't say that any of those would be a "step up" from a Planar in terms of image quality and bang for buck. Maybe you can find one, especially the latter two made to Leica's legendary standard of chromed brass, that's better built. But I can't believe that a Planar would have to take a back seat to any of those in terms of the images it produces.
 
Well, I do have multiple lenses because I like to have some variety in life and choose among them for something new that day.

If the OP can swing it, I would very strongly recommend keeping the Planar as we've already learned its a fantastic lens. I would then add to the lens options (yes, I'm saying you should own two 50's). The collapsible summicron has been mentioned -- excellent choice and not too spendy. The elmar-M has been mentioned, another interesting lens and a little more spendy. Summiluxes of any version are more spendy. The non-ASPH summiluxes are interesting, with v1 and v2/3 having different characteristics. But spendy. Perhaps the best suggestion was the 7Artisans 50/1.1 because it happens to be one of the cheapest options (~$325?), and has a lot of creative potential. If the OP hates it and still wants to upgrade to an APO-Summicron, he (she?) can sell 7Artisans and not be out much money at all.

In Leica M, I only lust for the e46 pre-ASPH summilux. That's my "upgrade", or should I say "addition". But I'm in no hurry; got lots of lenses to cycle through already and that's not exactly a cheap lens.
 
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