Leica LTM 50mm walkabout for a Leica iiig

Leica M39 screw mount bodies/lenses

Graybeard

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I've just added a Leica iiig to my collection and am considering an appropriate (50mm) lens for my new jewel.

I shoot only B&W with my Barnack leicas and print mostly 11x14" with some 16x20".

I am interested in modern optics; classical glass from the 1950/1960's would be OK if equivalent or superior to a more modern offering.

From experience, the Nokton LTM 50mm f1.5 seems to meet my requirements. I've used this lens for street shooting (and after dark shooting) for several years now, with pleasing results. I'm always interested in learning of something more capable or better.

Are there other lenses (LTM only) that one might consider? My street shooting usually commences at 1600hrs or later.
 
I've just added a Leica iiig to my collection and am considering an appropriate (50mm) lens for my new jewel.

I shoot only B&W with my Barnack leicas and print mostly 11x14" with some 16x20".

I am interested in modern optics; classical glass from the 1950/1960's would be OK if equivalent or superior to a more modern offering.

From experience, the Nokton LTM 50mm f1.5 seems to meet my requirements. I've used this lens for street shooting (and after dark shooting) for several years now, with pleasing results. I'm always interested in learning of something more capable or better.

Are there other lenses (LTM only) that one might consider? My street shooting usually commences at 1600hrs or later.

It be hard to top the LTM Nokton for a modern look image producing lens, the Canon 50mm f 1.4 might suit your requirement and would fit very well on the IIIg as compared to the other models of Barnack Leicas vis-a-vis not blocking the VF.
 
More capable and better can be subjective, but in terms of modern optics, there is the well regarded CV 50mm f/2.5 LTM. The Canon 50mm f/1.4 that xayraa33 suggested, as well as its f/1.8 sibling, might also fit the bill, the latter being slightly more compact and lighter weight for a walkabout kit. The f/1.8 would probably also be lighter on your wallet.

There's a thread for the f/1.4 here, and here for the f/1.8. The image samples might help you determine whether the Canons are modern enough in their rendering for you.
 
Graybeard,

Perhaps you are already using one of the sharpest lenses in LTM mount for your IIIg.

The Nokton f1.5 50mm LTM has 2x aspheric surfaces and is much sharper than the rest of the LTM competition , except the Summicron 50mm f2.0 Asph LTM mount (superior microcontrast, definition and edge to edge sharpness). I've only used the 35mm Asph LTM mount version which is undeniably sharper than anything else I've been able to try in LTM mount, although sharpness alone really is tedious and digital. It went to someone on this board who appreciated it more than I ever could.

I presume 16.00h in Hudson Valley is washed with light, unlike England during the autumn & winter months where we can only dream or use soft Canon 50mm f1.2 LTM mounts on IIIg Barnacks? I wonder if your Nokton 50mm f1.5 eclipses the viewfinder. The Canon 50mm f1.2 LTM leaves less than 2/3rds of the viewfinder visible, necessitating an auxillary. It is a very soft lens, serviceable for its wide aperture, and competent by f2.0.

The lens which seems to sit well with the small stature of the III series Barnack for me is the diminutive and collapsible Konica Hexanon 50mm f2.4 LTM lens. Its maximum aperture is well over a stop slower than your Nokton, although the Konica has more microcontrast and crispness in its rendition from its maximum aperture and works fantastic wide open. It takes 40.5mm filters which are handy for a lens hood - without obscuring the small IIIg viewfinder, which is still better than the IIIf viewfinder. If you can tolerate a smaller maximum aperture, using a compensating fine grain developer minimises the impact of a f2.4.

The Elmar LTM lenses will be of no interest to you. Ricoh also had a few obscure LTM lenses (mostly wide-angle). I've not had a chance to test any. Voigtlander offer a wide range of 50mm lenses, although none of the alternatives in LTM mount will have the aspheric design of your Nokton f1.5 and will offer even less than either the Summicron Asph f2.0 LTM or the Konica f2.4 LTM lenses.

Unfortunately the new wave of fast lenses from 7Artisans and similar makers don't share the same love of the Barnack camera and its LTM mount. Years ago, I asked Amedeo to alter my Zeiss Sonnar 50mm f1.5 from its M mount back to the LTM mount. Unfortunately it wasn't possible, although this might not be the kind of lens you wish for - it is not interested in sharp line drawing, so much as drawing light poetically.

Kind regards,
RJ
 
If you haven't tried out a Zeiss Sonnar 5cm/1.5 ltm, then you are missing the chance on a classic lens with excellent performance and rendering. Easiest way to find such a lens for your camera is to get one in Contax mount, followed by getting an Amedeo Contax to ltm.
A cheaper way may be to get a J-3 and have it checked out for shimming needs. The J-3 Plus is also an option.
 
Another vote for the CV Skopar 50/2.5, if you're looking for a more modern rendering lens. It's compact, flare resistant, and very sharp. I use mine a lot on my IIIc. I admired the Nokton 50/1.5 but that lens was larger than I wanted so I sold it.

One other option that hasn't been mentioned: the Nikkor-H 5cm/2.0 in LTM mount. It's a Sonnar formula lens and very sharp. Although it dates from the 1950s, I think it's look is more "modern" in terms of contrast than Leica 50s from the same period. And it has the plus of being able to focus down to about 18 inches. These lenses occasionally turn up for sale in RFF classifieds (where I got mine) and are still reasonably priced compared to the competition.

Finally, the Canon 50/1.8 is a terrific little lens and would work very well on your IIIg. Good ones are still reasonably cheap (in part b/c Canon made so many of them). Read what Dante Stella has to say about this lens in his article on Canon lenses for Leica on his blog.
 
Someone suggested a Zeiss C Sonnar and I agree they are a great lens but the focus shift can be frustrating at times. Maybe the Planar may be a better option?
 
Someone suggested a Zeiss C Sonnar and I agree they are a great lens but the focus shift can be frustrating at times. Maybe the Planar may be a better option?

they be kind of hard to mount on a IIIg Leica.
 
I think, it is hard to beat 50 1.5 ASPH LTM on large prints.
But "radioactive" Cron might do it... Or just first Cron in LTM. They have something no another 50 will do.
35 1.7 ASPH LTM is also very nice and sharp lens, well above Color Skopar 35 2.5.

I have seen very large print from earlier Viktor Kolar while he was in Canada with his father LTM and then with M he purchased in Vancouver. His work shows once again what sharpness of lens is less matter for street photography.
 
The Elmar LTM lenses will be of no interest to you

FWIW I shoot and really enjoy the 5cm f2.8 Elmar LTM, and would recommend it as nicely performing, and well resolving stopped down a stop or two. It should indeed pair nicely with the 3g, as I believe that was the standard lens for it.
 
How far are you pushing your film, and at what apertures do you normally shoot? If you're going wide open after dark and want that kind of speed, there aren't a lot of choices. I love my Canon 50/1.5 Sonnar for nighttime work, but it's not a modern look. If you're pushing a fair bit and can live with f/2 as a maximum aperture, your options open up quite a bit.
 
Canon Sonnar. Small, fast, and delicious. :)

DSC00209.jpg
 
Depending on your budget and what crosses your path, the f:2 Leitz Summicron is a fine lens, and so is the f:1.5 Summarit.

They are vintage lenses, and may need to be professionally de-hazed.



I have not read a bad word about the CV 50/1.5 Nokton.


Luddite Frank
 
Another vote for the Canon 1.5. It can have a bit of glow if shot into the light wide open, but otherwise a great lens at a somewhat affordable price. Newer lenses may be sharper; I can only compare it to the 50 Summilux asph shot with an M mount camera. Wide open at night, I'm more concerned with a lens's contrast than sharpness, so I don't have the same criteria you do.
 
Oh yeah! And I had a iiiG lol :D

That is alright Keith, I made that mistake myself at certain times.

Funny thing is I also long ago owned a Leica IIIg. And it was the only Leica I ever gotten rid of in a short time and it was a fine functioning one in very good shape.

I replaced it with a Leica IIIc for a more bare bones Barnack experience and i still have no regrets.
 
I am interested in modern optics; classical glass from the 1950/1960's would be OK if equivalent or superior to a more modern offering.

...

Are there other lenses (LTM only) that one might consider? My street shooting usually commences at 1600hrs or later.

Not the latest, but many will still consider the Leica Summilux 50mm f/1.4 (pre ASPH) to be relatively modern. Just a hair faster than the Voigtlander Nokton 50mm f/1.5, but not by much and definitely no difference in actual use.



Cheers,
 
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