ack, I need a lens! Ideas?

[jano]

Uhhhmm... I'm going to need an m-mount lens, first time leica M user (soon to be m2?). Any recommendations? Here's what I've shot with before:
Contax G1/2: 28, 45, 90
Canon 300D: 17-40L, 50mm 1.8, and 100mm f2.8 macro (remember 1.6 crop factor for FOV)
Leica r4 50mm summicron (when I was a kid, used dad's camera in high school, don't recall the results).

When using the contax g2, I always had a bit of trouble with the 45 focal length.. wasn't quite right. Methinks I might get along with a 35 to start with?

 

[richard_l]

Here are a couple of suggestions: 35mm f/2.8 or f/3.5 Summaron, preferably the M2 version. The screwmount versions are the same but will require an M adapter. The M3 versions with the infamous goggles are just as good but must be used with the goggles, even on the M2. (Take a look at my Summaron Album.)

The 40mm f/2 Minolta M-Rokkor or Summicron-C are great but might be too close to 45mm for your taste (besides the obvious issue of there not being 40mm framelines on the M2).

If money is not a problem, any of the 35mm Summicrons will be terrific. A Leica camera like the M2 really should have a Leica lens 🙂 , although an exception must be made for the Minolta Rokkor, since it is an official Summicron clone.

Richard

 

[rover]

Richard has offered good advise. Don't sell the CV 35mm lenses short either or forget the ZM Biogon. You have a good point of reference and can be that 35mm is the right focal length for you, so enjoy the thought that there are quite a few good options for you.

 

[taffer]

As bang for the buck, the CV 35/2.5, the 40 Summicron/Rokkor or the Canon 35/2.8 would be my personal choices 🙂

The ultimate cheapo would be the ~$50 Jupiter-12, if you don't like it you can always sell it at no loss.

 

[Erl]

Jano,

Not trying to be pushy or anything, but I have a Summicron 35mm f2.0 for sale. Just putting together the 'marketing facts' now. I have owned it from new, about 4 years old. Latest version ASPH with original box, rectangular dedicated hood etc.

There is a specisal reason for selling (some story), if you are interested. I am just deciding on a fair prices etc. and it will be offered on the general market very soon. If you are interested, let me know and I will 'fill in the blanks' on all info with price and condition, etc.

Cheers,
Erl

 

[JoeFriday]

35mm Summicron would be my first choice.. then probably the CV version.. followed by the 40mm Summicron or Rokkor

 

[jano]

I've been doing soooo much reading since last night, reviewing al places, ugh. Hate when I do this, heheh.

Richard: I'll take a look into the summarons, those are very nice pictures there.

rover: for a used, bargain level leica lens, I can get the new CZ biogon. I'm sort of on the fence here.. I'm familiar with Zeiss optics, but at this point I think I'd love to check out what leica can do.

Erl: i have read the 35 summicron aspherical tend to "flare" ? I'm not quite sure what that means, though. Regardless, I'll send you a PM and do appreciate the note!

KEH has a canadian-made 35 summicron, I guess pre-aspherical, bargain level, for under $800. Hmm. There are a couple on popular auction site as well, but I'm just not in the mood to deal with said fleamarket site.

Thanks so much for all the input and everyone's time!
jano

 

[rotzbremse]

I have a Canon 50mm/2.8 if you are interested. It's not expensive and its a good lens for the M2. ramin at uwf dot edu

 

[GeneW]

Good advice here. One lens that's a cracker and not too dear is the CV 35mm/1.7 Ultron. Great for available light and very flare resistant. I use one on my M2 and am happy with it. Eventually, when I can afford it, I'd like a 35mm Summicron.

Gene

 

[jdos2]

I had the 35mm Summicron (sorry, I'm buttin' in here) and it did NOT flare very much at all, unless the light was just right and I had a UV filter on the front of the lens. The solution was obvious after that first roll of film.

That dished front element did have strange interactions with filters.

 

[KoNickon]

GeneW took the words out of my mouth -- the Ultron 35/1.7 is a great choice. All the speed you would need, too.

 

[johne]

jano,
Remember that you can use Leica mount [39mm] with adaptors. Might consider the following for excellent service and a good product:
DVD Technik <dvdtechnik@voliacable.com>

I just received an adaptor for my recently acquired M2.
Johne

 

[Fred]

I can definitely vote for the CV 35 Ultron 1.7. A very well made lens for a great price. I used one (and still have it) and was startled at the sharpness. It's used in a some of my gallery shots. The 35 Skopar is a craker as well I gather although I've not used one.

I have also used a 35 cron ASPH and I'd have to say that it's 'nearly' the most flare resistant lens I've used (the 50 Cron is).

Starting out, I'd vist the Ultron 35. Finances permitting, a Leica. But remember that you can get a couple of great new or used CV lenses and some change from a used Leica.

 

[tom_f77]

I agree about the Ultron. It was my first lens after the J8 and I still have it. I would really like to try a 35 Summicron, but no amount of GAS seems to be able to justify it. I think only the latest ASPH would be sharper, and then I wouldn't get the legendary summicron bokeh...

Get the Ultron - it's GAS proof.

There is a good thread about 35s here:

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=10896

Tom

 

[zpuskas]

Many good options here. I had never used a 35 before I bought my first Leica. Now it is my favorite lens. Almost perfect focal length--for me anyway!.

 

[Uncle Bill]

My two choices would be the 50/2 collapsable Summicron and the CV 35/2.5 Skopar, those are the two lenses I reach for the most and I shoot with an M3

Bill

 

[jano]

Thank you, wow, lots of push towards the CV.

I see the collapsible summicrons mentioned a lot here. Haven't looked yet at specific results (user photos), however, I have seen a few shots of the actual lens. Is there any other benefit to it being collapsible other than size? Does it give a certain character to the images?

Jano

PS: I just looked at the leica R lens, and it's actually a summilux. Wow, my dad sure went all out when he bought that kit way back when!

 

[02Pete]

While the modern lenses others have mentioned might be good choices for you, the M2 (and other M-series cameras) can also use older LTM lenses with a bayonet adapter. Many of these were produced during the period when the M2 was in production, and work well with it. If you're interested in considering such lenses, the Canon 35/2 and Canon 50/1.4 LTM lenses from the early 1960s are good choices. I own and use both with an M2, and they produce fine results. Although they might not score as high on technical testing as the best of modern equipment, they are more than adequate to take excellent pictures under a wide range of conditions. The Canon 35/1.8 also produces good photos, although the 35/2 is somewhat better. The Canon 35/1.5 is more of a collectible than a lens for daily use. In daylight, the results it has produced for me are somewhat less satisfactory than the other two Canon 35s. It was, however, designed primarily for available light shooting, at a time when Tri-X was the fastest film available and lens speed was a matter of prestige for camera manufacturers. For portrait use, the Canon 85/1.9 produces good photos, although closer to those of the 35/1.8 than the 35/2 or 50/1.4. I've recently obtained a Nikkor 85/2 in LTM. I haven't shot enough film with it yet to offer my own opinion, but the lens has a good reputation. Leitz, Canon and Nikkor all produced a variety of other LTM lenses, but I don't have personal experience using them so will not offer any opinions on them. Suffice it to say that there are enough different LTM lenses out there to offer a wide range of choice, along with M-series bayonet mount lenses and other lenses in current production.

 

[back alley]

welcome pete!

i like the way you think. 😉

my serenar 85/2 is extremely sharp (and heavy) and i think would be good for portraits.
i need to play with the 100/3.5 more before i could comment though.

joe

 

[Stephen G]

In 35mm, Id take a look at the Canon or Nikon 35/2. I have one of the VC 35/2.5, and while I love it... f2.5 is there... but just out of reach for a lot of indoor lighting shots for me. I think the jump to f2 would be big for me, and I am in the process of transition myself right now. (Trying to get rid of the VC35/2.5 to replace it with a Canon 35/2 or something similar.