"Bargain" 50mm?

[TimSmith-Laing]

So ... GAS and a little surprise money have combined; in the last few weeks I've purchased, with my savings a FED2, a Jupiter12 and viewfinder, a Diacord L - all I hasten to add at the most bargain prices from the bay (the Diacord was $60).

But now I've done the worst, and am on the verge of acquiring an M6 body. I've done it this time, it's beyond my budget already. As if to remind me that I'm a bad person paypal has to set up an entirely new account for me to pay for the little beauty.

And now I need a lens too. Is it worth considering an older Summicron? Or other lenses of different focal lengths - say 35mm, or 90mm? Or should I just grit my teeth and spend money I really don't have? I suppose my budget would be say, £200, or $350, at the very very very most.

I am a fool: laugh at me.

 

[wongyboi]

Why not a 40mm?

 

[markinlondon]

All 50mm summicrons are worth considering, but £200 is a tight budget for one.
You may want to ask yourself if you're a natural 35 or 50 shooter (or something else) before dropping big money on a lens. If you are looking for a 50 the Jupiter 8 has many fans here as have the various CV 50's especially the Nokton.

 

[wlewisiii]

No need for laughing at you.

You can find a nice collapsible Summicron for this kind of money or a Canon lens - the 50/1.4 or 50/1.8 are both very good and relatively underpriced. Say $125 for the 50/1.8 to $300 for the 50/1.4 with a bit of looking.

For a longer lens, look for a screwmount post-war 90/4 Elmar to start - should be around $100 or so.

Also, a clean Jupiter 8 50/2 will cost peanuts and could tide you over till you can find a better lens within your budget.

Hope this helps,

William

 

[sebastel]

around 350 GBP you might even find a current collapsible elmar-M ... just in case you want something of newer date.

cheers,
sebastian

 

[Magus]

Post deleted by posters request

 

[Flyfisher Tom]

I agree with William ... the Canon 50/1.8, 50/1.4 are superb lenses that are relatively inexpensive compared to Leica counterparts.

The best value is actually the 40 rokkor-m or 40 summicron-c.

 

[FrankS]

Or buy a ltm to M adaptor and screw your Fed 50mm lens onto the M6. IF you don't want to switch the lens back and forth, buy an adapter and a Jupiter 8 lens ($30)for your M6.

 

[Nick R.]

For the money you have, consider one of the Voiglander 50's, esp, the 1.5 if you don't mind the size. If I'm not mistaken, it'll also fit on your FED. IMO, a new VC is better than an old summicron because of the coating damage typical of summi's in your price range.

 

[Sparrow]

For the money you have, consider one of the Voiglander 50's, esp, the 1.5 if you don't mind the size. If I'm not mistaken, it'll also fit on your FED. IMO, a new VC is better than an old summicron because of the coating damage typical of summi's in your price range.

yes i can aggree with that, CV 50 f1.5, size is the only negative it's superior in other respects

 

[kully]

£200!?! For a lens? You're bloody middle-class mate!

I wouldn't worry too much about what you'll get for that. I was in exactly the same situation as you in Spring, I went for a 2nd hand VC 40/1.4 for £160.

People say Summicrons are so much better, but then, I can't really appeciate the difference, same goes for for wine with me. If I'm happy with a £5 bottle from Asda - why go for something for £30 from Waitrose?

As Frank said, slap a LTM>>MM adapter on with your old lenses and decide what focal length you want with cheaper lenses and then go for something nice when you know it is something you need/want.

I'm still more than happy with my 40/1.4, I've shot a few rolls with an 80s vintage summicron but I couldn't appreciate it. I need to improve the other bits (exposure, developing, printing) first.

 

[nrb]

You could do much worse than, say, buying a mid 50's 2.8 elmar. It's a very classic option and mine cost me less than €200 on evilbay. But either a Jupiter 8 or a Jupiter 3, an Industar 61ld, or a 1.8 50 Canon would serve you well.

 

[TimSmith-Laing]

"£200!?! For a lens? You're bloody middle-class mate!"

And I thought a leica was my ticket to the aristocracy! Curse.

Wow ... I have a few options then. I reckon the Canon lenses sound like excellent options, but I reckon using my Jupiter 8 and 12 with an adaptor and seeing where I want to go from there sounds like a good idea. That way I can put off spending the extra money.

True enough, Kully, I need to concentrate on the other bits first too, and my Jupiter 8 has been pretty nice to me so far.

Thanks guys, will post some pics when I've assembled my kit.

Tim

 

[pvenables]

Dear Tim

A 50 Dual Range Summicron might be within your budget. Mine cost around £200 off ebay. It's from 1960, it's beautifully made and very sharp but flares quite a bit, so you'd need a hood. Otherwise, I am absolutely delighted with it.

Paul

 

[SteveM(PA)]

I don't think the J8 has ever proven to be inferior to its Sonnar brethren at least among the tests I've seen here. Just that issue of finding one that does what its supposed to. If you get it to the party, it really knows how to dance.

 

[raid]

I suggest not to spend more money on anything right now. Just what Frank already has suggested above; get an m adapter and use your 50mm lens.

Raid

 

[szekiat]

if u really need to spend, there's a couple of 40 crons and 50 hexanons on pnet at the moment. the crons are definitely within your budget. I've got both and the cron made me sell my 35 v4 and 50 nockton cos i stopped using them immediately!

 

[FrankS]

By buying just the screw mount adapter, you can buy the M6 AND be responsible with your money! Who would have guessed THAT was possible?

 

[Goodyear]

/jumps up and down.

J8.

Is my favourite lens of the moment.

 

[TimSmith-Laing]

Frank, I bow to your superior turn of mind. You've just made me feel so much better: so responsible with my money.

Also, my shiny new/old Jupiter 12 just arrived ... it sits so nicely on my Zorki ... I'm gonna go take me some photos.🙂