Leica LTM Best fast 50

Leica M39 screw mount bodies/lenses
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presspass

filmshooter
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Not trying to start a fight, but I would like to know which fast 50 - f1.5 and faster - has worked for you with LTM cameras and why. I have, and use, a pair of f2.0 lenses - a nice Summar and a clean collapsible Summicron - but there are times when another stop or so would be helpful. Suggestions?
 
This is going to be highly subjective based on preferred image looks, ergonomics, price ranges, etc.

My personal favorite it a late contax mount Carl Zeiss 50/1.4 with an ltm adapter. It produces great looking images, is compact and reasonably priced even with the adapter included. The ltm CV 50/1.5 is a great buy at the money if you prefer a modern look as many are ditching their ltm ones for the m mount version. You can find them for ~330$
 
I've got one of the first batch of Nikkor-S f1.4 LTM lenses from the early 1950's, which I love. Wide open it's dreamy, stopped down on film it competes with the more modern 50's. Is it the "Best Fast 50"? Hell, I don't know, I just know I like shooting with it.
 
From fast 50 I was lucky to get for 200 CAD the Summarit. Extremely heavy, very well built lens, which I liked at any aperture, except 1.5 (it sucks).
For now the only 50 I have is J-3. Nowhere near by Leitz how it is made, but it has normal glass, which isn't chalk soft and prone to fungus as old Leitz glass is. And it is good lens at all apertures. Also incredibly small and light for fast lens.
 
Sorry about not defining 'best.' Available, sharp wide open, and low contrast are the main criteria. Not too heavy would be nice, so it balances on a Barnack. Cost is somewhat of a factor - I'm looking for a lens to shoot with, not to collect. Hope this helps.
 
I'm going to throw in a more modern option: the Voigtlander Nokton f1.5 ltm. Fast, bokehlicious, sharp when stopped down to f2.8. And a decent lens coating for resistance against flaring.
 
I love my Canon 50mm 1.4 LTM lens. It's a superb lens... So much so that I sold all my others and use that exclusively on my M2 with an adapter.
 
Tough to find Leitz Summarits with good glass that won't break the bank...

I'd suggest the later LTM Canon 1.4 or the LTM Nikkor 1.4.

The Cosina-Voigtlander is good value, but might have more contrast than you desire ?
 
presspass said:
Sorry about not defining 'best.' Available, sharp wide open, and low contrast are the main criteria. Not too heavy would be nice, so it balances on a Barnack. Cost is somewhat of a factor - I'm looking for a lens to shoot with, not to collect. Hope this helps.
Click to expand...

Given these criteria, I'd suggest the Canon 50f1.8.
 
Based on the specific characteristics listed, my recommendation is either the Canon 50/1.8 as FrankS said, or the Canon 50/1.4, depending on how important compactness is. I think the 50/1.4 is rather disproportionately large on a Barnack, but that's subjective.

All that said, I use the Canon 50/1.5, but then I like the Sonnar look wide open.
 
Just wanted to add, my version is a later version with 'brown' coatings verses the 'blue' of the earlier. Produces a bit warmer image.
 
Depend on how fast you want too! An F1.8 is not going to give you much of an exposure difference from an F2.0. But then you say you don't want too large. The Canon would be my first choice for a fairly modern look, but is larger than say an F1.5 Jupiter 3 or Canon 1.5 or Nikkor 1.4. Personally, I like the Nikkor the best, it has the close focus ability. They are somewhat expensive, so if you want best value, buy a Canon 1.4 and don't worry that it's a little larger.
 
Based on your requirements, as others have said, neither Xenon nor Summarit. Helpful aren't I?

For sharp wide open I suggest you look at something more modern, CV etc.
 
The CV Nokton 50/1.5 LTM which is kind of big but great wide-open and excellent stopped-down.

However, Lomo's Jupiter 3+ is a brand-new, old school lens that definitely fits with the Barnack in terms of size and aesthetic.
 
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