Ponsoldt
Established
I would appreciate suggestions for the best low light 35-50 lens available for the Leica Rangefinder. I would prefer an M mount but cost is of course an issue. I have the 35 summicron and find its a much better lens at about f8. I am looking for a lens that I can use indoors without a flash.
Thoughts?
Bill
Thoughts?
Bill
W
wlewisiii
Guest
The Canon 50/1.4 that Brian Sweeney is selling right now would be a good lens for this purpose. You would need an adaptor as it is LTM, but Cameraquest has them, I believe.
See his thread for shots using the lens.
William
See his thread for shots using the lens.
William
R
ray_g
Guest
CV Nokton 50/1.5
ywenz
Veteran
CV Nokton 40/1.4
peter_n
Veteran
The CV 40/1.4 is a good choice. They are now available used as well so you might be able to get a good price. If your focus is B&W consider the SC version.
fgianni
Trainee Amateur
I would consider the Nokton 50 1.5 a better choice, I have a Nokton 40 f1.4 and while the lens is sharp, the OOF (or bokeh if you prefer) is really harsh to the point of being distracting.
If you are happy with f2.0 an old 50 SUmmicron will do really nicely
If you are happy with f2.0 an old 50 SUmmicron will do really nicely
Stu W
Well-known
A Summarit WITHOUT FOG is a nice choice.
richard_l
Well-known
What is wrong with the Summicron at wider apertures? Before buying another lens you want to make sure that it doesn't have the same undesirable qualities as your Summicron. Modern Summicrons are usually excellent all the way to f/2. Fuzziness at wider apertures is sometimes due to rangefinder maladjustment rather than the lens, since the focus can become extremely critical due to the shallow DOF.Ponsoldt said:
fgianni
Trainee Amateur
Beniliam said:
If you want to trade your 21 CV for a 40 Nokton let me know
Ponsoldt
Established
richard_l said:
fgianni
Trainee Amateur
Ponsoldt said:
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Beniliam
Out of the limelight
Ok Gianni! If I trade my 21 for one 40 I send one message to you
richard_l
Well-known
Bill, your Summicron should be sharp at f/2 unless it is defective. As you suspect, camera shake could be the culprit. A test shot with the camera braced against something rigid, like a table top, should confirm whether or not it is the lens. If the fuzziness is due to slow shutter speeds, the obvious solution is a faster lens (or a tripod). A lens which is one stop faster will allow you to double the shutter speed. As others have suggested, one of the f/1.4 or f/1.5 Noktons might solve your problem.
M
mad_boy
Guest
It seems you'd go for any focal lenth from 35 to 50.
In that case go for a 35mm.
- it allows slower shutter-speeds.
- it has higher depth of field which is good on close range (indoors)
more likely to work with distance scale fodussing, or even hip shooting
- Smaller and easier to carry/conseal.
mad_boy.
In that case go for a 35mm.
- it allows slower shutter-speeds.
- it has higher depth of field which is good on close range (indoors)
more likely to work with distance scale fodussing, or even hip shooting
- Smaller and easier to carry/conseal.
mad_boy.
celluloidprop
Well-known
50 Nokton. Supposedly 'harsh' and 'clinical' but I believe much of that is hooey. Every shot I've seen with it (not designed to highlight the 'undesirable' bokeh) has been perfectly fine.
FPjohn
Well-known
Tripod
Tripod
Hello:
The Leitz table top tripod*, or its Manfrotto-Polaroid/Minolta copies, used as a prop or gunstock may give you more, than two stops in a new lens, as to sharpness.
yours
Frank
*Fits in same pocket as the camera
Tripod
Hello:
The Leitz table top tripod*, or its Manfrotto-Polaroid/Minolta copies, used as a prop or gunstock may give you more, than two stops in a new lens, as to sharpness.
yours
Frank
*Fits in same pocket as the camera
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fgianni
Trainee Amateur
richard_l said:
If camera shake is the problem, then stopping down to f8 should make it worse, not better.
raid
Dad Photographer
The 50/2 Summicron is a great lens. I would try at least one out first and then decide which lens to buy.
Artem
Member
Beniliam, the trains in Spain are quite different from those here in Australia. However, I enjoy the almost futuristic quality of the composition, in part due to the construction of the train but also choices taken by you, the photographer.
Ponsoldt, unfortunately fast lenses are expensive. The easiest way to reduce cost is buying used. I recommend the 50 1.5 if you can find it used, if not, new it is still not that expensive. Just make sure you try it out first.
Ponsoldt, unfortunately fast lenses are expensive. The easiest way to reduce cost is buying used. I recommend the 50 1.5 if you can find it used, if not, new it is still not that expensive. Just make sure you try it out first.
Bertram2
Gone elsewhere
Ponsoldt said:
A J8 or a CV Nokton 1,5/50. I own them both and I like them both.
bertram