Best second hand lens for M9

[stuartnm]

So excuse a newbies basic question...

I have been shooting SLRs for over 25 years and last year decided it was time for a new challenge and so switched to a rangefinder and was fortunate enough to pick up an M9 in New York back in January...

I was wondering if anyone could recommend a few good second hand lenses for me in the range 35 / 50 / 90mm range - second hand is about all I can afford but have no real idea at this point where to invest my efforts and money...

This is probably one of those questions that comes under the catagory of 'how long is a piece of string' but I have to start somewhere and want to spend somewhere between $500 and $1500...

Hope this is the right forum for this question and thanks in advance for any and all advice.

 

[Phantomas]

Lens first, camera second.

I think you're aware that you're asking a question that gets a lot of people close to aggressive. But anyway. I don't own an M9 but here's what you can do:

- check classifieds here on RFF and go to lens section. Find something in your price range, go back to the forum and start reading countless comments on any and every lens.
- have a look at Cosina/Voigtlander lenses. Unless you want to stick to Leica name, CV are very viable alternatives, and in your price range you could pick up not one but two very decent pieces of CV glass
- have a look at Zeiss. Pricewise it's somewhere between CV and Leica, qualitywise they're VERY GOOD. I love Zeiss.

Seriously, your question is very vague and covers pretty much the whole classic FL range of RFs. Narrow down your choice to at least a few lenses or at least one focal length and people will be in a better position to advice.

 

[FPjohn]

There are many answers to your question - the best choice, purely in my opinion, for each of chosen focal lengths, is a good example Summicron.

Given your budget, consider used, or new, Cosina Voightlander lenses if you are not insisting on Leitz/Leica glass.

http://CameraQuest.com/rangefinder_forum_welcome.htm


Welcome to rf photography and good light.

yours
FPJ

 

[mfogiel]

I suggest you try first a 35mm or 50mm lens and see how you will like it. For a variety of reasons, and especially if you like shooting in colour, I think the best first bet would be a second hand Zeiss Biogon 35/2 or Planar 50/2. As sharp and more flare resistant than Summicrons at less than half the price, and without issues of focus shift sometimes present in other lenes. Try to pick up one here second hand, so the day you would like to switch to something else, you could sell it without much monetary loss.

 

[ReneSpudvilas]

I think with the M9, the rule changes to 'camera first, lens second!' ha ha....

....I mean, it is a camera that has no rivals (full frame digi rf)......so I can completely understand buying the body first, and then thinking 'hmmm now what lenses...'

I would grab a used 35/2 or 1.4 leica lens, whatever I could afford....and play with that for a month before buying anything else..... I just got a Nokton 1.2, but if you have an M9, you can probably afford a Leica lens to go with it, unlike me.. 😉

 

[robklurfield]

try canon ltm mount lenses. you can get great glass for not much money relative to comparable Leica lenses. you simply need some ltm to M adapters. I'm a big fan of Canon's 50/1.4 and 35/2. I'm told their 85 and 100mm Serenars are really nice too. I'll be you could pick a trio of 35/50/85 for around $1000. other options of course are older Leica ltm glass. I just picked up really sweet little 35/3.5 Summaron for $225. small, cute, cheap and much sharper than I expected. I bought a 21mm Kobalux viewfinder that is larger than the Summaron. don't overlook CV lenses. Voigtlander makes some great stuff and very well-priced, too.

 

[kzphoto]

If you're only buying one lens and only one lens, 35-40mm is a great starting place. Look at the leica summicron 35/2, the zeiss 35/2, cv 35-40/1.4. Older 35 leica lenses command a premium, but you can find great deals here. IIRC, a modern 35/2 summicron ASPH just sold for $1600. The zeiss is a stellar performer (owned one for a few years.) Also worth mentioning: Konica Hexanon 35/2. There are a few variants of the konica lens, the UC being apparently one of the best konica rf lenses.

Enjoy your m9 and post some pictures!

 

[maggieo]

I nabbed my 1959 50mm Summilux for right around $1000US, so there are some great deals out there on older Leica glass. That said, I very happily shot with CV glass for two and a half years and recommend it without hesitation.

 

[filmfan]

Ummm... LOL

 

[Jason Sprenger]

As others suggest, it depends on your aesthetic and what you're used to.

For modern lenses, I agree with mfogiel, the Zeiss ZM 50/2 Planar and the ZM 35/2 Biogon meet and/or exceed Leica for significantly less money. For a 90mm, I consider a Voigtlander 90/3.5 APO Lanthar a very good option for the budget conscious.

 

[ferider]

Probably one of the best lenses you can buy for a single lens/camera kit and below US 1500 is the 35/2 Summicron ASPH. Or if you prefer longer, a modern Summicron 50/2. I'd start with one of the two.

 

[stuartnm]

Thanks all for your suggestions - these give me somewhere to start and something to think about - much appreciated!