Best Wide Leica lens for under 1k?

Z

zooyorkzooo

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Im just got a job so I am going to save up for a leica M4 in Black and a lens. At first I was going to buy a 35mm Summicron v4. But then I decided to get something wider.

So I want to know whats the best 20-28mm lens for under a thousand? A big thing that I dont want is distortion and I want the lens to be the color black. Would I just be best off buying the 35mm summicron v4? I dont wanna spend a whole thousand but if I have to I will.

 
Welcome to the group...

Voigtlander makes several fine lens from 12mm-90mm in both silver and black.

I use the 15mm, 21mm, and 35mm lens and can highly recommend them. Price is less than $500 for most of them.

Cameraquest (the group owner) is the US distributor. Click on their link to the left..
 
Not a Leica, but still - either Zeiss 25mm or CV25P (great lens for a steal). I can't see how leica would be any better than either of these two. Unless you really gotta have Leica written on it.
 
Unless you really gotta have Leica written on it.
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If hes going to save up for a black M4, why not just go the cheaper alternative
in the body, and go buy a nice piece of glass and lots of Tri-X and D-76?
 
John Elder said:
Try to get a 4th version Leica 28mm for about a 1000 US. 3rd version is also good.
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I'll second this recommendation. I had the 4th version and found it be just about a perfect 28mm lens, both in image quality and in handling. I cannot for the life of me recall why I sold it :confused:
 
My current favorite 28 is the Hexanon 28 f/2.8. I've heard it is very similar to the later (not latest) model elmarits. Incredible build quality.
You can find them in the $600 range.
 
If you get a black M4 you are somewaht limited in your choice. The widest frame is 35 in that body. Go for a good M4P and pick up a 28f1.9 VC instead. You get both speed and very good optical quality.
 
Tom makes a lot of sense. I'd go along with his recommendation of an M4-P if you're going for a lens wider than 35mm. A lot of forum members sing the praises of the Zeiss 25mm Biogon and, though I've not used one, the results look absolutely stunning. Not sure of prices where you are, but in the UK this combination would be a very cost effective way of getting into the M system.
 
If you want to start with a mind boggling WA lens, get the C Biogon 21/4.5, and if you want to start off with a very fine 35mm lens for peanuts, buy the Color Scopar 35/2.5. If you want to get such a good lens, that you will have serious trouble looking at anything else later, get a second hand Biogon 25/2.8.
 
Thanks for all the responses. I decided on a M6 and the 4th version 35mm Summircon f/2. Then if I still feel the need for a 28mm ill try the 28/1.9 Ultron from Camrea Quest.

Im gonna try to get the body for 1k and im not sure how much I should be looking to spend on the 35mm. Does anybody who has bought one know what I should expect to pay?
 
$1400-$1600

$1400-$1600

in exc. cond. I sold one last week for under that to an RFF'er.

Also, for 28's, if you like good contrast and/or shoot color, you may like the Zeiss 28/2.8 over the CV 28/1.9. I do. Also like the smaller size, and reduced flare.

zooyorkzooo said:
Thanks for all the responses. I decided on a M6 and the 4th version 35mm Summircon f/2. Then if I still feel the need for a 28mm ill try the 28/1.9 Ultron from Camrea Quest.

Im gonna try to get the body for 1k and im not sure how much I should be looking to spend on the 35mm. Does anybody who has bought one know what I should expect to pay?
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FWIW, you could buy a new CV 35/2.5 skopar classic and a new CV 28/3.5 skopar w/in your budget, and still have a lot of funds left over for film to try w/ these two fine lenses.
 
V4 Summicron is way overpriced at the moment.
The M8 has the market flushed for them and its not worth
trying to pick one on the bay. Look around classifieds and camera
shops that don't know what they are doing. :)
 
Affordable my butt.
There is nothing wrong with CV Zoo.
My 28/1.9 is probably the most solid lens I have;
all the aperature clicks snap hard into place,
the focus is just right for a 28mm lens,
and the hood fits on nice and tight.
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Go with a 35/2.5 and an M4-P / M6 and buy lots of film.
-
But more importantly, have you ever even used a rangefinder?
 
IMHO, you have 3 choices. If the budget is tight go for the CV lenses. Good performance at a very reasonable price. If you want best balance of value and performance, go for the Zeiss or perhaps some of the others mentioned such as the Rokkors. If you want the "best" performance and don't mind spending the money, there is Leica. Everybody will have their favourites. Look through the galleries and see which ones you like. The Cron v4 has a great reputation but many ,members here have said they prefer the Biogon.

Kim
 
The Leica 35 cron 4th version is a tough find. Look for the 3rd version, also a great lens. Also, if you don't need f2, get a 35mm summaron, a great lens which you can get for 600.
 
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