Budget 50mm for my M8 - recommendations please

[TRGRichie]

Hi all,

Looking for a good 50mm for my M8, but on a limited budget!

I have an present a Jupiter 8 which I picked up for practically nothing, but the focus is out - I do however like the results.

I also have a voigtlander 35mm 2.5 p2 which is a joy to use, I picked this up for £200 ($400)

I'd like to spend approx thins again if possible on a good 50mm

What are my choices?

Many thanks Richie.

 

[a.noctilux]

Hello,

I have some Jupiter lenses that work, and other that do not.

My experience of lenses from many brands recommend this for 50mm "good and not too expensive":
-first good and light : Leica Elmar-M 2.8/50mm last one not the old that may be too old or used
-Canon 1.8/50 LTM with good (Leica or Voigtlander's) adapter LTM to M
-and better yet if you can find one Canon 1.4/50mm so called "Japanese Summilux" (having some Summiluxes, I agree with some minor points however).

Enjoy your M8 with whatever your choice of 50mm.

Arnaud

 

[Ko.Fe.]

I don't know how it works for digital Leicas, for my M4-2 I re-shimmed J-8 and it was very sharp at f2. Well known, well described procedure, not so difficult.

 

[padam]

I guess the problem with the Canon LTMs could be the filter size (if you use an UV-IR filter)

Other than that they are very good (the 50/1.4 being superior to the popular 50/1.8)

 

[MCTuomey]

Richie, could you stretch the budget for a ZM Planar 50 f/2? It's similar in rendering to your CV, a really fine all-around lens.

 

[jamin-b]

Seconding the Canon 50mm 1.4 (and the Planar ZM!). Also a good quality Rokkor 50cm F2 LTM or Nikkor Sonnar 50mm F2 LTM (which also focuses down to 0.5m, although not rangefinder coupled at that distance).

The Summicron-C 40mm is also a cheap, tiny and fantastic lens, that translates to roughly 60mm on the M8...

I still love my M8 - enough to not be tempted to spend thousands in upgrades...

 

[B-9]

Ive been using my 50/1.2 Canon Ltm almost exclusively on the M8.

A gorgeous pair indeed!

Within your 400$ budget also! (just dont worry about snagging the equally expensive hood)

 

[ZivcoPhoto]

I have been using a 50mm Nikkor F2 and a Collapsible Summicron on my new M8 with great results

 

[raid]

Seconding the Canon 50mm 1.4 (and the Planar ZM!). Also a good quality Rokkor 50cm F2 LTM or Nikkor Sonnar 50mm F2 LTM (which also focuses down to 0.5m, although not rangefinder coupled at that distance).

The Summicron-C 40mm is also a cheap, tiny and fantastic lens, that translates to roughly 60mm on the M8...

I still love my M8 - enough to not be tempted to spend thousands in upgrades...

40mm x 1.333= 53mm

 

[raid]

There are many outstanding 50mm lenses for $400.
There is for sale a CV 50/2.5 at RFF. I would get it.

 

[Nick R.]

There are still many collapsible Summicrons available in good condition for under $400. I saw one at Bergen County Camera yesterday.

 

[iaeaix]

Nikkor LTMs are better than Canons, if you could find one within budget, a Nikkor 50 1.4 is a great lens, Canon 50/1.4 is good too although not great.
Or a summicron collapsable is another great one could fit into your budget, when it collapse in it's so compact, won't hurt the M8

Sent from my DMC-CM1 using Tapatalk

 

[Phil_F_NM]

The Canon 50mm f/1.4 is a great lens. If you want to run a UV/IR filter, get the 650um IR filter by Orion in 48mm for telescope eyepiece adapters. Make sure to get the one you can see through, of course, not the cut filter which only allows IR.
As much as I liked the Canon 50mm f/1.4, I liked the f/1.2 even more just for its crazy ability to gather light and the look it gave to an image. From f/2.8 on it was the same as the f/1.4.
Any Summicron you can find would be good. A beat up Rigid or one of the DRs that someone butchered to stick on their digital M would be a cheap route. That is probably my favorite 50mm lens ever.
The f/2.5 Color Skopar is a fantastic lens when you can find someone who is selling one.
As mentioned, the 5cm f/1.4 Nikkor is great as well. Very good up close.
If you're willing to go a little crazy, get an Amedeo adapter and start sticking some of the older S or C mount lenses from Nikons and Contax/Kiev bodies.
The Helios-103 is a great lens once you make sure the thing is put together properly. From f/2.8 on, it is hard to tell the photos made side-by-side against a current version Summilux Aspheric. I tried this back in 2012 on my M9. It was amazing how well the $12 Russian lens was in comparison.

Phil Forrest

 

[bideford]

Find a good copy and either Canon 1.4/1.8 are fine lenses and availability may be your friend here.

Also consider the screw fit CV50 1.5 - also very sharp wide open and should come within your budget.

James

 

[MCTuomey]

Also consider the screw fit CV50 1.5 - also very sharp wide open and should come within your budget.

James

Good catch - I forgot about this one. Very nice lens - a little large in the hand - but it shoot likes a pre-ASPH summilux.

 

[TRGRichie]

thanks guys

 

[muser53]

One word SUMMITAR!

 

[jazzwave]

most sugested lens above is plannar or double gauss design. There are other nice lens; Sonnar. You can find this kind lens (50/1,.5) within your budget like Jupiter J3 .


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[fenixv8]

I had the voigtlander 50mm 1.5 Nokton for a few months and really liked it. I've seen a couple used ones that are not priced so bad.

 

[David Hughes]

Hi,

In your shoes I'd get the Jupiter-8 checked and shimmed for the M8, or else one of the f/2.8 50mm lenses and a film body for the J-8. Then you could use both film and digital...

Regards, David