Buying an M9 - need lens combination suggestion

One time, I did a comparison of fourteen 50mm F2 lenses on my Leica M3. Leica, Zeiss, Nikkor, Jupiter, did not have the 50/2 Tanar at the time. could have made it 15.
 
Don't overlook the old lenses - though the M9 has impressive capabilities with modern glass, a vintage Leica lens is still a strong contender if you can find a good one, especially in combination with a new lens.

My personal favourites are the DR Summicron as a partner to the current Zeiss C-Sonnar 50mm. Get both for less than a new Leica 50mm.

I can only support the suggestions for Zeiss lenses for wider angles too. I've had new Leica lenses at and below 50mm and have sold them as I preferred the Zeiss look.
 
The Type 1 Rigid Summicron has the same optics as the DR Summicron: the modules are identical.

The DR Summicron has problems mounting on the M8 and m9, the type 1 Rigid does not.

It was one of the 50/2's that I tested.

It is great on the M9. The Lower contrast Leica lenses of the 50s and 60s are good matches for Digital cameras. They tend to preserve shadow detail and prevent highlight blow-out.
 
These are with the Zeiss Sonnar "T" 50/1.5, wide-open on the M9.

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100% crop shows the lens wide-open is sharp enough to cause color aliassing on the M9.

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and THIS Sonnar is from 1938.

It's really hard to find a lens that does not look good on an M9.
 
Buy one 50mm lens , you can choose: Sumicron 50/2 (used), Zeiss 50/1.5 Sonnar, Zeiss 50/2 Planar, CV 50/1.5 Nokton.

Use and feel it, later you will know what focal lenght should be added.
Compare to SLR , rangefinder camera has different prespective.You need to change your photo style (little bit perhaps).
 
i think u'll end up with a m9 and a 50 summilux asph in the end if you prefer the 50 focal length anyways :p

i would probably buy a m9 and get some zeiss to start (gettin a m8 now is pretty pointless since u'll be most likely wanting fullframe in the end)
 
Get the M9 and not fool around with UV/IR filters and sensor crop. The focal lengths are up to you. My preferences are 28/50/90. Might not be yours.
 
Putting faith in the weight of opinion regarding lenses seems prudent on the surface. As Roger's and JS's posts imply, doing so will ensure a "safe" choice at the same it makes a stellar choice unlikely. E.g. I would never have tried the ZM C-Sonnar if I let the internet controversy over the lens sway my decision.

Who really settles for a lens if all it can do is not make its owner unhappy?
 
MCTuomey said:
Putting faith in the weight of opinion regarding lenses seems prudent on the surface. As Roger's and JS's posts imply, doing so will ensure a "safe" choice at the same it makes a stellar choice unlikely. E.g. I would never have tried the ZM C-Sonnar if I let the internet controversy over the lens sway my decision.

Who really settles for a lens if all it can do is not make its owner unhappy?
Click to expand...

Absolutely!

Cheers,

R.
 
I've just been going through the same process with replacing my aged 50/2 Summicron (late 1980's version) for my M9. After having weighed the pros and cons of going with a Summilux or a new Summicron, I decided to go with the Summicron. Hopefully I made the right decision!
 
I like a 2 lens combo with the M9. Or a film M for that matter:

21mm and 50mm
or
35mm and 75mm

Your lens look and choice will be different from the opinions of everyone else but like others have said, you can't go wrong with a Summicron. My favorite is the chrome rigid or DR. Like Brian mentioned, the DR won't mount in the normal focus range so it's only good for about 19in - 39in.

I've learned to love the 21mm Super Angulon on the M9 but it's a pain to work with when attempting color. It's a fantastic lens but it truly shines on film. If I didn't shoot a film M at all, I'd get a 21mm Elmarit Asph or one of the Zeiss 21s.

For the 35 a good condition Summaron will usually be more lens than one will ever need. Very sharp. Wonderful look to the images. Occasionally I use a Summaron 3.5 but usually use a pre-asph Summilux. That lens is simply amazing. Again, if it says Summicron on it, you could own just that lens and never look back as well.

For the 75 I fell in love with the CV 75mm f/1.8. I was hesitant at first but the more I use it, the more I use it. That is, using it makes me want to use it more. I go for wider lenses usually so 75mm is about as long as I regularly shoot. That lens is incredibly good for the price too.

Again, this all falls to what you want to shoot. If it's landscapes, then you might want to go with a 50 Summicron and a 135mm Tele-Elmar for some compression of landscape while still retaining a lens that is a stellar performer. The Tele-Elmar is one of the cheapest Leica lenses you can get these days too.

Have fun.

Phil Forrest
 
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