Decided on Leica M4, now which lens to buy?

[pixelatedscraps]

Am hunting for a 35/2 Summicron (vIII) everywhere as I only have 48 hrs left as an ordering deadline. The silver 35/1.2 Nokton would be a heavenly lens (or the 50/1.1?) but that pushes me over my budget quite a bit as the lenses are at least US$900 - but they are options I would look at for sure in the future.

That said, I find myself struggling to get a good 'hit rate' in terms of accuracy when I shoot wide open with my 50/1.2 on my OM-1n - it could be due to the way I shoot or the viewfinder (which is already pretty good in the OM-1) but I've so far only achieved a 'keep' ratio of about 25% of my shots sadly.

Starting from the beginning I think its looking like (in order of preference):

35/2 Summicron
50/2 Summicron (rigid)
35/2.8 Summaron
50/2 Dr Summicron

I didn't know that you couldn't simply remove the lenses on the goggled Summicrons and just use the framelines in the M4. Lesson learned!

 

[jordan.dickinson]

I love the 35mm Summicron, but I shoot a Ver.IV. I would highly recommend the 35mm Summicron, but it is often significantly more expensive than a 50mm Summicron DR.

The 50mm Summicron DR is really amazing though. It was the first lens I owned for Leica mount, and immediately got me hooked. The images I shot came out phenomenal...probably better than a lot of my other Leica glass, and if you are on a budget, this is a great lens to start with.

I also own the 35mm Summaron f2.8, and it too is really really nice, although you might hear otherwise depending on who you talk to. I would recommend this lens if you don't need a lot of low light capability. It is truly a beautiful little piece of work.

All the lenses you listed are great, so I wouldn't worry too much on getting a bad one. Just go with what you think you will use most...low-light shooting, wide-angle, weight, size...whatever is most important to you, adjust your list.

I don't think you can go wrong, so enjoy!!!

 

[pixelatedscraps]

Just one more question:

If this 50/2 Dr Summicron says 'no finder' in the listing does that mean it is a later Dr for the M2/M4 or is just a Dr for the M3 which is meant to have the finder but doesn't actually come with them in the sale?

 

[matt335]

I like Gabor & Helen (and many others I assume) have the M4 with a 35mm Summaron F2.8 attached. It's a great lens. Handles street photography rather well and even in low light produces very adequately for overall exposure and focus. I've pitched it up against my summicron and sometimes you cannot tell the difference. Good luck with you decision and might I add, what a wonderful girlfriend you have ! Happy 30th !!

 

[pixelatedscraps]

I'm having a tough time finding an M4 for under $1000 here in HK but have managed to find some really good prices on lenses (35/2, 35/2.8 & 50/2 Dr) so I'm going to try and buy it all here. There are plenty of M3 / M2s but I've ruled out the M3 due to lack of 35mm framelines, but what do you guys think about the M2? From what I know, the M4 has the 135 lines (which I wouldn't use) and are much easier to load than an M2 - along with the newer rewind crank - is that it though? I can pick it all up for a lot less than $1500 if I went for an M2.

 

[pixelatedscraps]

I would still consider a M4 or M4-2 over the M2, but just slightly, as I am partial to the Tri-Y loading of the M4 and later cameras.

I would too, except its proving really hard to find an M4 here.

Here's what I've found in HK:

M4 = $995

50/2 Summicron = $795
35/2 Summicron = $1090
50/2 DR = $450 (needs a clean, a little spotty but not bad)
35/2.8 = $575

Here's what I've found off KEH:

M4 = $790
M2 = $570

50/2 DR = $500
35/2.8 = $665

What would you do?

 

[pixelatedscraps]

Just to update everyone who has helped out:

-flash-gordon has very kindly offered to sell me his very beautiful M4 for 600 EUR, and I went with the 35/2.8 Summaron off KEH for $665, coming just under the budget at around $1400.

The next two lenses I'll look at will be the CV 50/1.1 and possibly the 90/2 Summicron. I currently have a Sekonic L-758 but will be on the lookout for a VC Meter II or a Leica MR4 meter to go with it.

Thanks everyone, and I'll post photos of the setup when it all gets here!

 

[Vincenzo Maielli]

Any Summicron 50, the best lens ever made.
Ciao.
Vincenzo