favourite 50mm M mount < $600usd

[qruyk12]

So what is your favourite 50mm Leica only (sorry) for M mount? My son wants to experiment with this length and I want to buy it for him.

 

[ferider]

For general purpose, Canon 50/1.4 or Hex 50/2. Will save you some money, too.

Ohh, I now saw Leica only: M-Elmar.

Cheers.

 

[35photo]

The 50 Summitar f2

 

[tbarker13]

50 rigid summicron.

 

[jja]

Elmar-M is a fantastic lens, I have one, but your son may or may not appreciate that it collapses.

Notwithstanding your request for Leica only suggestions, Roland is absolutely right about the Hexanon. It will perform like a Summicron, but will flare less. And having owned a Summicron (latest) and a Hexanon, I think the Hex is better built.

 

[colker]

For general purpose, Canon 50/1.4 or Hex 50/2. Will save you some money, too.

Ohh, I now saw Leica only: M-Elmar.

Cheers.

i am interested as welll. i want to buy a 50mm, don't want to spend and i still want a lemns w/ punch and personality.
i searched for hexanons on the evil bay and prices were tall....

 

[chris00nj]

Also recommend the Summicron DR 50/2.

 

[colker]

what about the heliar classic?

 

[jmcd]

The ridgid summicron has great character, creating an almost etched looking 3-D photograph. Flare can easily be a problem. Relatively heavy.

The later model tabbed Summicron is wonderful in handling and for producing a sharp, well-balanced photo. Very lightweight.

The hexanon is fantastic also, and very well built. I often keep the built-in hood collapsed and use a screw in hood, which provides more protection, but really I have not had any problem with flare with this lens.

All of these are in the price range, and all are excellent. Among these, I would choose based on if I wanted the character provided by the rigid. If not, I would be happy with either of the other two, without a doubt.

 

[former member]

The DR Summicron mount has problems with some newer M-Mount cameras, so check into which camera your Son uses. The Non-DR "Type I Rigid Summicron" has the same optics, but in a more conventional mount.

You also need to know a little about the photographs that your son makes. I prefer the older "Collapsible Summicron" for portraits. A bit softer, lower contrast, very pleasing. For more Contrast, the Rigid lenses almost in order of introduction.

Collapsible Summicron-M, wide open at F2 on the Leica M2, Fujicolor 200.

 

[Krosya]

Hard to find a better 50mm than M-Hexanon or Planar in that price range.
Here is a pic from Hex:

 

[qruyk12]

Ok...soooo.. long story.... gave my son my own lowly 50mm older summicron and I bought myself a 50 jahre 50mm summicron (from a fellow member) for my chrome MP.. it was just calling out my name.

Funny the way life works! Damn that listing!!

Anybody else ever said "damn that listing"??