First Lens Dilemma.

U

Underaglassbell

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Greets!

I got my Leica M7 earlier on this month (body only) and now looking to get my first lens. To start I would like to get a /fast/ 50mm Lens.

Initially i was going to opt for the Zeiss C Sonnar T* 1.5/50 - It seemed great, f1.5 is very welcome and whatsmore its compact.
- I was setled on this until fairly recently when I began to find people who said it had some serious focus issues when shooting wide open ( where the focus will shift ).

Now the lens I thought would be perfect for me, might not be so great after all, and I'm seriously considering not buying the 50mm Sonnar T* and looking for something else, maybe forgoing a lens for another month or so and getting the 50mm Summilux 1.4 asph.

I really want to start shooting with my M7, but if I do get the Zeiss, I dont want to have to worry about the focus shifting when shooting wide open, I mean why issue a lens with f1.5 and then expect people to shoot at say f4 / f5.6 to avoid focus problems, just doesn't make sense (to me).

I don't really know what I should do now :bang:
 
afa the 50 sonnar...it's all been said.

if you're worried get something else.

with 50mm lenses you have to look long and hard to find a poor one.
 
You will be happy with any good example of a 50mm Summicron, collapsible through to the current version, unless you absolutely need the extra stop. IMHO.

yours
FPJ
 
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Personally - I can never understand it when people spend all their money on a camera body, and are unable to afford a lens to go on it, and even if they could - would not know which one to get!. The best advice I can give you is - buy a Jupiter 8, an adaptor - and get your ass out taking some pictures!
Dave.
 
imo, if you can save for one more month and afford a summilux asph. that's exactly what you should do. i've spent enough money diddling around with cheaper gear, that if i totalled it, i could easily afford an MP with summilux(es). but it got spent piecemeal and now i can't buy like that.
 
You are talking about a massive difference in price between those lenses. And look from what I've seen.

First question: do you really need the speed? If not, you could pick up a new ZM Planar or a Summicron and be on your way.

If you do need the speed, then you ought to go through all threads here re the Sonnar and determine if it is for you.

My understanding is that they are all leaving the factory optimized for 1.5 (but I could be wrong). So the shift wide open isn't going to be a problem.

From what I've seen, the Summilux must be the best all-around 50 you can buy. Looks fantastic to me, but I can't afford one.
 
Dave Wilkinson said:
Personally - I can never understand it when people spend all their money on a camera body, and are unable to afford a lens to go on it, and even if they could - would not know which one to get!. The best advice I can give you is - buy a Jupiter 8, an adaptor - and get your ass out taking some pictures!
Dave.
Click to expand...

The M7 is not my only camera, So It's not like I'm NOT taking pictures, I am - Just not with my Leica /yet/.

I shoot with a Pentax 6x7, Hasselblad and Canon Digital. Each of which I have always purchased a Lens to go with.

What Can I say, I AM COMPLETELY NEW to the Leica world, So I don't know every lens out there, I have tried looking into various models and it is quite confusing, as there are many.

As for my M7, It was a great deal, and yes I am not made of money, but I just want to get a 50mm and 35mm Lens and then off I will go. But rather hop from lens to another, I just wanted to ask for HELP (god forbid).

I don't really understand why people online have to be so priggish. But hey..
 
A modern Summicron each in 35 and 50mm will serve you well. Same filter size, E39mm, and they use the same hoods.

yours
FPJ
 
Paddy C said:
You are talking about a massive difference in price between those lenses. And look from what I've seen.

First question: do you really need the speed? If not, you could pick up a new ZM Planar or a Summicron and be on your way.

If you do need the speed, then you ought to go through all threads here re the Sonnar and determine if it is for you.

My understanding is that they are all leaving the factory optimized for 1.5 (but I could be wrong). So the shift wide open isn't going to be a problem.

From what I've seen, the Summilux must be the best all-around 50 you can buy. Looks fantastic to me, but I can't afford one.
Click to expand...

Q1: f1.5 is probably the most I will need, but yes I most certainly would rather have the extra speed, then not.

I've seen the Zeiss, and it was really compact, which I understand the v Summilux is not so, but if the Summilux is going to work from the get-go and just let me get on with shooting without the worry in the back of my mind the focus is shifting (if shooting with the Zeiss) then I would rather wait and buy that.

I mean in terms of the f2+ I intend on getting the Leica 35mm, but I did want a fast 50mm prime to go along side it.

DaN
 
Get a Summicron in your price range I have the collapsible and the dual-range, and they are both wonderful. I don't miss the speed of the 'lux or the Zeiss F1.5. Maybe that's because I have another camera with a 1.5 (never use it). I do think you'd be very happy with a Leica lens.
Vic
 
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