First lens for a leica m4?

[wshlinaang]

I have a 300-400 dollar budget and have research just about everything in that price range.. My absolute favorite focal lengths are 28 and 40mm. Sadly, the m4 has neither framelines. What would you recommend lens wise from 28-50mm?
List of researched lenses in my budget
CV 28 f/2
CV 35 2.5
CV 40 1.4
Leitz/minolta 40 f/2
CANON LTM 50 1.8/1.4
CV 50 2.5

I'm sure this has been discussed the **** out of, but it's hard to pick one lens to shoot with for the time being. I don't really want to kit myself out.
If it helps, I prefer black and white film/ street/candid photography. Would like the ability to shoot at night with 800/1600 speed film.

 

[traveler_101]

CV 35mm Ultron f/1.7 in LTM

CV 50mm Nokton f/1.5 in LTM

I have the Ultron; both are now available in M versions but they exceed your budget.

 

[lxmike]

one of my biggest ever regrets is letting go of my Leica Cl with Summicron 40/2, really miss that lens

 

[Ko.Fe.]

CV 35 2.5 PII is better lens for street. At @1600 it could handle indoors, but not dark streets.
CV 35 1.7 LTM is better lens for bw photography, will handle dark streets, but slow lens without tab for street.
Honestly, I would exlude any lens without tab for street/candid.
Summaron 35 3.5 is very cool lens for street work.

Forgot, to mention Collapsible Cron in M mount is within price range. As cool as Summaron to shot with and very good for bw.

 

[Ronald M]

40 matches 50 mm lines up close, 35 at distance.

40 Summicron has non standard for Leica thread size, wrong thread pitch.

40 can replace 35 +50.

50 was my first lens and I moaned about having but one for years. Now 6 decades later I appreciate it more. Learn to use it then branch out.

An old 50 2.8 elmar is a decent lens if you get a good one. Hard to tell from the Summicron Rigid or DR at like stops.

 

[Trius]

Question: The way you have framed this we can assume you already have an M4. Do you already have other lenses? If not, why not consider a CL with the 40 and add a 28? If the M4 is in really good condition, you could sell it and probably come out even on all purchases. Yes, the form factor is different and the potential service issues are difference. Personally I would be torn between the CL and the M4, but an M4-P would probably my ultimate choice.

 

[Huss]

Get a 35 mm lens. It's nice to use the entire VF on an M.

 

[Frontman]

The CV 50/1.5 Nokton is a stellar lens, and looks good on the M4. I have several 50mm Leica lenses; Summilux, Summicrons of different variations. The Nokton does not disappoint, and compares very favorably with my Leica lenses.

I have a few 35mm lenses, but the 50mm perspective suits me more.

 

[splitimageview]

Coated Summitar.

 

[Sid836]

If you don't mind collapsible lens' designs, the Elmar 5cm 2.8 is a great lens.

 

[ferider]

If you haven't bought the camera yet, consider an m6 instead, better fit to 28/40.

Composing a 28 with 90mm frame-lines only in the M4 is easy, though. If you like 28 like me, get the 28/2 Ultron, it doesn't get much better than this.

Roland.

 

[bucs]

The LTM 35/2.0 Canon is a winner in my book. You can definitely find one below $400

Amazing character in such a small package!

 

[jazzwave]

within your budget, you already set good choice

CV 28 f/2
CV 35 2.5
CV 40 1.4
Leitz/minolta 40 f/2
CANON LTM 50 1.8/1.4

You can't go wrong with your list above, but if you need only one lens the choice will be 35mm lens.CV 35/2.5, CV 35/1.7, CV 35/1.4

 

[Jerevan]

If you already got the M4, try the preview lever to see "how you see".

Out of the choices you listed the 35/25 PII is a good choice to start out with, and then go from there, wide or more narrow.

Obviously the LTM versions of the 35/2.5 are also good - same optics, different package only.