Leica LTM first lens for first Leica (noob to Leicas)

Leica M39 screw mount bodies/lenses
P

pekuekfir

Member
Local time
5:11 PM
Joined
Sep 3, 2008
Messages
18
just received my first Leica from Adorama. A IIIc that Adorama listed as "E" or "E-". It looks very nice and seems fine cosmetically. It's a body only, so I need a lens.

Since I don't know anything about Leicas or how to use them (I intend to learn all about them), I was thinking about buying an inexpensive Jupiter 8 50mm for learning purposes.

Does this seem ok, or should I get a more expensive Elmar or whatever to start with? I've read that jupiter 8s are OK lenses. Do they work perfectly with Leica screw mounts?

thanks for any info.
 
The J-8 is a fine lens. I would later add a Summitar or Canon 50 or a CV 35mm..
 
A good Jupiter-8 is a very good lens. You could also look into the Soviet collapsible 50's, I-10 (aka 50mm Fed), I-22, or I-50. These will give you a good sharp lens that is extremely compact, and very similar to the original f/3.5 Elmar. fedka.com is a good source for FSU gear. I use a f/2.8 Elmar on my IIIf most of the time, and it's a great performer.
 
A Jupiter 8 - if you get a good one - has a nice classic signature. 40.5 mm filters and hoods are plentiful too.

The collapsible Industar 22, Industar 50 and FED 50 have a more solid brass build and better contrast than the J8. Plus, they're much less expensive than the 50/3.5 Elmar and equally as good.

The Canon 50/1.8 is compact - and - a very good performer for about 3 times what a J8 will run. The downside with the Canon is that 40mm filters and hood are getting kind of difficult to come by.

I'd go with the Canon or one of the collapsible Industars.
 
I think the I-22 is a good start since it is so decent and collapses (gives nice "old time look" as it is a Tessar), the J-8 is just ok (great for the price I guess, looks very old timer... can work for somethings), but if you want really good photos I'd get something better... I would be happier something better. Summicron collapsible 50 would be my choice if you have the cash (~$450 for a nice one). I am personally very happy with my sweet little CV Color-Skopar 50/2.5... I'd look into it.
 
the Canon 1.8 sounds good. I generally don't use flash, so I like fast lenses. I'll try fedka for a Jup-8 or Industar. Do the russian lenses mate EXACTLY with leicas? I'll look for a summitar later.
For indoor shots, I'd rather use a 35mm lens. But from what I've read, I would need a different viewfinder for a 35mm.

I've got the 1956 edition of the Leica Manual coming in the mail, so hopefully I can learn all about Leica photography after I get it...!
 
mh2000 said:
the J-8 is just ok (great for the price I guess, looks very old timer... can work for somethings), but if you want really good photos I'd get something better...
Click to expand...

This photo was taken with the J-8. It's a lot better lens than you give credit for..true there are better lens but the J-8 can easily hold its own..


2850142214_148cb718fe_o.jpg
 
Yes Colyn, that's a fine example, similar to mine, just not usually very compelling... and if you go through all the effort to use a beautiful old Barnack camera I kind of want photos that give me some wow factor... either so interesting and vintage looking or really top-rate... the J-8 seems kind of middle of the road to me... not that I'm going to dump it or anything... sometimes it's nice for some things.
 
Buying soviet lenses brings up a whole new meaning to 'Russian Roulette' is the only issue. I have good examples of the J8, the I10, the J9, and J12. But tons of bad examples are out there. When you get a good example, they're just dandy ;)

When you get bad example after bad example, it gets depressing. I like the Jupiter 8 ergonomics way better than the Industar-10. Regardless of the I10 looking oldskool, it is sort of cludgey to use compared to the Jupiter-8.

If the two lenses were the same price, I'd always pick the J8.
 
mh2000 said:
Yes Colyn, that's a fine example, similar to mine, just not usually very compelling... and if you go through all the effort to use a beautiful old Barnack camera I kind of want photos that give me some wow factor... either so interesting and vintage looking or really top-rate... the J-8 seems kind of middle of the road to me... not that I'm going to dump it or anything... sometimes it's nice for some things.
Click to expand...

I try not to restrict myself to just one look. That's why I use different lens depending on what "look" I'm after at the moment..

I also plan to buy a Russian fake Elmar lens to see what it will give..
 
I was just asking about using a russian lens for the purpose of learning to load and shoot with an old leica. In other words, not for the particular qualities or lack of qualities of the russian lenses. I just want to learn how to use the camera and take pictures with it, with an inexpensive lens at first. However, if russian lenses are considered total crap, then I would look to start off with a german lens.

I was wondering if the russian lenses match up exactly with leica SM cameras.

filmfan, $130 is certainly doable for me for a summitar. I've been watching ebay, but many lenses go for more than that.
 
IMHO, Dead on....

IMHO, Dead on....

luketrash said:
Buying soviet lenses brings up a whole new meaning to 'Russian Roulette' is the only issue.
Click to expand...

Having plunked down a lot of green backs for FSU gear, getting it fixed, splitting the cost of trying to get it fixed again, you either need to love tinkering with stuff or you will hate them. Every once in a while you get a diamond, dead on sharp, clean, smooth through out the range, but IMHO it's easier to find a diamond down south of Hope AR in that little mine they have open to the public.

Spend a bit more money and get a old Nikon, Canon or Leica lens. You can find great Nikkor 50mm glass out there at reasonable prices. Not sure about Canon as I have never looked. CV glass is great and while costing a bit more, it is great stuff.

B2 (;->
 
pekuekfir said:
I was just asking about using a russian lens for the purpose of learning to load and shoot with an old leica. In other words, not for the particular qualities or lack of qualities of the russian lenses. I just want to learn how to use the camera and take pictures with it, with an inexpensive lens at first. However, if russian lenses are considered total crap, then I would look to start off with a german lens.

I was wondering if the russian lenses match up exactly with leica SM cameras.
Click to expand...
The russian lenses can be a bit hit-and-miss for quality control, that's true. However, the older ones tend to be good. For a fraction of the cost of an Elmar you can use and Industar 22. Contrary to popular belief, it's not an Elmar copy. It's coated and some say it outperforms the Elmar.

And yes, the russian lenses do "match up" to LTM properly, subject to the caveat above. I've used quite a few of them on my IIIC and only one didn't work well (Kim Coxon sorted that out though!).
 
A Jupiter 8 will be a fine choice for your new Leica. Try for one of the more moden black bodied ones.

The odds of getting a good Russian lens sem to depend a great deal on the particular lens model. The Jupiter 8 and the Jupiter 12 (35mm/f2.8) have a good reputation for quality and your chances of getting a decent one are good. Most people seem pleased with the Russian Elmar clones as well.

The Jupiter 3 (especially) and the Jupiter 9 have poor reputations and the odds are high that you will get one that will not focus properly.

As always try to buy the lens with return privledges or find a lens that is so inexpensive that you can tolerate the loss if the lens is not useable. This applies to all second hand purchases, I've had to return two LTM Canon lenses in the past.
 
pekuekfir said:
However, if russian lenses are considered total crap, then I would look to start off with a german lens.
Click to expand...

I think part of the reason for the bad rap these lens are getting is in part they bought from less than reputable eBay sellers.. I have yet to find a bad sample. Some will need cleaning of the gummed up grease but that is a fairly easy task.

pekuekfir said:
I was wondering if the russian lenses match up exactly with leica SM cameras.
Click to expand...

Again that depends on who you buy from. Check out Fedka..
 
colyn said:
I think part of the reason for the bad rap these lens are getting is in part they bought from less than reputable eBay sellers.. I have yet to find a bad sample.
Click to expand...
Dear Colyn,

You've been lucky.

My worst ever was one where you could hear and see one of the lens groups flopping back and forth. That was in the days before people paid good money to have cheap lenses overhauled, so it probably came from the factory like that.

Astonishingly, though, even this one produced surprisingly usable images. 'Romantic' is perhapa a good word.

So yes, my advice to the OP is to get one. The only caveat I'd enter is that until you've had a fair sample of these lenses, you'll never really know whether your first is/was good, bad or average. Bur even the bad ones are quite fun. Just don't judge all RF lenses by your first Jupiter!

Cheers,

R.
 
Last edited:
thanks for all the helpful info! This place is great.

I just ordered an I-50 collapsible elmar-type from Fedka for $42.50. It was listed as "EXC-" condition. The only I-22 he had was only in "GOOD" condition.

I plan to use this lens for learning to use the IIIc, since I've never owned a camera as old as the IIIc.

I suppose I will also need a handheld exposure meter... any suggestions for one?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom