First lenses for an M4 - my first Leica

[furbs]

This month I found a near-mint early model M4 at a reasonable price and decided to jump on board the Leica train. I already knew I preferred rangefinders from experience with my Mamiya 7, though that camera's size and the expense of shooting 120 film have left my trigger finger more reserved than I'd like. I mostly shoot street photography and candid portraits and develop & scan myself. Now that I've sold all my digital SLR gear, the M4 will likely be my main camera.

So, time to find some lenses for this chrome beauty. I'm looking for a 35 & 50 kit in which the lenses' rendering styles match well. I prefer to buy used and no more than about $1800 for either lens. I have looked at hundreds of photos made with both Leica and Zeiss glass and honestly I have no preference, they both look great to me, though different. Compact is a plus, as is speed, though I don't need to go to extremes in either of those categories. I doubt I would get a lens slower than f2 - the C Biogon looks great, but sometimes I want a bit more subject isolation.

I'm most interested in the pre-asph 50 summilux, 50 sonnar, 50 & 35 summicron, 35 biogon, and 35 nokton 1.2, though the nokton is a bit on the large side. Am I missing anything? Which two would work well together for street and candids on an M4?

 

[rover]

The new 50/1.4 nokton may be of interest too. If the $ isn't an issue version 3 Summicrons will be contemporary to and work well with your M4. In my opinion they are all good choices.

 

[furbs]

The new 50/1.4 nokton may be of interest too. If the $ isn't an issue version 3 Summicrons will be contemporary to and work well with your M4. In my opinion they are all good choices.

Thanks for mentioning the 50/1.5 nokton - looking at others' work with the LTM version, it draws beautifully. I especially like its out-of-focus style. And the M-mount chrome version would look stunning on the M4!

How about a 35? I shoot a 35 maybe 90% of the time, so I'm more concerned with that focal length.

 

[rover]

I shoot the 35/1.2 Nokton, love the look of images from both Biogons, and the Summicrons are cool for sure. I have a Leica Summaron 2.8 which is very nice.

 

[Godfrey]

Thanks for mentioning the 50/1.5 nokton - looking at others' work with the LTM version, it draws beautifully. I especially like its out-of-focus style. And the M-mount chrome version would look stunning on the M4!

How about a 35? I shoot a 35 maybe 90% of the time, so I'm more concerned with that focal length.

The Nokton 50/1.5 ASPH (ltm) is indeed superb. I love it, it lives on my M9 about 90% of the time.

For a 35mm lens, I use the tiny Voigtländer Color Skopar 35mm f/2.5. No 35mm lens will match perfectly the kind of bokeh of a 50mm f/1.5, but I don't find the differences all that significant. Many have praised the Nokton 35mm f/1.2, but it seems a bit large and heavy to me. I have been interested in a Summaron 35/2.8 as I like the older Leica lenses and their rendering style as well, but prices on them have been rising.

Good luck whatever you find.

G

 

[chathaway]

I have a few of the lenses that you mentioned, but I keep coming back to the Biogon. When I consider the size, cost and especially the rendering it simply makes sense...for me anyway.

 

[furbs]

I have a few of the lenses that you mentioned, but I keep coming back to the Biogon. When I consider the size, cost and especially the rendering it simply makes sense...for me anyway.

Are you using the f2 or 2.8 biogon? I could really use the f2's extra speed and subject isolation. Just wondering how much the increased size would affect actual use, VF blockage etc. Also, how would a biogon stack up to say a v3/v4 summicron? Would the summicron's extra cost only pay for the Leica name?

 

[kosta_g]

they are all good lenses. I doubt you would be disappointed with any.

do you really get that much subject isolation with a 35mm lens?
I'd get the faster 50 in this case (for your portraits and subject isolation?) and a slower 35 (2.8) that's more compact for street work.

the voigtlander 35/2.5 is hard to beat.

 

[furbs]

do you really get that much subject isolation with a 35mm lens?

I used a 35mm f1.4 on my full frame digital and really enjoyed the look of low-light portraits with that lens. Since I sold that camera I've been missing the fast 35's look, especially since my equivalent focal length on the Mamiya 7 (65mm) only opens up to f4!

 

[Godfrey]

I used a 35mm f1.4 on my full frame digital and really enjoyed the look of low-light portraits with that lens. Since I sold that camera I've been missing the fast 35's look, especially since my equivalent focal length on the Mamiya 7 (65mm) only opens up to f4!

In that case, look at any of the f/1.4 Leica and f/1.2-f/1.4 Voigtländer lenses. They're all pretty good.

I tend to shoot stopped down a bit more with a wide lens, unless light requires wide open aperture.

G

 

[Steve Bellayr]

Get two Summicrons. Should be under $3600 for the older models.

 

[alphonse2501]

Summicron 50/2 Rigid (DR if you interest on close focus)
Summaron 35/2.8
Elmar 50/2.8 (collapse, for more portable)

For leitz lens you could search RFF for Youxin Ye, he may have something within your budget.

If you don't mind cheapy Russian lens and find good adapters, Jupiter-8 50/2 (Jupiter-3 50/1.5 if you are willing for one stop faster) and Jupiter-12 35/2.8 (has huge rear element) can be your choose.

 

[froyd]

Summicron 50/2 Rigid (DR if you interest on close focus)
Summaron 35/2.8
Elmar 50/2.8 (collapse, for more portable)

For leitz lens you could search RFF for Youxin Ye, he may have something within your budget.

If you don't mind cheapy Russian lens and find good adapters, Jupiter-8 50/2 (Jupiter-3 50/1.5 if you are willing for one stop faster) and Jupiter-12 35/2.8 (has huge rear element) can be your choose.

This is the kit I had on my M4 when I first go it. Still have not gotten over the look of the Summaron in BW. Truly outstanding!

 

[chathaway]

Are you using the f2 or 2.8 biogon? I could really use the f2's extra speed and subject isolation. Just wondering how much the increased size would affect actual use, VF blockage etc. Also, how would a biogon stack up to say a v3/v4 summicron? Would the summicron's extra cost only pay for the Leica name?

I'm sorry, I should have specified...I've only shot the f2. Obviously, the 2.8 gets rave reviews as well.

 

[clayne]

Summicron 35/2.0.

 

[Range-rover]

+1 for the above, a M4 and 35mm works great together.

Range

 

[furbs]

+1 for the above, a M4 and 35mm works great together.

Range

I'm leaning towards two summicrons - mostly for the focus tab (seems handy for street shots), build quality and resale value. Lenses faster than f2 are nice, but I don't really need one.

 

[LeicaFoReVer]

I would recommend 40mm f2 summicron-c. Very compact, cheap and sharp. For the rest of the money you can buy another lens. Possibly 28mm for street shots with scale focusing.

 

[furbs]

I would recommend 40mm f2 summicron-c. Very compact, cheap and sharp. For the rest of the money you can buy another lens. Possibly 28mm for street shots with scale focusing.

Thanks, I hadn't thought of these. I do love the bright framelines on the M4, though, so I'll probably stick to the 35 and 50 focal lengths since they have framelines.

 

[mfogiel]

For such a classic camera, I would suggest the Rigid/DR Summicron 50 and unless you need a 35/2, the 35/2.8 Summaron - probably two of the best built lenses ever, and both landmarks in Leica history. They have an almost identical rendering and excel in B&W. For colour, you will probably find Zeiss Biogon and Planar to deliver superior rendering and modern punch for similar or even less money.