First lenses for an M4 - my first Leica

[Fraser]

I would just put all the cash into a nice 35mm Summicron.

 

[furbs]

I would just put all the cash into a nice 35mm Summicron.

I've been tempted to do this. But I do like 50mm lenses for portraits, and lately I have had more success with 50s. I've started with a 50 in every camera system I've used. A 50mm summicron v4, the one with the focus tab and current optical formula, is on its way and I'll keep it if it fits well with the M4. Though I love the classic look of the M4, I do prefer more modern rendering.

Luckily I got the 50 summicron v4 for a good price, so a 35 cron asph might still be an option. Otherwise, the biogon and older 35 crons are still on the table.

 

[clayne]

Don't waste the cash on an ASPH lens, try to find a v3/v4 pre-ASPH Summicron. 50s are nice, but 35s are more flexible.

 

[semi-ambivalent]

and resale value.

35 Summicrons certainly have that, but it works against you until you actually own one. I went that route anyway, no regrets.
🙂

s-a

 

[waltere]

First lenses for an M4

First lenses for an M4

My first lens for my M4 was a Biogon 35 ZM & then I got a Summicron DR-love them both!

 

[Ronald M]

Sonnar has no rendering match as it is unique.

50 pre asph is one lens I never liked. Not that sharp and is full of distortion.

First 35 1.4 is soft until 2.8.

I will tell you to get a V3 50 F 2.0 from 1969/79 and a 35 2.0 V4. You will be pleased.

CV lenses are easily passed up.

A Zeiss 50 Planar and 35 Biogon would also work well.

 

[furbs]

My first lens for my M4 was a Biogon 35 ZM & then I got a Summicron DR-love them both!

Walter, I checked out your websites and your work is just splendid. I especially liked reading about your developing and printing process. It's reassuring that you can get along with both the Biogon and 50 Summicron - I'm trying to move away from the "grab bag" aesthetic of my current work and move toward a more focused look, and I don't know if splitting my shots between a Biogon and 50 Summicron would complicate things.

Ronald, thanks for the suggestions. It looks like the 50 cron v4 would also match well with a 4th version 35 cron, though the 35's popularity seems to be affecting its price!

 

[Morry Katz]

For my M4 I first acquired a 50 Summicron DR (without goggles), then a 35 f2 Zeiss
Biogon. Love them both. And they're both razor sharp. The 50 cost about $600 and the
35 about $900 (used).

 

[music_healing]

I would suggest
- Voigtlander 35 mm F2.5 or Zeiss Biogon 35
- Sonnar 50 mm, it could be a Canon / Nikon / Zeiss Sonnar 50 1.5 (old one not the zm one)... or if u can find one , MS Optical Sonnetar 50 1.1

they could range from 500 usd (voigt 35 + canon 50 sonnar)
to 1800 usd (zeiss biogon 35 2 + MS Optical)

well thats just me
my first film, first RF is M4,
I have Biogon 35 and voigt 35 ( choose voigt after each 5 rolls)
I have sonnar canon and sonnetar (choose sonnetar after each 5 rollls)..

Sincerely

 

[furbs]

For my M4 I first acquired a 50 Summicron DR (without goggles), then a 35 f2 Zeiss
Biogon. Love them both. And they're both razor sharp. The 50 cost about $600 and the
35 about $900 (used).

Glad to hear you're enjoying them. I'll probably pair my Summicron 50 v4 with a 35 Cron v4, Biogon, or maybe wait for Zeiss' "moderate wide angle f1.4" that's coming out this year. I usually try to avoid new lenses and let others test their mettle, but Zeiss' new lens could be something special.

 

[waltere]

First lenses

First lenses

Thanks for your kind words, Anthony! Sorry it took me so long to reply, but I have been 'out of sorts' with a sick puppy.


Walter

 

[furbs]

Thanks for your kind words, Anthony! Sorry it took me so long to reply, but I have been 'out of sorts' with a sick puppy.


Walter

I understand, I've been there before with pets. I hope you find comfort for that situation in any creative work you do; I certainly feel more capable in all respects when in touch with my creative side.

It looks like I'm in save mode at the moment. Perhaps for a 35 cron, but who knows really. Good to keep my options open.

 

[waltere]

M4 is open to your way of seeing with it-thats what I have found!
You have to find it when it meets your senses! As I said, I love this camera, and with either a, 50 or 35, I am happy to follow the view finder along with my vision...thanks!

Walter

 

[peterm1]

Fortunately if you are prepared to spend up to $1800 for each lens (I think this is what you are suggesting) there are any number of excellent lenses available for the M system. I think it comes down to your preferences in image style as not all lenses are the same even if they are more or less technically as good as each other. At one end the voigtlander glass is excellent value and mostly performs extremely well. Pretty well any Leica 35mm or 50mm from the beginning of the M era onwards will give you excellent results unless you are extremely picky or misguided as to your own skills. (i.e. more expensive glass will not improve your photos unless you are capable of taking advantage of them.) And do not feel that you must get the latest and greatest kit. Earlier lenses often have lovely characteristics that mean that while they may not be as technically "perfect" as some later glass actually produce more interesting images.

 

[clayne]

Wow v4 crons are 1800$ now? I think I payed 1050$ for mine back in the day. Haven't people moved on to covetjng whatever latest and greatest asph lens is being offered or are all those now in the 100k$ range?

 

[furbs]

Wow v4 crons are 1800$ now? I think I payed 1050$ for mine back in the day. Haven't people moved on to covetjng whatever latest and greatest asph lens is being offered or are all those now in the 100k$ range?

The 35 cron asph's are often less! Though they're roughly the same price it seems.

Peter, thanks for chiming in. I do like what you do with older lenses. I'm on my second roll using the 50mm v4 cron and will probably develop the first roll today. Just from looking at others' work with this lens, I like its neutral character, and am hoping for good microcontrast with Tri-X.

 

[furbs]

An update - I have decided to return the 50 cron v4 and simply put all the money in a good 35 cron. I'm just not sold on the 50mm focal length. I may get a 50/1.5 Nokton somewhere down the line, or even a Canon 50/1.4, but it seems best to concentrate on one focal length with my first M.

 

[clayne]

Furbs, if we ever get together by chance in the future I have an m4+35v4 I could let you check out. My recommendation is that this is a much more flexible combination than a 50. You can always get the 50 later but you can't go wider with a 50. My way of working is to just move in closer or if I know a 50 might be useful I bring along another camera.

 

[furbs]

Furbs, if we ever get together by chance in the future I have an m4+35v4 I could let you check out. My recommendation is that this is a much more flexible combination than a 50. You can always get the 50 later but you can't go wider with a 50. My way of working is to just move in closer or if I know a 50 might be useful I bring along another camera.

Thanks for the offer - I'll be at the SF meetup this Saturday at 1, may bring the M4 even though it won't have a lens. I love shooting 35s, really my favorite focal length, just wish the Biogon came with a real focus tab...