Good 50mm Lens For a Starter?

[bennett2136]

Hey guys, I just bought myself a nice Leica M3 and am looking for a lens. I have narrowed it down to a 50mm lens. The only thing that really matters to me is my $600 price range 🙁 . Any suggestions?

Thanks, Bennett

 

[filmtwit]

Hey guys, I just bought myself a nice Leica M3 and am looking for a lens. I have narrowed it down to a 50mm lens. The only thing that really matters to me is my $600 price range 🙁 . Any suggestions?

Thanks, Bennett

Canon 50mm 1.8 should only run ya about $200-250

 

[bennett2136]

Thanks Ill look into the canon but I am kinda leaning towards a Leica lens.

 

[andredossantos]

So many great 50's. I have a Zeiss ZM 50mm Planar that I love for color. You could probably find one for around 600. It's a very high contast, modern lens though which may not be to your liking.

What sorts of qualities are you looking for? Do you want speed, a specific type of "look"? Give us some more info and no doubt others will chime in with a lot of great advice. Good luck!

 

[tbarker13]

I'd go with either a summicron or zeiss planar.
Love my planar, but you did say you want a Leica.
If you plan to shoot a lot of B&W, then an older rigid or dual range could be nice.

 

[bennett2136]

Normally, I shoot about five rolls of B&W to color. I would like a contrasty lens, the speed does not really matter to me. I don't shoot much in low light anyway. Ill put the ZM planar on my list to check out!

 

[maddoc]

M3 .... from my experience (and in your $$$ range), a Summicron rigid, DR Summicron (be sure to get the lens with googles that fit the specific lens) or a Summarit would be great. Also, there are the Summicron collapsible and Summitar (collapsible). A lot of choices. All these above lenses are best for BW film though.

Good luck with your choice !

Cheers,

Gabor

 

[tbarker13]

I've been using a planar in my studio these past couple of months.
I've been using with an M8.2, so I don't know how much this helps, but I think it does pretty well with B&W.

 

[pagpow]

Thanks Ill look into the canon but I am kinda leaning towards a Leica lens.

Weeeelllll, if you need a Leica, you gotta have a Leica. if so, the Summicrons mentioned above are a good choice.

If you're open to being diverted....

M3 equals the 1950s by origin. Many think the Canon and Nikon 50s beat the Leicas of the same decade. if you don't mind spending much, the Canon 50/1.8 has a great rep and is readily available. The Canon 50/1.4 is very nice, optimized for mid apertures and mid distances, the Nikon 50/1.4 optimized for wide open, close focus shooting.

The ZM Planar and M Hexanon also look very good at the modern, contrasty end. Haven't followed their prices, however.

Best part, you can probably buy any one of those, shoot it yourself; sell it w/o much, if any, loss if you end up not liking it.

Suggestion -- listen to all the advice, think about what type of shooting you do, narrow it down to 3 options, more or less, and then go to flickr and look at pictures taken w. those lenses. Not scientific, but some characteristics come through.

 

[bennett2136]

Thanks guys

 

[coelacanth]

Since no one has mentioned, may I throw Elmar-M 50/2.8 (latest but discontinued) to the table?

It's not as fast as others, but very very compact and light, handles both b/w and color very well, and can be had around $600 if you are patient.

It really comes down to your shooting style, favorite film, subject, the taste, etc. Personally, if I have to choose only one 50mm for my Leica, I'll choose Elmar-M over Cron or Lux because I like the balance of image I like, size, handling, close 0.7m focus, and many other aspects all together. But that balance and preferences are different for everyone.

 

[Krosya]

Hard to do better than either M-Hexanon 50/2:

or CV Nokton 50/1.5:

- superb lenses for a great price.

 

[coelacanth]

Hard to do better than either M-Hexanon 50/2:

or CV Nokton 50/1.5:

- superb lenses for a great price.

Forgot about M-Hexanon 50/2 and CV 50/1.5 (though Elmar-M is still my best friend). I've owned both, they are superb lenses. Especially the Hexanon is really hard to beat. Low price, great handling, built-in hood, close focus, Summicron-like rendering. Love the B/W with that lens and ever regretting selling it. It's well under your budget limit even with MRC B+W filter.

Elmar-M, scanned from RC print

Elmar-M, scanned from FB print

M-Hexanon, scanned from film

M-Hexanon, scanned from film

 

[retnull]

If you want sharp + beautiful images, get as recent a Summicron as you can afford.

If you've ever enjoyed using a Holga, or if you really want your film to look like film, try a Summitar or even a Summar. These are quite reasonably priced.

 

[Bingley]

+2 on the Canon 50/1.8. Often compared (favorably) to a summicron of the same period, but w/ a bit more contrast. A lovely lens. No one ever talks about the bokeh, but it's beautifully smooth.

I would advise agt. spending a lot of money on the first lens for your M3. You can get a nice 50 for under $350. Use the rest of your budget on film.

 

[Krosya]

+2 on the Canon 50/1.8. Often compared (favorably) to a summicron of the same period, but w/ a bit more contrast. A lovely lens. No one ever talks about the bokeh, but it's beautifully smooth.

I would advise agt. spending a lot of money on the first lens for your M3. You can get a nice 50 for under $350. Use the rest of your budget on film.

Which one? THere is a Canon LTM all chrome - looks like Canon "Sonnar" 50/1.5 and there is a later one that looks like Canon 50/1.4 (sort of). Or they are the same optically?

 

[fbf]

canon 50/1.4 ltm. Great lens. Fast enough. Size,weight, cost perfect balanced.

 

[Bingley]

Which one? THere is a Canon LTM all chrome - looks like Canon "Sonnar" 50/1.5 and there is a later one that looks like Canon 50/1.4 (sort of). Or they are the same optically?

Yes, they're all the same optically. I've got the first version black and chrome (there were two), but they're all the same design.

 

[thomasw_]

http://www.flickr.com/groups/m-mount/

 

[aizan]

for $600, i'd say the best bang-for-the-buck is a used silver 50mm planar in mint condition. more flare resistant than any 50mm summicron, with sharpness, contrast, and bokeh that are second to none. ergonomics may or may not be to your liking, what with the removable hood and focusing bump. all depends on what you like.