Got an M6

[Ara Ghajanian]

A Leica is never an impulsive purchase (keep repeating that to yourself on the way to the camera store).

 

[Assaf]

A Leica is never an impulsive purchase (keep repeating that to yourself on the way to the camera store).

So I guess that means that I shouldn't think too much of non-Leica 40mm lenses and grab the 40mm Cron currently available in KEH 🙄 ?

 

[EmilGil]

It's a great lens but almost $500 seems a bit stiff to me...

I paid $225 here at RFF and they're quite common I think.

 

[Assaf]

It's a great lens but almost $500 seems a bit stiff to me...

I paid $225 here at RFF and they're quite common I think.

releif.....
😎 😎 😎
Thanks!

BTW, anybody tried the single coated Nokton 40/1.4?

 

[JNewell]

Don't neglect the (normal) little noise like a ball bearing bouncing at 15th and slower...

😀

Assaf: That's normal, there's a slow-speed governor that produces a whirring sound on slower speeds after the shutter has closed. Do not wind on until the whirring has stopped.

Ben

 

[Chyn]

BTW, anybody tried the single coated Nokton 40/1.4?

I have a SC Nokton 40/1.4 that I use for black and white. Here are a few from my flickr gallery.

 

[Assaf]

It will take you a little while to figure out what lens matches the way you see. If you are really going to be using the lens to do street photography, I would opt for the 40/1.4. It is probably the best deal on reasonably fast glass out there (C/V 50/1.5 also worth considering). Shoot with it for six months and see whether you find yourself "taking a step backwards" when you compose. I have both the 40/1.4 and the 40/2 Summicron. Both are excellent lenses. Some folks do not care for the boke of the Nockton wide open, others (Sean Reid comes to mind) have found that there is some focus shift with this lens when stopping down from 1.4 to 2.8. I have never found that either issue affects my pix. Most folks find that they gravitate to a certain field of view when choosing a favorite lens. My weakness is for 50s. If after six months, you aren't happy you can sell the lens you chose and try something else.

Ben Marks

Ben, I shot the 35 Ultron and Nokton 40 and will hopefully see the results tomorrow - that would also help me make a decision.

Been thinking a bit more about these lenses and I think that (putting the angle
aside) I find the Ultron preferable.

This lens is much better built , I find it more comfortable to focus (no focus tab) and of course easier to frame (no 40 framelines in M6).

In addition, this lens is discontinued but still sold. It think that in a few months it will be hard to get. Black copies are already hard to find.

However, I understad what you said about choosing my preferable angle of view. I still don't know it and I think it'll take some time.

I mostly used 40 in my previous RF and found it really usefull. In my SLR zoom lenses I usually shot as wide as I could (28). However, I think it's a bad habit, and that I should to limit myself to a narrower angle.

Do you think 40 is a better starting point than 35?

Should I consider the Rokkor of Cron? I don't really like the way the Nokton is built and handled.
Many thanks for your answers!
Assaf

 

[Assaf]

In addition....

In addition....

I read a quite similar thread by javimm and found the following reply by SolaresLarrave:

These Leicas are natural wide-angle cameras, and while the 50mm is a good match, the M6 doesn't have the viewfinder of an M3 (made famous as a combo with a 50mm lens by Henri Cartier-Bresson). If you take a peek through the viewfinder of an M3 you'll never use any other lens but a 50. However, the M6 is another beast... and it calls for a 35mm lens.

I think it makes some senes. Any more experienced opinion than mine?

PS - I apologize for making this thread so lengthy
Assaf

 

[Benjamin Marks]

Ben, I shot the 35 Ultron and Nokton 40 and will hopefully see the results tomorrow - that would also help me make a decision.

Been thinking a bit more about these lenses and I think that (putting the angle
aside) I find the Ultron preferable.

This lens is much better built , I find it more comfortable to focus (no focus tab) and of course easier to frame (no 40 framelines in M6).

Assaf

Sounds like you are asking the right questions and coming up with useful answers. I have both the 35 Ultron and the 40/1.4 Nockton. I use the 40 more than the 35, but that is because a 50mm lens is really the way I see the world. When I started taking pictures (80's) many entry level cameras were still sold with a reasonably fast 50. A Pentax 50/1.7 was my first and only lens for a long time. Using that lens, I learned how to frame an image and it stuck with me. Actually, I have no zoom lenses -- even for use with my SLR's. The answer for you will be just as personal.

Next week I am going for a week's vacation - one camera, one lens: 50/1.4.

Ben Marks

P.S. - I'd rate the build-quality of the Ultron and Nockton as about equal. In relative terms they are both pretty new (less than 5 years old apiece). Now my 50/2 Summitar . . . there's a 50 year old lens with some build quality. We'll have to check in 50 years to see which of these CV lenses is still alive and kicking.

BM