help me pick my entire M kit

-kk-

-kk-

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ok, indulgence time. Ive finally decided to plonk some hard earned dosh down for either a M7 or MP (most likely) some point in the coming 3 months (hopefully). and im thinking of lenses to round off the kit.

here's what i have right now in M-mount:
Leica CL
summicron-C 40
Elmar-C 90

here's what im thinking of getting:
MP/M7
fast and small 50
fast and small 28

now, taking into consideration size and money, ive come up with the following:
1) used silver MP or black M7
2) biogon 28/2.8 - already have an eye on a used one for about $600, looks a good deal
3) something 50 - im more interested in modern lenses for reliability, but want something that draws like older lenses, thinking of c-sonnar, or summitar, if i can find one in good condition.

I should say i shoot only b/w on film, and colour on (canon) digital. I would love to hear what your views are, esp from those who have similar kits. I dont shoot tele often, if at all. Ive never fitted/used the Elmar-C that comes with the CL kit, im wondering why im still keeping it.

also, size and $$$ matters. i want a compact kit, but will compromise depending on dollars involved. my reservation about the zeiss glass (especially biogon) is the size, but i cant see myself spending more than $1000 on 1 lens (eg 28 elmarit etc). even if i do get them all, it'll be staggered, with biogon likely the 1st purchase since i already have the seller in sight.

I guess im just looking for feedback from you guys on what else to consider etc. re the M7 and MP, i really want the MP but these seem harder to come by in the used market (im looking at circa 2000), so we'll see.

your thoughts are much appreciated. this will be the most i'll spend at one go on camera gear, so naturally im moving cautiously!
 
If you're looking for a small modern 50 that draws like older lenses, consider the new Elmar-M. Of course, you lose out a bit on speed with this one. But it is a wonderful lens. It produces very smooth oof areas and images that are very well balanced and yet somehow a bit more subdued than many of the images produced by modern ASPH lenses.
 
Last edited:
Al Patterson said:
You have a CL, all you need is a 50. Maybe a Hexanon?
Click to expand...

😀 ok, i should say im looking for something to complement the CL/40 'cron. There are 2 of us, and even if i do go out alone, I'd quite like to have another body fitted with something different eg wider lens, diff look eg sonnar etc.

I LOVE the CL/40 cron combo, but the drawing is quite clinical/ modern to me, so something different would be nice.
 
Rafael, i thought about the elmar, and am very intrigued by them. i agree that they do give an old world look to them that is appealing. i need to consider carefully if f2.8 will be a fair tradeoff for me though, esp given that this will be the only 50 i'll own for awhile.
 
I have the Summitar and like it for the way it renders, the "old" Leica look. Unfortunately many of them are fogged / hazed and my lens seems to suffer from the same. It is difficult to find a good one and also the coating on the front element is soft and very easy to scratch. Filter are difficult to get for it due to the construction. I bought it for my IIIf and sometimes use it with an adapter on my M Leicas, gives a small kit ! I also have a black Summicron (from the 70s or so), which is somehow similar to the Summitar.

I would agree on the M7 as a camera with AE but does it have to be the MP ? I had the MP, it is a nice camera but ... quite expensive. If I would start building a kit with what you have right now, it would be a black M6 classic with 50 mm Summicron (older type) and a 28/2.8 (Hexanon-M, Zeiss or Elmarit).
 
hmm the m7 and mp are basically the same in cost maddoc, at least at popflash, which is a good reference point. so I say pick the body you want, though i would take the mp as it has fewer electronic components to go awry.

for 50s:> from what you say, i'd get a summilux 50/1,4 type 2 or 3. you should be able to get one for about a grand, which is what an elmar 50/2,8 costs, and you get a compact lens (if you get the 43 filter size type 2) with 2 additional stops for low-light shooting; a versatile 50 indeed! I think you might like the way it draws. The M-mount flikr group has many samples to check.

I have an excellent type 2 specimen you may wish to pm me about.
 
If you're looking for a small modern 50 that draws like older lenses, consider the preasph Summilux. Compared to the modern CV Nokton 1,5/50 it is softer in contrast when using 1,4-4.
 
Thomas, you are right, the M7 and MP shouldn't be that different in price.

The Summilux 50mm pre-ASPH is for sure a nice lens. I like the way it renders wide open at f/1.4 and at f/2.0 and above it is very sharp. These should be available ~1000$ in good condition.
 
maddoc said:
I would agree on the M7 as a camera with AE but does it have to be the MP ?.
Click to expand...

no it doesnt have to be MP, i would be quite happy with an M7, but aesthetically im drawn to the MP. I dont really mind having AE or not. will decide at the point when im ready to buy.
 
-kk- said:
3) something 50 - im more interested in modern lenses for reliability, but want something that draws like older lenses, thinking of c-sonnar, or summitar, if i can find one in good condition.
Click to expand...

Summarit M 50/1.5. Get a retro look with a retro lens. 😉
 
A pre-ASPH Summilux 50mm would be a good choice. The last version focused down to 0.7M, those prior to it had a closest focus of 1M. The 0.3M may not sound like a lot but it makes a big difference in lens usability, particularly if it's the only 50 you're going to have. The drawback to the last pre-ASPH Summilux 50 is the sliding hood; Leica is very bad at hoods. You would love the look of the lens though, whatever version. The 28/2.8 Hexanon lens is a standout for the price ~$500.
 
update: it looks like im taking the summilux off Thomas, so there's the 50 question answered 🙂

as an aside, do you realise that all good deals come about when you're low on funds? that silver M7 in the classifieds is tres tempting, but no way i can swing for it right now, and im sure itll be gone soon.

so, note to all M7/MP owners whos thinking of selling, give it a couple of month or so will ya? 😛
 
Id' suggest a twist here:
Don't waste your money on obsolete Leica cameras, get the Zeiss Ikon - and I can say this confidently as I am also an M7 user.
Next, if you really want something Leica, the 28 Elmarit ASPH is a bit pricey, but really compact, and it will make you feel a Leica man / 🙂 /, if you want the Biogon, get the Biogon absolutely - at least you won't have to worry when you shoot against the sun. As for the 50mm, the most beautiful lens for portraits and "character" drawing, but without sacrificing sharpness or flare resistance, is the C Sonnar, but it is hard to handle between f1.5 and f2.0, so it is an f 2.8 lens really. A real workhorse is the Planar - sharp and versatile on all apertures and from 0.7 meters to infinity.
Here are some shots for you to ponder:
Elmarit 28 ASPH
http://www.flickr.com/photo_zoom.gne?id=2113774852&size=l
Biogon flare resistance
http://www.flickr.com/photo_zoom.gne?id=2189745407&size=l
C Sonnar paintery quality
http://www.flickr.com/photo_zoom.gne?id=2122983320&size=l
Planar 50 surgery
http://www.flickr.com/photo_zoom.gne?id=2038884318&size=l
 
more update: the lux deal fell through, so i guess sonnar is back to being the priority, unless i can track down another lux within my budget.

mfogiel, re MP vs ikon, what can i say, i really want the MP, even the M7 is a compromise (its all about looks). At this point, i know better than to second guess my petty self 🙂
 
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