I'm jumping in Leica world... help me with lens :-)

[pescod]

Hello,

I'm finally jumping in the Leica world because I found a Leica M6 0.72 Wetzlar but I don't have more budget to buy a Summicron 35/2. I could buy an Elmar 50/2.8 or the seller showed me a Voigtlander Cosina 35/1.7 Ultron ASPH with ring S-M and he said me that could be the better choice. I have a little question: is it a real good choice and a good lens (generally I prefer a sharp lens) and, more, could be used on Leica M6 without trouble with the ring?

Thanks

 

[back alley]

i'm gonna guess that the elmar is cheaper.
do you need a fast lens, like the 1.7?

i have an elmar 50/2.8 coming so i have no hands on experience with it yet, but i do like what i have seen from other posted examples.

i have read that the cv lens is very good so i doubt that, given equal conditions, you would go wrong with either.

joe

 

[ezio gallino]

http://www.cameraquest.com/mlenses.htm take a look.
remember is the lens who takes photographs, the rest is just a black box with more or less automatics function

 

[Alec]

No problem with the Ultron 35 + [original Voigtländer] adapter ring. On the contrary, you can use the lens alone on any thread-mount body, too!

But if you want a 'budget' Summicron 35 and don't mind the slightly narrower field of view (and the 35mm frames in your M6 are narrow anyhow), do consider an old Summicron-C (or Rokkor) 40mm. Probably one of the best 'bang for the buck' in Leica M lenses.

f/2.8 is too slow if you ask me - and can prove costly as you'll probably want to upgrade fast. On the other hand, it makes your camera almost pocketable!

Decisions, decisions... Welcome hither!

 

[hth]

If a 35/2 is what you would like but you cannot afford it, you have two alternatives. Either get another focal length that you think will be your "second" lens eventually (if that is a cheaper alternative, a 50 is probably a good choice), or get some other 35 second hand and sell it (hopefully for something similar to what you paid) when you can afford the Summicron 35.

I think I would get a Leica lens over a CV if I could, at least for my main lens(es). Having said that, I do not even own a Leica lens except on my enlarger), using Konica glass most of the time and one CV lens.

What is your budget for a lens? Will a Planar 50/2 fit in it? Maybe a second hand M-Hexanon 50/2? Perhaps a Nokton 50/1.5? On the other hand, many seem to like the new Elmar 50/2.8.

Anyway, starting out with a single lens is a good idea, do not rush into getting your second lens. I spent one year with a CV 50/3.5 and was very happy with it. I am still happy with it, but use a 35/2 most of the time now.

/Håkan

 

[raid]

There are many options for you to choose from. If a 35mm lens is what you want, ask yourself the next question whether a new design is what you want or the older look from lenses made before the 70's. Also, is a Leitz lens a must, or is any lens that is good fine for you. You are in a great postion to start out with a great lens that you can afford without having compiled many lenses over the past years.

 

[Treb]

First decide on the focal lenght, then decide if you want a Leica or other lens. Why not start with a Summaron 35 (f2.8, leave the f3.5's at the shop), these won't be that expensive. When you got the money to buy a Summicron 35 you can sell the Summaron at little or no loss.

BTW Summarons are cool in an Old Skool kinda way.

 

[olycoly]

You may have seen my thread along s similar vein:-

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=22806

I went for the 50/2.8 Elmar and could not be happier, the results from my first roll are fantastic, sharper then my old Contax G2 and 45mm Zeiss lens. And yes there is a definite improvement in Bokeh.

If you are buying a Leica body, you have to try some Leica glass at the earliest opportunity! If you can live with 50mm get the Elmar, you wont regret it.

 

[JohnL]

When I got an M-mount camera again, after a gap of maybe 20 years, I got CV lenses. Mostly motivated by economic forces, but I really cannot complain at all. They are very sharp and look great. Maybe they'll not last as long as Leica glass, but with the use I give them (I shoot about 90% DSLR these days) and my remaining expectation of life, that is not going to be a problem.

 

[pescod]

Finally, I decided to sell two lens (for Nikon SRL) that I don't use anymore and buy the loveble Summicron 53/2. ...And now I'm in the Leica world with a M6 + 35/2 Summicron.

Thanks to all for precious advices and I hope to show quickly my shoots.

 

[Magus]

Post deleted by posters request

 

[sockeyed]

You seem to have already made your decision, but do consider that for the price of a used 35 Cron (I'm guessing $700+), you could buy at least 2, maybe even three CV lenses.

The 35/2.5 Classic goes very cheap these days (~$200) and is comparable to the 'cron in sharpness although it's a bit more contrasty. The newer 35/2.5 Pancake II has better build quality, but costs a bit more.
Samples:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/sockeyed/tags/cv3525pii/

A 40 Cron or a Rokkor-40 will give you that Leica look for a fraction of the cost, and I've found that a 40mm lens fits almost perfectly inside the 35mm framelines (it takes a very small modification to bring up the 35mm framelines instead of the 50s). These can be had for $250. Spend a bit more and get a Nokton 40 (f/1.4).

Samples of the Rokkor:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/sockeyed/tags/mrokkor40/

and the Nokton:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/sockeyed/tags/cv4014/

The third lens could be the beautiful 25/4 or 28/3.5, the Nokton 50, or the 75/2.5, a great portrait lens.

Samples:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/sockeyed/tags/cv254/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/sockeyed/tags/cv2835/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/sockeyed/tags/cv5015/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/sockeyed/tags/cv7525/


Just some food for thought.

 

[Jon Graham]

Good choice for a first lens. Now do NOT buy any other lenses for at least 180 days or 180 rolls of film. Learn to use this lens until you see the world in 35mm framelines.

Your next choice will inevitably be a 50 lux or a 35 lux --- but wait a while before even looking at other lenses.

 

[Magus]

Post deleted by posters request