Legacy glass recommendations

[nongfuspring]

I'm about to buy and X-E1 either tomorrow or the day after, and was thinking of picking up some legacy lenses and adapters off ebay. I'm looking for lenses that are compact, cheap and sharp - though character is a good thing too. I've read that old SLR lenses are a better bet than rangefinder ones due to shorter flange length causing not-so-ideal angle of light incidence on the sensor, which is a bit of a bummer considering M and LTM adapters are so compact and some of the SLR adapters are massive - though you guys feel free to correct me there.

Ideally I'd like something small, 35 - 50mm and faster than F2. My budget is 50ish bucks, but I'm willing to go over that if something is really great. I noticed there are a lot of really cheap interesting sounding glass on the M42 and Exacta mounts (a lot of ultra cheap and interesting Zeiss, Helios, etc etc), but I was wondering if anyone had any opinions on alternatives?

 

[FA Limited]

how about pentax 50mm lenses on M42 or K-mount
great build lenses and high quality

 

[GaryLH]

Konica 40f1.8 pancake can usually be found for under 50. Same goes for any of the konica 50mm lenses.

http://www.keh.com/Camera/format-35...h-Lenses?s=1&bcode=KT&ccode=6&cc=81118&r=WG&f

KEH bargain grades are usually pretty good btw.

Gary

 

[JustPlainBill]

Hi,
Not too long ago I bought a 50mm f1.9 Schneider Xenon in Exakta mount for about $40. Haven't tried it out yet.
JustPlainBill

 

[konicaman]

Just found a Meyer Lydith 30/3.5 M42 on a flea market. Giving some really sharp shots when stopped down a click or two.

 

[kaiwasoyokaze]

as others said, pentax m42 lens are great, especially the SMC ones. (multi coat) canon FD comes to mind, as well as minolta lens. rokkors are arguably among the sharpest of that era's SLR lens.

try some weird russian ones as well, they are a bargain.

if you are looking for form factor, (but out of your budget) go for m39 and pen f lens.