Erik van Straten
Veteran
Leica M2, Summicron 50mm f/2 rigid, Tmax400.
It is a long time ago since I used this lens.
Erik.
It is a long time ago since I used this lens.
Erik.
Leica 50 Summicron (options)
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JHutchins
Well-known
I don't want to slag too much on the 1.2 Nokton because it is certainly a lens that it is very easy to produce lovely images with. Very sharp, even illumination across the frame, Objects away from the plane of sharp focus retain their shapes nicely as they fall into blur, flare resistant. It has coma but what fast wide doesn't and it has barrel distortion but it's a great lens. And 1/4 blockage is an exaggeration. Maybe half the bottom right corner of the frame which can definitely feel like a quarter or more at times then at other times you won't even notice it. I haven't used the 1.4 Nokton but I'd be surprised if it blocked the viewfinder in any meaningfull way.
ellisson
Well-known
The rigid II summicron is one of my favorite 50mm lenses. Be aware that many copies of this lens will have noticeably reduced contrast and will flare resulting from wear defects in the 'soft" lens surface coating used by Leica at the time of production. Very fine etchings in the coatings can be seen on close inspection and when abundant, these do affect the images. My copy had them coalescing in the front element, which I had re-coated with modern hard coating by Focal Point. What a difference this made: excellent contrast and plenty sharp from f2 on up.
So if you see one for sale that looks great cosmetically, be prepared to shell out another 250-350 for re-coating if you want to get the best performance from this classic lens.
So if you see one for sale that looks great cosmetically, be prepared to shell out another 250-350 for re-coating if you want to get the best performance from this classic lens.
Daryl J.
Well-known
The 1.4/35 Nokton Classic SC is one of my favorite lenses in any format. Tom A stated clearly on this forum it was designed to beat the 35mm Pre-ASPH Summilux in optics and ergonomics.
In my hands (in yours it might be different) it gives me a 1960's/70's photo journalism feel to the image which possibly isn't for everyone. But I quite like the renderings it delivers. And my copy appears to be superbly made. Lose the dark red numbers for some color easy to read and it would be a near-perfect fast 35mm lens.
A couple years ago I picked up a V.1 2.8/50mm Elmar for a song because the filter ring is bent. It's a great lens too if you like Tessar-style bokeh.
In my hands (in yours it might be different) it gives me a 1960's/70's photo journalism feel to the image which possibly isn't for everyone. But I quite like the renderings it delivers. And my copy appears to be superbly made. Lose the dark red numbers for some color easy to read and it would be a near-perfect fast 35mm lens.
A couple years ago I picked up a V.1 2.8/50mm Elmar for a song because the filter ring is bent. It's a great lens too if you like Tessar-style bokeh.
uhoh7
Veteran
I think OPs thought of 35/1.4 CV is good. It's a tad less crisp WO than old 35 Lux, but it gets better fast, is very small and importantly, calibration is likely to be good. The older lenses are a crap shoot. A good DR would be really nice, but there are so many crap DRs. Same with old 35 Lux and crons. CV weakness is distortion. It is pronounced. If straight lines are important it's not the film lens, cause it's harder to fix after.
I think an M6 with a big lens is silly myself. Of course they will shoot fine. But the whole idea is to shoot fast and light. A m6 and small lens will go in a big pocket. Smaller the lens the more fun it will be to shoot.
OP has a low light lens, the most useful ever made actually, for M, since you have some DOF and can go lower in shutter.
Factor that in, I would grab the ZM 35/2.8 for daylight. On the street people LOVE that thing. It's about 650 bucks. Maybe it's good with the flare too, I don't have it but I have read a bazillion rave accounts. That and the CV 50/1.5 are the people's choice today. I have neither 😱
M9 CV 35/1.4 by unoh7, CV 35/1.4
samples of CV 35/1.4 (MC)
L1016962 by unoh7, on Flickr
L1017070-2 by unoh7, on Flickr
L1016991 by unoh7, on Flickr
L1016886 by unoh7, on Flickr
It's not like the distortion jumps at you. I never really bothered to correct many. Would be killer on M6. Such a small lens of that speed is fantastic. I would prefer the old 35 Lux IF I could find a decent copy. Both have huge FC shot fast. But the CV is already very crisp at F/2 and from F/4 to F/11 it is really sharp if a bit wavy till F/8. That first shot is my brother at 2.8, and it looks to firing on most cylinders in that one 😉
Sax above is WO so you can see it's not like a FLE or ZM 35/1.4 But it took the M9 into really dim light. Wait this one is better:
Tenor by unoh7, CV 35/1.4 MC WO M9 ISO800
That is not bad 😎
How far can you push Tri-X? 1600 is no problem, right? Jeez M6 is better low light camera than M9 🙄
1fpm
Member
This forum is fantastic. The support exceeds any other forum I have ever participated in. So many great thoughts and photos. I appreciate everyone. I have a 50 Summicron (6 bit) on the way. Will still pick up a 35/1.4.
ferider
Veteran
Before you go for the 35/1.4 (quite good but not perfect), consider the VM 35/1.7 lens, too. Technically one of the best lenses CV ever produced IMO. This is how much it intrudes in the finder:
In contrast to your 35/1.2 and to the 35/1.4 nicely rectilinear, and sharp already wide open. And impossible to get to flare.
Roland.
In contrast to your 35/1.2 and to the 35/1.4 nicely rectilinear, and sharp already wide open. And impossible to get to flare.
Roland.
madNbad
Well-known
Think about getting a screw in vented hood for the Summicron. The pull out one isn't the greatest for flare or lens protection.
Daryl J.
Well-known
Both the CZ 2.8/35mm and CV 1.7/35mm are on my Want It list. An older 35 Lux would be very welcome too. They are fantastic at what they do.
When the situation presents circumstances where distortion *may* be an issue, I just switch to a 1.4/40 SC. It's a "better" lens in some ways. But then look at distortion levels found in 35mm SLR glass.
The thing I like about the whole M mount system is the huge variety of glass selection for the format. I'm not particularly set on which body to use, it's the lenses. Fun stuff!
FWIW, a local band is doing well and is considering using one of my images made with an old 1.5/50 Summarit on Tri-X I over pushed 2 stops in processing. The image up for consideration exhibits almost every "flaw" that lens has. It's as artsy as can be that lens.
When the situation presents circumstances where distortion *may* be an issue, I just switch to a 1.4/40 SC. It's a "better" lens in some ways. But then look at distortion levels found in 35mm SLR glass.
The thing I like about the whole M mount system is the huge variety of glass selection for the format. I'm not particularly set on which body to use, it's the lenses. Fun stuff!
FWIW, a local band is doing well and is considering using one of my images made with an old 1.5/50 Summarit on Tri-X I over pushed 2 stops in processing. The image up for consideration exhibits almost every "flaw" that lens has. It's as artsy as can be that lens.
David Hughes
David Hughes
Hi,
I must have missed it or else no one has mentioned the modern KMZ / Lomo Jupiter 3+ that we were all raving about a while ago?
Just asking as I am wondering why...
Regards, David
I must have missed it or else no one has mentioned the modern KMZ / Lomo Jupiter 3+ that we were all raving about a while ago?
Just asking as I am wondering why...
Regards, David
raid
Dad Photographer
The 50mm lens has so many excellent offerings. I bought yesterday from Jon a Hexanon 50/2.4. I often use the Rigid Summicron, but I also use the CV 50/1.1 and CV 50/1.5. The old Zeiss 5cm/1.5 is a wonderful lens, and so is the CV Heliar 50/2 and 50/3.5. The Elmar 50/2.8 is a wonderful lens too. Such 50mm lenses are readily available on the internet.
The M6 is a wonderful camera.
The M6 is a wonderful camera.
uhoh7
Veteran
That's a great lens, Roland and even usable on the stock Sony cameras, like the ZM35/1.4
Here is a nice review for use with Sony:
A little big, but black one is 238 grams, compared to about 195 for CV 35/1.4, but that is very short lens so it feels lighter.
The new 15mm is great too and in wide use by sony users. Cosina has done such a good job adapting to digital use. The 21/1.8 is also very friendly and a steal for what it is.
What's also interesting is nearly every one of their lenses is unique in draw and color. It's impossible to generalize about Voigtlander, except they are affordable 🙂
As with about everything, including 28 cron v2, there is real copy variation, so picky shooters want to test them when they get them for centering especially.
Daryl J.
Well-known
As cool as the J-3 is, having it as a "first fifty" for an M might be a stretch given its (delightful) character. I never use my old J-3 as a general purpose 50mm. I'll use it when I want a Sonnar rendering and need the flare the new 1.5/50 C Sonnar eliminates.
M mount and 50mm's are heaps of fun.
M mount and 50mm's are heaps of fun.
agoglanian
Reconnected.
Yeah you sold it to me 😉.
Then I went and sold it to buy an Elmar-M as well. What a coincidence!
I'm using three 50s right now but I think the Elmar is my favorite overall. I also have the C-Sonnar which I am still getting used to and a Nikon 5cm f/2.
Huss
Veteran
Abram didn't u also get a Color Skopar 50 2.5? I have one and like it, but have not used it enough.
agoglanian
Reconnected.
I had one, really liked it but also really wanted that Elmar-M. I've been through the ringer with 50s lol.
ZM 50 Planar / Voigtlander Nokton f/1.1 / Leica Summicron V5 / Voigtlander Nokton f/1.5 / Leica Summilux ASPH / Voigtlander Color-Skopar / Leica Elmar-M / Nikon 5cm f/2 LTM / Zeiss C-Sonnar.
Whew.
Still undecided on the C-Sonnar, only thing left is a Rigid Summicron.
Daryl J.
Well-known
Abram, that's a great spread of renderings. Why did only the rigid Summicron remain?
Huss
Veteran
David Hughes
David Hughes
No it isn't. 50mm Summicron v4 tabbed for about 900USD would be very nice. Planar is not close:
From Lensrentals optical bench
Really puts the lie to the common claim the planar is at the level of Mandler's lens. The Planar is a nice lens. It is not a 50 cron, sorry...
Hi,
As I can't get the link to work or find a way around it, can anyone say what the figures refer to, please?
Regards, David
philipus
ʎɐpɹəʇɥƃı&
I have a 50 Summicron II (11817), which I find performs extremely well. It is small, of course, but also has a very wide focusing ring which makes it easy and quick to focus. Last time I checked prices were on the rise.
C-Lux 2
C-Lux 2
