sepiareverb
genius and moron
Elmar-M in chrome. The newest Elmar is a stunning performer, but still gives the package of camera/lens a vintage vibe. And it is a good bargain.
Leica M3 and what 50mm lens?
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Ko.Fe.
Lenses 35/21 Gears 46/20
For BW and kind of matching with M3 nothing beats Cron V1 a.k.a. collapsible. The rest of Crons after it are kind of sterile on BW, but good with color film.
I also used I-22, I-26M and J-3 on M3 and results were good. 🙂
Focus collar position at 1 m on this lens is not optimal on M mount camera.
I re-assembled the mount and disabled (reversible) infinity lock on this lens to have focus collar travel between 3 and 9 O'clock.
I also used I-22, I-26M and J-3 on M3 and results were good. 🙂
Focus collar position at 1 m on this lens is not optimal on M mount camera.
I re-assembled the mount and disabled (reversible) infinity lock on this lens to have focus collar travel between 3 and 9 O'clock.
Erik van Straten
Veteran
Yes, this lens is sharp, but the image lacks "body", plasticity. There is only sharpness. I can't explain it better in words. The image is "thin", so to speak, maybe because there are only four elements.
Erik.
LCSmith
Well-known
So you are the one with this opinion!
Ko.Fe.
Lenses 35/21 Gears 46/20
You are the one with this opinion on my opinion. I have read similar to my opinions before.
LCSmith
Well-known
If that is the case, then so be it. Your taste is much more refined than mine. I have only heard of sterile photographers.
DominikDUK
Well-known
The Summicron V1 is the last of the old style (rendering wise) Leica lenses. It's somewhat close to the Summitar look and draws beautifully it is just not as sharp (still plenty) as the later Summicron's. This is the original Leica M3 lens and it has it's own unique look imo. So I somewhat agree with Ko.Fe. The drawback of the lens is that the barrel can be misaligned.
aizan
Veteran
My shortlist:
- Summicron collapsible and rigid for the perfect match
- Elmar f/3.5 in M-mount for cheap, retro thrills
- Summarit f/1.5 in M-mount for harsh bokeh
- ZM C-Sonnar and Planar for modern reliability
- Voigtlander f/2.5 for cool retro design
- Summarit-M f/2.4 for cool modern design
- Voigtlander f/1.2 for the speed
- Summicron collapsible and rigid for the perfect match
- Elmar f/3.5 in M-mount for cheap, retro thrills
- Summarit f/1.5 in M-mount for harsh bokeh
- ZM C-Sonnar and Planar for modern reliability
- Voigtlander f/2.5 for cool retro design
- Summarit-M f/2.4 for cool modern design
- Voigtlander f/1.2 for the speed
Ko.Fe.
Lenses 35/21 Gears 46/20
More modern Cron is, more common color film use was. Optical formulas were improved for it. Starting from rigid they are awesome on color film.
But somehow it was taking away Crons character on bw film.
Surprisingly Leica did awesome Elmar-M 50 2.8 and Summarit-M 35 2.5 on BW film.
BTW, I have also heard of blind viewers.
albertospa
Established
I would like to give you a different suggestion. Personally I have an M3 and a 50 Summicron rigid, but recently I also bought a 40 summicron and it makes a great impression on this camera. No problem for the viewfinder, just use the whole framed surface.
The advantage?
1 - A slightly wider angle of view than 50.
2- A weight and a size much lower than the rigid 50.
3 - A minimum focus of 80 cm instead of 1 m of the rigid 50.
The advantage?
1 - A slightly wider angle of view than 50.
2- A weight and a size much lower than the rigid 50.
3 - A minimum focus of 80 cm instead of 1 m of the rigid 50.
giganova
Well-known
The Summicron Rigid are fabulous and period-correct for your M3. Unfortunately, they are not cheap if you want one in good condition. Be careful cleaning the lens, the front element has very soft glass and the coating comes off easily.
f.hayek
Well-known
1] Agreed
2] Matter of opinion. The Rigid adds a clarity at f/2 (at least in the center at the plane of focus) that isn't seen with earlier Leica 50s. Your preference may be for the dreamy, low-contrast and lower acuity glass.The issue with the collapsible and Rigid are finding good copies without permanently hazed optics or scratched, soft front elements. They are now becoming very rare 65-70 years after introduction.
Brianmc86
Member
I have a DR Summicron but I've been thinking of selling it for a V5 Summicron LTM so I can use on both my M3 and IIIf. I think I'll be giving up close focus ability with the V5 lens unless there's an attachment that allows it.
Erik van Straten
Veteran
dourbalistar
Buy more film
I'll second WJJ3's suggestion. 🙂 If you also use digital, the close focus range is a nice feature. Seven pages and counting of image samples here on the forum:
https://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=90034
f.hayek
Well-known
Or.....add a CV 50/2.5 LTM for the III and hold on to the DR, especially if it's in great shape.
DominikDUK
Well-known
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Erik.
Summicron v1 Collapsible:
I should have said that common wisdom is that the Summicron V1 is not as sharp as the later version. In reality the sharpest lens is the tripod and differences in the sharpness between the different versions of the cron are not that great. I still believe that it has a bit less contrast than the other versions and that the rendering still has some qualities of the Summitar.
Huss
Veteran
As this is one of those recommend the lens that I am using threads, I recommend, 100%:
J12
ZM Planar f2
ZM Sonnar 1.5
Summicron DR
Summicron Collapsible
Nokton 50 1.1
Sumillux Asph 1.4
Of course the one I recommend the most is the 7A 50 1.1:
J12
ZM Planar f2
ZM Sonnar 1.5
Summicron DR
Summicron Collapsible
Nokton 50 1.1
Sumillux Asph 1.4
Of course the one I recommend the most is the 7A 50 1.1:
eli griggs
Well-known
Way back when I had a M3, it had come with a DR and goggles, and I never once felt the resulting images could be 'made better' by another 50.
Some cameras and lenses, are more like lovers, and just because newer might catch your eye, it does no mean it'll be a better fit to what makes you just plain happy.
IMO.
Some cameras and lenses, are more like lovers, and just because newer might catch your eye, it does no mean it'll be a better fit to what makes you just plain happy.
IMO.
Erik van Straten
Veteran
Yes, I believe that too.
The Collapsible has a tonality all its own. You can see this in the pictures of Cartier-Bresson. A softer tonality often gives a sharper image than a harder tonality. It is as if a harder tonality pushes away extremely fine detail.
Erik.
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