Lens for Leica R3 - opinions ?

[Joao]

Hello

A friend showed me today a nice Leica R3 but someone has "borrowed" the lens and it is very unlikely that it will be returned. She is now searching for some less expensive compatible lenses for the R3. This is unknown territory for me (Leica R3 and its lenses).
Can I ask for some sugestions of lenses that can be used in that camera ? 50 mm is a good option, but other focal leghts may also be interesting. For the moment cost is an importante issue...

Thank you in advance for your input.

Regards
Joao

 

[mfogiel]

Many great, not too expensive lenses to try: Elmarit 35 ( 2nd), Summicron 50 ( prefer the 1st, cheaper version), Elmarit 90, 135 and Elmar 180. A true gem is the Macro Elmarit 60, but will be slightly more expensive perhaps.
ME 60
20156716 by marek fogiel, on Flickr

 

[dof]

I can agree with Marek from experience with the 35 Elmarit and 50 Summicron. I'll agree with him on the rest based on his tasty images. Here's one of mine from the 50 -

 

[Dralowid]

60 Macro Elmarit gets my vote. Older ones are not too expensive and it is very versatile.

 

[Mackinaw]

I can vouch for the 50mm Summicron. I have one for my old Leicaflex standard. Sharp with nice contrast, even wide-open.

Jim B.

 

[Joao]

Thank you Marek, dof, Dralowid and Jim.
I will forward your sugestions to my friend.
Best regards
Joao

 

[David Hughes]

Hi,

A minor point, some of them had the lens hood built in and so you pay a little extra, perhaps*, but not so much extra as buying one separately. Also, it's always there and that's a good point for them all. I also think the f/2.8 versions are excellent.

Regards, David

* I say "perhaps" as people don't always realise...

 

[Dralowid]

...and if new to Leica R and looking at older lenses don't forget the whole 'cams' business.

Plenty of info on the web, here's some

http://www.apotelyt.com/photo-camera/leica-r-mount

 

[giganova]

The Elmarit-R 35mm f/2.8 E55 is a great all-round lens and doesn't break the bank.

 

[Godfrey]

Hello

A friend showed me today a nice Leica R3 but someone has "borrowed" the lens and it is very unlikely that it will be returned. She is now searching for some less expensive compatible lenses for the R3. This is unknown territory for me (Leica R3 and its lenses).
Can I ask for some sugestions of lenses that can be used in that camera ? 50 mm is a good option, but other focal leghts may also be interesting. For the moment cost is an importante issue...

Thank you in advance for your input.

Regards
Joao

There aren't many, if any, "bad" lenses in the Leica R lineup. So almost any will be fine. For an R3, be sure to buy a 3-cam or R-only lens. R3 bodies were introduced in 1976 so any R lens manufactured after 1976 should have the right setup, but many earlier model R lenses were upgraded with the third cam anyway. See the Leica Wiki where you can see what lenses there are and approximate serial number to production year listings.

As a first lens, necessarily general purpose and versatile, you can't go wrong with either the Summicron-R 50mm f/2, Summicron-R 35mm f/2, or Elmarit-R 35mm f/2.8. The Macro-Elmarit-R 60mm f/2.8 is another excellent choice.