lens line-up suggestions

[froyd]

First of all, thanks to all who have offered guidance on the scanning vs digital body a little while back. I decided to stick with the M4, sell the Contax G, and replace my current lens line-up.

Now I'd like advice on lens selection. By getting rid of the G system (28,45,90) I'll be letting go of some of the best lenses I've ever owned. I'd like my future line-up to feature one or two lenses that offer the same, or similar signature (punchy colors, high contrast, sharpness, and that undefinable Contax G look). I'm thinking of ZM lenses for this purpose.

I also love, low-contrast, gentle-but-sharp lenses, like my Summaron, so I'd like to also own one or two lenses that have a gentler rendering than the ZM or many of the modern CV offerings.

Here is how I'm thinking to fill out the roster so far, with my #1 scenario underlined.

21: Color Skopar (silver LTM)
35: Biogon 2.8 -or- Nokton 1.4 -or- Canon 2.0
50: ZM Sonnar -or- ZM Planar -or- Nokton 1.5 (M-mount) -or- Canon -or- Hexanon
90: CV 90 Apo -or- Rokkor

I only want one lens for focal lenght. I'll be shooting 50/50 color and BW, so color performance must be good. I'm thinking, I might focus on colors now and put together a classic Summaron, rigid Summicron kit later on. If I go this route, I might remove the Canons from my list.

Here are my thoughts on some of these lenses:
35 Biogon 2.8
+ fab lens
+ small
- 2.8 acceptable but not great

35 Nokton
+ great spped
+ small
+ a real tab!
- owning this would prevent me from owning the Biogon

35 Canon
+ Classic rendering, but then I would want a modern 50 to complement this

50 Sonnar 1.5
+ Great signature, plenty of character when opened up
+ Similar to Planar and Contax G when stopped down???
+ Not overly harsh

50 Planar
+ probably the closest to the 45mm Contax G
- at 2.0 I would need to pair it with a fast 35

50 Nokton 1.5 M-mount
+ more traditional classic look to pair with a modern 35 (e.g. Biogon) for variety
- not available yet


Thoughts or suggestions?

 

[Chriscrawfordphoto]

I have the 35mm C-Biogon, and I love it. Very sharp, even wide open, and nice bokeh.

I used to have a 50mm C-Sonnar and sold it. It is not sharp across the whole image unless you stop down a lot (very sharp in center though), and it has focus shift issues. I much prefer my 50mm Summicron, which would be similar to the 50mm Planar. Very sharp across the whole image, at all apertures, no focus shift. A perfect all around lens. The Sonnar is more of a specialty lens, get one if you can also afford a more normal performing lens alongside it.

I used to have the LTM version of the 50mm f1.5 Nokton and deeply regret selling it. It is also a good performing lens at all apertures, no focus shift, sharp wide open. If you really need the extra speed, get it. If not, the Planar is smaller by a big margin.

 

[GaryLH]

I have the 90f4 Minolta CL, the 50f1.5 and the Konica 50f2. I like the two 50s better than the Leica 50 sumicron pre asph and the Canon 50f1.8.

I also have the Leica 90f2.8, which I like a lot better than the 90f4. I recently posted some shots using the 90f2.8 on the "show me your omd pics thread" if u want to c some samples from it.

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showpost.php?p=2115128&postcount=416

Gary

 

[Classique]

I have and regularly use the 35mm and 50mm nokton.

35mm is great for speed and ergonomics but it isn't the sharpest lens around. But for most situations, I find it sharp enough with decent bokeh.

50mm nokton is an amazing lens for the price. Sharp wide open, creamy bokeh and classy look. It is a bit on the bigger side but it is the same length as my summicron DR and much lighter. Summicron does have the "magical" look to the images but for no hassle, all around good performer, nokton would be a good choice.

For tele, I only have experience with jupiter 9 85mm f/2 and Nikkor 105mm. I sold the jupiter and I still use the nikon. I believe it is one of the best lens you can get for the money in rangefinder optics. Due to sonnar design, it is sharp and smooth and I would say it does have that "magical" look my summicron gives me. Only downside is that it is on the heavy side and you won't have a native frameline in your RF. I just use the 90mm and frame is tighter and it has worked out so far.

One thing to keep in mind is that you will probably use your 35 and 50 most of the time and wide and tele lenses a bit less. So definitely invest in the best you can get for your budget for the 35 and 50.

 

[Godfrey]

... I also love, low-contrast, gentle-but-sharp lenses, like my Summaron, so I'd like to also own one or two lenses that have a gentler rendering than the ZM or many of the modern CV offerings.

Here is how I'm thinking to fill out the roster so far, with my #1 scenario underlined.

21: Color Skopar (silver LTM)
35: Biogon 2.8 -or- Nokton 1.4 -or- Canon 2.0
50: ZM Sonnar -or- ZM Planar -or- Nokton 1.5 (M-mount) -or- Canon -or- Hexanon
90: CV 90 Apo -or- Rokkor ...

We agree on the look we're looking for. What I have:

Color Skopar 21mm f/4 (M mount, black)
:: same optics as what you list above. I don't use it too much on 35mm format, it's a bit wide for me. I'm somewhat inclined to replace it with the Zeiss Biogon 25mm f/2.8 ZM. I also like the Ultron 28mm f/2, but this is wandering off the path.. 🙂

Color Skopar 35mm f/2.5 (M mount, black)
:: I like the 40mm Nokton, but in 35mm the Color Skopar is more pleasing to my eye, and smaller/lighter/less expensive. I'd like an older Summaron 35/2.5 if I can find one in good nick at a good price.

Nokton 50mm f/1.5 ASPH (ltm)
:: just a superb lens in every way. I hope the M-mount version is as good. This is my standard lens when using the M9.

M-Rokkor 90mm f/4
:: I love the imaging qualities of this lens. f/4 is generally fast enough, but I'm sometimes drawn to consider one of the Leica 90mm f/2.8 models for when shooting in poor light ... twice the speed does help, sometimes.

In addition to the above, I have a beautiful 1960 Hektor 135mm f/4.5 which produces lovely results on both film and M9 bodies. Cost me $270 (of which $70 was the hood and lens cap bought separately) so even if I don't use it much, it makes a nice option to have available.

G

 

[froyd]

Thanks for the opinions and suggestions. My biggest challenge is to keep a balance of "modern" and "classic" lenses. And of course to stay withing budget...<$2,500.

@Chriscrawfordphoto: I think you are right... I'd really like to try the ZM Sonnar, but I'll put that off until my second time around buying lenses. Right now I have an Elmar and an FSU. I'm going to sell the Elmar (ergonomics) but keep the Industar so I have something in the 50 focal length. In the meantime, I'll look at the Planar and new Nokton. If I end up buying the Biogon for a modern look in the 35 FL, I'll look at older Summicrons instead for the classic look.

@Godfrey: do you use the 35 Skopar for BW? Coming from a Sumamron I'm affarid the Skopar might compress the dark tones in BW images. And thanks for nothing for putting the 25mm bug in my head😀, the 21mm focal lenght choice was the only one of which I was certain! Just sold a 20mm Nikkor to finance this purchase. EDIT: Just saw the used prices of the ZM25. I'm no longer tempted!

 

[semi-ambivalent]

Just sold a 20mm Nikkor to finance this purchase.

Froyd,

I had considered selling mine (f/2.8 AiS) to finance a 21 Skopar for my M3 but I'm too afraid I'd regret doing so. Perhaps I could sell some plasma... 😀

s-a

 

[froyd]

Froyd,

I had considered selling mine (f/2.8 AiS) to finance a 21 Skopar for my M3 but I'm too afraid I'd regret doing so. Perhaps I could sell some plasma... 😀

s-a

It was an easy choice for me. The only body I had for the Nikkor is my beloved but way-too-heavy F4s. The Skopar will go on the M4 and be a much more travl friendly package, with better optical performance.