lens suggestion for M3

[Graham Line]

I'm a little late to this and really appreciate the photos that were scanned in, but let me add my two cents.
The later M-Summicrons are an excellent choice and sometimes you can still find a bargain on the Canadian-made lenses.
Lately, I've been very happy with the results from the Voigtlander 50/2.5. It handles nicely on the M-body, is sharp edge to edge and is practically free compared to Leica and Zeiss glass. There are B&W examples in my gallery here. The lens seems to work best with moderate-contrast films like NPS or Delta 400.

 

[Telewatt]

This is of special interest to me as I am soon to get a collapsible Summicron. Perhaps, when I have it, I shall not pine for the Summitar I sold some months back.

my new Leica comes with the coll-Summiron and it is like new!...but you can see it in the pictures ...it is softer....



regards,
Jan

 

[Sonnar Brian]

I'll have to do a comparison roll between the Summicrons and the Summitar.

 

[WoolenMammoth]

I find a very big difference between my rigid and col cron. The rigid has MUCH higher contrast and is absolutely NOT the portrait lens for women that the col cron is... If I had to have one cron however, it would be the one I have from the 70's, its simply the most versatile between it, the rigid and col.

If you can afford a new Zeiss, the planar appears to be outstanding for color and is generations sharper than the col cron for sure. If you are stuck on a leitz lens you really ought to check out the new 2.8 col elmar-m. If you can deal with the slow stop, its a positively amazing lens.

 

[Uncle Bill]

I have an M3 and I use both the Collapsable Summicron and the Canon LTM 50 f1.4 (black) lens. I would also look at the Zeiss Planar, and Voightlander has some nice glass too.

 

[msheppler]

Thanks to everyone for their replies.

 

[kalokeri]

Hello !

Hello !

Jan

....this was my first posting here..so wellcome to everyone..🙂.....I just see BILL is in...i feel like home..

Welcome to rff, Jan. Nice to see and read you here.

I thought of joining the l-camera-forum every now and then, but it´s not like it was in the old days when I discovered it after buying my Leica. So I stay over here ...

Anyway, welcome again.

Thomas

 

[msheppler]

Bought a canon 50mm 1.4 ltm

Bought a canon 50mm 1.4 ltm

Well, it's been about 7 months since I posted my original post asking for suggestions for a lens to compliment my collapsible summicron and I'm very happy to report that I bought a pristine canon 50mm 1.4 from the classifieds here. So if there's ever a lens your wanting just be patient.

Thanks again for all the help.

Michael

 

[Robin-T]

great insight. This was a thought I was having and glad to have found this thread

 

[sanmich]

I'll have to do a comparison roll between the Summicrons and the Summitar.

From a test I did a while ago, the summitar is clearly one small step below the cron in terms of pure resolution. the difference is more pronounced in the corner. The coll cron is surprisingly good, even when compared with modern lenses.
The one lens that blew my mind in terms of resolution and contrast was the canon 50 f1.4. excellent at full bore, even compared to Cron-M last version.

Of course, these where only small unprofessional tests.