Looking for lenses to begin.

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fr3derick

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Hey Guys,

So recently I've been looking at a few lenses, Leitz and others included, for my Leica M3. So these are what I've shortlisted thus far:

1. Cosina Voigtlander 15mm/4.5 M
2. Either a Hektor 135mm/4.5 or a Elmar 90mm/4 (Are these the deal?)
3. Should I not get the two above, perhaps a Summicron 90mm?
4. And finally, perhaps a Nippon-Kogaku Japan Nikkor 5cm 1.4 for my fast lens.

At present I have a 50mm/2.8 Elmar, would this render the Nikkor to be redundant, or are they in different leagues. Also, considering either a Wide Angle or a Telephoto, which is more crucial? I'm just getting into Rangefinders and all, so I'm leaning towards the wide angle.

Would really appreciate opinions on this. I'd very much want to begin my RF journey on the right track with appropriate lenses.

Thanks!
Frederick
 
Relatively new to this myself. That said, I went with 90/35/21 for my RF kit but in a previous life I used 105/50/28. Both work. It strikes me that 50/135 and 50/15 are kind of extreme combinations.

The M3 has no viewfinder frames wider than 50mm. So for a wide angle lens, you'd need either (a) an external viewfinder or (b) a "goggle" lens by Leitz, with adapters built in for the M3 viewfinder and rangefinder windows. The marketplace has lots of the former and relatively few of the latter.

On the tele side, a 135mm is at the far end of what an M3 can focus. Relatively few RF drivers even try.

So very generally speaking, if keeping the current 50, I'd look into either a 28 with external VF or a 90.

The Elmar 90/4 is plentiful and easy to find in usable shape at low cost. It would play to your M3's strengths (long RF base, high magnification VF) without going off the deep end.
 
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dbarnes said:
Relatively new to this myself. That said, I went with 90/35/21 for my RF kit but in a previous life I used 105/50/28. Both work. It strikes me that 50/135 and 50/15 are kind of extreme combinations.

The M3 has no viewfinder frames wider than 50mm. So for a wide angle lens, you'd need either (a) an external viewfinder or (b) a "goggle" lens by Leitz, with adapters built in for the M3 viewfinder and rangefinder windows. The marketplace has lots of the former and relatively few of the latter.

On the tele side, a 135mm is at the far end of what an M3 can focus. Relatively few RF drivers even try.

So very generally speaking, if keeping the current 50, I'd look into either a 28 with external VF or a 90.

The Elmar 90/4 is plentiful and easy to find in usable shape at low cost. It would play to your M3's strengths (long RF base, high magnification VF) without going off the deep end.
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But those who do, generally find it works fine. I cheerfully use a 135/2.8 on an M8.

In my experience, the current 90/3.5 Apo Lanthar is a much better lens than the 90/4 Elmar.

For wides, I just don't like 28. It's neither here nor there: not a 'wide standard' like a 35 or a true wide like a 21mm. Personal, I know, but I've tried most of the focal lengths ever made for Leicas: 12-15-16-18-20-21-24-25-28-35-50-75-90-135 (not 19, 40, 73, 100, 105, 127). My favourites are 35+75, with 18 and 135 for a full range of more-or-less doubling focal lengths: 18>35(36)>75(70)>135.

Cheers,

R.
 
I think that you should explore 2 things first:
A faster and sharper 50mm lens, but close to your Elmar in rendering, this way you will have a Leica "benchmark" against which you can judge any other lens, In my opinion, this lens is the rigid or DR Summicron (same optical formula). If you will like it, you can sell the Elmar later.
Next, I would certainly try a good 35mm lens, and here, you have an opportunity to get one of the goggled 35mm lenses made on purpose for the M3, like a Summaron 2.8 or Summicron 2.0. The goggled lenses are usually much cheaper than the equivalent non goggled ones.
At this point, having tried a 50 and a 35mm, you will know which way you want to move next. For portraits I would get an Elmarit 90 - all versions are great provided they are in a good shape, while for the wider angle my choice would go to the 28/1.9 Ultron ASPH - it gives a lower contrast and good sharpness which resembles the older style Leica lenses, so good for B&W.
 
15mm Heliar is a great lens, a very different field of view from any other lens I've tried, very extreme, but you can get some interesting shots.
 
Hey Guys,

Thsnks for the replies! By the looks of it, I should head for an Elmar 90mm/f4 (and not the Hektor), and save the money on a Summicron 90mm and instead spend it on a DR 'Cron 50mm or 35mm? I've heard both sides of the Elmar 50mm/2.8, but I currently like it for its collapsible, small size. I might just leave this for certain shooting days, though.

So, 90mm Elmar, 50mm or 35mm Summicron? And later, the CV 15mm? I should be looking at the 50mm right? I've heard much about the M3 and the 'Cron 50mm!

Thanks loads!
 
It depends on what you think you will take photos of.

If you want to take portraits, a 90mm lens will be beneficial. If you

Nikkor 50/1.4 versus Elmar 50/2.8. It depends if you need the speed. If you take a lot of photos indoors, you could use the Nikkor with 400 ISO film and not need a flash. If most of your shots are outdoors, the lenses will be hard to distinguish at f/8.

Wide angles is where a rangefinder will shine over a SLR. 15mm may be too wide, though. I would try a 25mm first.

The 135mm focal length gets the least use, and the Hektor isn't that good of a lens.
 
I'd strongly consider phasing the lenses in one at a time, rather than buying a kit all at once.

That will really let you get to know the lens you have, and also give you a very good sense of what fl you want. Lots of posts on RFF on the reduction of actual shooting brought on by too much gear. YMMV.

Good luck.
 
If you have a good 50, you need a wider lens...

If you want speed (you'll need it over your 50 2.8), get the great 35 1.2 by CV, with sweet OOF rendering.

If you prefer small size, get the 35 2.5 by CV.

Cheers,

Juan
 
fr3derick said:
Hey Guys,

Thsnks for the replies! By the looks of it, I should head for an Elmar 90mm/f4 (and not the Hektor), and save the money on a Summicron 90mm and instead spend it on a DR 'Cron 50mm or 35mm? I've heard both sides of the Elmar 50mm/2.8, but I currently like it for its collapsible, small size. I might just leave this for certain shooting days, though.

So, 90mm Elmar, 50mm or 35mm Summicron? And later, the CV 15mm? I should be looking at the 50mm right? I've heard much about the M3 and the 'Cron 50mm!

Thanks loads!
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The good thing is that if you buy and lens and it doesn't fit your needs, you can resell it and recover just about all of your money (save paypal and listing fees).

The 50mm Summicron is generally about 40% cheaper than the 35mm 'cron.

Nothing quite like a M3 with a chrome 50mm Summicron:


3152012249_099e717ae7.jpg
 
Hey there OP,

The M3 starter kit I'd advise you to look at would involve a clean, properly functioning 50mm. The summicron some here recommend is rock solid, as mfogiel suggested, it will give a great grounding in the focal length. Go for any good deal, at this point a rigid or DR or collapsible will do you good service as long as it is clean. That's the key.

But there are so many wonderful 50s, at so many different price points. Give us a figure and many here will help you spend your hard-earned bread 🙂 What used to be a great 50/2 lens with which to shoot on a budget was the Hexanon 50/2 -- now they are well recognized as excellent, and thus the demand has made their market value rise. The ZM 50/2 remains a fine, compact modern day deal.


Shoot with just the 50mm FL for 25 to 50 rolls before you buy anything else. But if you are determined to buy more than just a 50mm, I'd recommend the 50+90 combination. Yet, I strongly urge you to put your dough into one good 50mm lens and just burn film for a while with it.

respectfully, thomas
 
I'd definitely phase the lens in one at a time, just deciding the focal lengths and the actual models of lenses I should shortlist at this point in time. i apologize for bringing this up again, but is the 50/2.8 Elmar worth the dough, or would I be much more satisfied with the 'cron? I heard the Elmar does take pretty sweet pictures, too.
 
The Elmar is a wonderful lens (I own it and love it), but the 2.8 can be limiting if you shoot in dim conditions often. An f/2 lens may be a better "all-rounder" choice if you do. A lot depends on your shooting habits and tastes.


fr3derick said:
I'd definitely phase the lens in one at a time, just deciding the focal lengths and the actual models of lenses I should shortlist at this point in time. i apologize for bringing this up again, but is the 50/2.8 Elmar worth the dough, or would I be much more satisfied with the 'cron? I heard the Elmar does take pretty sweet pictures, too.
Click to expand...
 
I started with a Leica M3 and my first lens was 35 mm 1.4 Summilux. Although the lens is wider than the viewfinder, this is still one of my favourite combinations. It's true that a 50 mm is more conventionally used with the M3, but in my experience, there is nothing wrong with going a little wider. The most important thing is to get a lens and start shooting. Have some fun.
 
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