M5 and Cosina Lens?

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ktmrider

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I have owned just about every Leica M between the M2-M6TTL models except the M5. Presently my Leica kit is a mint chrome M4 with 15/35/50/90 focal length lenses.

Sherry (as well as some of the threads on this forum) has almost got me talked into trying an M5. Now I know it won't work with some early short focal length and collapsable lenses but I am wondering about lenses from Cosina.

Does it work with the 15/21/25 from Cosina or Zeiss? The only lens I own is the 15 but looking strongly at the 25. Or I may just add the 35 f1.2 as I get back into low light.

And I would like comments comparing the 35f1.2 with the Cosina 35f1.4. The size of the 35f1.4 is certainly attractive but that 1.2 sure looks like it would bring home the bacon.
 
Answered Own Question

Answered Own Question

Well, I just answered one of my questions by looking at the Cameraquest site. All the Cosina lenses will fit an M5 according to Cameraquest. I would still like comments on the 35 1.4 vs 35 1.2 Cosina lenses.
 
I has used, on my M5, the VC Ultron 35/1.7 and Apo Lantahr 90/3.5, without any problem. The VC 12 or 15 are too intrusive for the particular meter of the M5 (i own the 15/4.5 also).
Ciao.
Vincenzo
 
The 35/f1.2 feels very good on the M5 because, while a big lens, it feels more balanced on the body. I would definitely prefer the f/1.2 lens.

The only Cosina lens that probably does not work on the M5 is the collapsible 50/f3.5 Classic Heliar which won't collapse. 🙂
 
Gets Used, I Don't Collect Cameras

Gets Used, I Don't Collect Cameras

When I say the M4 is mint, I meant it was when purchased. It took me a long time to find one and when I did I jumped on it. However, it is presently my only Leica (have owned M3/M2/M4-2/M4-P/M6/M6TTL/CL) but I think ownig the classic M4 was always in the back of my mind. It was the Leica produced when I was in college and could not afford one. I paid my way thru school shooting with a Nikon F and it is now my other 35mm.

And I have learned some lessons over 40 years of photography which has been a hobby while I paid the bills by being a professional pilot. I was in and out of several systems but always came back to 35mm, Leica , and Nikon. I carried 2-3 bodies and lots of lenses because I could while traveling. Well, the lesson I learned is travel light. Thus an M4 with 35/90. If I need something wider or longer, I have it but usually don't take it.

So, the M4 gets used. Am thinking M5 because I have never owned one and do like a TTL meter on occasion. But lessons learned tell me to keep it simple so I have not made the plung yet.
 
ktmrider said:
I would still like comments on the 35 1.4 vs 35 1.2 Cosina lenses.
Click to expand...

The 35/1.4 is a highly corrected modern lens with decent sharpness wide open, good colour correction and the same nasty bokeh that effects the Nokton 40mm wide open (although it improves as you stop down).

The 1.2 is none of these things. It's a softer, dreamier lens with its own distinctive fingerprint. It's also huge (although that might make it an ideal match to an M5).

If 'twere me, as I already own a couple of good, sharp 35s, I'd take the 1.2 just to get something radically different.

Try checking out Flickr for some examples of each lens.
 
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