Minilux like lens for Leica M or LTM?

[jamin-b]

I loved the minilux and the few rolls I put through always had a high number of keepers, including in difficult light situations. BUT it died recently with the dreaded E02 error, unprovoked by any misdoing on my part. Now that it's gone I really miss the special rendering I found its legendary lens gave. I was curious if anyone can suggest what lens they have used that gives a similar result - not necessarily 40mm but that special character. I have a number of new zeiss and vintage leica etc. lenses in different focal lengths, but it's never quite the same effect...any suggestions?

 

[yossarian123]

I haven't shot with the minilux to compare, but maybe the 40/2 Summicron is what you're looking for? It's small, about the same speed, and is just as good as a "real" summicron.

 

[yossarian123]

And here are some examples :

http://www.flickr.com/photos/thelozanofam/tags/40mmsummicronc/

 

[ZeissFan]

Why not buy another camera on the used market?

I just looked and saw that prices are all over the place.

Leica made a Summarit for the M mount. I don't know how different in character the new lens is compare with the one on the point and shoot.

 

[jsrockit]

The Minilux's lens was not legendary... pick any Leica lens from that time period and you'll be fine.

 

[jamin-b]

not going there again...

not going there again...

thanks for quick responses... I definitely will not sink hundreds of $ into a minilux again, given the instant, unprovoked self-destructing of the one I have. Apparently this is a known issue, and it really is a shame because the camera is great as a P&S with the clever dual distance / aperture manual control dial and great built in flash compensation / fill flash on command. I am trying to isolate what gives the lens its character - perhaps it is just more recent than my other leica glass and has better coatings?

 

[Dralowid]

Think about the lens from the Ricoh GR1, they made some in ltm...