vmlopes
Member
Hey guys, just bought a CL body of a member on here and now am looking for decent lens.
This is for my 14 year old son who as suddenly started to take an interest in photography would prefer him to start off with film rather than a DSLR, or indded using my M4.
So whats a good lens thats not going to cost the earth.......???
This is for my 14 year old son who as suddenly started to take an interest in photography would prefer him to start off with film rather than a DSLR, or indded using my M4.
So whats a good lens thats not going to cost the earth.......???
oscroft
Veteran
Well, it rather depends on what you consider to be "the earth", but I think the the perfect companion is a Summicron-C 40 or M-Rokkor 40 - not sure current prices, but they're in keeping with the price level of a CL (which is what they were made for).
Failing that, there are lots of cheap 50s out there (but I'd avoid collapsibles to avoid the risk of damaging the meter stalk). If you want a real rock bottom bargain, the old Soviet 50/2 J-8 is a cracker if you get a good copy - they're dirt cheap, but will need a screw-to-M adapter.
Personally, I'd watch the famous auction site and see what comes up.
daveywaugh
Blah
A CV Nokton 40 would be a nice match also. I personally loved the Summicron-C with my CL (that I wish never left me!) I still think price/performance that the Nokton 40 is an unbelievably good buy. Not sure how it will focus wide open on the CL at it's close focus though... no doubt others here will know that.
A 35mm can be used too with a little imagination (the lens' field of view will be wider than the frame lines). A very nice small Color Skopar would fit the bill for a reasonable price. Shop around and you can find the Leitz and Rokkor 40s for $350 or less. If buying used a Skopar would be a little less than that depending on the version you find. There also is the CV 40 Nokton which would be a little more $$$.
kully
Happy Snapper
Hallo, I live in Reading too. If you fancy trying out a CV40/1.4 or some other lenses drop me a PM and we can have a chat in a pub.
payasam
a.k.a. Mukul Dube
You might get a J-8 as Alan suggests. Then wait for something good to turn up in 40 or 35.
Vincenzo Maielli
Well-known
The best choice are the Leitz Summicron C 40/2 or the M-Rokkor 40/2. The VC Nokton 40/1.4 is too speed to ensure good focusing at the maximum speed, due to the short effective rangefinder baselenght of the CL (the same problem of the Bessa R cameras and the Minolta CLE).
Ciao.
Vincenzo
Ciao.
Vincenzo
Al Kaplan
Veteran
I bought my son a CL with the 40mm Summicron-C a few years ago, then it was a 90mm f/4 Elmar-C, then a 21mm VC, then a flash (he's not a purist). He loves the kit!
Mephiloco
Well-known
I'd go with a Jupiter 3. The quality isn't poor, and the f1.5 will help alot, trust me. The trend with younger people with cameras is shooting in low light, or having the ability. And stopped down it usually looks pretty good. On top of that they can be had for very little money. Of course a nokton or summicron-c etc would be better but I don't think the J3 should be overlooked.
Also, my VC Color Skopar 35mm cost me around $140 with ltm->m adapter, so there's always a chance of finding a good deal like that in which case, I would go with that
Also, my VC Color Skopar 35mm cost me around $140 with ltm->m adapter, so there's always a chance of finding a good deal like that in which case, I would go with that
BillBingham2
Registered User
CV 40/1.4 is how I would go. Great lens, good price.
B2 (;->
B2 (;->
Paul T.
Veteran
Really, don't over-think it.
THe CL is designed for a 40/2 lens. The Summicron C, and its Minolta Rokkor equivalent, both deliver the Leica look, they're about the best value Leica lenses there are, they are compact and they were designed for this camera. I use a Summicron-C 40/2 with my Cl AND my M3, and I don't think there's a better lens. It's just as good as the $1000 35mm Summicron (which I had and sold), at $350 or less.
THe CL is designed for a 40/2 lens. The Summicron C, and its Minolta Rokkor equivalent, both deliver the Leica look, they're about the best value Leica lenses there are, they are compact and they were designed for this camera. I use a Summicron-C 40/2 with my Cl AND my M3, and I don't think there's a better lens. It's just as good as the $1000 35mm Summicron (which I had and sold), at $350 or less.
~martyn~
Member
It almost sounds as if you want to start your son off with something from the "bargain basement". Why don't you encourage him by giving him the right kit to work with? As others have said, the lenses that were made to work with this body (the Summicron-C and its Rokkor opposite number) are fantastic lenses at pretty reasonable prices. And they have the benefit of making the right brightlines appear in the CL's viewfinder. After all, you wouldn't want to introduce confusion to the boy at such an early and crucial stage of his photo career, would you? Finally, if you must offer him different formats, maybe you have an M-mount wide angle in your M4 kit. Show him that you trust him and respect his interest and his care.
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Assaf
Well-known
a 40/2 lens can be good, and also a good match with the camera because of its small size.
the Nokton 40/1.4 is a bit bigger, and also, I don't know how well your son will be able to focus such a lens with the CL's RF (I find it difficult even with the 40/2).
A J8 is also a very nice match, and looks very nice on the camera. The only drawback is that the adapter will probably cost you more than the lens...
the Nokton 40/1.4 is a bit bigger, and also, I don't know how well your son will be able to focus such a lens with the CL's RF (I find it difficult even with the 40/2).
A J8 is also a very nice match, and looks very nice on the camera. The only drawback is that the adapter will probably cost you more than the lens...
ZeissFan
Veteran
I probably would get a used Cosina Voigtlander lens -- between 35mm and 50mm. Nothing wrong with a 50 -- many of us grew up using only that lens.
Not sure how your teen-ager is, but his interest in photography might disappear as quickly as it appeared. So I'd factor that into your buying decision. In other words, buy for yourself as well. If he decides he's no longer interested, then at least you'll still have the lens. And if he really becomes passionate about it, then good for him. Should be a win-win for both of you.
Not sure how your teen-ager is, but his interest in photography might disappear as quickly as it appeared. So I'd factor that into your buying decision. In other words, buy for yourself as well. If he decides he's no longer interested, then at least you'll still have the lens. And if he really becomes passionate about it, then good for him. Should be a win-win for both of you.
chris00nj
Young Luddite
I'd also vote for a 50mm. Just because the widest framelines is 40mm it doesn't mean you need a 40.
I can't image you'd want pay $450ish for a CL body and get a $40 Russian lens whose build quality is suspect. They might be fine if you already have several others lens and want to give it a try, but if you are only going to have one lens?
There's no reason why you can't get a LSM lens and an adapter (stick to Leitz or Voigtlander adapters)
Perhaps try:
--Voigtlander Color-Skopar 50/2.5
--Canon 50/1.8
--Nikkor 50/2
I can't image you'd want pay $450ish for a CL body and get a $40 Russian lens whose build quality is suspect. They might be fine if you already have several others lens and want to give it a try, but if you are only going to have one lens?
There's no reason why you can't get a LSM lens and an adapter (stick to Leitz or Voigtlander adapters)
Perhaps try:
--Voigtlander Color-Skopar 50/2.5
--Canon 50/1.8
--Nikkor 50/2
historicist
Well-known
I didn't have any trouble focussing the Nokton 40mm on my CL - but the lens is a bit big and heavy for the camera, it unbalances it a bit. Nothing terrible, but the Summicron C is a better match, very good quality, cheap (as Leica lenses go).
photobizzz
Speak of the Devil
Check out this: CV Color Skopar for $199, I have bought from these guys before and they are dependable, and it comes with the hood and LTM-M adapter too!
functus
Failed Poet
Wow.
At 17, I had to beg my dad to pony in half the money to cover what I hadn't saved up for a Pentax K1000 and 50mm lens ... he only did so on condition that he got to hang on to the camera half the time.
You wouldn't consider adopting me, would you?
At 17, I had to beg my dad to pony in half the money to cover what I hadn't saved up for a Pentax K1000 and 50mm lens ... he only did so on condition that he got to hang on to the camera half the time.
You wouldn't consider adopting me, would you?
MarkoKovacevic
Well-known
I'm 17 and I had to buy my own Leica!
Merkin
For the Weekend
I would second the 50mm Color Skopar 2.5. It is small and inexpensive, but gives good quality. Also, when you think he is ready for a second lens, check out the 90mm f4 Elmar, which can be had in great shape for under a hundred bucks.
Also, just to play the devil's advocate, for the cost of pretty much any lens other than a Jupiter (if you happen to get a bad jupiter copy, and the kid cant get good, repeatable results, he might get turned off from photography) you could pick up a film slr with several lenses, or a brace of fixed lens rangefinders. Film slrs are also a bit more 'teenager proof' than leicas, as they can generally take a bit more rough handling before things go out of adjustment. You also get the added benefit of encouraging the kid by saying 'if you do well with this camera, and you enjoy photography, you can have a Leica CL when you turn (insert age older than fifteen here). CLs can be a bit finnicky, with more plastic than many/most other M cameras, with the added problem of parts availability. IMHO, not a camera to be handing off to a 14 year old, unless you don't care whether or not it works by the time he is old enough to drive. Consider picking up a Pentax K1000. I would wager that more people have learned photography on a K1000 than on any other specific camera in history, and for good reason. It is completely bombproof, easy to fix if it breaks, it has all the features you need and none you don't, it is cheap, and it takes loads of lenses, including non-pentax manufactured K mount lenses such as Ricoh lenses, which are super cheap because they don't work on Pentax DSLRs. I found a 10 dollar K1000 which needed a light CLA, which I was able to perform myself in the shed, I gave it to a friend who was able to get a Ricoh 50mm f2 lens for it for 15 bucks shipped, and it works like the day it was made. 25 bucks, or even if you buy a kit off of craigslist that might as well be mint for 150 bucks, is a lot less than 200-400 for a lens and 300-600 for a body if the worst happens.
Also, just to play the devil's advocate, for the cost of pretty much any lens other than a Jupiter (if you happen to get a bad jupiter copy, and the kid cant get good, repeatable results, he might get turned off from photography) you could pick up a film slr with several lenses, or a brace of fixed lens rangefinders. Film slrs are also a bit more 'teenager proof' than leicas, as they can generally take a bit more rough handling before things go out of adjustment. You also get the added benefit of encouraging the kid by saying 'if you do well with this camera, and you enjoy photography, you can have a Leica CL when you turn (insert age older than fifteen here). CLs can be a bit finnicky, with more plastic than many/most other M cameras, with the added problem of parts availability. IMHO, not a camera to be handing off to a 14 year old, unless you don't care whether or not it works by the time he is old enough to drive. Consider picking up a Pentax K1000. I would wager that more people have learned photography on a K1000 than on any other specific camera in history, and for good reason. It is completely bombproof, easy to fix if it breaks, it has all the features you need and none you don't, it is cheap, and it takes loads of lenses, including non-pentax manufactured K mount lenses such as Ricoh lenses, which are super cheap because they don't work on Pentax DSLRs. I found a 10 dollar K1000 which needed a light CLA, which I was able to perform myself in the shed, I gave it to a friend who was able to get a Ricoh 50mm f2 lens for it for 15 bucks shipped, and it works like the day it was made. 25 bucks, or even if you buy a kit off of craigslist that might as well be mint for 150 bucks, is a lot less than 200-400 for a lens and 300-600 for a body if the worst happens.