Need advice of a 50mm on M8

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hon910

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I have just got myself a nice used M8.
Now I am looking forward to get a 50mm for the M8 as a portrait lens as well as be able to use on my M6 as a standard lens.

However, can some one advise me that is 50mm a good focal length on the M8?

Then, I have a difficulty in deciding between 2 models of 50mm.
1st, I have an offer of a Leitz Summicron 50mm f2 (made in canada) which is in great condition (being CLA done by DAG camera) going for US$700.
Then in the 1st place I was planning to get the Voigtlander Nokton 50mm F1.1 before this Summicron turn up.

Now I have a dilemma of choosing which one while I heard the Nokton is very good but does have issue on back focusing.
While the Summicron will definitely got its Leica glow in it, a very good all rounder 50mm.

I would need an advice on this as I am currently using a zeiss 28, summicron c 40 & a voigtlander 75 f2.5.

Would the Summicron 50mm be a better replacement option for my 40mm?

Thank you
 
Double Negative said:
You can't go wrong with the Summicron. I might also suggest the 2/50 Planar ZM if you want something more like an ASPH, for about the same price as the 'Cron.

The 1,1/50 Nokton is a little "controversial" yes. Mostly about (lack of) character, though. Another one that's a little special is the 1,5/50 Sonnar ZM. This one has a lot of character, but there are concerns over focus shifting.

The 1,5/50 CV lens is much-liked here. I think there was even one in the classifieds not long ago.

Why a 50mm though, if you already have a 40mm? Are you happy with an f/2 lens? The main benefit would be a closer match to the framelines at 50mm, but just a little.
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Thanks for the advice.
But isn't the 50mm quality is much better than the Summicron C 40mm?
 
Definitely the 2/50 (as recent as possible), but if money is no issue then the 1,4/50 ASPH. I wouldn't put a non-Leica lens on an M8, unless of course I am very short of cash..
 
You're forgetting an excellent 50 mm lens - the Elmar-M 50/2.8 collapsible. Extremely sharp, minimal size collapsed (yes you can!) and quite affordable.
 
Symeon said:
Definitely the 2/50 (as recent as possible), but if money is no issue then the 1,4/50 ASPH. I wouldn't put a non-Leica lens on an M8, unless of course I am very short of cash..
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Why is that? Planar, Sonnar, Hexanons and CV lenses are as good or better than some Leicas in some cases. I used to own some Leica lenses and now have NONE! Not because they are bad, but rather because I like how other lenses work out for me better - and often at much lesser cost.

To OP - M-Hexanon is superb. Planar is good too. CV Nokton 50/1.5 is a great lens - cheaper and in some ways better than 50/1.1.
PLus there are many older lenses like Nikkor, Canon, etc.
 
jaapv said:
You're forgetting an excellent 50 mm lens - the Elmar-M 50/2.8 collapsible. Extremely sharp, minimal size collapsed (yes you can!) and quite affordable.
Click to expand...

And don't forget the Summicron 50mm f/2 collapsible. Another lens that can collapse into the M8. I've got both LTM/M mount. They are both sweet.
 
Symeon said:
Definitely the 2/50 (as recent as possible), but if money is no issue then the 1,4/50 ASPH. I wouldn't put a non-Leica lens on an M8, unless of course I am very short of cash..
Click to expand...

The M8 did pretty good with this Jupiter-3.

Wide-Open on the M8.

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The Type 1 Rigid Summicron did well too. The resolution on it was incredible, at 100% crop it was still going. I like the lower contrast lenses as highlights and shadow details are maintained.

So far, I've only had five 50mm lenses on my M8, but I just got it this week.

I've got another 25 or so to try with it.
 
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why 50mm? i don't think that's really long enough for portraits. i'd go for a 75mm. f2.5, f2, f1.4, take your pick.
 
Brian Sweeney said:
The Type 1 Rigid Summicron did well too. The resolution on it was incredible, at 100% crop it was still going. I like the lower contrast lenses as highlights and shadow details are maintained.
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Isn't that ironic? All these years of getting more and more contrast out of lenses, and now that we're shooting digital we all want low contrast for highlight and shadow detail...
 
With the 1.3x crop factor, 50mm is an effective 65. Works well for "environmental portraits".

The 75 would be nice for head+shoulder shots, an equivalent 105mm lens on a full-frame camera.
 
Brian Sweeney said:
With the 1.3x crop factor, 50mm is an effective 65. Works well for "environmental portraits".

The 75 would be nice for head+shoulder shots, an equivalent 105mm lens on a full-frame camera.
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Brian, are you uploading these test shots some place?

TS: Depending on what you like, you might want to start off with some older lenses. These are cheaper than the modern counterparts, but give excellent results. Canons, Nikkors, Summitar, and so on.
 
I will be uploading test shots to ziforums.com. So far, I have used the M8 to test the focus on a Zeiss Conversion and three J-3's that I rebuilt and collimated for the Leica.

I'm partial to Zeiss Sonnars.

Wartime CZJ 5cm F1.5 Sonnar "T" in LTM, Canon P, Kodacolor 400, all wide-open at F1.5.

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Not bad for a 67 year old lens.
I'll be using this lens on the M8.
 
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mabelsound said:
Isn't that ironic? All these years of getting more and more contrast out of lenses, and now that we're shooting digital we all want low contrast for highlight and shadow detail...
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yes, but very logical. sean reid wrote about the value of lower contrast lenses as early as the advent of the R-D1. holding highlights while shooting in high contrast conditions is one of digital's challenges. my fav lens on my R-D1 was a canon 35/2.8.

back to the OP's question, assuming you want speed:

1. low budget: vc 50/1.5 or canon ltm 50/1.4
2. mid budget: zeiss c-sonnar 50/1.5 or leitz 50/1.4 pre pre-asph
3. hi budget: leitz 50/1.4 pre-asph

assuming less speed:

1. zeiss 50/2
2. leitz 50/2.8 elmar
 
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Hi,

Thanks for all the comments so far.
Well, the Summicron 50m is really fast to go, it's gone & sold before I have decide.

Look like I have to look for some alternative.
I have actually using a 50 Hexanon with my R-D1 until I sold it together to go for the M8.
Now hearing a lot of great comments on the hexanon, now I am regretting letting it go, ha ha.

Well, looks like I might go & try out the Planar or Voigt 50mm f1,5.
 
I'm using two different 50s for that part of my portrait kit.
1) 1953 J3 for a more vintage look.
2) Zeiss Planar 50/2 for a more modern look.

Based on what Iv'e seen of it thus far, I really like the planar.

Just did a portrait session with the planar this afternoon. A quick low-res outtake:

4283908946_f42b402888_b.jpg
 
I think there are far too many 50mm lenses to make a rational decision.

I have only one but it I didn't have it I would probably buy either the Zeiss Planar or the M-Hexanon, based on what I've seen online.
 
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