Need advice on a lens for M2.

leica M2 fan

leica M2 fan

Veteran
Local time
2:10 PM
Joined
Jul 28, 2005
Messages
8,079
Interested in getting 50mm 1.5 for my M2. Would I be wise to get a Sonnar
(the old version) or the new Sonnar? Or should I consider the CV Nokton, I've heard great things about it? Any help is beneficial, TIA.
Tony
 
Hi! Is that a shot of Thelonius Monk? If so, did you take the shot? Great shot! One of my favorite musicians. Don't know about sonnars, I shoot a 50mm pre-asph lux and a 50mm Canon1.8 LTM both of which are good enough for me.
 
Yes, that is Monk.

Yes, that is Monk.

And no, I didn't take it, it's off an album cover. I don't remember which. Thanks for the response and I'm happy that your satisfied with your lenses. Both are great lenses. :)
 
What's your budget? And are you looking for the sonnar signature, or do you simply want a faster 50?

The Nokton 50/1.5 is a wonderful lens, modern look, sharp and crisp (incl. wide open), but not overly contrasty. A sonnar, though, it is definitely not.

There are a number of threads on the new Zeiss C-Sonnar 50, which seems to be a stellar lens. Check out the Gallery and flickr pages of mfogiel, who uses one a lot. Also the M-Mount group on flickr. I'd love to get one but it's well out of my price range.

The Canon 50/1.5 is a sonnar-clone, and a wonderful lens, both for portraits and, stopped down, general use. Looks and balances great on an M2 as well! :)

2788023813_fed550f01e.jpg


The Nikkor 50/1.4 LTM is a sonnar-design, too, IIRC, as is the Jupiter 3.

In the end, I sold my Nokton 50/1.5, but have kept the Canon pictured above.
 
Thanks for all this great info.

Thanks for all this great info.

Bingley said:
What's your budget? And are you looking for the sonnar signature, or do you simply want a faster 50?

The Nokton 50/1.5 is a wonderful lens, modern look, sharp and crisp (incl. wide open), but not overly contrasty. A sonnar, though, it is definitely not.

There are a number of threads on the new Zeiss C-Sonnar 50, which seems to be a stellar lens. Check out the Gallery and flickr pages of mfogiel, who uses one a lot. Also the M-Mount group on flickr. I'd love to get one but it's well out of my price range.

The Canon 50/1.5 is a sonnar-clone, and a wonderful lens, both for portraits and, stopped down, general use. Looks and balances great on an M2 as well! :)

2788023813_fed550f01e.jpg


The Nikkor 50/1.4 LTM is a sonnar-design, too, IIRC, as is the Jupiter 3.

In the end, I sold my Nokton 50/1.5, but have kept the Canon pictured above.
Click to expand...

I have several Sonnar clones, namely Nikkor 50/1.4 in NikonRF mount, Jupiter 8 in LTM. I also have the Canon 50/1.4 which is not a Sonnar but is a fine lens. Now my question seems to be leading me toward the Sonnar C in ZM mount. I will check out the references you posted and thank again for your input. Tony
 
What a lovely camera! Looks pristine!

Bingley said:
What's your budget? And are you looking for the sonnar signature, or do you simply want a faster 50?

The Nokton 50/1.5 is a wonderful lens, modern look, sharp and crisp (incl. wide open), but not overly contrasty. A sonnar, though, it is definitely not.

There are a number of threads on the new Zeiss C-Sonnar 50, which seems to be a stellar lens. Check out the Gallery and flickr pages of mfogiel, who uses one a lot. Also the M-Mount group on flickr. I'd love to get one but it's well out of my price range.

The Canon 50/1.5 is a sonnar-clone, and a wonderful lens, both for portraits and, stopped down, general use. Looks and balances great on an M2 as well! :)

2788023813_fed550f01e.jpg


The Nikkor 50/1.4 LTM is a sonnar-design, too, IIRC, as is the Jupiter 3.

In the end, I sold my Nokton 50/1.5, but have kept the Canon pictured above.
Click to expand...
 
For some reason I have a lot of 50's - ranging from 50f1.4 Asph to Jupiters. The one I tend to use the most is the ZM Sonnar 50f1.5 - it is as sharp as you need but were it shines is the "signature" of it. Very "lush" black/white with nice and smooth highlights and very good flare resistance. Another fine choice is the Nokton 50f1.5 - it is probably a "best buy" value for money. Better performer than the pre-asph Summilux and sharper at f1.5.
The Canon's and Nikkor's are good, but as they are 40-50+ years old, you also have to check for fog, haze and scratches on them - and by the time you find a mint one, you are paying Nokton 50f1.5 prices for them! These older lenses also tend to be more flare sensitive than the newer ,multicoated lenses.
The apex of 50's is the Summilux 50f1.4 Asph - most likely the sharpest 50 ever made, but it is priced accordingly. I find it a bit too contrasty in bl/w, thats why I prefer the ZM Sonnar.
 
Hey you guys thanks for the fabulous info. Sure got the Big Guns answering this one. It was fun to have John, Bingley,Thomas, Al, Januaryman, and Tom A give their input to a lens question that has been asked to death. Heartfelt thanks to all, I really needed the info.
 
M2fan: If you already have the excellent and fast Nikon and Canon 50f1.4, and a J8 Sonnar clone, how about looking for anther 50mm lens that offers something different? I'd suggest spending less than $50 and getting a collapsible FED50 or I-22 lens. Put on on your M2 and you can easily slip it into a (large) paocket. Compact size, vintage but still good quality results.
 
Last edited:
Frank, I do have a Fed-50 collapsible f3.5 and I love the rendition of both color and B&W it gives. Forgot to mention it since I use it mostly on the Fed2, boy what a great combo.I really appreciate your comment. Thanks.
 
Hey Riouzan, glad to have your Summarit pics to give me even more of a choice. I enjoyed your flickr sets. Thanks, great and interesting shots.
 
Choices, choices alright. I'm kind of leaning towards the Canon 50/1.5 now or the Zeiss 1.5 but the others presented are all very good also. As I said choices, choices.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom