Ronald_H
Don't call me Ron
😀
Something about nails and heads? Get yourself a cheap lens and shoot with that. When you buy your first M, there's no way back anyway...
New to Leica World with M2... advice on lens please?
- Thread starter hyokjae
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😀
Something about nails and heads? Get yourself a cheap lens and shoot with that. When you buy your first M, there's no way back anyway...
Chyn
Established
I started out with my M2 with a CV 40/1.4 Nokton and still think it's indispensable. I have since acquired a tabbed 50mm Summicron which I like for tighter compositions and color, but the Nokton is an all-around performer--good for black and white, good in terms of size and low-light performance.
I have some examples of pics taken with the M2/Nokton here (and tons of examples from other users in Flickr): http://www.flickr.com/photos/chynyj/sets/72157611291202380/
Good luck with your first lens selection!
I have some examples of pics taken with the M2/Nokton here (and tons of examples from other users in Flickr): http://www.flickr.com/photos/chynyj/sets/72157611291202380/
Good luck with your first lens selection!
F
former member
Guest
The Canon 50mm F1.8 is LTM, so you will need an adapter.
A "fast Fifty" is a very good choice for pictures of small children. A short telephoto is also good to have, and will allow some working distance for "environmental photos". When my daughter was younger, using an 85 or 135 avoided the "Daddy, Daddy Look at me" reaction. a 50mm F1.8 or faster to get indoor existing light photo's, a short telephoto for at-play shots. You have decades of lenses to choose from. Very few lenses started out as "bad designs", but getting a used lens means looking for a clean one.
A "fast Fifty" is a very good choice for pictures of small children. A short telephoto is also good to have, and will allow some working distance for "environmental photos". When my daughter was younger, using an 85 or 135 avoided the "Daddy, Daddy Look at me" reaction. a 50mm F1.8 or faster to get indoor existing light photo's, a short telephoto for at-play shots. You have decades of lenses to choose from. Very few lenses started out as "bad designs", but getting a used lens means looking for a clean one.
Merkin
For the Weekend
With 400 dollars to spend, since portraiture seems to be a main goal, consider buying two lenses with that money: One of the Canon LTM 35mm lenses (you will also need an adapter, which runs around 50 bucks, give or take a few bucks) and an m mount Leica 90mm f4 Elmar lens. The latter isn't a very popular lens amongst most Leica shooters, and it isn't the sharpest lens leica ever made, but it can be had for around a hundred bucks, and I personally don't like absolutely perfect sharpness in a portrait lens.
Bingley
Veteran
One additional thought, prompted by Brian Sweeney's post above: if you decide on a fast 50, give the Canon 50/1.4 a look. A number of members here use it, and it is widely praised for its sharpness wide open and its look. Prices have fallen over the last year, and you can probably pick up a good user for around $250; add an adapter, and you've still got money left over for film! 🙂
When looking for lenses, check out KEH. They grade their used gear very conservatively, and have a liberal return policy, so buying from them is a low-risk proposition (particularly compared to the 'bay). You can get some great buys there on "BGN" grade lenses.
Happy shopping, let us know what you get, and post lots of photos!
When looking for lenses, check out KEH. They grade their used gear very conservatively, and have a liberal return policy, so buying from them is a low-risk proposition (particularly compared to the 'bay). You can get some great buys there on "BGN" grade lenses.
Happy shopping, let us know what you get, and post lots of photos!
aizan
Veteran
some recent ebay prices:
$435 50/2 planar zm, chrome, m
$390 50/2.8 elmar-m, chrome, ex
$370 40/1.4 nokton, single coat, m
$330 50/2 summicron dr, ex
$325 40/2 summicron-c, ex
$305 35/1.7 ultron, no adapter, m
i also use a sekonic l-308s. no exposure compensation necessary for chromes, generally add 1-2 stops for negatives.
$435 50/2 planar zm, chrome, m
$390 50/2.8 elmar-m, chrome, ex
$370 40/1.4 nokton, single coat, m
$330 50/2 summicron dr, ex
$325 40/2 summicron-c, ex
$305 35/1.7 ultron, no adapter, m
i also use a sekonic l-308s. no exposure compensation necessary for chromes, generally add 1-2 stops for negatives.
colker
Well-known
I'd say, get this lens. I have one and it is very solidly built, really all brass and glass. It is sharp as a razor, and it is very small. No collapsible, but you really don't need that given the size. It's about 1 3/8 inch tall. You need a Leica 35mm adapter, but given the DOF a cheap Chinese one would do fine as well.
A sample:
More shots on my Flickr account, including shots of the lens on an M5.
Enjoy your M2!
EDIT: This is even cheaper, same lens with alternate branding
ooooohhh! my dog looks so much like yours.
she is so sweet and docile...
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hyokjae,
Welcome to the darkside. You will find cookies delivered shortly after you get a lens for your M2. Great choice to start with, congratulations.
As you've started with perhaps one of the best cameras for a 35mm lens ever made, IMHO you should start with a 35, but which one. The old 35/1.7 CV is a fine lens, used mine for years till I moved elsewhere. The new 35/1.4 is a wonderful lens but might be on the high side of your price range, worth every penny though. Another option is the CV 35/2.5, aggressively priced new from Stephen. I've had really good luck with used lenses but there is something about new glass. Every CV lens I've had has been great. There are lots of great 35mm lenses out there. Nikkors, Leica are but a few of the older glass that rock. New can be a lot of fun.
From a light meter perspective I love the Sekonic L-318. It's digital, small, takes 1 AA battery and you can get a 5 degree spot attachment for it. The 328 is great too if you love flash.
Again, welcome to the darkside. You made a great choice as a first body.
B2 (;->
Welcome to the darkside. You will find cookies delivered shortly after you get a lens for your M2. Great choice to start with, congratulations.
As you've started with perhaps one of the best cameras for a 35mm lens ever made, IMHO you should start with a 35, but which one. The old 35/1.7 CV is a fine lens, used mine for years till I moved elsewhere. The new 35/1.4 is a wonderful lens but might be on the high side of your price range, worth every penny though. Another option is the CV 35/2.5, aggressively priced new from Stephen. I've had really good luck with used lenses but there is something about new glass. Every CV lens I've had has been great. There are lots of great 35mm lenses out there. Nikkors, Leica are but a few of the older glass that rock. New can be a lot of fun.
From a light meter perspective I love the Sekonic L-318. It's digital, small, takes 1 AA battery and you can get a 5 degree spot attachment for it. The 328 is great too if you love flash.
Again, welcome to the darkside. You made a great choice as a first body.
B2 (;->
hyokjae
Member
Bingley,
I am keeping my eyes wide open looking for Canon 50 on ebay. I will also check out KEH.
Thanks,
-hyokjae
I am keeping my eyes wide open looking for Canon 50 on ebay. I will also check out KEH.
Thanks,
-hyokjae
Lilserenity
Well-known
I'm very very happy with my CV 35mm Ultron f/1.7.
Really happy with it. I can't say that it's the lens you must buy but I haven't used a nicer 35mm lens. Agreeably I haven't used a comparative Leitz 35mm lens but I'm not made of money, but I know a good lens when I use one and see the results all of which in colour and black and white (mostly Tri-X, Provia, Velvia 50, EBX, Portra and Kodachrome) have been fantastic.
Really happy with it. I can't say that it's the lens you must buy but I haven't used a nicer 35mm lens. Agreeably I haven't used a comparative Leitz 35mm lens but I'm not made of money, but I know a good lens when I use one and see the results all of which in colour and black and white (mostly Tri-X, Provia, Velvia 50, EBX, Portra and Kodachrome) have been fantastic.
Nokton48
Veteran
I've recently been using the CV 35/2.5/1.7 and can recommend both, depending on your speed requirements. New lenses designs have their advantages, if you like the modern look. I decided to go more old-school, so I'd recommend the Canon 35mm F2 and the Canon 50mm F1.2 for low-light, and it's quite good, down a stop, or two. Great to have the speed, you can get them both, if you shop around.
hyokjae
Member
Dear RFF members,
I was pleasantly surprised with all of your great responses. There are so many choices for lenses...I would love to experience all of CV, Canon, Rokkor and Leica (of course). I got "Summicron 50mm f/2 rigid" as my first lens for M2. Again, all your inputs were GREAT and from which I learned a lot about lenses for leica M!
-hyokjae
I was pleasantly surprised with all of your great responses. There are so many choices for lenses...I would love to experience all of CV, Canon, Rokkor and Leica (of course). I got "Summicron 50mm f/2 rigid" as my first lens for M2. Again, all your inputs were GREAT and from which I learned a lot about lenses for leica M!
-hyokjae
R
rpsawin
Guest
You chose well. The 50mm Summicrons have truly set the standard.
Best regards,
Bob
Best regards,
Bob
Uncle Bill
Well-known
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Lens wise, get either a 50 f1.5 Nokton from Voightlander or a 50 f2 Plannar Zeiss M, both are really nice. As much as I love my collapsible 50 'cron as it goes with my M3, it does flare like a bitch and I have lost some nice shots because of that.
As for a meter, a Gossen Profisix, runs on 9v batteries and they are spot on.
As for a meter, a Gossen Profisix, runs on 9v batteries and they are spot on.
Vics
Veteran
PERFECT choice! I have the collapsible and a DR, now the rigid is what I crave. Lighter than the DR but same optical cell! Go shoot some Tri=X (or Arista Premium 400). It'll blow you away!
Best, Vic
Best, Vic
b.espahbod
Optophile
I say buy cheap VC lens or two have fun and try to save for a while to buy a nice leitz glass something like Summicron 35mm f/2 7element or Elmar-M 50mm f/2.8 current, Elmarit-M 28mm f/2.8 asph. ...
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