Newbie got GAS, M2, now what lens?

[Sanders McNew]

Oh dear. In a fit of GAS I called up KEH
and got myself an M2. I plan to use a
5cm Sonnar from my IIIa (KEH is sending
the adapter) but I'm thinking I should
spring for an M-mount 5cm lens to go
with it. I shoot people in B+W. Any
thoughts?

Yours in Leica madness,

Sanders McNew

 

[Lance]

What do you gain with another 5 cm in the bag? 5+5 is not 10... hehe... lame...

Why not go for a nice 35 mm?

 

[thomasw_]

Hi Sanders,

You have so many options, depending on what look you want to draw and with what levels of luminosity you will shoot. I would recommend a M-mount Elmar 50/2,8 as a great all-round starting point. If you find you want to shoot in much lower evening light, then later you might add a summilux or summarit.

Regards, TW

 

[ferider]

Hi Sanders,

as a fan of your 6x6 portraits on flickr, I recommend the ZM Planar.

On RFF, you have shared with us many great photos with
signature/classic lenses on your Barnacks. How about something more
modern and similar to your Rollei Planar on the M2 ?

Congrats to the best Leica ever built 🙂

Cheers,

Roland.

 

[payasam]

I'll second Ilan and say that a 35 would make sense.

 

[tomasis]

how about 50/1.5 Summitar? Collapsible Summicron is exciting option too. If you have old Elmar to Leica III, use this with adapter on m2 🙂

35mm doesn't makes sense at all! It is up owner's preferences.

regards from hardcore 50mm guy

 

[takeda72]

I only have my M3 since last month, and I tried a Elmar Collpasible 2.8 and a Summicron Collapsible. Loved both, but I decided to keep the Summicron because it is faster.

Now... sorry for my question. I am new here and I am brazilian so... WHAT IS GAS? 😛

 

[MCTuomey]

Congrats on the new camera.

Lens' preference being such a delightfully personal thing, it's hard to make a recommendation. Having seen your *Barnack* work, maybe the Summitar suggestion would be a good place to start.

 

[parsec1]

Get the new 50 mm Planar if you can .I have one and it is truly awesome.

 

[fbf]

35mm cron pre-asph or apsh.

 

[Rafael]

I like Roland and parsec1's suggestion of the ZM Planar. This is probably my favourite lens. A close (and increasingly closer) second is the new Elmar-M that Thomas recommended. This choice would give you hints of an older look that might nicely complement your Barnack work while at the same time giving you a modern-type sharpness that you don't get with the older lenses. Good luck with your choice.

 

[lawrence]

My recommendation would be a rigid (50mm Summicron). I had one over thirty years ago that was stolen and I recently replaced it. Although you probably can't see the quality this was taken with the original one and the tones are just wonderful

Australia, 1974

 

[Sanders McNew]

Wow, thank you all for the quick and thoughtful replies.

I have the Summar, and also a 5cm f/3.5 Elmar LTM. On my Tele Rolleiflex, I very much like the look I get with the 135mm Sonnar. On my view camera, I prefer a Commercial Ektar to a Sironar; the Ektar is a modern lens, yet the Sironar has a sterile look to my eye. I guess what I would like is something closer to the Sonnar or the Ektar -- a more modern resolution/look, but without the unforgiving perfection of modern lenses. Does that make sense?

Is there an M-mount lens that fits this bill? I know Roger Hicks swears by his older Summilux. Are there any Sonnar options? Is the 2.8 Elmar any different from the 3.5 Elmar?

Sanders

 

[Bingley]

Sanders -- I'm strictly an LTM user (with the wonderful Canon 50/1.5 as my Sonnar-type lens), but there IS the new 50mm Zeiss C-Sonnar, which a number of RFF members have, including Roger Hicks, mfogiel, and Roland.

Here's a review/thread that Roger Hicks started on the new Zeiss Sonnar:

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=51092

Here's a recent thread on the new ZI, but w/ some discussion of lenses at the end, including the 50 mm C-Sonnar, and links to sample shots:

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=53634&page=2

BTW, I've really enjoyed seeing the work you've posted w/ your Barnacks, and eagerly await pix w/ your new M2 and whatever lens you ultimately choose.

Edit: spelling and punctuation (oh dear); haven't had my morning coffee yet....

 

[Nokton48]

Hello Sanders.

Congrats on your new M2. I just reacquired one, myself. The thrill is back.

Since you already have a couple of lenses, why not use those for a bit, and try out some of the lenses being suggested. Sounds like you want something -modern-. That makes sense, and would nicely compliment your Summar and Elmar.

Speaking of Norma(s), take a look at what I just couldn't live without:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=150212008965

Enjoy your new M2. It is without a doubt my favorite Leica model. I elected to buy the three Leitz adapters, and use LTM lenses I already have. But now, you will need a good 35mm, when your back is to the wall, it will be good to have.

-Dan

 

[ferider]

It seems like the new ZM C-Sonnar is then exactly what you are looking
for, Sanders. Or an older Nikkor screw-mount, like the 50/1.4 or 85/2.

Cheers,

Roland.

 

[BillP]

I too am a happy M2 user. I use mine with a beautiful Dual Range Summicron, and that is what I would recommend.

Regards,

Bill

 

[Sanders McNew]

It seems like the new ZM C-Sonnar is then exactly what you are looking
for, Sanders. Or an older Nikkor screw-mount, like the 50/1.4 or 85/2.

Cheers,

Roland.

Roland, thanks for this. I just read through Roger Hicks's review of the C Sonnar and it does sound awfully close to what I had in mind.

What about the Nikkor LTM Sonnars? Or the Canon? I've looked for them but never seem to find them for sale. Any leads on where to look?

And if anybody can tell me whether the 2.8 Elmar is any different from the 3.5 LTM Elmar (and if so, how) I would be grateful.

Sanders

 

[ferider]

Hi Sanders,

Both Nikkor 50/1.4 and Canon 50/1.5 LTM lenses are Sonnar variants.
They also are great for portraiture, with a nice center punch. But lower
contrast, wide open than the modern Zeiss lens. From f4 up, in particular the Nikkor
is razor sharp - no problems for landscapes, for instance. The Nikkor has
a lot of history - was used by a number of famous photographers since
the 50s.

The other Canon 50s are either Planar based (50/1.[2489]) or Tessar
based (the 50/2.8). Great lenses but not the Sonnar/Ernostar signature
that it seems you are looking for.

If you are patient you can get either Canon 50/1.5 or Nikkor 50/1.4
for around US 300 or so. Plus an adapter. I think RFF member Beniliam
might still be looking for a buyer for his Nikkor.

One advanted of Canon and Nikkor Sonnar is the size. They are very
small and built in hefty chrome+brass. This is how the Canon 50/1.5
looks on the M2: 🙂

There are lots of examples of the above lenses in the M-mount flickr
group (see the link in my signature).

Best,

Roland.

 

[dshugar]

What does GAS mean?