raid
Dad Photographer
Prices are up for sure. A bargain lens is for me a lens that is very good and costs less than a Leica lens.
I want a Nikon 50/2 again. I sold a Tokyo 50/2. My loss.
ChrisC
Established
We do?
I don't. The 'As New' 40mm Rokkor sent to me by one of Europe's 'leading' Leica-fit dealers was a shocker which exhibited such ghastly, image wrecking, 'glowing' highlights [presumably spherical Abberations?] that it was utterly unusable by me. At which point I gave up my search for a 40mm lens and purchased a Zeiss C-Biogon 35mm f2.8 and learned that this lens may well be the best value lens for the M platform there is.
But there again I see it as my responsibility, not my lenses, to put 'character' into my work.
.......... Chris
raid
Dad Photographer
Chris,
You were stuck with a rare lemon or messed up lens. The Summicron-C rivals any Leica 35-50mm lens in performance.
You were stuck with a rare lemon or messed up lens. The Summicron-C rivals any Leica 35-50mm lens in performance.
ray*j*gun
Veteran
I know this will sound like heresy but, (with a proper adapter) a J3 or J8 that Brian has adjusted can be spectacular.
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johannielscom
Snorting silver salts
Another vote for the Konica Hexanon-M 50/2.0, that can easily go head-to-head with a Summicron. And as a result gets harder to find already...
I know you didn't ask for it, but the Voigtlander Color-Skopar 50/2.8 is the nicest one they made, real chrome over brass and a future classic. Resembles the Summaron 35/2.8 closely in design. Real sharp and classic bokeh. Don't say I didn't tall you!
I know you didn't ask for it, but the Voigtlander Color-Skopar 50/2.8 is the nicest one they made, real chrome over brass and a future classic. Resembles the Summaron 35/2.8 closely in design. Real sharp and classic bokeh. Don't say I didn't tall you!
santino
FSU gear head
4/90 Elmar-C. You can get it for about 150$ (but look for the original hood!). It's insanely sharp and focuses perfectly with any M (even though it has that weird cam). It's really small too and almost doesn't suffer from any special diseases like haze etc.
Gid
Well-known
Another vote for the Hexanon 50 F2. Also CV 35 2.5, any of them (PI, PII or classic).
Steve M.
Veteran
Your bargain price spread includes a LOT of great lenses. For $700 you could even find a 50 DR. My bargain prices are considerably lower, so put me down for a Summar for the best prices for a Leica lens. If you get a clean one, or have it cleaned, a Summar is a fantastic lens.
Let's not forget the 61LD lenses. I have one that is very, very close to a Leica in IQ, and I used to have a collapsible Industar 50 that was even better. There is no way you can look at photos made from either of these lenses and tell if a Leica or a $25 Russian lens made them.
Like ray said, a Sweeneyized J8 is a fine lens. The one I got from him focused really well all through the range, but I do prefer a Leica's IQ.
In my life, the best lens bargain I've found recently came attached to a $45 Kodak Retina Ia camera. It's an Ektar 50 3.5 and heres's 2 samples made with bargain $1 a roll film.
Let's not forget the 61LD lenses. I have one that is very, very close to a Leica in IQ, and I used to have a collapsible Industar 50 that was even better. There is no way you can look at photos made from either of these lenses and tell if a Leica or a $25 Russian lens made them.
Like ray said, a Sweeneyized J8 is a fine lens. The one I got from him focused really well all through the range, but I do prefer a Leica's IQ.
In my life, the best lens bargain I've found recently came attached to a $45 Kodak Retina Ia camera. It's an Ektar 50 3.5 and heres's 2 samples made with bargain $1 a roll film.
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ChrisC
Established
Raid - I hope you are right about it being a lemon but I had no way to determine whether it was or wasn't, and when I was looking the 40mm Summicron was a contender but I couldn't get one. I have been working the C-Biogon 35mm for over a year and it has become irreplaceable, by the way; it replaced a Colour Skopar 35mm f2.5 which it noticeably out performs.
I too have a Hexanon 50mm f2.0 and I think it's a wonderful lens.
.............. Chris
raid
Dad Photographer
Chris,
One option is to send DAG or someone else your lens for adjusting and testing. DAG did a great job adjusting my Canon 50/1.2.
I am posting four larger sized images from the Summicron-C. It is as good as the Pentax 43mm 1.9 limited edition LTM lens. I compared them.
This is a first class lens overall.
One option is to send DAG or someone else your lens for adjusting and testing. DAG did a great job adjusting my Canon 50/1.2.
I am posting four larger sized images from the Summicron-C. It is as good as the Pentax 43mm 1.9 limited edition LTM lens. I compared them.
This is a first class lens overall.
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raid
Dad Photographer
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