Normal Lens for Leica M6

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klaengur

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Hello.

Greetings from Iceland! :)

I was wandering what would be the best option for a normal lens(50mm) for my Leica M6. I already have 24 mm and 90 mm lens but I am in a desparate need of a normal lens. Having checked both CV lenses, used Leica lenses and more I have absolutely no idea what to do. My budget is around 600 USD.

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Klaengur
www.klaengur.com
 
At that price, I've seen very good things from the Zeiss Planar 50 f/2.

I'd like to visit Iceland one of these days. A couple friends of mine went last year and loved it.
 
What kind of 24mm and 90mms do you have? If they are Voigtlander are you satisfied with the quality such that you wish to remain with the brand? If they are Leica do you find the performance sufficient to remain with the brand?
Do you wish a fast (<=f/1.4) lens or a collapsible lens or a compact lens? Would you prefer a newer design or one of the classic lenses? Does M- or LTM- mount concern you?

Many factors determine the proper lens.
 
The 35mm lens is often used as the "normal" lens on rangefinders. I use mine as the normal lens and find that the 50mm actually has a slight telephoto effect in comparison. The classic rangefinder combination is 35mm & 90mm. Combined with your 24mm you will be able to handle the large percentage of shots you wish to take.

Best Regards,

Bob
 
My 28 and 90 mm lenses are Leica but of course I am willing to try CV, Zeiss and other brands.

I almost never use the 90 mm lens exept sometimes att concerts.
On my Nikon SLR I have always used the 50 mm most and I kind of miss that focal lenght.

Do you need some adapters for these 3rd party lenses as the Zeiss or Hexanon?

Shenkerian

Iceland yeah, it´s good if you like landscape shots and so on but I am more for cityscapes and big city culture and random lifestyles. Sometimes Iceland is just a little bit to small :)

Thanks for the help people!
 
I got a summicron 50 with the M7 kit and this is the sharpest lens I've ever shot by an order of magnitude. Crisp and contrasty too- I print some of these 1620 and they are still sharp!
 
Hi Klaengur, you don't need an adapter with Zeiss ZM or Konica Hexanon lenses. CV makes both M and older screw mount lenses; you'll need an adapter (around $50) for the latter. As Erik pointed out, there are many factors to consider; I suggested the Zeiss Planar as a solid all-rounder. If you've got other factors in mind (e.g., speed, contrast, size), feel free to mention them. For example, if size is most important to you, the new Leica Elmar is pretty tiny, albeit f/2.8.
 
Well I dont want them to big. That Leica Elmar 2.8 looks really good and the 2.8 aperture is nothing I worry about. What´s the price on that Elmar 2.8?
 
I think it's in your price range if used. To be honest, though, I think I'd still recommend the Zeiss Planar. Others may disagree, but I believe it outperforms the Elmar in every way. It's not a large lens by any means, and you can get it for $615 brand new.
 
Wel, I've only ever used the latest formulations of the Leica 50mm summicron and elmar-M and I'm pretty much sold on the elmar-M. It is only f2.8, but that else aside I find I prefer the slower lens. The out of focus areas are quite different to the 'cron (preferable in my opinion), the sharpness is on par and the contrast a touch lower which is very useful given the directness of the sun over here in New Zealand. It's the contrast that I don't like so much in the summicron. A little too hard even with medium contrast films like FP4+.

In the end it's a personal choice which is why I've been shooting the both of them for the past few months with the intention of selling the least used. In this case I prefer the elmar, not just use it more!

Ian
 
The current 50/f2.8 Elmar-M is an under-appreciated lens that is sharp and renders colors beautifully on the warmish side in comparison to a current Summicron. Look in the classifieds here and in the FS notices over on photo.net in the Leica forum. I bought a chrome one over there last year for $450 so it is within your budget. Shot below is from the 50/f2.8 Elmar-M.
 

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Thanks for all the great advice people.. I think I´ll go with the Elmar 2.8.. Try to find it used or try to raise my budget :)
 
For some reason I always think of the Summicron 50 as 'the' standard lens for M cameras (possibly because it was my first rangefinder lens and it has completely defined my expectations of what a rangefinder lens should be and can do). Both the Summicron and the Planar ZM are outstanding but they do render differently, so it will not be accurate to say that it is a toss up between the two. Pricewise a good condition Summicron costs the same as the Planar (check the classifieds, there's a good looking Summicron right now). The Elmar is a fine lens but a little slow in my opinion.
 
Thanks for the great advice.. I wont be buying for about a month or so but I guess that I´ll be buying the Zeiss Planar ZM. I want to buy a new lens for a change :)
Where do you recomend buying it? I saw it on Bhphoto for 799$ but shenkerian mentioned that it is possible to get it for 615$ new.

Regards
Klængur
 
I bought a new black USA Planar from Calumet's clearance sale on evilbay and paid $461 for it new with cards and box. Keep your eyes open and there are some great deals out there.

IMO the Planar is a better lens than the Summicron, optically and mechanically. I've owned and shot extensively with each optical formula of the Summicron for the past 39 years so I have a fairly good perspective on that lens.
 
I have a Rigid Summicron and its a fantastic lens, however.........I just got me a Minolta M-Rokkor 40mm/2 and it's growing on me more and more. It's a copy of Leica Summicron -C 40mm lens and some say that Rokkor is better. We will see. Plus its a good compromize between 35mm and 50mm lens. I don't have photos from Rokkor yet, but as far as feel and mechanics I like it more than even cron, plus its much smaller that 50 cron and makes for a great compact combo on m6 or m3. It does bring up 50mm frames but can be adjusted to bring up 35mm frames. I'm not sure if I will do that adjustment, but time will tell.
 
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