One 50mm for M9

J

jeffnesh

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So I'm about ready to dive feet first into an M9. I can *just* scrape together the funds if I find the right deal...not much left for lenses. I like to 50mm FOV, someday I'll round out with 35 and maybe 75/90.

I'm looking for advice on a decent 50 that is within range. Used, old, whatever...can I get that for around $1k? I don't know my crons from my luxes, or other brands... any guidance would be helpful as I lay plans.

Thanks,
Jeff
 
Zeiss Planar 50 f/2, or Voigtlander Heliar 50 f/3.5 come to mind as two excellent lenses that you can purchase new for under $1K each. These are still in production, so you won't have to deal with the haze, oil on aperture blades, stiff helical lube, fungus, separation, etc of older lenses.
 
Save some money and get a mint condition Canon 50mm f/1.4. It's a fantastic lens on the M9. Another great one is the rigid Summicron. Both are relatively inexpensive and top shelf lenses.

Phil Forrest
 
Konica M-Hexanon 50mm f2. A Summicron-M 50mm f2 under a different name. It's a sleeper, the prices will go up and up over the years as they realize this, buy one cheap now.
 
Under 1K USD?
New: Zeiss Planar 50/2, Voigtlander 50/1.5 (not easy to find this lens in new condition but try to contact cameraquest).
Used: Zeiss Sonnar 50/1.5,Sumicron rigid 50/2,Hexanon 50/2
 
Hope so!

This is the lens I use and it's really great, and feels wonderfully put together.

Moriturii said:
Konica M-Hexanon 50mm f2. A Summicron-M 50mm f2 under a different name. It's a sleeper, the prices will go up and up over the years as they realize this, buy one cheap now.
Click to expand...
 
My first M-mount lens was a Rigid Summicron 50/2, I think version III, but not sure. The paint is a bit scuffed, but optically fine, and I paid about $500 for it, a few years ago. You can easily get a decent one for $1000. It's a great lens, compact and very sharp.
 
I'd get a Zeiss 2/50 ZM Planar new. I think it's likely the safest, most capable all round 50 at the price.

FWIW, my only 50 is a C-Sonnar that I think is great, but sometimes I'd like a lens that drew sharp across the field like the 35 Biogon.
 
I second the Nokton 50/1.5. It was very nice on my M9 and only sold it after buying a 50/1.4 asph. It really is a very nice lens and for under a 1000 you should easily be able to buy one and a Voigtlander Ultron 35/1.7. Alternative is being patient and buying a second hand 50 summicron. I never cared for the Zeiss options, but lots of people here like them. In the end it is all very personal. Just visit Flickr and search for M9 and any of the above mentioned lenses and see which pictures you like best. Not ideal, but at least you get something of an idea.
 
If you want sharp, it's very tough to top the 50 Zeiss Planar. Much more flare resistant than the summicron - at least in my experiences with the lenses.
I sold my planar earlier in the year. But just bought another yesterday after deciding I made a mistake.
 
I have an M8 and my favorite 50mm lens to use on it is the ltm CV 50/2.5 Color Skopar. It is just a wonderful lens. While they are no longer in production they do come up for sale as used.

Another good 50 is the latest Leica 50/2.8 Collapsible Elmar. Of course you cannot go wrong with the Hexanon or the Summicron...both top notch lenses.

Bob
 
tbarker13 said:
If you want sharp, it's very tough to top the 50 Zeiss Planar. Much more flare resistant than the summicron - at least in my experiences with the lenses.
I sold my planar earlier in the year. But just bought another yesterday after deciding I made a mistake.
Click to expand...

A recommendation especially worth noting.

Fwiw, in my experience, both the ZM Planar and C-Sonnar are quite flare-resistant, more than the Crons, Hex, and quite a bit more than the Canon ltm. If you prefer higher contrast out-of-camera, the Planar will make you happy. If you prefer lower contrast out-of-camera, the Hex and earlier Crons will do better for you.

If I wanted more of the Lux ASPH look though, I would search for a good VC Nokton 50/1.5. Except maybe for its size and occasional funky bokeh, the Nokton is an all-round wunder-value.
 
Forget everything else and do it right first time,
Summicron 50 F2 version iv. the one before the collapsible built in hood version.
If you can't find one then get a v3.
The Hexanon is a great lens, I had one on my MP and yes it's a Summicron in all but name but it's not Leica. If you are spending out on an M9 get a Leica lens and be done.
If you don't I'll bet you will later.
Add a v.4 or asph 35 at a later date and you have a great kit.
 
Does it make sense for you to have only one lens?
If so, you have plenty of great, under 1k$ possibilities, notably the Zeiss options (new) or a used summicron.
If not, you still can find great lenses for not much leaving some monney for another lens.
I am not a huge fan of the VC quality control, but I think that a Nokton, a skopar 35 and a 90mm f/3.5 all of them will hardly reach 1k.
Now, will your photography be better with one incrementally better lens, or three very good non Leica/Zeiss lenses in different focal lengths?
 
Are you going to shoot architecture, and not post process for distortion? If so, your choices are limited.

As mentioned above, the Elmar 50/2.8 or a cron' would be good. The Hex 50/2 is good as well. I've not had great experiences with some of the others mentioned.
 
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