One 50mm for M9

JSU said:
Not to argue but is this what you meant, or could it have been: "more of the Lux pre-ASPH look"?
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I can see where you would think I misspoke but actually, no, I did mean to say "ASPH.". I think the Nokton images more similarly to the 50 Lux ASPH than the 50 Lux pre-ASPH. The Nokton seems to have a fair amount of that wide-open sharpness for which the ASPH is well-known. Unlike the pre-ASPH which I think softens up quite a bit a f1.4. If the pre-ASPH look is what one wants but doesn't have the funds, I'd suggest the Zeiss C-Sonnar. I'm sure I'll get trounced for saying so, though.
 
The pre-ASPH Lux is very sharp in the center & at infinity.

Anyways, for the OP: if I would buy an M9, I would put myself in line for a 50/1.4 ASPH. Over your budget, I know, but still.

If budget is limited, I would rather get an M8.2 and a 35/1.4 ASPH.

Roland.
 
Planar or Summicron. Both can be found for around or less than 1K.

Don't mess around with glass. Get a lens that you plan to keep for the life of your M9 and beyond.
 
efirmage said:
Don't mess around with glass. Get a lens that you plan to keep for the life of your M9 and beyond.
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Not to disagree with you but I had to "mess around" before I knew which lenses I'd want for the long term (within my spending constraints). Especially the fifties. I'm not the sharpest tool in the shed, so it took me awhile.
 
the nokton 50/1.5 is a big mistery to me. it was my first lens, and it delivers amazingly sharp images wide open, its bokeh is very discrete, won't bring attention to it, the ergonomics are great, focus throw is kinda short so it's quick to focus and (at least in mine) both focus and aperture rings are so smooth.

but when taking out a 50 lens, I tend to get my 50/1.8 canon ltm as I prefer the low contrast and warmer tones, even though it's much more prone to flare than the nokton.

still, I can't see myself selling the Nokton, it's my "safest" lens: I am 100% sure that I won't have any issues while shooting with it: fast aperture, great ergonomics, love the push on lens cap, no flare, no focus shift, no softness...
 
As you already know that you like the 50mm FOV, I would mess around as much as possible with glass. A good photographer can take good pictures with any lense so just take your time and explore 50mm options in Leica M country. Testing lenses yourself is the best way to go and as you are sticking to one focal length in a way it also does not really confuse your vision as a photographer.

A lot of the lenses mentioned above can be bought second hand and very often resold for more or less the same. Look around for good or reasonable deals in the classifieds here, you will be buying from people who most of the time belong to our community and not just an unknown Ebay seller. Chances are slim that you will buy a lemon and just use completed listings on Ebay as a price check if you are in doubt.

I have had a Summicron 50/2, Canon 50 1.2 and 1.4, collapsible Elmar 50 2.8 and a Nokton 50 1.5. Of those I liked the summicron and the Nokton the most (Canon 50/1.4 a good third)

Enjoy the ride
 
umcelinho said:
still, I can't see myself selling the Nokton, it's my "safest" lens: I am 100% sure that I won't have any issues while shooting with it: fast aperture, great ergonomics, love the push on lens cap, no flare, no focus shift, no softness...
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😕😕No focus shift? I tried one and returned it as I could only use it wide open or at f 8.0. In between was too much recalculating focus for my brain.
 
Phil_F_NM said:
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
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I agree completely with Phil. I've got the Canon LTM f/1.4 after I got the Cron. I'm happy with both, but the Canon is a real deal for $300 to $350!
 
My experience about the Canon 1.4.
It IS a great lens, and apart of the Nokton, I can't see any other 1.4 justifying it's price.
The reasons why I ended up selling mine are the long throw that I disliked, the minimum focus distance at 1m (I can live with that, but it's annoying) and a hefty amount of distortion (that was the deal breaker).
Don't get me wrong, the old summilux may show the same problems at a much higher price, but I decided to go the mainstream f/2 route instead....
 
CV Nokton 1.5 is fantastic lens...previous poster suggested Cameraquest - probably the right answer. I think the bokeh is great, focus sharp, lovely all round. This and my Leica 90 2.8 are my two favourites.
 
MCTuomey said:
Not to disagree with you but I had to "mess around" before I knew which lenses I'd want for the long term (within my spending constraints). Especially the fifties. I'm not the sharpest tool in the shed, so it took me awhile.
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+1. Nothing wrong with some experimentation. You may very well find that "the best lens" may not the best lens for you. I've tried tons of 50s, but seem to have a settled on the 50 planar and a couple of older sonnars.
If someone gave me a 50 Lux Asph today, I'd sell it tomorrow to buy the lenses I have (along a few other toys).
 
I love the lenses with the long focus throw, it makes precise focusing just a bit easier. With the fast 50's I think this is more important than quick handling. If I wanted a quicker handling 50mm I'd get one with a max aperture of 2.8 and a shorter focus throw.

Currently, I have an old chrome rigid Summicron that I got for only $260 'cause it was engraved by a previous owner. I have a DR Summicron of similar vintage. I also have a Canon 50 f/1.2. That lens is probably as close to a Noctilux as I'll ever get and on the M9 it's fantastic. Low contrast with very smooth tones that deal really well with the digital sensor. It IS slow to focus but like I said, if I want faster focusing in a 50, I'm using my rigid 'Cron.

Considering Leica quality is synonymous with "Summicron" you can't go wrong with any of the Summicrons (except the DR just because of mechanical issues) except maybe the collapsible. I've found that every collapsible lens I've owned needed collimation servicing by a tech in order to focus properly on a Leica digital.

As far as this crazy idea of only owning one 50mm lens, good luck! I thought I was going to slim it down to just a DR and rigid 'Cron two years ago and wound up with SEVEN 50mm lenses. It's the easiest and cheapest place for a GAS attack unless you're shopping for the true rarities.

Phil
 
tbarker13 said:
+1. Nothing wrong with some experimentation. You may very well find that "the best lens" may not the best lens for you. I've tried tons of 50s, but seem to have a settled on the 50 planar and a couple of older sonnars.
If someone gave me a 50 Lux Asph today, I'd sell it tomorrow to buy the lenses I have (along a few other toys).
Click to expand...

I definitely agree with this, and thought after I posted that I should've elaborated more.

I think if you have a limited budget you should go with a lens that could last you your whole life, like the Planar or Summicron. Once you've gotten to know the camera and your own style with that camera a little better then you should start experimenting with more lenses.

Mess around with glass when you know what you want to do with it, IMO.

I made the mistake of buying a 90mm as my first and only Leica lens, because I had a 35mm and a 50mm on different cameras. It seemed reasonable at the time to add glass later and shoot with all three cameras. But I didn't realize how attached I'd get to my Leica 🙄
 
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