Portrait lense for IIIg

[SulSel]

I've just picked up a Leica IIIg from a well-known auction site and am looking for a good lense for BW portraits, landscapes a second. I have my eye on a NIKKOR-S.C 5CM F1.4 LEICA SCREW MT - I know this will fit the M series, but does it fit the III series? Any other suggestions for good standard lenses?

 

[mr_phillip]

The Nikkor will certainly mount and be a great lens, but traditionally portraits tend to be more flattering when taken with a longer lens. Seeing that you got a IIIG why not look for a 90mm as well?

 

[Matthew Allen]

Leica screw mount lenses fit Leica screw mount bodies like your IIIg. They can also be used on M mount (bayonet) bodies with adapters. M mount lenses cannot however be used on screw mount bodies.

Matthew

 

[raid]

I recommend the following portrait lenses:

1. Nikkor 105mm/2.5 [$250]
2. Nikkor 85mm/2.0 [$250]
3. Canon 85mm/1.9 [great deal $175] or 85mm/1.8 [more expensive $350]
4. Steinheil 85mm/2.8 [inexpensive $75]
5. Elmarit 90mm/2.8 [great lens in different models $250]
6. Summicron 90mm/2.0 [beautiful in different models $500]

The prices are just starting points to get a feel for the market.

 

[mr_phillip]

The Canon 100mm/2.0 is another peach if you can find one. Expect to pay $300ish for a good one.

 

[Sonnar Brian]

If you want a 50mm lens, The Summarit is an outstanding lens for portraits. It is soft wide-open. You need to be careful to pick one up in clean shape, the coatings are softer on it. Some come up here for sale, and usually have had the benefit of a cleaning.

 

[Solinar]

Welcome to RFF - The IIIg in my book is a bit too compact to hang a long, heavy lens on the front. If you can by using the 1.4 Nikkor and be pleased with the look in your prints, then look no farther.

I have the chunky and heavy 85/2 P.C. Nikkor. While I gladly use it on my M3, it's a bit of monstrosity on the IIIg - and - blocks the VF as well. The recommend 105/2.5 Nikkor is the ideal portrait lens, but it seems a waste to use a IIIg with it and 105 accessory viewfinders are difficult to come by.

On the IIIg, if want the extra reach of a longer lens, I'll settle for either my C/V 75 f/2.5 Heliar or the Canon 100/3.5, which is an ideal travel lens. The Canon is a bit slow, but it stows well and isn't very heavy.

 

[Solinar]

If you want a 50mm lens, The Summarit is an outstanding lens for portraits. It is soft wide-open. You need to be careful to pick one up in clean shape, the coatings are softer on it. Some come up here for sale, and usually have had the benefit of a cleaning.

Soft is good for portraits of us older folk. By f/2.8 - it'll be crisp enough. Another interesting lens is the Canon 50/1.5 - for a classic finger print and well sized for the IIIg. Plus, there is the venerable Canon 50/1.4 - awesome for its age, but bulky.

 

[Telewatt]

..I would go for a Summicron or a Summarit....the most important is to get a real good focus ......

Regards,
Jan

 

[colyn]

I personally find the post war Summitar to be a fine lens for full length portraits.

The 90mm f/4 Elmar is an excellent head and shoulders portrait lens as it is soft wide open and sharpens up a bit at around f/5.6-8

Both of these focal lengths fit well with the IIIg's view/rangefinder..

 

[Telewatt]

Colyn, you got the right optic on YOUR picture..😉..but it is not a cheap think to get it!

 

[colyn]

Colyn, you got the right optic on YOUR picture..😉..but it is not a cheap think to get it!

The Summarit in my avitar was found at a local flea market for $25. Glass is completely free of damage or cleaning marks which is somewhat rare for this lens.

 

[Telewatt]

The Summarit in my avitar was found at a local flea market for $25. Glass is completely free of damage or cleaning marks which is somewhat rare for this lens.

you are kidding...this is a Summilux, or?....😕..no, it isn't...great condition.!!

regards,
Jan

 

[BillBingham2]

I agree with Raid's recommendation and order but would add a 90/4 Leica. A small lens, reasonably easy to find and does sharpen up at 5.6/8. I had a M mount for my carry everywhere kit for years and loved it.

I have a 105mm Brightline finder for sale, my reserve was $200 and it never met it on EvilBay. I will be putting it up again soon. I have two 105 for RFs, one for my S3-2000, the other for my M4-P (I also have it in F mount). The lens is the best portrait lens ever made and not impossible to come by. I paid over $300 for the finder two years ago and love it. I'm selling it because I'm between jobs and I do not need one for the S3-2000. On the M4-P I use the 90 frame lines and tighten up a bit.

The Steinheil Munchin is said the be a great lens, I never got one for LTM. I got a Exacta one by accident and turned it. Everyone who has had one loves them.

If you are looking to carry the lens all day around your neck, Steinheil or 90/4 Leica. If you use it from time to time, the 105/2.5 is the way to go. Also, the 105/2.5 takes 52mm filters! This means you can get a hood for it and also TONS of Nikon filters fit her (e.g. Soft-1, L-37, ND-400) which you can not say about the 85/2 (she has a older pitch to the threads).

B2 (;->

 

[Telewatt]

Here is a "test" of the old Summarit and the Summilux...German sorry!..but you can see the great performance....



regards,
Jan

 

[OldNick]

I've got an 85mm 2.8 Steinheil, and it would be fine for head and shoulders shots, but, if I had my choice, I would try to find a Leitz 90mm Elmar. From the portrait examples that I have seen, the Elmar is better, though more expensive, than the Steinheil Culminar.

Jim N.

 

[ddutchison]

Well if it was my IIIg, I'd get a 90mm f4 Elmar for portraits, no question about it.

First off, it is a fantastic value. It's very common, and (IMHO) highly under rated. Easilly found in excellent user condition for under $100, it produces a flattering softness wide-open - while sharpening up nicely by f8. It's also quite small. Finally, it's made by the same good folks who made your camera - and of about the same vintage - not that it matters for picture making, it's just nice.

Main drawbacks are the slow speed and the somewhat difficult to find 36mm clamp-on lens hood (and you really do want a hood with this lens). The Leitz "ficus" lens hood is easier to find and goes for around $40 last time I looked.

 

[payasam]

Agree with B2. The Steinheil Culminar 85/2.8 (which I have) and the Elmar 90/4 are both light -- and dare I say it -- cute. The Culminar tends to softness at open aperture.

 

[dlove5]

Another vote here for the 90 elmar. It makes a great package with the IIIg. I have other LTM 90s that are faster and/or can take sharper pictures, but they are bigger, heavier and tend to obstruct part of the viewfinder. It is also very pocketable.

 

[SulSel]

I'd like to thank everone who has anserwed my question - great to find such helpful and generous enthusiasts!

Ian Caldwell