re: Only One, Help with Decision

[PrimeTime]

re: Only One, Help with Decision

Hello RFF,

Need some help with making a decision on a "One Camera-to-One Lens" setup.

I have a Leica M6 .72 coming my way from a fellow RFF member. Need to decide on One Lens. I shoot a mix of day/night, so would like a lens that can keep up when the lights go out. I shoot "mainly" Tri-X400/AP400 at box during the day and pushed to 1250/1600 at night. . . . also the occasional Plus-X/AP100.

Honestly, I think I've already eliminated 2x of them based on focal length, but could use some input on those as well. . . . . As the saying goes "Better to have and not need, than need and not have" = GAS 😱

But, I always recall: "Fear the man with one gun, He just might know how to use it" and "Its the Indian, not the arrow"

Here are my choices & my opinion(s):

* Voigltander 35mm f/2.5 II Color Skopar
- Very Compact-Almost pancake-ish; Min. Distortion; Nice Build
- Nice Build for the $

* Voigtlander 35mm f/1.7 Ultron
- Basically No/Min. Focus Shift; Decently Fast; ASPH Lens
- 0.9m is a draw back, but workable

* Voigtlander 40mm f/1.4 Nokton MC
[Dont have an issue with modding the flange or replacing the flange to bring up proper VF Frame Lines]
- Compact; Nice Build for the $$
- FAST, Especailly for its size, but depending on background OOF can be a little harsh . . .Not a deal breaker though.
- Some reported focus shift, but nothing like the Nokton 35mm

* Voigltander 50mm f/2.5 Color Skopar
- BUILD !, BRASS/CHROME ! except the focus tab: This little gem is smooth, but its SLOW
- 50mm doesnt really suite the majority of my shooting, but it has its place.

* Voigltander 50mm f/1.5 Nokton ASPH
- The largest lens I would purchase for a RF.
- Its Plenty FAST: Wide Open looks pleasing
- ASPH lens
- Nice Build
- Great Fast 50mm for the $$
- 50mm doesnt really suite the majority of my shooting, but it has its place.

^ I know any of these options would suite this ____ person/member or that _____ person/member.

But, I want to stick with Only One Lens and Im :bang: over which to commit to.

I think the Nokton 40mm f/1.4 is the best middle ground of Speed; Focal Length; Size; Build/Ergo.
- I have used this on a Bessa R2 & using the inside edge of the 35mm framelines seemed to work out fine.
. . . But, the VC 35mm Color Skopar II is just so compact ! Perfect for the day outing with some Plus-X/AP100
. . . . Then there is the CV Ultron 35mm f/1.7 & its lack of shift PLus Speed
.
. . . Those two 50mm both have there place:
- The 50mm f/2.5 CS build is Nice & So Compact!, except the focusing tab 🙄
- The 50mm f/1.5 Nokton ASPH is FAST GLASS & Rendering is very pleasant.

If I went with the VC Nokton 40mm f/1.4 it seems it out knock out the speed of the Ultron & be a middle ground between these 35mm & 50mm lenses. But, the Ultron is a 35mm for 35mm Frame Lines and has great features.

What would you do or have done?

Sorry for the long post & Appreciate any positive feedback/experience.

Thanks !

 

[t.s.k.]

I think the first criteria for a one-lens setup is to settle on one focal length.
This will make the decision twice a easy...maybe.

 

[Sejanus.Aelianus]

Personally, I'd say none of the above. If I only had one lens for my Leica, it would be Summicron 50mm. To be fair, I use an M3 and there is no better pairing, in my experience. Obviously, your mileage will vary.

 

[ryan26]

I shot for a couple years with just an M6 and a 35mm 1.4. I know it inside out, can frame, focus, and expose pretty well without looking through the cam. It was a great experience. That said, I now seriously struggle with every other focal length.

I do find the 35mm framelines in the .72 finder a comfortable match to my eyes, and more importantly, I like the depth that the 35 offers (as opposed to the more neutral 50) without stretching heads in the corners (like my 28).

 

[Mudman]

That's the color skopar at night. 1/8th handheld ISO 800. Would have liked something faster. I think I'd go with the Ultron personally.

 

[f16sunshine]

The 40 nokton is the best all around lens. It may also be the best lens overall although I do love that 50/1.5. Go for the 40mm f1.4

 

[srtiwari]

The 40 nokton is the best all around lens. It may also be the best lens overall although I do love that 50/1.5. Go for the 40mm f1.4

Agree. It is the best compromise between the 35 and the 50, is fast, and well built. It is also quite affordable compared to some of the other choices.

 

[boomguy57]

I love the Nokton 40/1.4, and use it more than any other lens on my M6 0.85.

 

[huntjump]

id recommend the canon 35mm ltm too

 

[randomm]

Rokkor 40mm all the way baby.

 

[daninjc]

Voigltander 35mm f/2.5 II Color Skopar gets my vote!

 

[Phil_F_NM]

I wouldn't go with a VC lens on an M6 as my only lens. If I was using a Bessa, yes but since there is a wide array of pricepoint there, I'd say go for a 50mm Summicron of any version (my favorite is the Dual Range) or a 35mm Summicron V2 or V3, you'll keep your cost down that way.
The real issue is do you want to shoot with a 35mm or a 50mm?

I wouldn't choose the 35 f/1.7 as an only lens. While out shooting the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta a few years ago, the aperture blades all fell out of their guide slots and I had to repair the lens myself. It wasn't a hard fix but I also know a bit about lens repair. It's not for the faint of heart or non-mechanically inclined. I've heard of a few problems with this lens like wobble and other things that might not be as serious as aperture blades falling out but would still be annoying.

For a one lens kit, go Leica.

Phil Forrest

 

[rover]

My preference would be the Biogon due to the optical quality, followed by the Ultron, for the same reason. For a one lens set-up I would choose 35mm for a RF. If I went 50mm I would choose either without hesitation. If you can live with f2.5 the Skopar is a fine lens, otherwise the Nokton is optically very, very good.

 

[scottwallick]

I suggest the CV Nokton 35/1.2 ASPH (either version), my second favorite lens after only the Summilux 50 ASPH.

It's big, that's for sure, and not for everyone, but the images you can get with it are excellent.

I liked the CV 35/2.5, it's a good lens. Not going to be much fun in low-light though. Handling is excellent, and it's size is quite the feature.

I didn't care for the CV 40/1.4. I just personally didn't like its character, found its barrel distortion a bit much, and not having accurate framelines was something I never got used to.

I do really like the CV 50/1.5 ASPH. This is a good lens, and I like its character, which I think it quite distinct. It's a great bargain, and I'm a fool to not use it more. Again, perhaps an acquired taste.

Hope that helps.

 

[Chris101]

I voted 35mm f/1.7 Ultron, because that is the lens I had on my former M4-P camera. I loved it. The 0.9 m minimum focus was troublesome at first, but then I realized that there are better alternatives to rangefinders in general for close up shooting, so then I didn't mind so much. However, I did get used to shooting single portraits showing a bit more surroundings than I usually do. Considering that most people do not like close portraits shot with a 35mm lens, I can see that as a good thing.

 

[jordanstarr]

Other: 28mm

 

[photo4ls]

40 f1.4 Build quality and speed.
Nelson

 

[gho]

My vote goes for the CV 35mm 2.5. Why? Extremely compact, sharp and classical focal length, good handling (with the classic LTM version). Good value.

 

[rhl-oregon]

I have (and like!) the 35 Skopar, especially the handling, but would go faster and intermediate length in a 1:1 cam/lens discipline. 40 allows you to dance back and forth a bit less than 35 or 50 to get what they can give--though you have to conceptualize the real framelines in M-world. I'm happy with the Panasonic 20/1.7's effective 40 on my G1, and have been looking at a good deal on a tiny Rokkor 40/2. That might be my alternative to the Voigt 40/1.4 on an M, if I were going to ignore the M's framelines.

 

[Frontman]

Personally, I am not a fan of Voigtlander lenses. I bought a new Nokton a year or so ago, and the aperture blades came loose before I was able to finish my first roll of film. The few pics which I got were very nice, but for a one-lens system, I can't trust the quality of CV products.

A Summicron is probably the best choice. It's not as fast or as inexpensive, but it works wonderfully, and will not let you down. If you prefer a 40mm focal length, the Minolta 40mm lens is superior in quality to the CV lenses, and not as expensive as the German-made models.