Screw Mount Set-up for M6

[outforalaska]

I've only been on this forum a couple of months now and have enjoyed it through and through. It's always so different to read through threads written by people not standing behind a counter trying to sell off the most expensive digital camera just because I mentioned quality - although I think I am mostly excited with the appreciation for film here. It seems to be just a whole lot of passion around here. I have been getting back into photography for the last year or so, although with the intense reading I've been doing I've come to the realization that it would be a more fair statement to say that I'm just beginning - so please bear with me if I say anything stupid. I've been shooting on a SLR Canon AE-1 with a 50mm and 28mm lens setup (I've been happy with it) through 400 TriX film. As I've honed down my interests to street photography and portrature I've grown an interest in aquiring a RF camera. I just about bought a Bessa a few months ago but felt held back by the allure of Leica qualities (I'll admit both in shooting capabilities/construction and the asthetics of the brand). Tomorrow I'm heading down to my local full service camera shop "The Camera Shop"😱 in downtown Tacoma, WA to look at a M6 they have coming in, although I've been leaning towards the things I've heard about KEH.com (probably will go with whatever is priced best). I'm pretty set on the M6 but am wide open when it comes to lenses.
I really like the idea of using some classic screw mount lenses - probably for three reasons: I'm still learning and don't really require the glass quality of a new Leica M lens; I like the lower prices of the screw mounts, and; I have a thing for the classic look of the lenses.
I'm looking for two lenses - 35 and 50mm. I noticed one 50mm on KEH; a f2.5 collapsible Hecktor. I knew you guys would be the ones with the knowledge of the variants in the screw mounts and could point me in the right direction.
I also was wondering about the coated and non-coated lenses. I remember reading in a few of my books about lenses not coated requiring uv filters and such in certian situations. Could anyone fill me in real quick about how to cope with the non coated lenses?
Any info you guys have would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks, Mac

--Almost forgot to add - if anyone has any pics of M's w/ screw mounts, I'd be happy to drool over them.

 

[NL2377]

Mac, from my understanding, you're worries aren't necessarily in regards to UV rays so much as they are for flaring with Uncoated lenses.

Many people desire uncoated or single coated lenses for thier effects on B&W film... since i see you're using tri-x, you're already in that ball park. when using color film, todays formulations are meant for multicoated lenses, and if using uncoated lenses you may find some strange shifts and odd contrasts that otherwises would seem normal with a more modern lens...

Check out the CV lineup of lenses as well... some are very inexpensive and a few are even regarded to have that 'allure' of leica glass. I can vouch for Stephan Gandy's CameraQuest, as I have bought from there, and will probably sometime soon again. (I'm in the market for a Bessa R, I believe...) Some of the other guys might be able to direct you better in your more specific questions, too.

Oh, and as for KEH... Ive bought from there a number of times, and have always been more than satisfied with the product. they are very conservative on their rating systems for the most part.

 

[Doug]

Welcome, Mac! There are opinions here of course, and some valuable data elsewhere on the 'net too, one great source already mentioned, CameraQuest.com. Plenty of informative and opinionated articles there! Also check out Karen's Photoethnography.com. KEH is a fine place to shop and buy without paying WA state sales taxes, and getting good gear at very fair prices.

Nearly all of my stuff is post-1960, my oldest RF lens being a 35 Summicron I bought new at Olympic Camera Center in Seattle in 1967. If you're looking for that classic Leica look, there are folks here with knowledge to share. 🙂

 

[payasam]

If I were you, Mac, I'd not think of the Hektor 50. An Elmar 50/2.8 would go well with the M6 and be optically far superior for a negligible loss of speed. If you run after old lenses for their "look", be aware that you will get that "look" even when you don't want it.

 

[jarski]

if you want start using M-camera with affordable lens, why not consider Voiglander?

http://www.cameraquest.com/voigtlen.htm

they have screw mounts too if its a must..

 

[John Shriver]

Consider a Summitar for the 50mm lens -- an interesting middle ground. Lovely lens for B&W, and fine for color too. Lower contrast at wide apertures, but the contrast picks up as you stop down. Insist on glass in really good condition on this lens, ideally coated.

But, if you are happy with f/3.5 speed, the experience really starts with the 50/3.5 Elmar. It's the bedrock core of screw-mount Leica lenses.

Hektor 50/2.5 is going to be very collector priced -- not a good deal for you. Also, they're very inconsistent from lens to lens.

In Leica glass, the 35/3.5 Summaron is the most affordable. Plan on having it professionally cleaned if there is even the slightest haze in it. The Canon 35/2.8 is quite fine, a sharp but moderate contrast lens, much less likely to need de-hazing. The 35/2.8 Summaron is way too collector priced (although much better), and the 35/3.5 Elmar is also rather collector priced, and not as sharp a lens as either Summaron.

 

[ferider]

Welcome, Mac.

I would stay away from the Hektor if it will be your first and general purpose lens.

If you want single-coated "Leica look" from the 60s/early 70s, I warmly recommend the 40/2 Summicron-C.
It is M-mount, but it is a wonderful match to an M6 body. It has the classic Summicron signature, and
is sharp enough to use for anything. And in contrast to its 35mm brethren it is quite affordable
(around US 250-300).

Or even better an M-Rokkor, it has the same formula but better coating, and 40.5mm filters, that
are easy to find (also hoods).

All the Cosina Voigtlander lenses are great, but they will give you a more modern look.

If I would keep only a single of my M bodies and had limited budget for only one lens, this is what I would pick.

You can see example photos taken with many of the available M- and LTM-mount lenses in

http://www.flickr.com/groups/m-mount/

Best,

Roland.

 

[outforalaska]

Thanks to everyone for such prompt responses. I'm looking forward to running some rolls through the set up (once I get it). I think I'll shoot for that Elmar. As for a 35 I'll probably go with the CV Pancake II as I will probably bring it along on hikes and such - most likely shooting color film.