Leica LTM Something cheap and fast in 50mm for leica LTM?

Leica M39 screw mount bodies/lenses
The Canon 50/1.4 will block a good portion of the Leica II viewfinder.

The Canon 50/1.8 with its 40mm filter ring does not obscure much at all. Same with a J-3 or J-8, does not block much of the finder.
 
Jupiters rule. When shot wide open and close up they shift focus, but at 5.6 and 10 ft. all that is gone and its a very capable lens.

And, it's not expensive either. Keith, I bought several times from an eBay seller Alex-photo from Ukraine, and he is accurate in describing, fast and well-packed shipping. Can recommend him.
 
Canon 50/1.5

Fast, but doesn't block a big portion of the Barnack viewfinder.

Seems to be hard to find these days. I picked on up for cheap because of a 'coating flaw' in between the elements. not fog, but no perceptible effect on the pictures.
 
The Canon 50/1.5 is slightly shorter than the Canon 50/1.8, but is "not cheap". It typically runs 3x the price of the 50/1.8.

I have both, the 50/1.5 does not protrude into the finder. The Chrome 50/1.8 protrudes less than the later lens.
 
There's the Summarit in the classifieds (connection to seller: it's me).

Personally, if f2 is fast enough, I stand by using a Jupiter8. I have a good copy and at f2 it gives better results than my Canon 50/1.2 and Summarit/1.5 while being small and light, and it's a Sonnar design.

As said, the Canon 50/1.8's can be had cheaply, as can the Nikkors, There's also there Jupiter3 if you can find a good copy.
 
I'm rather liking the idea of the Canon f1.8 .... that's plenty fast enough and from memory they are fairly compact. Does anyone have a pic of one mounted on a screwmount?

I had the Canon f1.4 and sold it ... but I do remember it was reasonably large and would have to intrude into the finder I'd imagine.

I have a J3 and really like it's look but sadly it's Kiev mount ... and the lack of aperture click stops is annoying for me.

I do have a Summitar but it's the one with the broken aperture blade ... I removed all the blades and it's now permanently f2! :D
 
My own ltm options are a J-3 and a Nikkor 50/2. Love the both, but I do feel like the Nikkor is built better. They can, I believe, be had pretty cheaply.
 
Just a thought: Talk to Brian about a lens transplant?

I'll stick a Canon 1.8 on my IIIf tomorrow and post a photo.


PS - Sent you a PM.
 
newspaperguy said:
Just a thought: Talk to Brian about a lens transplant?

I'll stick a Canon 1.8 on my IIIf tomorrow and post a photo.


PS - Sent you a PM.
Click to expand...


Thanks Rick ... that'd be great!

Thanks for the heads up via the PM also. :)


As for the J3 I do use it on my Kiev II occasionally so I'd be reluctant to lose that option.
 
speed, size, price: choose 2

Canon 50/1.4 fast, big, good value for money
Canon 50/1.8 fast enough, smaller, great value for money
Canon 50/1.5 fast *and* small, not so cheap

all capable lenses
 
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There was a shimmed-for-Leica J3 in the classifieds, but it sold at lightspeed today.

The J3s and J8s can be had cheap and are brilliant if matched to a Barnack. I have a 1943 CZJ Sonnar 50/1.5 that was designed for Leica, and eventually will have only that lens and another 1940s Leica-designed lens as my sole 50s. All others I sold off, no need to keep them.
 
Something cheap from Leica? You must be kidding. The best option--50/1.4 Canon, wonderful build/ image quality and lower price than a few years ago (when I bought mine).
 
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If you want smaller, and slower is OK, I really recommend the Nikkor 50/2. Or depending on budget the Nikkor 50/1.4, one of my favorite lenses.
 
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