Something cheap and fast in 50mm for leica LTM?

[Sonnar Brian]

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.

 

[johannielscom]

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.

 

[sahe69]

Or a CV 50/1.5, but that runs a bit more, usually.

Surprising that no one proposed this earlier.

 

[Eric L]

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.

 

[Sonnar Brian]

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.

 

[The Meaness]

The J-3/J-8s are almost too cheap not to try. If I could afford to give it whirl, anyone can.

 

[Gadge]

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

Spot the VC 50mm 1.5 in LTM mint @ $249

Bon Appetite

 

[Mephiloco]

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.

 

[Mephiloco]

Nikon mount 🙁

I was about to grab one for $249 if it was LTM

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

Spot the VC 50mm 1.5 in LTM mint @ $249

Bon Appetite

 

[Mephiloco]

I want a Sweenified j3 🙁

Jupiter 8 is as cheap as you are going to get. I'm suprised you don't own a Sweenified J-3. That would be perfect for you Keith. I really liked the look of the Canon 50/1.8 that Paulfish had. I don't know what summitars are going for right now but here is a good review on the lens.
http://www.stevehuffphoto.com/2010/03/05/the-leica-50-summitar-lens-review-on-the-leica-m9/

 

[ferider]

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

Spot the VC 50mm 1.5 in LTM mint @ $249

Bon Appetite

That's not LTM, unfortunately.

 

[Keith]

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! 😀

 

[tbarker13]

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.

 

[newspaperguy]

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.

 

[Keith]

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.

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.

 

[PMCC]

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

 

[johannielscom]

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.

 

[Bill58]

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).

 

[ferider]

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.

 

[mwooten]

What about the Industar 61? I've always liked what it's given me.

--michael