Sub $1k Standard M Lens

[xixi_gelly]

Can't go wrong with either the 50 Cron V4 or 50 Cron DR. My first lens was the 50Cron V4 and traded it for a 35cron ASPH. Both Stellar.

Sorry to hijack thread but I do have a 50 cron v4 in the classifieds <$1k if anyone happens to be in the market and yes it's stellar..... 😛

Selfish considerations aside -- I know the Planar has a fabulous reputation and CV glass rarely disappoints for the price but I don't know why a v3 or v4 cron wouldn't be one of the first options considered for that budget.

Is the telescoping hood version gettable under $1k these days?

 

[giganova]

Your question suggests you're fairly new to photography, or at least to rangefinder photography

I've been a photographer for 30 years (Leica R and Nikon SLR and DSLR), but I'm new to rangefinder and M lenses.

Thanks for the great writeup, though, which I find very helpful!

 

[Bill W]

Another option: Konica M-Hexanon 50mm f/2. Here's a thread about it:

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=76464

 

[raid]

There seem to exist many 50mm preferences mentioned in this thread. I have many 50mm lenses, but my favorite lens is the Rigid Summicron. Out of curiosity, I purchased a DR that I have not used yet. It cannot be used with the digital Leica cameras anyways.

 

[Chubberino]

I got a 50mm Summilux Type 2 for $1,000 so I choose that one.

 

[giganova]

OP here. 🙂

I ended up getting a Summicron 50/2 rigid. Definitely on the soft side, but it is a great match to my Summaron 35/2.8 (and they look fabulous on my M4 chrome, too). Shooting against the sun is hopeless, though, tons of lens flare.

 

[Huss]

OP here. 🙂

I ended up getting a Summicron 50/2 rigid. Definitely on the soft side, but it is a great match to my Summaron 35/2.8 (and they look fabulous on my M4 chrome, too). Shooting against the sun is hopeless, though, tons of lens flare.

It may be hazy from age. Youxin Ye can clean that up for you.

 

[giganova]

No haze, but there are some spots on the coating.

Below is a comparison between the Summaron 35/2.8 (mint condition) and the Summicron rigid 50/2, which shows how well these two lenses compare. Look at the sign at the right-hand tree, which is super sharp with the Summicron!

There's some halos around bright lights (bottom), but the Summaron has them, too. I guess this is what you get from old lenses.

Summaron 35/2.8 @ f/5.6:

Summicron rigid 50/2 @ f/5.6:

Halos around bright lights:

 

[ColSebastianMoran]

Yup, this will be a long thread.

Nokton 1.5 -- about the best build quality I've seen in a lens. Great image quality. I like this lens (I have the Nikon RF version; head bartender assures is the same optics).

 

[David Murphy]

Any 50mm Cron < $1000 (of which there are many) will do the trick