Sub $1k Standard M Lens

[Dralowid]

Elmar M 50 2.8, last version. Makes a good companion for the Summaron 2.8

 

[Jason Sprenger]

If a "soft"-look is a worry, the Zeiss Planar 50mm or a Leica 50/2.8 Elmar-M would serve you well wide-open to stopped-down.

A tabbed Summicron 50/2 or the Leica Summarit 50/2.5 are also good in this way but would be pushing your $1K budget.

 

[Jerevan]

As an aside, what is this manucfacturer faiblesse for f:2.5 really? I find this f/stop totally annoying - it is neither here or there ... 🙂

The 50 rigid (my first Leica lens was a DR) is a really nice option if you want older, going with the 35/2.8.

Otherwise, despite the f:2.5 thing, I find the Summarit 50/2.5 intriguing. Judging from the build quality of the black Color Skopar 50/2.5, I guess the chrome one is a head above the Summarit in build quality.

The Summarit 35 seems to be more loved than the 50 for some reason, judging from the amount of photographs with each lens on the 'net.

 

[analoged]

A rigid Cron would complement his Summaron.

 

[giganova]

As an aside, what is this manucfacturer faiblesse for f:2.5 really? I find this f/stop totally annoying - it is neither here or there ... 🙂

Yeah, and what's up with "50mm"? It's neither wide nor tele, neither here nor there! 🙄

 

[Jerevan]

Yeah, and what's up with "50mm"? It's neither wide nor tele, neither here nor there! 🙄

😀 Haha, you're a funny one!

I just find it being a bit annoying when using a handheld meter (the f:2.5 aperture, that is).

On a metered analog camera or a digital one with iso changing at the touch of a button, I can see this being a non-issue.

 

[mfogiel]

None of the above. In my opinion there are 3 good 50mm lenses for B&W, and only one of these will probably be a bit more expensive:
Summicron Rigid or DR
Elmar M v2
Summilux pre asph v2 or 3.

The Summicron will give you the most incredible range of grays and great resolution at the expense of some flare.
The Elmar will give you great overall rendering, with Summicron like sharpness, more 3d effect, nice bokeh and medium contrast. Very resistant to flare and small ( collapsible)
The Summilux will give you less absolute sharpness, but a very mellow rendering with medium contrast - great as a general purpose street and people lens, also fastest of them all.

Summicron 50 DR
20114621 by marek fogiel, on Flickr

Elmar M 50 v2
201210013 by marek fogiel, on Flickr

Summilux 50 pre asph v3
20125553 by marek fogiel, on Flickr

20156311 by marek fogiel, on Flickr

 

[f16sunshine]

I'm using the f2.5/50mm Color Skopar now. Have owned pretty much everything to this point and am very happy to now feel satisfied with such a "modest" lens.
It's just super for B+W the way I like it and does very nicely with Color.
Super ergonomics and the silver /Brass lens is a classic.

The Planar would be my Next choice. Get the Silver one as the fit and finish really truly looks and feels best in silver with the ZM lenses.

My opinion is to save your money on 50mm and skip the red Dot. Too many nice 50's out there under $1000.

 

[BLKRCAT]

I've got a really nice Rigid listed now. It's been recoated and re-polished so its performance is very good with modern coatings and no scratches.

 

[Rico]

I have an early chrome 'lux v2 and Elmar f/2.8 classic to handle 50mm. In rendering, both complement the Summaron 35/2.8 (my fav lens) and, of course, look great on an M4. I really prefer the Elmar for its lower weight:

 

[Raskolnikov]

I have the new Nokton and absolutely love it! It's very sharp, has lovely bokeh and is useful in low light. It's my most used lens since I got it about 2,5 yrs ago. The Nokton is said to be (nearly) equal in quality to the Summilux-ASPH. Here in Europe it costs about €650 (for the black version), which is a bargain IMO. Before buying this lens I considered a used Summilux, but a good condition sample would have costs me at least twice as much..

Paris by t1m.h, on Flickr
The quality of the scan isn't great (flatbed), but this is a very sharp lens (high resolution file available on Flickr).
Paris by t1m.h, on Flickr
Nice bokeh!

 

[Brian Legge]

If you have a strong preference for a non-black lens but like the Elmar V2, you might want to consider the Konica 50/2.4

 

[CrisR]

I can personally vouch for the Planar as being my most used lens, and a consistently strong performer.

The Sonnar and Planar are 2 very different lenses, you should choose on the character you like from your images, not on price, spec or size. If you had both, you would find use for both.

 

[richard_l]

The 50/2 Zeiss Planar ZM is splendid!

 

[Erik van Straten]

If you want something fast: Nokton-M 50mm f/1.5.

If you want something compact but slow: Elmar-M 50mm f/2.8.

Leica M2, Nokton-M 50mm f/1.5, Tmax400.

Erik.

 

[venchka]

One more time.
Dual Range Summicron.
That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

Wayne


Sent from somewhere around here.

 

[DKimg]

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.

 

[Ko.Fe.]

With filter and hood I didn't find Elmar-M 50 to be compact. Sold it due to this and because it is slow and feels flimsy.

I just find it being a bit annoying when using a handheld meter (the f:2.5 aperture, that is).

My regular, modern light meter has mark between 2 and 2.8.

 

[ferider]

Fellow inmates!

I'm looking for a sub-$1k standard lens for my M4 to use for b&w film. I don't care whether it's LTM or M-bayonet. Obviously, $1k wouldn't get me new Leica glass, so it's either used Leica or something else new (Zeiss, Voigtlander, etc). Chrome would be nice! What are my options?

• Zeiss Planar 50/2 (new)
• Zeiss Sonnar 50/1.5 (used)
• Voigtlander Nokton 50/1.5 (new)
• Leica Summicron 50/2.5 (black; no chrome version, I think)

--------------

• Leica Summicron 50/2 rigid
• Leica Summicron 50/2 collapsable
• Leica Summicron 50/2 de-googled

I understand that the lenses below the line are more "vintage", would I have to worry about a "soft" look?

Thanks!

All these lenses are great, hard to make the call for you. My personal favorite would be the rigid Summicron. Not soft at all, actually extremely "sharp" at f4 and up (probably the lens with highest resolution on the list), just lower contrast than a modern lens.

And I recommend the rigid over the DR - you can keep using it also on digital (if you ever go there).

Two additional lenses to consider are the 50/2.5 Color Skopar (mentioned above) and the 1.1 Nokton, optically probably the best CV 50mm lens.

Roland.

 

[pepeguitarra]

Fellow inmates!

I'm looking for a sub-$1k standard lens for my M4 to use for b&w film. I don't care whether it's LTM or M-bayonet. Obviously, $1k wouldn't get me new Leica glass, so it's either used Leica or something else new (Zeiss, Voigtlander, etc). Chrome would be nice! What are my options?

• Zeiss Planar 50/2 (new)
• Zeiss Sonnar 50/1.5 (used)
• Voigtlander Nokton 50/1.5 (new)
• Leica Summicron 50/2.5 (black; no chrome version, I think)

--------------

• Leica Summicron 50/2 rigid
• Leica Summicron 50/2 collapsable
• Leica Summicron 50/2 de-googled

I understand that the lenses below the line are more "vintage", would I have to worry about a "soft" look?

Thanks!

Not sure if the DR works on the M4. My personal choice would be Zeiss Plannar 50/2. For a compromised FL, I would suggest the Summicron-C 40/2, a perfect SOLO lens.