What 50mm for my M3?

[B.Toews]

Hi Everyone!

After lurking on this forum for months, I finally signed up after buying a M3 earlier this week. I am now searching for a lens, and the shop I bought the M3 from recently acquired a number of classic Leica and Canon lenses. This is the list with described condition and prices, and I am wondering what you would consider the best buy of the bunch? And if you have and other recommendations, please add them as well! I am only looking for 50mm lenses at the moment, and I'm aiming to stay under $400.

Leitz 5cm Summicron DR: exc. cosmetics, hazy inside and has cleaning marks, $450

Leitz 5cm Summicron collapsible: exc. cosmetics, hazy inside and has cleaning marks and a small scratch, and a slightly stiff aperture ring $250

Leitz 5cm Summicron collapsible, exc. cosmetics, hazy inside and has a little fungus as well, $250

Canon 50/1.2 LTM, exc. cosmetics, hazy and has cleaning marks, $300

Of these, I have only seen the 5cm Summicron DR in person, IMO the haze was minimal, as were the cleaning marks. I'm also rather interested in the 50/1.2 LTM, but I have heard rumors of softness, at least compared to the 50/1.4 LTM, which I am also considering. Opinions on these two lenses would be appreciated!

Thanks!
Brendan

 

[ruby.monkey]

I would recommend against having the Canon as your only 50mm lens - girth aside (it will half-cover the lens release button), it has a very long focus throw, requires care when choosing filters, and the hood for it is both expensive and has a pretty poor fixing mechanism.

 

[sc_rufctr]

Get a clean DR Summicron. Great lens, super sharp and very well built.
Some experts say the best Leica lens ever... (I agree)
Because there are plenty of good ones around I wouldn't even consider one with haze and cleaning marks. And make sure it has the right goggles.

Be fussy and patient. Good luck.

 

[taemo]

^have to agree, i would pass on those for now and save up and buy a proper 50mm.
I was looking for a v4 or v5 cron but I found a 50 zm at a decent price and jumped at it.

 

[KoNickon]

Get a clean DR Summicron... And make sure it has the right goggles.

Be fussy and patient. Good luck.

So -- I have a DR Summicron and I would like to get goggles. How do you know which are the correct ones?

 

[Classique]

If haze isn't too bad, it might be cleaned pretty easily. However, keep in mind that even a small amount of haze will degrade IQ by a large margin.

I personally tried Summicron collapsible and DR (own the DR only now) and found that DR is sharper and more contrasty while the collapsible is low contrast and more compact. But from the lenses you have listed, any of them would be a risk due to the condition.

 

[JMQ]

So -- I have a DR Summicron and I would like to get goggles. How do you know which are the correct ones?

See Gandy's write up. Scroll down to the next to last section.

http://www.cameraquest.com/m50dr.htm

 

[redisburning]

Id rather have a nice 50/1.8 Canon than any of those in this price range.

if you can manage 400, I'd get a 40 m-rokkor.

 

[B.Toews]

Thanks for the input everyone! I had only been seriously considering the DR Summicron, and for now I think I will just look for a Canon 50/1.4, unless a deal comes up for a Summicron that is in better condition.

 

[Dez]

The Canon 50 f1.4 is a very good choice. According to Peter Dechert, it was a better lens than the early Summiluxes. I don't know if it's better, but it performs very well, and is certainly a lot less expensive. You should be able to find a good one for under $300, while there are too many digits in the price of a Summilux.

Cheers,
Dez

 

[Erik van Straten]

Look for a good first model of the rigid.

Leica M2, Summicron 50mm f/2 rigid (1958), Tmax400,

Erik.

 

[Frontman]

My favorite is the Voigtlander Nokton 50/1.5. You should be able to find a clean used onw with no haze, cleaning marks, or flaws in your price range. This is my main go-to lens for my Leica M cameras. I choose it over the other 50's I have, which are the DR Summicron, collapsible lanthenum glass Summicron, 50/1.2 Canon, and 50mm Summilux. These lenses all have particular strengths, but the Nokton is the best all-around performer (in my opinion).

 

[IdealCamera]

Sonnetar 50/1.1.

 

[Bingley]

Id rather have a nice 50/1.8 Canon than any of those in this price range.

if you can manage 400, I'd get a 40 m-rokkor.

+1. Either of these lenses would be super on an M3. And the Canon will leave you with money in your pocket for film.

 

[sanmich]

don't get a hazy lens. No matter how theoretically good it might be...

in that price range, I would get a canon 1.8 or 1.4.
for about 50% more, a planar or hexanon would be my choice.

 

[Brian Legge]

Heck, with the new M mount 50mm 1.5 Nokton out, the LTM version has been going for $400-425. You might want to check out the LTM version of the Nokton as a very good Canon 50mm 1.4 is generally in the $300-350 range. That said, the Canon is a very solid lens.

Any of the lenses recommended in good condition can be great. Its really more about what you want (compactness vs speed vs modern look vs vintage look etc).

 

[haempe]

I've tried many 50s in the last years... my favourite is still the first I ever owned - the Canon 50/1.8

Rock solid, IQ wise on par with any 'cron (from the same period) I've tested. (I was thinking I need a 'cron at some time 😱)

I would even go further and say, this is the lens I would keep, if only one 50mm per person is allowed...

This is with PolypanF in PyrocatHD

 

[NeeZee]

As others said: don't buy a hazy lens. My first lens on my IIIf was a hazy, scratched coll. summicron and the perfectly clean haze- and scratch-free summar with coated front element that I own now performs MUCH better.

For a modern option you could also consider the 50/2.5 Skopar in LTM - the most compact 50mm lens in M or LTM.

 

[Frontman]

The Canon 50/1.2.does look good...

 

[ChrisN]

I'd never again buy a lens that I have not personally inspected and tested. That goes double for the Canon 50/1.2, which can develop fungus in the cemented double element in the rear group. The fungus is known to secrete an acid that etches into the glass. As it is a cemented pair, the elements would need to be separated before polishing - very risky. And as mentioned, very slow to focus.

Some of the Canon lenses are excellent, especially the 50/1.8. Are you likely to buy lenses in other focal lengths? If so, stick to Leica or Voigtlander, with a common 39mm filter size. The faster lenses are sexy, but the f/2 lenses can shoot well wide open (especially the later versions of the Summicron), and with fast film are all most of us really need. Lighter and more compact too.