What to do..

[aad]

I would like to get a more modern fast 50, maybe even have a better viewfinder than my IIIf. I'm trying to decide between a 50 Nokton with a CV viewfinder, or ditching the LTM outfit and get one of those fashionable M3 devices.

Currently I keep the Elmar 50-3.5 on the camera because it will fit in my pants pocket-I wonder if a collapsible Summitar/Summiicron would do the job.

Any ideas?

 

[Graybeard]

The Nokton is quite a large lens; a bit too large for a LTM Leica in to my mind.

If you don't neeed a collapsible lens, consider a Nikkor of Canon/Serenar. The Canon 1.8 and both the 1.8 and 1.4 Nikkors are small and a good size march for the IIIf.

 

[JimG]

Have you cosidered the Jupitar J3?

"The wide aperture Jupiter-3 (1,5/50) and Jupiter-8 (2/50) are also great glass, being direct descendants of the famed Carl Zeiß „Sonnar“ lenses." from, http://www.jay.fedka.com/index_files/Page521.htm

 

[rover]

The Nokton is quite a large lens; a bit too large for a LTM Leica in to my mind.

If you don't neeed a collapsible lens, consider a Nikkor of Canon/Serenar. The Canon 1.8 and both the 1.8 and 1.4 Nikkors are small and a good size march for the IIIf.

Good call, the Canon 1.8 in particular is inexpensive, compact and the chrome version looks mighty handsome on a Leica LTM.

A good Jupiter 8 for $30 is never a bad choice either.

 

[John Shriver]

Nothing is as flat collapsed as an LTM Elmar. All the 50/2 Leica lenses have larger non-rotating focusing mounts, and aperture rings around the collar, both of which make the lens collapse a lot less flat. The Summar, Summitar, and Summicron 50/2 are progrssively larger when collapsed. (The Summitar is the longest in working position.)

A fresh half-silvered mirror can make the IIIf's rangefinder much nicer to use. Your viewfinder may need cleaning as well, I was surprised by the change when I did these projects on my IIIa. Not that I'm a huge fan of the two-window operation of my IIIa, that's why I have several Canon LTM bodies. However, I still have great respect for the IIIa as a really light weight camera for travel.

The "heretical" approach would be a Canon III with a 50/1.9 collapsible or 50/1.8 rigid Serenar/Canon lens. Nicer viewfinder. The IV-SB2 gets you a slightly better viewfinder, while remaining small.

 

[aad]

Oh, I'd never get rid of my Elmar-but I was shooting in some failing light a week ago, and the only fast RF lens I have is a Summarit. I got some nice shots, but the Provia 400 shots were I think less effective than they could have been. The fireside shots on Superia 800 were nice, though.

The Jupiter 3 looks interesting and cheap. Maybe I should give one a whirl.

 

[Fabian]

aad:

I was in the same situation as you. But for me the compactness of the leica was the reason I bought it. So I had to go for a compromise between compactness and performance. I went for the Summitar.
The camera won't fit in your pants, but still in your coat pocket. I am still on my first roll so I can't say anything about performance yet, but from what I have heard and seen on the net, it looks like this:
Wide open you have quite a soft vintage look which is nice for portraits.
Stopped down they are supposed to become really sharp.
I will let you know about the results when my first roll comes back.
Before, I had a collapsilble I-22, but the focus was way of. I think the russian lenses are a gamble. If you get a good copy it will be really good.
But you will want a leica lens anyway, sooner or later 😀

Good luck on your choice

Fabian

 

[jkelly]

I would like to get a more modern fast 50, maybe even have a better viewfinder than my IIIf. I'm trying to decide between a 50 Nokton with a CV viewfinder, or ditching the LTM outfit and get one of those fashionable M3 devices.

aad,

Sounds familiar. My solution was to keep the LTM outfit AND get an M3. Along the way, I also picked up an SB00I 50mm finder for my IIIa. I now have the best possible viewfinder for an LTM, and the M camera with the best optics.

Fortunately, I prefer to shoot 50mm, so this combination is ideal.

Jack