Which 50?

[Fraser]

I'm looking to buy a 50mm for my M9 and can't decide which one to go for at first I thought I would just get a Summicron then I saw a user Summilux for similar money and then I thought I like the size of the summarit and its only half a stop slower. I've had both the Summicron (current version) and Summilux (second version) before, the size of the Summilux always annoyed me and I think the version I had needed calibrated so was hard to shoot at 1.4, the Summicron I had before digital. It will not really be used for work but for something I can put on the M9 and forget about. The other lenses I have already 28mm Summicron 35mm Summilux and 90mm Summicron, but I would drop the 35mm and probably just go 28-50-90. I know I could go Zeiss but would rather stick with Leica.
What do you think cheers.

 

[raid]

There numerous excellent 50mm lenses that would do well with your M9.
Decision factors:
1. Cost
2. Size and weight
3. Max aperture
4. Optical charactetistics


There is also a personal preference factor that has little to do with the factors given above.

If money is no problem, and if a max aperture of 2.0 is acceptable, I would get a Summicron.

Many love the new Zeiss 50/1.5 Sonnar.
People alo love the Konica 50/2.5.
The is nothing wrong with CV 50mm lenses too. I like using the Heliar 50/2 and 50/3.5.

Some like the vintage Nikkor 50/1.4 or 50/2 ltm.

There are so many wonderful options.

 

[Matus]

I guess it depends on what kind of look you want to get from the lens, what is your budget and whether size of the lens matters.

I personally would be very tempted by Sonnar 50/1.5 if the Summilux ASPH would be out of reach.

If you can go to f/2.0 also consider Zeiss Planar 50/2.0.

If you can go to under 2.0 - Skopar 50/2.5 is nice lens and I also like the rendering of Summarit 50/2.5

There are MANY nice 50's out there 🙂

 

[Kwesi]

I would go for the 50 v5 assuming your other lenses are also non-aspherical.
That would give you a generally similar rendering across your lenses. The lens character is not dramatically different from film to digital

 

[Scheelings]

What do you mostly want to shoot? I really think that is one of the biggest influences for lens choice.

e.g. in the Zeiss range, I'd go planar if I wanted an all purpose lens for landscape and street - for portraiture, the sonnar 1.5 is probably the better choice.

 

[Fraser]

Thanks for the input I think I'm going to go with the summarit because-
1. Real world IQ good.
2. Focus tab, never really liked them at first but now I do and my 35mm and 28mm both have them.
3. Price.
4. Only a half stop slower than the Summicron, I'm quite happy shooting my M9 at high ISO.
5. Another Summilux would be nice but would have to be an older one, never that keen on the long focus throw and would have to be coded as would the Summicron.
6. Size.

Cheers it may all change if I see a Summicron at a nice price!

 

[Fraser]

Things don't always go to plan went for Summicron latest version😉
Maybe it will match my other summicrons better than the Summarit.

 

[Kwesi]

Great choice! Glad you went for the v5.

 

[helen.HH]

Congrats !
Good Choice....Did You get version V (yummy good)
or the crazy new Apo summicron @ $7350.00

 

[Fraser]

Congrats !
Good Choice....Did You get version V (yummy good)
or the crazy new Apo summicron @ $7350.00

no not the crazy version, I did miss out on a Summarit for £599 which I thought was a good deal. I've promised myself (and my wife) I'm not going to buy anymore photo gear (unless something gets broken at work) for a year.

 

[ChrisN]

You won't be unhappy with that - I have the 4th version which is the same optically but has the focusing tab. I'm very happy with the image quality I get with the M9.

 

[raid]

Congrats on getting the Summicron. The Summicons are so good that I find it difficult to sell my rigid Summicron to get a modern version. My lens came to me in mint condition with an M3 that had the papers from Germany with it.

 

[Fraser]

I've not got it yet it may be a complete duff!

 

[Richard G]

Since I got the 28 2.8 ASPH I have had to concede the edge to Leica in image quality, particularly sharpness, over some of my Zeiss lenses. I do love the Zeiss C Sonnar, but I am really enjoying the tiny 50 Elmar M which is hardly off my camera lately. My tabbed Summicron is a great lens too, but I take my camera to work with me every day so as small as possible a package is a big consideration for me.

 

[Fraser]

Since I got the 28 2.8 ASPH I have had to concede the edge to Leica in image quality, particularly sharpness, over some of my Zeiss lenses. I do love the Zeiss C Sonnar, but I am really enjoying the tiny 50 Elmar M which is hardly off my camera lately. My tabbed Summicron is a great lens too, but I take my camera to work with me every day so as small as possible a package is a big consideration for me.

I had the elmar m at one point I thought it was great except once you put a filter on it and if you used the lens hood it wasn't that much smaller than my pre asph 35 summilux so didn't use it that much but when I did I really liked it.

 

[Richard G]

I had the elmar m at one point I thought it was great except once you put a filter on it and if you used the lens hood it wasn't that much smaller than my pre asph 35 summilux so didn't use it that much but when I did I really liked it.

I used the hood today because it was raining, but mostly I do without and if I have it collapsed with the filter and cap then even on the chunky M9 it sort of fits in the palm of my hand and doesn't bump things and goes anywhere very easily.

 

[Fraser]

Arrived today quite pleased and its sharp on my M9 which is always good news!
28-50-90 I don't think I really need anything else.
(shot on my pre asph 35mm summilux @1.4,still my favourite lens!)

 

[Richard G]

Nice collection. From the shots I've seen with that 28 Summicron it is a star lens.