Witch lense for the M6?

[kimbetho]

Hi!

i won a M6 on ebay ... i thought i wouldn't win, but i do!😀

but now i need a inexpensive normal lens for it but i don't realy know witch one!?

Summicron 50/2, or Zeiss f. M Planer 50/2, or Summicron 35/2, ...

are the zeiss for Leica m lenses as good as the leicas? i only know the zeiss lenses for contax G and they are very good!

Thanks!
Tom

 

[azzurri]

Lens for M6

Lens for M6

Congrats on your M6!

Define inexpensive; if the choices that you have stated are considered inexpensive, the sky's almost the limit 😀

Which is the focal length are you most used to or would use the most? From the choices that you have provided, I would go for the 35 Summicron. Reason being I love the 35mm focal length and it is as good as it gets (not taking the price into consideration of course).

 

[kimbetho]

there are no real inexpensive lenses from leica ... (or i haven't found it)

the summicron 50/2 used is about 500EUR
the zeiss Planer 50/2 allmost new is about 500EUR too!
the Summicron 35/2 is more expensive i don't think i'll spend that extra money now!

are the Voigtländer lenses a real option??

and what's up with the Elmar-M 50/2,8 is it equaly good?

 

[david.elliott]

are the Voigtländer lenses a real option??

yes.

Also, do you want 35 or 50 as your focal length?

So your budget is around 500 euros?

 

[djonesii]

I really like the CV40mm SC .....

Dave

 

[kimbetho]

yes it is! 35 or 50mm for around 500EUR

what's the best choice??

 

[rxmd]

Seconded the CV 40, it was my "entry drug" and my first M lens. You should really look into CV lenses, great universal optics with budget-compatible pricing.

 

[elshaneo]

Go for the Voigtlander Color Skopar VM 35mm f/2.5, it's the best value for money lens you can buy and it's much less than your current budget...

 

[35mmdelux]

yes it is! 35 or 50mm for around 500EUR

Not from Leica. Zeiss 50 will cost $500 (US) used. For less than $500 snag a new Voigtlander of about any focal length.

If unsure, just get the Voigtlander before ya spend the extra rupees.

 

[kywong]

If you're after an inexpensive lens, I would suggest...

Leica Summicron 40/Minolta Rokkor 40 (basically the same lens from what I've read)
Konica Hexanon 50
Zeiss Planar 50 ZM
Voigtlander Nokton 50
Voigtlander 35 Pancake II

The Planar and Hexanon are both great performers. From what I've read, Planar is just as good, and in some ways, better than the Summicron. But Planar is a bit contrasty for my taste, I would go for the Hexanon if I'm after a 50 F/2.

The Nokton 50 is a great all round performer if you want speed. Voigtlander's Nokton 40 and 35 are inexpensive and fast, but their out of focus areas are a bit harsh.

I had an Elmar 50, it produced wonderful photos with a great signature, but it can be a bit slow.

The Summicron/Rokkor 40 are great if you want something a little wider.

 

[Benjamin]

The famous Witch lens (question) is pretty magical.

 

[benmacphoto]

I would say the 35mm f1.4 voigtlander lens would be a great performer. Or the 40mm f1.4 to get right between 35mm and 50mm.

 

[Prosaic™]

yes it is! 35 or 50mm for around 500EUR

what's the best choice??

35 or 50, you decide. But either way, do it right from the beginning and chose Leica.

 

[danmitch]

What were your reasons for purchasing the M6? This may help answer the question ...

Was it to access the Leica range of lenses? Perhaps for a specific type of photography? Maybe just out of curiosity?

There are differences in the characteristics of all of the lenses mentioned on this thread and you should decide what you are after before picking a lens. Think about sharpness, low light performance, contrast, etc. If you list some of these criteria I am sure you will get some specific (and relevant) suggestions.

My first M was also an M6 and I purchased a 50 Summicron (3rd version) as this was the focal length I was most commonly using with my SLRs. If you buy sensibly second-hand, you should not loose much (any?) money when and if you decide to change for a different model.

Dan

 

[kimbetho]

i found 2 summicron 50/2 both the same price, one has Leitz Wetzlar printed around the front lense Nr.2296xxx and the other just Leica Nr.3515xxx (Summicron-M 1:2/50mm is printed on both)

whats the better choice?

 

[Photon42]

The Biogon 35 I have is a very good lens indeed. You don't even need a hood. I suspect the Planar 50 has equal qualities when it comes to flare resistance. I would not care too much about Leica vs. Zeiss. Yes, they are both good - yes, they are slightly different. Mechanically, Leica might be a tad better, but that's not important for me.

One lens setup: Planar 50
Two lens setup: Biogon 35 and Elmarit-M 90 (buy the Bio first)

Ivo

 

[rxmd]

i found 2 summicron 50/2 both the same price, one has Leitz Wetzlar printed around the front lense Nr.2296xxx and the other just Leica Nr.3515xxx (Summicron-M 1:2/50mm is printed on both)

whats the better choice?

I don't think you will notice much of a difference. I guess some Leica-heads would prefer the last generation of the optical design, which is after SN 29xxxxx or so. You can't go all that wrong with a Summicron though. I'd look rather that the lenses are in good shape.

 

[kimbetho]

@ danmitch
i own a contax g2 (love it) and i desided to buy an m6 after trying the m6 of a friend to get a little deeper in the rangefinder photography!

 

[rxmd]

In that case I'd try to go for a faster lens to give you something the G2 cannot. The Contax G lenses in 35-45mm are very hard to beat. It will take some time to look for a Leica lens in the price range, but with time maybe (you could get lucky like the guy who got 320419938123). Any of the Noktons will do as well, the 50/f1.5 is one of the nicest 50s I know, the 40/1.4 is a good allrounder, the 35/1.4 I've never used and can't say much, and the 35/f1.2 is an outstanding lens which will take some patience to find at 500EUR, but which will really shine on the M6 to show what a manual focus rangefinder is good at.

 

[Peter S]

How about a Nokton 50/1.5 ? Not too expensive and gives you a little bit more manoeuvring space in available light.

50mm summicron is of course always good, it is not that difficult to design a good 50mm lense. Couple of the lenses mentioned in this thread are in the Classifieds at this moment.