Subject Focus Posted February 16, 2015 Share #1 Posted February 16, 2015 Advertisement (gone after registration) I'd like to get a really old and cheap lens that fits on my M9 without an adaptor and was made Leica. The lens has to be under $200 and I prefer it under $100. The hector 135mm seems to be available for cheap but it's huge. I don't care about sharpness or anything like that but the lens has to work properly. I think it would be fun to see what I can do with a really old inexpensive lens. Have any suggestions on a lens or know any for sale anywhere besides the major resellers which I checked? Thanks. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted February 16, 2015 Posted February 16, 2015 Hi Subject Focus, Take a look here Recommendations for the oldest cheapest lens that fits a M9. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
wda Posted February 16, 2015 Share #2 Posted February 16, 2015 George, if it will be your only lens for your M9, the 135mm Hektor would be too long in my view. I see you also shoot an M3. If so, what existing lenses do you have in M-fitting? Any you have for an M3 will work on your M9 although the latter would not naturally recognise the lens type. But you can set that information in the Menu. If you are merely seeking an old curiosity lens, in addition to your readily available lenses, then there is nothing wrong with the lens you propose. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Subject Focus Posted February 16, 2015 Author Share #3 Posted February 16, 2015 George, if it will be your only lens for your M9, the 135mm Hektor would be too long in my view. I see you also shoot an M3. If so, what existing lenses do you have in M-fitting? Any you have for an M3 will work on your M9 although the latter would not naturally recognise the lens type. But you can set that information in the Menu. If you are merely seeking an old curiosity lens, in addition to your readily available lenses, then there is nothing wrong with the lens you propose. My main lens is a 50 Summilux. I only have an M9. The M3 in my signature refers to a car. I would get the Hektor since they are $70 but it looks really huge in the photos and I don't think it would fit in my camera bag. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
andym911 Posted February 16, 2015 Share #4 Posted February 16, 2015 how about an old Elmar 35 or 50..lots around in various conditions for small Dollars. great lenses even today. andy 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
01af Posted February 16, 2015 Share #5 Posted February 16, 2015 I'm getting nice results with an uncoated Elmar 5 cm 1:3.5 from 1938. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
earleygallery Posted February 16, 2015 Share #6 Posted February 16, 2015 I'd like to get a really old and cheap lens that fits on my M9 without an adaptor and was made Leica. The lens has to be under $200 and I prefer it under $100. The hector 135mm seems to be available for cheap but it's huge. I don't care about sharpness or anything like that but the lens has to work properly. I think it would be fun to see what I can do with a really old inexpensive lens. Have any suggestions on a lens or know any for sale anywhere besides the major resellers which I checked? Thanks. Old AND cheap AND Leica!!!! Old OK but the other two..... Actually you could get a 9cm f4 Elmar in decent condition for that price, well worth trying IMHO. Otherwise you need to look for a black scale Elmar 5cm f3.5 but it's thread mount so you need an M adaptor for it. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pgk Posted February 16, 2015 Share #7 Posted February 16, 2015 Advertisement (gone after registration) Actually you could get a 9cm f4 Elmar in decent condition for that price, well worth trying IMHO. Yes, I've spotted two at under £100 (one well under) straight away from a dealer in the UK. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lenshacker Posted February 16, 2015 Share #8 Posted February 16, 2015 The 9cm F4 Elmar (coated, ~1954 vintage) on the M8: Brian's Album: 9cm F4 Elmar-M Collapsible, on the Leica M8 This lens was $100, required cleaning haze out of each side of the aperture blades. This is the Collapsible lens, but optically the same as the rigid. I've used it on the M9, just do not have anything uploaded. I sold the Thin 90/2,8 Tele-Elmarit and kept the Elmar. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
james.liam Posted February 16, 2015 Share #9 Posted February 16, 2015 I'd like to get a really old and cheap lens that fits on my M9 without an adaptor and was made Leica. The lens has to be under $200 and I prefer it under $100. Why set on something old and cheap? The early 50mm M-mounts are rarely found without cleaning marks or scratches to that very soft front element. The 35 M Summaron 3.5 remains costly and not all that great compared with Nikons and Canons of the same era. And then there's the haze issue that seemed to affect that era of Leica more so than other makes. A used Voigtländer (with lower contrast and that "classic" look) can be found cheaply in that range and blows away anything from the '50s. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dpitt Posted February 16, 2015 Share #10 Posted February 16, 2015 Not sure I understand this. Going under $200 will probably get you a lens that needs cleaning before it is any good. The cheapest alround lens that would do justice to your M9 and that can be found in usable condition IMO would be a Summicron 40 C, but that would sell more around $300 and upwards. Elmar f3.5 50, or f2.8 50 in good condition could sell also around $300, maybe little cheaper than the Summicron 40 and it is also very good and also alround. The best/cheapest lens I can think of that can be found in good condition around $200 is probably the 90 Elmar-C f4.0 . A bit long as only lens, but very sharp and not too big. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThePioneer Posted February 17, 2015 Share #11 Posted February 17, 2015 I use the LTM 50/3.5 on my M9 and it works great. However, as has already been mentioned, you will almost certainly have to clean it after you buy it so add $70 to $90 for that. However, I would recommend at least the Elmar 50/2.8 but if you already have the Summilux, I'm not sure why you would want another 50. My Lux and my M9 are regular companions. If you want to go longer than 50 you can usually find the elmar 90/4 or the tele-elmarit 90/2.8. These are both good lenses and if you watch you may be able to get one below $200. Unfortunately I suspect you end up paying for cleaning but you could get lucky. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
spydrxx Posted February 17, 2015 Share #12 Posted February 17, 2015 You said old and cheap, and although the forum is Leica M lenses, you didn't say it had to be a Leica lens, only that it would fit on a M9. I can't recommend the Russian LTM screwmount RF 50s only because I've never tried them...but I have seen some excellent photos taken with them. If you haven't looked at Canon LTM RF lenses, you might be in for a pleasant surprise, especially in the 50mm arena - they're screwmount, but with an adapter would work well on a M9. I got a collapsible 50/1.8 a couple of years ago along with a LTM body for a little over $100, sold the body for more than the cost of both and got the lens CLA'd ...total under $100. Have used the lens since on both film & digital (not Leica) bodies and found the results were quite comparable to the early Summicrons. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
stephen.w Posted February 18, 2015 Share #13 Posted February 18, 2015 Maybe consider the 35 Summaron f3.5, especially if you already have a 50. I bought a mint copy in 2010 for 200 euro. Prices have gone up unfortunately, but you may still be able to find one for a similar amount. Good ergonomics, nice and small -- a real jewel of a lens. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
IWC Doppel Posted February 18, 2015 Share #14 Posted February 18, 2015 I'm not sure why you would do this tbh You may get better satisfaction saying Id like a wider lens 28 or 35 and would really like to experiment with anything old cheap and interesting from Leica for example I personally no interest in anything over 75mm so for me a 135 has zero value The 35 f2.8 Summaron is superb but over your budget, a 50 Elmar-M is also superb but not that old and another 50. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
philipus Posted February 18, 2015 Share #15 Posted February 18, 2015 The 9cm Elmar is nice, plentiful and inexpensive. Mine's from 1934 and very clean. Buying a vintage lens need not at all result in poor quality. Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Above the polar circle Leica II Superia 400 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Above the polar circle Leica II Superia 400 ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/241150-recommendations-for-the-oldest-cheapest-lens-that-fits-a-m9/?do=findComment&comment=2766915'>More sharing options...
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