28/50/35 lens choice for M9

[harryjiang]

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I picked up a Voigtlander 50 1.5 M mount version from ebay. Very disappointed, the lens is useable because of focus shift. Nothing is in focus. 

 

Now, I have 35/3/5 summaron, elmar-m 50/2.8 and 600-800 cash. Which lens do you guys suggest that I should go to? I just sold 35/2(eight element) and elmar 50/3.5. I am familiar with 28, 35 and 50 lens. 

 

[sanyasi]

I would hold off on buying a lens. Put one lens on the camera, and shoot with it for awhile.  Personally, I like a 50 and a 28, but don't like a 35.  It's all personal, and you need to figure this stuff out for yourself, but buying more lenses is not the answer.  

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[shootinglulu]

I would hold off on buying a lens. Put one lens on the camera, and shoot with it for awhile.  Personally, I like a 50 and a 28, but don't like a 35.  It's all personal, and you need to figure this stuff out for yourself, but buying more lenses is not the answer.  

I agree and would personally buy one lens, the best I could afford and live with that for a while. For me that would be 50 Lux asph or 28 Lux asph but it's so personal. 

[harryjiang]

I really use both 28/35/50 at a regular bases. I use GR as 28, Leica summicron 35/2 35/3.5, elmar 50/3.5 andelmar-m 50 2.8.

Just sold some of them to upgrade. 

 

Thank you guys for advice though. 

 

visit my personal website in progress please, http://harryjiangphootgraphy.weebly.com/

[haroldp]

If you can find a 28/35/50 / f4 tri elmar, you may like it. I got one in 1994 with an M6, and it now lives on my m9.

[harryjiang]

If you can find a 28/35/50 / f4 tri elmar, you may like it. I got one in 1994 with an M6, and it now lives on my m9.

That is out of my reach for the time being. I only have 800 budget at most. 

[A miller]

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that old glass is amazing.  keep the cash and focus on your photography.

it is unclear whether you want a 28 for your leica or whether you are happy with your GR.  If you want one for your leica, the cash you have is enough to buy a good pre-asph elmarit or an old summaron, which is awesome.

[harryjiang]

that old glass is amazing.  keep the cash and focus on your photography.

it is unclear whether you want a 28 for your leica or whether you are happy with your GR.  If you want one for your leica, the cash you have is enough to buy a good pre-asph elmarit or an old summaron, which is awesome.

Thank you for your advice. I am happy with my GR. My favorite length is 50mm, that is why I was thinking about getting one nokton 50 1.5  

[TRIago]

It is personal. I'd use only a 35.

[duckrider]

You have have 35/3/5 summaron, elmar-m 50/2.8? USE them!!

Don't look to cherries in neighbours garden, they are no sweeter!

 

Thomas

[haroldp]

If you like 50mm, a Summicron M f2 is as close to perfect as one can get, and might be available in or near your price range. I do not think the optical formula has changed since 1979 (not counting the amazing asph APO summicron), and coding does not matter much (or at all) with a 50mm.

 

I also have a 50 asph 'lux', and use the 'cron' more often.

 

... H

[TRIago]

Try the Rigid Summicron. Together with the M9 it makes amazing pictures. Seriously, I love everything about this lens. From it's build quality to it's resolution wide open in the center of the frame. It is that good.

[pippy]

You have have 35/3/5 summaron, elmar-m 50/2.8? USE them!!...

 

Thomas

It depends to a large extent on what subject-matter you shoot but in the main I must agree with duckrider on this.

For all practical purposes the 50mm f2.8 Elmar you already have is very good even wide-open and is super-sharp from around f5.6 all the way down.

 

If you really need one extra stop and super-sharpness from f2 then a Summicron is the only affordable solution. Use your Elmar until you have saved enough to pick up a used Summicron.

 

Pip.

[Ciaren]

Its all about personal preference and what suits your style best.
Try all of them out and then decide, see if any friends have them and ask to try them out.

[tobey bilek]

Poor man buys twice.  Use what you have until you establish what kind of photos you like , landscapes, still life, portraits.  Then  buy lenses to that end.  Just buying random lenses will send you to the poor house.

[IWC Doppel]

As I have had and still have a number of lenses I use on my M9-P I would choose the following with an eye for value and performance on the M9

 

28mm Summircron, sublime on the M9, 35mm Summilux ASPH. or Summicron MkIV, 50 Summilux pre ASPH

 

Not super cheap but great value for performance and character

[otto.f]

It seems you need a Leica 28 but I wouldn't advise you one older than the two latest generations

[microview]

 and coding does not matter much (or at all) with a 50mm.

 

 

 

 

 

Wit the new Leica MD as there's no menu you cannot select the lens mounted. However, the manual says that, even with  non-coded lenses you will create fine pics. Rather amusing given the fuss that's been made about lens recognition/correction and the need for coding!

[jdlaing]

Fuss by who? 

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[zlatkob]

I picked up a Voigtlander 50 1.5 M mount version from ebay. Very disappointed, the lens is useable because of focus shift. Nothing is in focus. 

 

Now, I have 35/3/5 summaron, elmar-m 50/2.8 and 600-800 cash. Which lens do you guys suggest that I should go to? I just sold 35/2(eight element) and elmar 50/3.5. I am familiar with 28, 35 and 50 lens. 

 

 

I'm surprised no one has recommended the Zeiss 50mm f/2 Planar ZM.  I haven't used it but I've only seen good reviews of that lens.  A good used one is in your budget (check Keh.com for example).  A new one is $860.  Otherwise, you could buy a very old 50mm Summicron.  Or a Voigtlander 50mm f/2 Heliar.  

Edited May 16, 2016 by zlatkob