gurraf Posted February 22, 2017 Share #1 Posted February 22, 2017 Advertisement (gone after registration) Hi all, just ordered a Leica TL but need help finding a first lens and on a budget, I'm thinking in the range 5-600 USD. I'm new to photography but would like to take it to the next level. I'm looking for a versatile lens mainly for street photography and would also like to explore night photography.I have come across 2 lenses so far; the Voigtländer 35/2.5 and the more controversial Lomo LC-A Minitar-1 32/2.8 (both with M adapter).Do you have any other suggestion for me? All help would be much appreciated!(Also hope I posted in the right thread)Thanks! Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted February 22, 2017 Posted February 22, 2017 Hi gurraf, Take a look here First lens for TL under 600 USD. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
Belle123 Posted February 22, 2017 Share #2 Posted February 22, 2017 You can find some inexpensive Leica R lenses and use an adapter and shoot manually. I picked up a very inexpensive Summicron R 50mm for under $300 awhile back. Very old. It is as good as the current M equivalent for hundreds less. The downside is it is huge on the T, but if that is not important, it is great glass. Many other options am sure others can suggest. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
earleygallery Posted February 22, 2017 Share #3 Posted February 22, 2017 Hi, I am curious as to why you have bought a TL body and not the kit lens? I think you're making a mistake if your budget is limited to buy an expensive body and then skimp on the lens, and unless you have the EVF finder you will find it difficult to focus manually using the rear screen. If it's not too late I would cancel the order for the TL and rethink what you should buy. Even a s/h T and kit lens would be a better first step. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Louis Posted February 23, 2017 Share #4 Posted February 23, 2017 Congratulation for your new camera. T is really a wonderful little camera that I am sure you would love! As for the lens, if you need AF, the T lenses are really very good and you don't need an EVF. You can find some nice and not very expensive ones on EBay or with different dealers. If you wish to use a MF, then you absolutely need Visoflex (EVF). It is almost impossible to focus through the LCD. I have been using several Nikkor lenses for over a year and I really enjoy MF. I have the T (AF) zoom, 18-56, that is really very good, but I enjoy more my old manual lenses. Therefore, I am sure you won't have any problem with any of the lenses you mentioned. Good luck, and looking forward to see your work. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ropo54 Posted February 23, 2017 Share #5 Posted February 23, 2017 (edited) The 18-55 TL zoom is terrific, but may cost just a tad more on the pre-owned market. More likely in the $700-800 range, but it is 'worth it'. For that matter, the other TL lenses are all excellent. Frankly, I'd probably make this your first lens as it is so versatile. The Zeiss 50mm f/2 planar is a superb option if you are considering just one focal length and manual focus. Probably in the $600-$700 range in pre-owned condition. Zeiss also makes a 35mm f/2.8 that is highly recommended. These will cost less than the Leica 23mm option, but one gives up AF with the Zeiss selections, and, again, one needs the Leica M to TL adapter. Many recommend the Voigtlander lenses, as well, but I have no first hand knowledge regarding those. Finally, as Louis suggested, the visoflex is certainly something you should acquire. Rob Edited February 23, 2017 by ropo54 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
gurraf Posted February 23, 2017 Author Share #6 Posted February 23, 2017 Thank you all for your responses, very much appreciated! It sounds tempting to pick up a MF lens, but I believe the most reasonable option would be to stretch my budget a bit and go for the 18-55 TL zoom as a first lens. Even though there seems to be good MF lenses at reasonable prices (compared to standard TL Leica lenses) I still need both the EVF and the adapter on top.However as soon as I invest into these parts, there seems to be a lot of fun options to choose from as a next step! /Gustav Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
redoutback Posted February 23, 2017 Share #7 Posted February 23, 2017 Advertisement (gone after registration) I got a voigtlander 15mm f4.5 viii with visoflex and very happy with that. Nikon MF lenses with adapter are an inexpensive option. Also love my 55-135 T! The results look better than Nikon 70-200 f2.8 on my d810. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Volbeat Posted February 23, 2017 Share #8 Posted February 23, 2017 Welcome to the world of T, I don't know where in the world you are but here in the UK I have found all of my lenses, used, from Leica dealers at better prices than on eBay. Google search for dealers then contact them and tell them you're looking for used T/ TL lenses at your budget. Then let them come to you... Cheers, 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ropo54 Posted February 23, 2017 Share #9 Posted February 23, 2017 I got a voigtlander 15mm f4.5 viii with visoflex and very happy with that. Nikon MF lenses with adapter are an inexpensive option. Also love my 55-135 T! The results look better than Nikon 70-200 f2.8 on my d810. Having just acquired the Voigtlander 15mm III I heartily second your suggestion. The lens is absolutely terrific! I'm using in on the SL 601 and could not be happier. So very sharp, and almost everything is always in focus, so very little fidgeting to do. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pixel35 Posted February 25, 2017 Share #10 Posted February 25, 2017 Buying the zoom is not only a great choice, but it is also your lowest price option for the time being. No adapter needed, and the EVF purchase can be delayed. Enjoy the T. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
MDCT Posted March 3, 2017 Share #11 Posted March 3, 2017 Sage advice.. I have the 18-55 and the 11-23. They are not your typical "kit" lenses. I got the 18-55 at around 749.00 on EBay and the 11-23 for 995. These have become the workhorse lenses for my T. I have another 12 vintage lenses that I use with it as well. That being said the 18-55 spends the most time on the body. Its that good. Ted 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RickP Posted March 3, 2017 Share #12 Posted March 3, 2017 Sage advice.. I have the 18-55 and the 11-23. They are not your typical "kit" lenses. I got the 18-55 at around 749.00 on EBay and the 11-23 for 995. These have become the workhorse lenses for my T. I have another 12 vintage lenses that I use with it as well. That being said the 18-55 spends the most time on the body. Its that good. Ted I agree Ted, the 18-56 is a sleeper .. it took me awhile to realize how good it really is. Auto focus and a very useable zoom range makes it a perfect all-purpose lens that gets the job done! 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! 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/269691-first-lens-for-tl-under-600-usd/?do=findComment&comment=3225959'>More sharing options...
BCMielke Posted March 4, 2017 Share #13 Posted March 4, 2017 Aren't the new Handevision Iberit lenses less than $600? They are also in the native mount. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Volbeat Posted March 5, 2017 Share #14 Posted March 5, 2017 Aren't the new Handevision Iberit lenses less than $600? They are also in the native mount. Thank you very much for that link. I'd never heard of Handevision. Cheers, Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
tom0511 Posted March 5, 2017 Share #15 Posted March 5, 2017 I also recommend either a used 18-55 or the 23mm T lenses, I own all the M lenses but on the T I use T lenses and enjoy having AF. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jevidon Posted March 16, 2017 Share #16 Posted March 16, 2017 Frankly, by the time you invest in an M to TL adapter or an even more expensive R to TL adapter and then buy the manual lens whether Leica, Zeiss or the occasionally excellent CV lenses, you might as well buy a used TL mount lens and get a superior image. You can buy a used 23mm Summicron T for under $1000. A good used Summicron M and the adapter will cost you as much or more by the time you are finished. I wanted a good telephoto 180 to 200mm prime lens for my T. The like new Novoflex NIK to TL adapter and the Ex+ used Nikkor f2.8 180mm lens together cost me nearly $ 800, and it is still manual focus and a little tricky to get really sharp. My advise is to stick to Leica T lenses new or used. B&H ( on-line) currently has the excellent 18-55 lens used for under v$1000 and they are an extremely reliable vendor that stands behind their sales. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BCMielke Posted March 20, 2017 Share #17 Posted March 20, 2017 The Handevision lenses just had a mini review on Leica Rumors. The article can be found here. These are for the M mount, they are also available in the SL/TL mount. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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