markdownie Posted May 9, 2011 Share #1 Posted May 9, 2011 Advertisement (gone after registration) Hello all (joined today). Just ordered my first Leica. It's an M6 TTL in black and i should have it tomorrow fingers crossed. I decided to buy it as I am getting wed in a few weeks and want to take on on honeymoon. Long story as to why and won't bore you to tears now... I want a physically small lens, around 35-50mm focal length and not too slow. On my shortlist is a Voigt 40mm 1.4 in black, used. And a 50mm Elmar f2.8 collapsable. They will both be excellent lenses i am sure, and more importantly they fall into my sub £350 budget. Can anyone help me make a decision? Ta! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted May 9, 2011 Posted May 9, 2011 Hi markdownie, Take a look here Lens choice assistance please. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
Xmas Posted May 9, 2011 Share #2 Posted May 9, 2011 Hi The Voightlander is available single coated or multi coated, you need to get a hood with eiither lens. The Voightlander 35mm f/1.7 and /2.5 or 5cm f/2.5 are also 'cheap', but perform ok. Try and borrow one while you look for a cheap one. Noel Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
earleygallery Posted May 9, 2011 Share #3 Posted May 9, 2011 Hi, No need to explain why you're getting married, lots of people make the same mistake Is the Elmar the latest version? (at the price I suspect not). The Latest is very highly praised. The older version is a fine lens too but has that slightly more 'vintage' look, less contrast and not quite as sharp wide open. The key thing with any older lens is condition of the glass - avoid scratched or hazy examples. The problem with the 40mm lens is that your camera doesn't have any 40mm frame lines, so you will need to practice some before you become familiar enough to guess the frames. I'd stick with a 35 or 50 personally, go for the Elmar if it's a good one, or also consider the Voigtlander Skopars if you're on a tight budget - I have a Skopar 35 and it's a superb little lens. Also look at a Summicron 50, or a Summaron 35 - same advice re. age applies. Good luck. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
markdownie Posted May 9, 2011 Author Share #4 Posted May 9, 2011 Thanks for the feedback. The 50mm elmar is certainly vintage and you make a good point about the 40mm frame lines. I think i might swing by a local used shop later today and check what they have as well. Will also look into the Skopars. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Xmas Posted May 9, 2011 Share #5 Posted May 9, 2011 Hi, No need to explain why you're getting married, lots of people make the same mistake Is the Elmar the latest version? (at the price I suspect not). The Latest is very highly praised. The older version is a fine lens too but has that slightly more 'vintage' look, less contrast and not quite as sharp wide open. The key thing with any older lens is condition of the glass - avoid scratched or hazy examples. The problem with the 40mm lens is that your camera doesn't have any 40mm frame lines, so you will need to practice some before you become familiar enough to guess the frames. I'd stick with a 35 or 50 personally, go for the Elmar if it's a good one, or also consider the Voigtlander Skopars if you're on a tight budget - I have a Skopar 35 and it's a superb little lens. Also look at a Summicron 50, or a Summaron 35 - same advice re. age applies. Good luck. Hi James is correct about the 40mm frames, lines. As well some people (nail) file the 40mm lenses to bring up 35m frames instead of 50mm frames. If you find a 40mm you need to ask or check physically, has it been filed. The M6 35mm fames may be close enough to use with 40mm, and you can try it out with an unaltered 40mm looping an elastic band over the frame selector lever to the strap lug. Before nail filing. Noel Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stealth3kpl Posted May 9, 2011 Share #6 Posted May 9, 2011 When I bought an M2 off Ebay it came with a collapsible Elmar 50mm. I've found it to be a very impressive lens. This photo shows its resistance to flare, and the crop gives some idea of its resolution. This is scanned on one of those awful flatbed scanners that many consider inadequate for 35mm. Obviously something is lost in resizing for the web. Pete Ektar 100 Epson V700 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! 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/151302-lens-choice-assistance-please/?do=findComment&comment=1667510'>More sharing options...
richam Posted May 9, 2011 Share #7 Posted May 9, 2011 Advertisement (gone after registration) ...I am getting wed in a few weeks and want to take on on honeymoon Any setup is OK for honeymoon, but over the long term, you need to consider whether the camera/lens could be used as a weapon. Personally, I like the collapsible Elmar, which makes it easier to carry, e.g. in a cargo pants or inside jacket pocket. Be careful you don't get a lens of any type that has scratches or fungus damage. I have the last/latest collapsible Elmar, and it produces great Leica images. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Xmas Posted May 9, 2011 Share #8 Posted May 9, 2011 I have the last/latest collapsible Elmar, and it produces great Leica images. Yes but it is normally over 400 GBP, with hood and caps. The CV 40mm with hood and caps may be over budget. May need to go to cheaper CV. Noel Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wattsy Posted May 9, 2011 Share #9 Posted May 9, 2011 In your shoes I'd probably give the 35/F2.5 Skopar a whirl. This lens seems to have a good reputation and is sensibly priced. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stealth3kpl Posted May 9, 2011 Share #10 Posted May 9, 2011 My Elmar is an old version that would be about £200 on Ebay. There is a lovely looking example with proper rear cap and some filters in the Classifieds section, but Austria. http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/market/listing/3910/Elmar_M_12850____Top__.html Pete Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lincoln_m Posted May 9, 2011 Share #11 Posted May 9, 2011 Mark, It seems a little odd that you bought an M6TTL but are considering VM lenses. Personally I believe you need to be spending £500-600 on the latest 50mmf2.8 collapsable ( in black also), at 170g this is a very light weight lens but a great performer. I've never had a faulty image using this lens. If you wanted VM then a R3A/M plus 50mm lens would have come in at the same price as the M6TTL body only. The current / latest Leica lenses are excellent, but yes pricey even used. I'd not want to be starting buying at todays used prices. But consider this. If you spend £300 on a VM lens but finally go and buy a Leica one later that will be £300 you have less to get the quality Leica one. I personally started with Leica kit especially for the lenses, and keeping with the current / latest /asph lenses I've been very happy with the performance. The only weak link is my skill. I do have a VM 25mm but that seems to be unpredictable and I'm sure I can get better / more reliable shots with my 35 f2 asph because I'm tuned into the results I get even if I can't get such a wide angle. The external finder doesn't give the correct impression, anyway I'm off topic. If you have a new camera and lens try and have/use a film you know on your honeymoon. Also buy some spare batteries. The first thing I did was leave the shutter cocked and in a case so the meter was on all night and dead the next morning. Silly mistakes when new to Leica. Rattle off a film quickly before your honeymoon and get it processed and printed (9x6) to check it out before you go. Your Honeymoon should be a once in a lifetime event so you want to make sure you are happy with camera, lens, film before hand. Best of luck, Lincoln Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Xmas Posted May 9, 2011 Share #12 Posted May 9, 2011 Hi Lincoln Lots of people use CV or ZM lenses. Never think of replacing them by a Leica lens. The 5cm f2.5 is a only a mm longer than the collapsed post '94 Elmar, on the camera, if there is a difference optically not seen it, the CV is a lot heavier brass and glass. I have less problems with CV lenses than Leica, Not tried a Bessa though, I have used the chepo Nikon SLRs made by Cosina, and they are/were totally reliable. My M6 tends to eat batteries, frequently remove them. Noel. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
earleygallery Posted May 9, 2011 Share #13 Posted May 9, 2011 Firstly, have you compared handling a Leica M body v a Voigtlander? They're quite different and there's no doubt that the Leica feels better made. The shutter is completely different. One could argue that people on a budget should buy the Voigtlander body and a Leica lens, it's an option for sure. But if you want a Leica you'll end up selling the Voigtlander to trade up at some point and you're more likely to lose money that way. On the other hand, the Voigtlander lenses represent superb value for money. Some of use choose them in preference to the Leica equivalents, or at least use them alongside our Leica lenses. I compared my Skopar with a Summicron (non ASPH) and honestly, I couldn't tell them apart. The Voigtlander lenses hold their price very well, the ones I've bought are worth more now than what I paid for them. Buy s/h and you'll sell for the same or a profit if/when you decide to swap for Leica glass, but you'll probably want to keep it regardless. The Windmill shot in my gallery was taken with a 25mm Skopar. Mark,It seems a little odd that you bought an M6TTL but are considering VM lenses. Personally I believe you need to be spending £500-600 on the latest 50mmf2.8 collapsable ( in black also), at 170g this is a very light weight lens but a great performer. I've never had a faulty image using this lens. If you wanted VM then a R3A/M plus 50mm lens would have come in at the same price as the M6TTL body only. The current / latest Leica lenses are excellent, but yes pricey even used. I'd not want to be starting buying at todays used prices. But consider this. If you spend £300 on a VM lens but finally go and buy a Leica one later that will be £300 you have less to get the quality Leica one. I personally started with Leica kit especially for the lenses, and keeping with the current / latest /asph lenses I've been very happy with the performance. The only weak link is my skill. I do have a VM 25mm but that seems to be unpredictable film before hand. Best of luck, Lincoln Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Driver8 Posted May 10, 2011 Share #14 Posted May 10, 2011 Hello all (joined today). I decided to buy it as I am getting wed in a few weeks and want to take on on honeymoon. Long story as to why and won't bore you to tears now... I want a physically small lens, around 35-50mm focal length and not too slow. On my shortlist is a Voigt 40mm 1.4 in black, used. And a 50mm Elmar f2.8 collapsable. They will both be excellent lenses i am sure, and more importantly they fall into my sub £350 budget. Ta! Skimp on the honeymoon to increase your lens budget. Haha! But if you buy the Voightlander or Elmar, you'll end up purchasing the 35mm or 50mm Summicron later anyway. So save money and buy a good used Summicron now. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Xmas Posted May 10, 2011 Share #15 Posted May 10, 2011 Hi Driver Just not true. I bought my CV 35mm and 5cm f2.5 and use instead of lux and cron, and I know other people who do the same, i.e. use a CV in preference Lots of people use the post '94 elmar for its better performance - than a cron, and I know the MTF shades the cron into 1st... Noel Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bill Posted May 10, 2011 Share #16 Posted May 10, 2011 ...I bought my CV 35mm and 5cm f2.5 and use instead of lux and cron, and I know other people who do the same, i.e. use a CV in preference. ...me, for instance. I owned a v4 35mm Summicron for years and sold it because I preferred the compact form factor, handling and performance - indeed the end results from - the CV 35mm f2.5 pancake. I have never looked back, and I would never "trade up" Furthermore I have recently acquired a 35mm Biogon to sit on my new MP. I buy lenses that give me the end results I want, rather than blindly assuming that Leica glass is the last word. I like many others here value preferred over "absolute" performance, and have therefore built a palette of lenses to match my taste rather than buying the latest and most expensive just because I can. P.S. I do agree with the comments about the Elmar-M - one of my all-time favourites. Regards, Bill Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
markdownie Posted May 16, 2011 Author Share #17 Posted May 16, 2011 So i got my lens sorted and the body arrived too. Went for a 5cm 3.5 Elmar on account of being poor! It was £175, in pretty good condition actually and mechanically it seems good. On second film now and will send off for processing this week. A good pal of mine dropped off a bag full of new film for me at the weekend so that provides some fun for the next few weeks Thanks for all your help above. I did some digging into all suggestions but budget was the overriding contraint. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
earleygallery Posted May 16, 2011 Share #18 Posted May 16, 2011 Which version? Is it an M mount with aperture ring, or the earlier LTM lens? The M version is the same as an LTM 'red scale' which was slightly improved over the earlier models. Great lens in either guise. You'll be very happy with it I'm sure. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
markdownie Posted May 16, 2011 Author Share #19 Posted May 16, 2011 It is an M mount with a ring up front. Pretty clean really, no marks that i can make out and feels solid in use etc. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jgbossert Posted May 17, 2011 Share #20 Posted May 17, 2011 For the 30/40s vintage look you should choos an 1930-50s Elmar 50mm 3.5 or 1950s Elmar 50mm 2.8. In this Thread you find a shot taken with a 60s Elmar 50mm 2.8: http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/customer-forum/142115-lenses-old-school-elmar-look-like.html I sell this lens currently on eBay. It is CLAed. The lens elements have been polished and recoated. It delivers pictures like new back in the 60s. Leica M Leitz Elmar 50mm 2.8 (1965) - Lens CLAed - TOP! | eBay I think it will sell for around 200 GBP. I now own an Elmar 50mm 3.5 in the M-Bayonet version. The same as you. But only a few samples survived till date without fogging. (But I pay twice than you) Also a great lens is the old Summaron 35mm 2.8. (The 3.5 is not as good). The old Summicron 50mm collapsible look is not my taste. The Elmar is less sharp but has more acutance. The Summicon is sharper with less accutance. Another great current lens for vintage look is the Voigtlaender Heliar 50mm 2.0. Only a limited editin of 600 samples has been produced. I also currently sell mine on eBay. But it would be too expensive for your budget. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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