adamcheasley Posted June 28, 2012 Share #1 Posted June 28, 2012 Advertisement (gone after registration) Greetings forum, I am new to the world of Leica, having acquired an M2 in the last couple of weeks. I am now searching for a decent, but affordable 50mm lens to go with it. One piece of advice I got was to go for the Zeiss Planar T f/2.0 lens, which I can get new for around 550-600 pounds. Is that sound advice? Any thoughts welcome! Thanks, Adam. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted June 28, 2012 Posted June 28, 2012 Hi adamcheasley, Take a look here 50mm lens for an M2. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
TomB_tx Posted June 28, 2012 Share #2 Posted June 28, 2012 The Planar is a very nice lens, if you want a 50mm. The first Leica I used was an M2 with 50 f2.8 Elmar; which back then (1966) was Leica's $88 lens! It is also well matched to the M2, and while a bit slower than the Planar should also be available used for less money. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bill Posted June 28, 2012 Share #3 Posted June 28, 2012 Welcom Adam! Well, for the "period" experience I would go for a DR ("Dual Range") Summicron. I would also second the recommendation for a collapsible Elmar; the most recent 50mm Elmar-M is a superb lens and currently in residence on my own M2. Regards, Bill Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil U Posted June 28, 2012 Share #4 Posted June 28, 2012 Elmar, Planar and DR Summicron all great choices. With regards to the Planar, I will also throw the Zeiss 50mm sonnar (f1.5) in to the mix. It is possible to find one used for close to the same price as a new planar. The sonnar draws beautifully wide open in a very "classic" way (slightly soft even, some might say). It then gets more sharper as it stops down. I really like it. But if you are after flat out sharp and high contrast then I would say the planar is the one to beat. If you are after the most compact set up, then go with the Elmar All said and done, for an M2 my personal choice would be the DR Summicron - if you can find a very good one. Good luck for the hunt! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
adamcheasley Posted June 28, 2012 Author Share #5 Posted June 28, 2012 Thanks all for the replies. The elmar does sound appealing as it is collapsable. I will do a bit more research and see what I can find second hand. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pablo Sanchez Posted June 28, 2012 Share #6 Posted June 28, 2012 I too still consider myself new to the world of Leica as only about 6 months ago I purchased an M6 (my first Leica) along with a Zeiss lens as it seemed very affordable. Recently I sold the Zeiss and bought the 50mm Elmar-M (newest version) and a few people are already suggesting this to you and I have to agree. It's so compact and produces great results but also it just feels better to focus with than the Zeiss lens I owned, much smoother and easier to use. My only regret is that I didn't own this from the start. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
gyoung Posted June 28, 2012 Share #7 Posted June 28, 2012 Advertisement (gone after registration) Any Summicron 50 is a good choice, and unless you want to do closer than 1m, which is not ideal territory for a rangefinder, its pointless looking for the DR version when the normal ones is easier to find. For me the Leica lens quality is at least half the experience, pointless putting Zeiss or any other make on it till you have found out what leica's glass wizards can do Gerry Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
stunsworth Posted June 28, 2012 Share #8 Posted June 28, 2012 Another vote for a 50mm Summicron. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
xalo Posted June 28, 2012 Share #9 Posted June 28, 2012 +1 for a Summicron. The extra stop compared to the Elmar counts, and with a DR in reasonable (not collector grade) shape you should have cash to spare in comparison with the Planar or last generation Elmar. The Elmar sure is lighter, but with filter and hood it also protrudes from the body (even collapsed) and will need to be readied for action anytime there is some... The Summicron DR was my first Leica 50mm and would be the last to go. Cheers, Alexander Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stealth3kpl Posted June 28, 2012 Share #10 Posted June 28, 2012 I got the latest (Pre Apo) 50 summicron for £500 and it's really nice to use focusing with the side of one finger. The results are stellar. I also have the old 2.8 Elmar and I've been surprised at what a wonderful performer it is. I think you'd be hard pressed to find a poor 50mm made by anyone. Pete Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
AB007 Posted June 28, 2012 Share #11 Posted June 28, 2012 Another vote for 50 DR I use a 50 DR on my M3 and have another one as backup Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
earleygallery Posted June 28, 2012 Share #12 Posted June 28, 2012 With your budget I'd go for a nice s/h Summicron (any version) or the late model Elmar. I'd seriously consider the earlier (M mount) 2.8 or 3.5 Elmars too. If you are considering an older lens, check the optics thoroughly and don't buy any scratched or hazy examples - DON'T buy unseen off eBay (yes, I have bought plenty of lenses via eBay but I'm always sure to ask questions first and agree to a return if not as expected). You sometimes see the DR Summicron without it's goggles for 'bargain' prices, worth looking out for if you simply want it as a user lens. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
luigi bertolotti Posted June 28, 2012 Share #13 Posted June 28, 2012 +1 again for the Summicron.... No a better classic combo for a M2; if you value the capability to retract, it can be found also in rectratable version... but is a more risly buy, for a really good rectrable Summicron is not so easy to find. For a low risk and not costly rectrable, the ETHERNAL Elmar 3,5 (even in screw mount, with adapter) is always a right and comfortable choice. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Checkland Posted June 28, 2012 Share #14 Posted June 28, 2012 I'd consider an old summilux if money wasn't a factor. But cant really go wrong with a Summicron! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_livsey Posted June 29, 2012 Share #15 Posted June 29, 2012 It depends on what film you want to shoot. If B/W time to give a bump to the Zeiss Sonnar it renders on B/W beautifully. If colour neg then the Zeiss Planar has a "sharper" "cooler" look than the classic Leica glass. In truth it is quite hard to find bad 50mm glass for an M. Personally I shoot 35mm on the M2, that's what it was made for Don't ask which though, it's too embarrassing to list them Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
iphoenix Posted June 30, 2012 Share #16 Posted June 30, 2012 Yes, the Summicron. But if you want to get the original "Leica" look; find an uncoated Elmar 5cm or 50mm F3.5 with M adaptor. It works. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
earleygallery Posted June 30, 2012 Share #17 Posted June 30, 2012 Yes, the Summicron. But if you want to get the original "Leica" look; find an uncoated Elmar 5cm or 50mm F3.5 with M adaptor. It works. Strange advice! The lens isn't 'period' to the camera, fine if the OP had bought a llla or similar and only wanted to shoot B&W, but not the ideal choice for an M2 IMHO. The OP didn't say he wanted a 1930's look to his images. The same lens (red scale version) can be bought in M mount albeit coated, with a 39mm filter thread and more user friendly aperture ring. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
iphoenix Posted July 1, 2012 Share #18 Posted July 1, 2012 Hi James. The OP didn't say what look he wanted for his images or that he specifically wanted a lens from the same era as his camera. He did though, say that any thoughts were welcome. I offered him mine; as I have, and enjoy using, both early and late screw lenses as well as bayonet on my M's. It is up to the OP to accept or reject my suggestion, depending upon his usage intentions. You might also note that the uncoated Elmar was a supplementary suggestion, after agreeing with the earlier suggestion of the Summicron. Hope this clarifies my thoughts. Regards, David Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
becker Posted July 1, 2012 Share #19 Posted July 1, 2012 make it compact, and light, I use and suggest the fine 3,5 red scale elmar. You dont get a 1930`s look on the pics with that lense, thats nonsens. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
earleygallery Posted July 1, 2012 Share #20 Posted July 1, 2012 I have the same lens. It's quite different from an early uncoated version. Well the OP has a lot of suggestions to consider! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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