Which 50?

[poppers]

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Looking for a 50mm but nothing too ridiculous in price. I have a zeiss 35 and thought i might go for the zeiss 50f2. It's more to try out the focal length so maybe a cheaper option is preferable like one of the canon ltm lenses. I shoot film.

 

Interested in a one of these but wondered which is the most realistic price wise?

Leica Summicron M 50mm f2 Dual Range Lens with Goggles | eBay

 

http://www.reddotcameras.co.uk/product_info.php?cPath=34_36&products_id=5937

 

same lens but vastly differing prices?

[TomB_tx]

If you like the Zeiss 35 the Planar 50 would be a good match. I have the Planar and 3 Summicrons (62, 69, and 2012) and really like the results with the Zeiss. I got mine used, which made it a bargain. Of course, it feels just like the 35 in use.

I also have a Voigtlander 50 f1.5 (LTM) Nokton, and just got back film used with it. It also gives excellent results, and gives an extra stop speed, which is nice with film. You can usually find it used for less than the Zeiss. It is larger - but is a nice match for my M5.

I've also used the Canon 50 f1.8 LTM on my IIIf, and really like that lens too.

Basically lots of good choices for a 50 - it's hard to go wrong.

[Rick in CO]

No comparison in my mind. Get the ZM lens - its newer with better multi-coating and newer glass - equal to the last 50 Summicron (according to E. Puts). I tried the Nokton, very sharp wide open but very harsh rendition, and the 1.5 Summarit, very nice rendition after processing in PhotoShop but not sharp until stopped way down. I thought of getting the 1.5 Sonnar, but the focus shift would be too much to have to deal with. Every time I look at my photos with the f2 ZM I wonder why I would want to change to anything else.

[elgenper]

Looking for a 50mm...

 

Interested in a one of these but wondered which is the most realistic price wise?

Leica Summicron M 50mm f2 Dual Range Lens with Goggles | eBay

 

http://www.reddotcameras.co.uk/product_info.php?cPath=34_36&products_id=5937

 

same lens but vastly differing prices?

 

Which camera body do you intend to use it on? The Dual Range Summicron cannot be mounted on the M8 or M9. Don´t know, but I wouldn´t be surprised if it´s the same with the new M.

[furcafe]

Based on the user manual, the Dual Range is also verboten on the M unless you just want to use it at the closest non-goggled focus distance (perhaps even w/goggles is an option using live view).

 

Which camera body do you intend to use it on? The Dual Range Summicron cannot be mounted on the M8 or M9. Don´t know, but I wouldn´t be surprised if it´s the same with the new M.

[FlashGordonPhotography]

Voigtlander is releasing the Nokton 50mm 1.5 in an M mount. It should arrive fairly soon as some places are taking pre-orders already. It may be a consideration. I love my LTM version. And I must say the new one looks gorgeous.

 

Gordon

[DirkB17]

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I recently bought a used Voigtländer Nokton 1.5 and I really appreciate the results with my M8. For me it works just fine.

 

Dirk

[poppers]

I thought the dual range might be an option because I thought it more reasonable in price compared to other leica 50s.

 

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[thighslapper]

The 50/2.8 collapsible is a great little lens and mint examples at a very reasonable price are easily found.

 

You won't find a bad word said about this lens.

 

I have 3 (don't ask why .....) and there is not a lot of difference between this and the 50/2 and 50/1.4 in most situations....

 

...... it's my standard lens for everyday use when I cant be bothered with my Noctilux or carrying a bag full....

[CaptZoom]

Poppers

The Ziess Planar is spectacular, especially for color photography. It is difficult to describe- simultaneously sharp and smooth.

The CV f1.5 is also a great lens and plenty sharp wide open.

If absolute cost is the determine factor, the CV f1.5 makes a lot of sense. But if you can stretch your budget a bit, the Planar with reward you with some gorgeous colors and skin tones.

Though I've no experience with it, the CV f2.5 Skopar 50mm is good option. It's slower than the other two lens mentioned, and significantly lower in price. I hear good things about it. Maybe someone here who has experience with it will chime in shortly.

[philipus]

to try out the focal length so maybe a cheaper option is preferable like one of the canon ltm lenses. I shoot film.

 

To try out 50mm there are a few LTM you could consider. The Elmar is a classic though a bit slow perhaps. The Summitar is quite fast at f2, designed with colour film in mind as that became more common (coated from after WW2). Both can be had for very reasonable money in good condition. I use the Summitar myself and like the way it renders portraits, for instance, because it is not super sharp. I also like its colour rendition but I know some photographers don't agree with me on that.

 

Collapsible Summicrons can be found for about the prices of the DRs you linked to (but one should be careful because its front element has soft glass).

 

Just some ideas. As you said yourself Canon also made 50s in LTM, and so did Nikon and these lenses are also worth having a look at.

 

As for the price difference on the DR, well it's of course a result of ebay vs an established dealer. I like Red Dot a lot and have bought several lenses from them and never been anything but very happy. Depending on condition you can however find the DR for slightly less than what Red Dot's DR costs. Leicashop in Vienna is worth looking at. In any event the benefit of buying from an established dealer is that you will usually get a warranty or at least a return privilege and that they will have checked the item.

 

Fwiw when I wanted to try out 35mm I went for the CV Skopar and used it a lot during a three-week trip. I liked the image a lot and was also very pleased with the build quality, which was very Leica-like.

[thighslapper]

I can also recommend Leicashop Vienna.

 

I've had half a dozen items from them and all have been better than the grading states.

 

Fast, reliable and easy to deal with. Prices are always fair and reflect scarcity/condition in my experience.

[ErikP]

The 50/2.8 collapsible is a great little lens and mint examples at a very reasonable price are easily found.

 

You won't find a bad word said about this lens.

 

I have 3 (don't ask why .....) and there is not a lot of difference between this and the 50/2 and 50/1.4 in most situations....

 

...... it's my standard lens for everyday use when I cant be bothered with my Noctilux or carrying a bag full....

 

I am searching for one of these - do you know if the Elmar works just as good on both M8 and M9?

 

Thx Erik

[thighslapper]

presumably .... bearing in mind it will be acting like a 75 due to the difference in sensor size.....

[stephen.w]

I can also recommend Leicashop Vienna.

 

I've had half a dozen items from them and all have been better than the grading states.

 

Fast, reliable and easy to deal with. Prices are always fair and reflect scarcity/condition in my experience.

 

I am searching for one of these - do you know if the Elmar works just as good on both M8 and M9?

 

Thx Erik

I bought a mint, boxed Elmar-M 50mm recently from LeicaShop. They had four or five in stock and I was able to mount and handle each one before I chose. They respond promptly to email enquiries and were a pleasure to deal with in person.