What normal gives the best bang for the buck?

[plewislambert]

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Are you positive it has to be a 50mm? The cheapest standard Summicron is the 40mm version from the Leica CL. Mine has the mount modified to bring up the 35mm viewfinder outline. Cost about half as much as a 35mm Summicron. It works well on my M4-P and M9.

I still have a 50mm but don't often use it- the 40mm view suits me better because the 50mm seems a bit narrow.

Philip

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[Manolo Laguillo]

Are you positive it has to be a 50mm? The cheapest standard Summicron is the 40mm version from the Leica CL. Mine has the mount modified to bring up the 35mm viewfinder outline. Cost about half as much as a 35mm Summicron. It works well on my M4-P and M9.

I still have a 50mm but don't often use it- the 40mm view suits me better because the 50mm seems a bit narrow.

Philip

 

I agree, 100%! And may I add: the 40/2 Minolta Rokkor (2nd version) is even better, because without flare, and even cheaper!

 

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BTW, dant, are you reading our answers to your question? There is no feedback on your side...

[philipus]

Which 50mm delivers the best IQ for the least $

 

I got a 50 Summilux ASPH. For me this is 'value for money'.

 

I could not agree more. There is no lens on this planet (imho, I hasten to add, but I suspect many will agree) that offers better image quality for the money than the 50 Summilux Asph. It is simply outstanding and the cheapest best lens so far made (naturally one could say the same about the new 50 Summicron but in my view the rule of diminishing returns forbids mentioning it in the context of an image quality vs price comparison).

 

But - whether the extra image quality of the Asph is worth the premium over, say, a 50 Summicron or even a Summitar depends on one's own preferences, circumstances and photographic needs. I reach as often for the Summilux as I do for the Summitar. Someone who does not (often) need the sharpest, most clinical look wide open but usually photographs with zone focusing and f8 could pick pretty much any 50 and get acceptable results.

 

Philip

[UliWer]

... Thats why the Cron had to go :-)

 

The 50mm Summicron (non apo.asph) didn't have to go - yet. It is still produced and sold - and if they havn't changed their mind since last Photokina they are not going to abandon the current 50mm Summicron.

 

For reliable comparisons between different lenses for the M (Leica and other brands) I think there is no better source of information than Reid Reviews: Welcome to ReidReviews

[AndyMc]

I've got the Summicron-M 50mm (latest NON ASPH model) and like it allot, the Summarit is nice too! So give that lens a try.

 

I find myself using the 35mm Summicron-M APSH. and 50mm Summicron-M most...

 

50mm usually on film, and the 35mm usually on digital strange enough.

 

And for portraits I love my Elmarit-M 90mm

 

I don't use the 21mm Elmarit-M that much, but do love it for museums and architecture.

 

Just looking on ebay am I looking at the same 90mm

 

http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&id=251255694765

 

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[dant]

I get the $ part. Please define "best IQ".

 

It is a package deal, sharpness, contrast, color, bokeh. Mainly sharpness for me.

[farnz]

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Best bang for the buck? Any borrowed lens.

 

Pete.

[Ecar]

It is a package deal, sharpness, contrast, color, bokeh. Mainly sharpness for me.

 

OK - then I'd suggest the Summarit 50/2.5 or the Zeiss Planar 50/2.

[colonel]

Which 50mm delivers the best IQ for the least $.

 

3rd party lenses OK.

 

Thanks

 

if you could measure "IQ" for a lens then you could just divide by price

the old jupiters might just clean up

 

Any of the zeiss 50mm f2 planar, summicron f2 or summarit f2.5 are awesome lenses

It comes down to build, cost, feel, brand and draw

 

I have used the latest summarit, summilux and summicron. They are all awesome.

The summarit is the best value new but second hand the summicron's price is so close that I would go for the extra 1/2 stop over the slight extra contrast of the summarit.

The latest summilux is the best 50mm lens ever made IMHO (at least until the APO was released). I simply don't use it all the time because of weight and balance. In particular on the M6 the summicron is perfectly balanced.

 

I strongly recommend not skimping on money. When I buy a cheap lens either due to design or usage, I always become unsatisfied and end up selling it.

 

So my recommendation (just for fun), especially if its your first Leica lens, is a second hand Summicron of the latest design as I love the built in hood.

 

if you subscribe to Reid reviews he has done a mid range 50mm comparison which is pretty good

 

rgds

[rramesh]

OK - then I'd suggest the Summarit 50/2.5 or the Zeiss Planar 50/2.

Another lens to check out is the Voigtlander 50 1.5 Nokton due this summer. It's a redesign of the classic in M-mount.

 

Voigtlaender - 50 mm / F 1,5 Nokton

http://leicarumors.com/2013/02/03/2013-cp-show-in-japan-new-voigtlander-nokton-50mm-f1-5-asph-lens-for-m-mount.aspx/voigtlander-50mm-f1-5-asph-lens-silver-for-leica-m-mount/

 

Voigtlander is known for its great inexpensive lenses.

[MarkP]

OK - then I'd suggest the Summarit 50/2.5 or the Zeiss Planar 50/2.

 

I agree.

[philipus]

Just looking on ebay am I looking at the same 90mm

 

http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&id=251255694765

 

Just to prevent a possible confusion, that's actually not the same as the Elmarit-M. Still a nice, vintage lens, though, but not in the same league as the Elmarit-M.

[FlashGordonPhotography]

The new M mount Voitlander 50mm 1.5 Nokton will be available soon (weeks?). If it's close to the LTM in quality it should be a real bargain.

 

Gordon

[lct]

Best bang for the buck? Planar 50/2 so far.

[MarkP]

Thinking outside the square and also for serious consideration is the 1.5/50 ZM C-Sonnar. Virtually 2 lenses in one. Lots of threads on it here in the Forum. Costs a about $300 more than the Planar.

 

f1.4 for low light use, 'soft & dreamy' in the centre wide open and very sharp closed down a bit. Very nice colour and out of focus rendering. Compact & very nice ergonomics.

 

There is some focus shift inherent in the design which can be corrected/adjusted by Zeiss (mine was with 10 day turnaround from Australia to Germany under warranty). I won't go into it in detail but there are plenty of threads on it here.

 

I also have a 1.4/50 Summulux ASPH (FLE) and a 1.0/50 Noctilux E60 but I often takeout the Sonnar as it's a delight to use.

 

Some members of the forum here use it as their main 50 and love it as it certainly does have 'character'

[Ecar]

Thinking outside the square and also for serious consideration is the 1.5/50 ZM C-Sonnar. Virtually 2 lenses in one. Lots of threads on it here in the Forum. Costs a about $300 more than the Planar.

 

f1.4 for low light use, 'soft & dreamy' in the centre wide open and very sharp closed down a bit. Very nice colour and out of focus rendering. Compact & very nice ergonomics.

 

There is some focus shift inherent in the design which can be corrected/adjusted by Zeiss (mine was with 10 day turnaround from Australia to Germany under warranty). I won't go into it in detail but there are plenty of threads on it here.

 

I also have a 1.4/50 Summulux ASPH (FLE) and a 1.0/50 Noctilux E60 but I often takeout the Sonnar as it's a delight to use.

 

Some members of the forum here use it as their main 50 and love it as it certainly does have 'character'

 

Agreed. Love it too. But not best bang for the buck.

 

Actually, if I think of it and take into account the future buck value, I'd have to narrow down my recommendation to the Summarit 50/2.5 as it will probably retain a higher resale value than the non-Leica alternatives, irrespective of their merits.

[Paul J]

Best Bang for buck is Stallone's M9 and Summarit - Sylvester Stallone's Leica M9 18 0 MP Digital Camera Expendables II 799429107048 | eBay

 

Otherwise try and track down the Noctilux that Chuck Norris owned.

 

They all bang up nicely when you drop them too so you could try any really. I suppose.

[Dirk Mandeville]

If sharpness and cost are your main considerations, it is hard to argue against the Summarit or a used Summicron. But if you really want the best overall lens quality and are willing to spend the money, I imagine the current Summilux is hard to beat. I have the pre-asph version and it is wonderful. But the new one is supposed to be even better in terms of sharpness wide open and microcontrast.

 

You won't lose any money if you buy a cron or lux and decide to sell it later. But if you buy a cheaper lens and then decide to sell it, you may take a hit.

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[tobey bilek]

The best bang for buck is probably the least expensive with the required opening. A Zeiss 2.8 Biogon is fine for landscapes. I will not help you much in dark venues for use without flash.

 

Realize there have been distinct improvements over time, so if you want to take advantage you need a modern design. If you do not care if they flair a bit and are softer wide open, buy an older lens.

 

The big issue with older ones is they are not coded for digital and they may or may not focus correctly on a digital Leica.

 

Unless you have experience or return privileges, I would stay away from older lenses.

[Jerren]

Which 50mm delivers the best IQ for the least $.

 

3rd party lenses OK.

 

Thanks

 

I just watched a Mint Planar get auctioned off online for $565. Sounds like A lot of bang and little buck too me. With that said, I really wanted a Leica lens for my Leica bodies so I spent a bit more for a 50 summicron v4 but not much more.