Best value 'M' lenses available today

[pgk]

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I'm surprised at the prices of some M lenses. Having bought some Summarits over the last couple of years I would have to say that the 90mm is still surprisingly cheap, followed by the 75mm (in f/2.5 versions anyway). These are great little lenses and are very capable indeed, offerer a excellent alternative to older or far more expensive current offerings. The same cannot be said of the 50mm (I can't find one and I've been looking!) or 35mm (I have fortunately) which are starting to climb in price and have also become very scarce. So people are already well aware of their virtues and prepared to pay for them.

Has anyone got any other nominations for currently 'undervalued' M lenses?

[a.noctilux]

Maybe out of topic but "hiding gem" as my last lens and still available new.

Searching to complete my Summarit-M 2.5 lens line, last 90mm to find, I came across one second hand Apo-Summicron-M 90mm ( this one ... ) which I took the time to know.

Now it is the "hiding gem" I discovered late as this lens never attracted me before.

The nice thing is for many years now I don't search anymore for the Summarit-M 2.5/90.

Life is full of surprises.

[pgk]

The 90 Apo is expensive. The previous versions are more reasonable but my personal experience with their rangefinder accuracy has not been so good unfortunately. As I have said elsewhere, any lenses which have been 6-bit coded (by Leica) will have been checked though, so can offer better value than non-6-bit coded lenses. But I've yet to see a cheap 90 Apo!

[a.noctilux]

Paul,

cheap/expensive lens/body is subject to time and each user.

...90mm was my less use in M system,

in the good old day,when I carried M and R lenses, the "same" 80/90mm R lens was used a lot.

When I bought my first M9, the 2/90 M lens was traded-in without regret.

Time passed and R system died, and I never want SL system, so I appreciate even more the light M system,

I don't know if the 2,200 Euros paid for the apo 90mm was cheap or expensive, when I compare to new lenses high prices, I gave it a go.

And very happy with it, so I describe it as "hiding gem" for me.

...

Good also to have "long apo" lens to use colored filters with my two monochroms.

 

 

 

[Ouroboros]

50mm elmar-m f2.8.  Still the best value Leica M lens of all.  At least the equal to the v5 summicron if f2.8 is not a problem.

Quintessentially 'Leica', I'd take an elmar-m over a summarit anytime. 

Edited June 13, 2023 by Ouroboros

[pgh]

Probably not any with the Leica name on them.

That said, the key to not spending a ton on M glass is to be happy with what you've got. I've only ever had a 35 and 50 (non apo) summis and in digital age when lux only really buys you bokeh (that extra stop isn't the make or break it was with film) I've never seen the need for more. Those two lenses represent an objectively silly amount of cash for most photographers of more common systems but over time their value is at least reasonable-ish to me - and with Leica you don't ever really get better than that, or usually even close. 

That said, if you've got to buy Leica I do think the summicron or summarit lines are of course the best value for the money. The rest you pay an insane amount for absolutely marginal gains that only you - or this tiny niche of forum members - will ever be able to really see. If that's worth it to you okay. 

I do take the 40mm summicron as a possible exception, but the mismatched frame lines is a real issue for me. 

Edited June 13, 2023 by pgh

[a.noctilux]

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17 minutes ago, pgh said:

Probably not any with the Leica name on them

😁

So with "Leitz" brand it would be OK.

I have explorations of Leitz 90mm M lenses to share:

- Elmar 4/90 LTM + M adapter is cheap but real first class results

- Elmarit 2.8/90 ( I have many units of them as they are so cheap) are real values

- not loved Tele-Elmarit 90mm which flares like hell can be a good buy

 

[mediumformula]

You can get a used 50mm Summicron v4 for a little over $1k. This would serve most people's 50mm needs for life.

[Guest]

2 hours ago, pgk said:

Has anyone got any other nominations for currently 'undervalued' M lenses?

Many have been mentioned already. I would add the 24mm Elmarit-M ASPH lens. A great lens, which often can be bought relatively cheap (at least in black).

Regarding the Summarit-M lenses, I wonder how many actually were produced of the f2.4 and f2.5 types. Maybe the new Leica Pocket Book shows production numbers (I still have not received my copy). They don't show up that often, so I guess production numbers were relatively low. Otherwise, Leica probably would have continued the production.

[Anbaric]

Older long lenses in general. 90mm and 135mm lenses from the screwmount days to the Mandler era tend to be significantly cheaper than 50mm (let alone 35mm) lenses of similar vintage, especially when you consider their original relative prices. Of course a lot of this comes down to practicality and desirability. For 90mm and above, you were generally better off with an SLR until EVFs came on the scene. Having to use tiny framelines and tricky focusing, especially at 135mm, isn't exactly ideal. But if you do have a use for a 135mm M lens, something like the beautifully constructed Tele-Elmar, still available for well under £400 (perhaps 1/10 the cost of a new Apo-Telyt), is something of a bargain and has competitive performance even today.

[darylgo]

Modern: 28mm Elmarit Asph, current version or previous.  Small, light weight and IQ is very high. 
 

Non Modern:   The Summarons 35mm, f3.5 can be found for $500-$600.  The f2.8 is 2 times the price.  Either lens render beautifully, the 3.5 is my preference however it might be due to finding a copy that is exceptionally good. 

[TomB_tx]

When I bought my M4 new in 1968, the 50 mm 2.8 Elmar list price was $78. I bought a Sumicron instead, but decades later got a 1962 Elmar 2.8. Love the workmanship and lovely results with my M10. (Also got a 2.8 Elmar-M later design, but prefer the original).

I also agree that the 135 f4 TeleElmar is a great performer and bargain. Even on SLRs a 135 is out of favor and tend to be good deals. When I got my first SLR in 1965 a 135 was the most popular 2nd lens.

[lct]

Undervalued is somewhat an oxymoron at Leica but i would vote for Summicron-C 40/2, Elmar and Elmar-M 50/2.8, Elmarit 90/2.8 v1, Elmar-C 90/4 and most 135mm lenses besides the 135/3.4 apo, namely Elmar 135/4,Tele-Elmar 135/4 and Elmarit 135/2.8.

Edited June 13, 2023 by lct

[DadDadDaddyo]

I'll add another call-out for the Elmar series. The f/2.8 50mm was an updated take on the quintessential Leica lens. 

For that matter, if it's value your after, grab hold of a thread-mount f/3.5 Elmar and screw it into an M adapter. You can even splurge on a genuine OEM Leitz M adapter and still be way ahead on the budget, and that's simply a killer combo. Utterly atmospheric. Or, get hold of a humble LTM f/2 Summitar (extremely reasonable) and put it in that M adapter. You'll love it. 

And let's not forget the 90mm f/4 Elmar. Simply a classic lens. 

I've got an Elmar 50mm from 1936, and an Elmar 90 from somewhere in the 40s. They don't see as much use as my more modern lenses, but whenever I use them it reaffirms the realization that I'll never sell them. They'll be passed on as part of my outfit, just as some of that outfit was passed down to me. 

We don't really own this stuff, we're more like custodians of it, stewards, if you like, for a while. Makes sense to get a much good use as possible out of it all, considering the relatively brief fraction of their useful life it's ours to have access to them....

[lct]

Nicely said

[cboy]

Not sure if the summarits were undervalued as the price back when it released was what the market / Leica valued them for. Today's prices imo are over inflated for what they are since they were the most entry level (priced) lens to get into the world of Leica, but because it's now discontinued has drove up scarcity and thus the price.

Now you have third party manufacturer s to fill the gap

Zeiss has now the most undervalued non Leica m lenses imo. Except for the 35mm f1.4 because most caught wind how exceptional it is. However rumour has it that Zeiss exit the industry so I'm sure their prices will rise the same way as the summarits (So nows the time to get one.😉hint)

Edited June 14, 2023 by cboy

[pippy]

I know the 90mm Summarits are / have been underappreciated / undervalued but I'd also say the same for the v3 Summicron.

As a 'Modern Rendering' 90 the Summarit gives (IMO) 95% of the APO for 35% of the asking-price but the v3 Summicron can be had for just about the same figure as the Summarit and if one can find an example which marries-in with the body they makes for a wonderful pairing. The rendering wide-open (not something I normally consider) is really beautiful and stopped-down it will be able to perform as sharp as I'll ever need from any lens.

The Silver-Chrome version, in particular, is a thing of beauty in its own right. A heavy bugger though.....

Philip.

[rustyrus]

We can't talk about value M and not bring up Voitlander!

 

The 28 Ultron

The 50 1.5 Nokton

The 35 1.4 Nokton Classic II MC 

 

I purchased all 3 of these lenses for under 1500 bucks. All unique and very good value. I would put the 28 Ultron ahead of anything Leica has in the 28mm space. 

 

I love My Leica lenses but sometimes I just want a lens I don't care as much about on my camera. 

 

Cheers

 

[lct]

1 minute ago, rustyrus said:

I would put the 28 Ultron ahead of anything Leica has in the 28mm space. 

Matter of taste. Too much contrast for me. Fine little lens though. My favorite compact 28/2 on digital CL.

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Hallo,

Look here: Leica M

[cboy]

1 hour ago, Al Brown said:

No spreading of Chinese whispers. Zeiss OFFICIALLY said it is not exiting anything...yet. 

That's what Olympus said before exiting, probably to get rid of whatever stock left over 

Nevertheless, the Zeiss m lens prices are more than fair relative to the quality your getting compared to Leica alternatives.

Edited June 14, 2023 by cboy