Second (telephoto) lens for M-E 220

[LukeTheHappy]

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Hi there!

For few months, I am happy owner of the "M9 Light" (M-E 220) paired with Ultron 35mm Asph. Vintage. Now I would like to add a second lens in the range between 75-90mm but can't decide on which one. Any hints on the below lenses I have shortlisted?

- 90mm Elmarit-M F2.8 (1990-2008 version)

- 90mm Summarit-M F2.5 (2008 till now version)

- Voigtlander 75mm F1.5 Nokton VM Asph. 

- 7Artisans 75mm F1.25

I am tempted to buy Nokton or 7Artisans because of their fast aperture which might be better balanced to the M-E's relatively poor ISO performance than Elmarit/Summarit, but I have been reading about hight possibility of lower quality rangefinder calibration with these lenses (7Artisans should be adjustable though using screws). So far, I don't have any calibration issues with Ultron 35mm even wide open and focus is always dead on no matter if I shoot close-ups or mid range distances but I know with shorter telephotos, issues with focus calibration will start appearing therefore do you think it's better to take either Elmarit/Summarit to benefit more from the mechanical precision and also higher chances to achieve perfect focus also thanks to the slower aperture, or the Vogitlander/7Artisans are so good I don't need to be concerned?

Thanks for any advices.

Luke

 

[TomB_tx]

I'm not a fan of ultra high speed lenses - for 50 years or so on film Ms I used 35 & 50 f2.0 Summicons indoors with 400 speed film an got along fine. Through those years I also had a 90 2.8 TeleElmarit (fat-the first version) and could focus them all fine. (Sometimes I would push TriX to 1200 for really dim - but the M9 can easily do about that ISO - I've used 800 quite a bit.)

I really like Voigtlander lenses, but wouldn't go for a 1.5 75 myself - I think 2.5-2.8 is the sweet spot for a 90.

In recent years I also use a 90 Summarit 2.5 and really like the lens - even if a bit longer size than my TE. I use a 90 Summicron on my Leica SLR bodies, and the Summarit easily gives as good results on the M.

I think 35 to 90 is a big jump for a pair. You might look at a 75 Summarit also. I have a Voigtlander 75 2.5 Color-Heliar (ltm with adapter) that I've used on my M9 for "reach" - and found it holds up very well to strong crop when needed. It's small enough to tuck in my kit bag for when its needed.

[Xavier]

As you are considering Voigtlander 75, is there any reason why you are not considering the 75/1.9 Ultron ? It is very very sharp wide open, compact, and light.

[jankap]

What is the interest of the thread starter in photography? Family, Landscape, Street, Brick walls, Technics, ...

My opinion is, that to-day a jump of a factor 2 or 3 is possible. Look at the Q-line, for instance.

[Anbaric]

One thing you might consider is what set of lenses you want to end up with. Will you stop when you have this pair, or are you likely to add something in between? As mentioned above, 35/90 leaves quite a gap, and you may find yourself swapping between lenses when what you really want is an intermediate focal length. From that point of view, the 75 could make more sense. On the other hand, if at some point you add a 50 (as most of us probably do sooner or later), you might wish you'd gone for the 90 to give yourself a better spread - there's probably a reason why 35/50/90 is a classic combination for Leicas. If eventually you want four or more focal lengths, of course, then just get what would be most useful now.

[spydrxx]

As a relatively new Leica owner any of your choices, 75-90mm, will challenge you. Just be prepared for some blurred surprises moving from a 35mm. That said, posters above give some good advice for your consideration before you commit cash. 

[lct]

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75/1.25 is at the limit of the accuracy range of your rangefinder so focusing could be hit and miss at fulll aperture but i have no experience with the 7artisans lens. Otherwise i can only praise the Nokton 75/1.5 that works fine on both my M240 and M11. No problem with the Elmarit 90/2.8 v2 either.