Which 50mm to buy to pair with M6/SL?

[sanadsaad]

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I have enjoyed using my M6 with 50mm summicron v4 and 35mm Zeiss biogon 2.8 for quite a while and I have settled on 50mm as my preferred focal length. I have been looking to buy a faster 50 for my M6 that also pairs well with my Leica SL which I've bought recently to use my M lenses on whenever I want to shoot digital (not very often!). My budget is roughly £2000. I was looking at the 50 summilux but then someone mentioned the LLL speed panchro for an interesting look or the f1.2 nocticlone. I've looked at reviews online and now I've found Voigtlander options as well. I thought I'd ask here to get your opinion! All help appreciated. 

[Kl@usW.]

sanadsaad, I suggest spending the money on travel and other opportunities to take photos. This will benefit your photography more than a faster lens. The lenses you already have offer  anything you ´ll need. 

[TomB_tx]

Kl@us has good advice: for about 50 years with my M4 & M6, 35 & 50 Summicrons, and 90 TeleElmarit were the only lenses I had or needed. I seldom used the 90.

[BWColor]

I have the Limited Edition Konica M-Hexanon 50mm f/1.2 and it is a fantastic lens, but big and heavy. You should be able to find the M-Hexanon within your budget.  Flickr has many examples of the rendering of this lens.  I have mostly used it on film, but recently tested it on my M11M and it seems to be a good performer at f/1.2.  Again, it is a big chunk of glass, much like the old fast Canons.    My recent solution to fast has been a Voigtlander 50mm f/2.0 APO Lanthar.  OK, it isn’t that fast, but it is incredibly sharp and contrasty across the frame at f/2.0 and if you don’t get done in by the need for an ultra high ISO film, blur can be applied in post.  Another positive, you have plenty of money left over for a bit of a vacation.

[SoarFM]

50 Summilux ASPH. Close focus version not needed and you’ll save money too. Great size, wide open look is outstanding and of course great stopped down.

[vanGeist]

Am 31.8.2024 um 23:21 schrieb Kl@usW.:

The lenses you already have offer  anything you ´ll need. 

Yes, keep your 50 Cron and enjoy life. 

[hansvons]

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On 8/31/2024 at 10:38 PM, sanadsaad said:

I have enjoyed using my M6 with 50mm summicron v4

Me and my M6 too, and my SL-S as well. No need to upgrade. Just keep shooting with it. No other 50mm will improve your photography substantially. 

[spydrxx]

It sounds like a case of GAS. Personally I'd keep what you have and use it accordingly.

[FrozenInTime]

@sanadsaad if you need a faster everyday lens, to make up for slower film ISOs, or a shallower depth of field, then it is difficult to go wrong with any of the recent Voigtländer Noktons, and you will have money to spare. If you specifically want an artistic look, the Heliar 50/1.5 is fun and better value than then LLL pancro. The Zeiss Sonnar 50/1.5 has a nice balanced look, but google focus shift. TTA and 7A seem can be a bit of a gamble. Leica 50mm Summilux ASPHs can have sticky focus; a low priced one may indicate that. Pre-ASPH Summiluxes especially the E46 v3 are hard to find. Noctiluxes are special, but large and expensive.