cheap leica m lens (preferably 35 or 50) that is quite sharp wide open

[Leicaboy Norway]

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Any recommendations? I am trying to get a friend into the Leica M system and help him find a suitable lens

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The Leica Q3 is available for pre-order at B&H Photo Video and Adorama

[Ralf]

Zeiss Planar 50mm, excellent lens, great value for money.

[a.noctilux]

How cheap ?

In my view, I'm very happy with Summarit-M 2.5/35 and 2.5/50 lenses *.

How sharp ?

I don't know if these are sharp enough for your friend.

If the price is right (only second hand market in f/2.4 or f/2.5) these cheap (for Leica) is more expensive than third party brands.

 

*I use also "happily" the 2.5/75mm

 

[Robert Blanko]

Maybe the Voigtländer Nokton 40/1.4 could be a reasonable compromise. Sells for about 550 Euros new.

The answer to your question also depends on what you consider to mean „quite sharp“…

[spydrxx]

I'd second the Zeiss Planar 50/2 as quite sharp wide open...modern rendering. A very good starter lens without the Leica prices.

[RexGig0]

“Cheap” means different things, in different cultures, and different contexts. Zeiss ZM and Cosina Voigtlander VM lenses, when found on the pre-owned market, tend to be priced lower, in comparison to their original, new-item pricing, than Leica-brand M lenses. Not all 35mm and 50mm ZM and VM lenses are known for “sharpness,” however. Some are more known for their “character,” than for being “sharp.”

The Voigtlander Color Skopar 35mm F/2.5 II is both sharp and inexpensive. I bought one of these, pre-owned, several years ago. An additional advantage is that it is very compact, in size.

In 2023, I bought a new Voigtlander APO Lanthar 50mm VM. It cost almost $1K US, but is highly-corrected, optically, so, is VERY sharp, by any definition of “sharp.” Plus, the coatings do a good job of preventing flare. So, this APO Lanthar was a very good value, which means something different than “cheap.” 

I have only mentioned lenses that I own. 

 

[TomB_tx]

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Good luck on your quest! I had a similar issue as my son has suddenly become interested (perhaps just to please me!) in my various Leica models and would like to really learn film photography. So I decided it was time to pass on to him my 1955 DS M3. It came to me from the original owner, who added it to his ltm Leicas, and used a 1939 Summitar and later coated Elmar, both of which were in poor shape. Looking for a cheap, good performing 50 I stumbled on a used TTA 50 f1.4 in great condition for a total of $264 USD. Testing it on my M10 I was amazed how nice it was to use, and at the very good image quality. However, it is so long it doesn't fit in the 1950s Leica "ever-ready" case that came with the camera. (I spent hours re-stitching it for him.) So I ended up giving him a rigid Summicron of the same era as the M3 so he can have a real vintage system to work with. (He also has the TTA 1.4 if he wants low-light and more more modern images.)

His three girls are also getting into film photography, but I don't plan on giving them Leicas from my collection... yet.

BTW - Here's the TTA 50 1.4 on the M3. Usable size, but larger than I like.

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Edited October 18, 2024 by TomB_tx

[lct]

Under 1,000 EUR new below. I have no experience with the Skopar 50/2.2 though, mine is the discontinued Skopar 50/2.5 in LTM version.
• VM Nokton 35/1.5 asph
• VM Ultron 35/2 asph
• ZM Biogon 35/2.8
• VM Skopar 50/2.2
• ZM Planar 50/2

[costa43]

Like others have mentioned, cheap is hard to quantify. It would be more helpful if you had a max budget. The below can be had for a few hundred euro used.
 

• 35mm CV Color skopar f2.5
• 35mm CV Nokton f1.4 ii - although you state your friend wants it sharp wide open. This will give nice character but just ok sharpness at f1.4 but really picks up by f2. 
• Zeiss 35mm f2.8 
• 35mm CV Ultron f2 
• 50mm TT Artisan f1.4
• 50mm Leica Elmar f2.8 M - used they can be had for under €1000 and the rendering is lovely. 
• 50mm CV Color skopar f2.2 - no experience with this but has good reviews 
• 50mm CV Nokton f1.5 ii - This is the best 50mm for the price imo. Outstanding lens.
• 50mm Zeiss Planar 
• 50mm Thypoch Simera f1.4 - an interesting offering looking at reviews.

There are a fair few more good options out there. Best of luck deciding!

[evikne]

Not so many years ago, the 50mm Summicron v5 was the only Leica lens (that I wanted) that was within reach of buying new. Now, unfortunately, the price has risen considerably, but you may be lucky to find a nice used copy.

I know there are many much more affordable alternatives from other brands, but I wouldn't want to miss out on the true Leica feeling by buying something else.

[3D-Kraft.com]

I think, at the moment you get the best price/performance ratio with the Thypoch Simeras (available as 35/1.4 and 50/1.4 ASPH). Image quality almost on par with Leica's Summiluxes (in some cases even better). You should look at the reviews.

Even cheaper the TTArtisans but with these you have to be prepared to adjust the focus calibration by yourself in some cases (it comes with a tool for that).

The already mentioned Voigtlander Nokton Classic 40/1.4 could also be a good choice, if you can't easily decide for 35 or 50 but the Leica M cameras show only the 50mm frame in that case in the rangefinder window.

Edited October 20, 2024 by 3D-Kraft.com

[farnz]

Leica 50/2.8 Elmar - the second version that was released in 1994, not the first version from 1972.  The second version is very sharp with excellent contrast and can be found in the £400 to £600 bracket depending on condition. 

You're looking for an M-mount 50/2.8 Elmar in the serial number range: 3668031 to 4047981.

Pete.

[Leicaboy Norway]

Sorry guys, I see I should have been more specific.

I don't know what a cheap M lens is. First I am thinking of buying used.

A used Summilux 50 asph is probably $2500-$3000 isnt cheap, i'd say expensive, though probably not the most expensive m mount

I'm thinking a few hundred bucks is cheap Maybe $300-500 used.

Size isnt sooo important but not large like the Zeiss ZM 35 1.4

 

And thank you so much for all the suggestions, I'll pass them on.

[52K]

As mentioned already any of the Voigtländer options are great. My personal favourite is the 40mm Nokton f1.2. Sharp, accurate with the rangefinder. Nice vintage look wide open but crisp as a modern lens even slightly stopped down. 

[Stuart Richardson]

A Konica 50mm f2 M Hexanon is quite close to a 50mm summicron and since it is not Zeiss or Leica most people don't care about it. I see some on ebay in the 400-500 dollar range. As others have said, the Planar ZM is a good bet too, but a bit more expensive. 

[pippy]

A FSU(*) 35mm f2.8 Jupiter-12 used with an LTM-to-M adapter.

It's a post-WWII replica of the pre-war Zeiss Biogon and, like the Zeiss original, is great wide-open in the main image-area and then gradually softens towards the edges and corners.

Philip.

* Former Soviet Union.

[3D-Kraft.com]

The first samples of the Thypoch Simera 50/1.4 ASPH seem to arrive in Europe. Fits pretty well to the M:

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Received it today - so too early for presentable test shots. Will follow later...

[Danner]

On 10/18/2024 at 3:44 PM, lct said:

Under 1,000 EUR new below. I have no experience with the Skopar 50/2.2 though, mine is the discontinued Skopar 50/2.5 in LTM version.
• VM Nokton 35/1.5 asph
• VM Ultron 35/2 asph
• ZM Biogon 35/2.8
• VM Skopar 50/2.2
• ZM Planar 50/2

This is a good list.

 

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Hallo,

Look here: Leica M