Best portrait lens for M262 / M7 85 ? 100 ? 135 ? Which brand ?

[thedirektor]

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Dear Leica comrades, I'd like to get a longer lens for portraits.  I used to use a wonderful Canon FD100mm but I'd like something native to me M262 and M7. And I can't really afford Leica glass - so other brand suggestions ? I'm sure this has been asked elsewhere - so forgive me for the duplicate. But indulge me !!  Yours in Leica. Indra

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[FrozenInTime]

Voigtländer is a good place to a look for quality and value. 

75mm and 90mm options 

https://mrleica.com/voigtlander-apo-skopar-90mm-f2-8/

[Tpau17]

Indra, in addition to the Voigtländer lenses already mentioned, there are other interesting options for portrait photography. I can particularly recommend the Primoplan 75, whereby both the Generation 2 and the older versions are definitely worth considering. The old Primplan lenses are often available at really low prices on eBay or other platforms. 
If you want to get a practical impression of the image quality of these lenses, you can find numerous sample images in the corresponding lens groups on Flickr. These image galleries can be a valuable aid in your purchasing decision, as they show the characteristic properties and rendering of the various lenses in real shooting situations.

 

[Carlos cruz]

19 minutes ago, Tpau17 said:

Indra, in addition to the Voigtländer lenses already mentioned, there are other interesting options for portrait photography. I can particularly recommend the Primoplan 75, whereby both the Generation 2 and the older versions are definitely worth considering. The old Primplan lenses are often available at really low prices on eBay or other platforms. 
If you want to get a practical impression of the image quality of these lenses, you can find numerous sample images in the corresponding lens groups on Flickr. These image galleries can be a valuable aid in your purchasing decision, as they show the characteristic properties and rendering of the various lenses in real shooting situations.

 

Just be aware they lack rangefinder coupling. Apart from voigtlander, zeiss thypoch ypu can have a look at older canon or nikon in ltm

[Tpau17]

vor 20 Minuten schrieb Carlos cruz:

Just be aware they lack rangefinder coupling.

Thanks for this important info! I just assumed that Live View via Visoflex etc. was used for portrait shots, as focus and aperture are very important here.

Edited June 18 by Tpau17

[Carlos cruz]

4 minutes ago, Tpau17 said:

Thanks for this important info! I just assumed that Live View via Visoflex etc. was used for portrait shots, as focus and aperture are very important here.

Shouldn’t be a problem on m262 but complicated on m7

[pippy]

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2 hours ago, thedirektor said:

...I'd like something native to me M262 and M7. And I can't really afford Leica glass...

You might do worse that to consider the 75mm or 90mm Summarit f2.5 lenses from Leica on the used market. These focal lengths tend to be used less frequently than short lenses and, as a consequence, can usually be found in excellent condidtion for (having just checked) approximately the same price as a new Voigtlander.

Philip.

[Ronazle]

Indra, I like a 90mm for portraits, possibly a hangover from the old days (i.e., 35/50/90/135 as standard kit). If physical size is not a problem, you might consider an earlier 90mm F2 Summicron.  While it is somewhat large it has certain advantages (e.g., use on a Visoflex III focusing mount and use with a Bellows) and it is much better lens than the older competition as documented in the Putts books. Its greatest virtue is it is fully coupled and pretty cheap. I still use one I bought used in NYC  in the 1960's.  Wow, that was a long time ago!!!! Regards, Ron

Edited June 18 by Ronazle

[lct]

+1 for Summicron 90/2 v1 or v2 but these are bulky lenses. My current favorite is the Voigtlander Nokton 75/1.5. I own a Summilux 75/1.4 too but i use it less and less since i have the Nokton due to the smaller size and weight of the latter. Its rendition is less dreamy than the Summilux at full aperture though. For an interesting review of the Nokton, see Fred Miranda.

[thedirektor]

6 hours ago, FrozenInTime said:

Voigtländer is a good place to a look for quality and value. 

75mm and 90mm options 

https://mrleica.com/voigtlander-apo-skopar-90mm-f2-8/

Thank you so much for the advice. Trust voigtlander quality. And Mr Leica is a favourite of mine. Watch everything he posts. Regards.  IB

 

6 hours ago, Tpau17 said:

Indra, in addition to the Voigtländer lenses already mentioned, there are other interesting options for portrait photography. I can particularly recommend the Primoplan 75, whereby both the Generation 2 and the older versions are definitely worth considering. The old Primplan lenses are often available at really low prices on eBay or other platforms. 
If you want to get a practical impression of the image quality of these lenses, you can find numerous sample images in the corresponding lens groups on Flickr. These image galleries can be a valuable aid in your purchasing decision, as they show the characteristic properties and rendering of the various lenses in real shooting situations.

 

 

[thedirektor]

Just now, thedirektor said:

Thank you so much for the advice. Trust voigtlander quality. And Mr Leica is a favourite of mine. Watch everything he posts. Regards.  IB

 

 

 

[thedirektor]

8 hours ago, Tpau17 said:

Indra, in addition to the Voigtländer lenses already mentioned, there are other interesting options for portrait photography. I can particularly recommend the Primoplan 75, whereby both the Generation 2 and the older versions are definitely worth considering. The old Primplan lenses are often available at really low prices on eBay or other platforms. 
If you want to get a practical impression of the image quality of these lenses, you can find numerous sample images in the corresponding lens groups on Flickr. These image galleries can be a valuable aid in your purchasing decision, as they show the characteristic properties and rendering of the various lenses in real shooting situations.

 

Thank you for your advice. I love older glass. But I think the lack of rangefinder coupling might be a deal breaker. Ok on an ultra wide but on a long lens nailing focus, which I’m hopeless at at the best of times, might be a problem. But I’ll have a look on line at the `Primolans. Regards. IB

 

 

 

 

 

[thedirektor]

7 hours ago, Carlos cruz said:

Just be aware they lack rangefinder coupling. Apart from voigtlander, zeiss thypoch ypu can have a look at older canon or nikon in ltm

Thank you for the input. Do you know what kind of glsss would have a rangefinder coupling with the M262 ? Leica M lenses obvs ! And modern Voightlander and Zeus’s should be ok. Thanks again. Regards IB

[thedirektor]

7 hours ago, Carlos cruz said:

Shouldn’t be a problem on m262 but complicated on m7

Thank you. What lenses are you referring to ? I think I’m ok with just using the lens on the 262. Analogue focus on a long lens on M7 May be a step to far for me  regards IB

[thedirektor]

6 hours ago, pippy said:

You might do worse that to consider the 75mm or 90mm Summarit f2.5 lenses from Leica on the used market. These focal lengths tend to be used less frequently than short lenses and, as a consequence, can usually be found in excellent condidtion for (having just checked) approximately the same price as a new Voigtlander.

Great idea. I already have the Summarit 35 and 50. I’ll have a look at @reddotcamera who  are local to me. Thanks again. Best IB

[thedirektor]

5 hours ago, Ronazle said:

Indra, I like a 90mm for portraits, possibly a hangover from the old days (i.e., 35/50/90/135 as standard kit). If physical size is not a problem, you might consider an earlier 90mm F2 Summicron.  While it is somewhat large it has certain advantages (e.g., use on a Visoflex III focusing mount and use with a Bellows) and it is much better lens than the older competition as documented in the Putts books. Its greatest virtue is it is fully coupled and pretty cheap. I still use one I bought used in NYC  in the 1960's.  Wow, that was a long time ago!!!! Regards, Ron

Thank you Ron. Great idea. I just want a lens for the occasional posed portrait. In controlled circumstances - so I’m not trolling round the streets with a heavy lens ! Like the idea of 90mm as I loved the 100mm Canon FD. I’ll have a look online for what’s on offer. Thanks again.  Best Regards IB

[thedirektor]

5 hours ago, lct said:

+1 for Summicron 90/2 v1 or v2 but these are bulky lenses. My current favorite is the Voigtlander Nokton 75/1.5. I own a Summilux 75/1.4 too but i use it less and less since i have the Nokton due to the smaller size and weight of the latter. Its rendition is less dreamy than the Summilux at full aperture though. For an interesting review of the Nokton, see Fred Miranda.

Thank you so much for your advice. I’ll look at the review and also online to see what’s on offer and at what price. All the best. IB

[Carlos cruz]

I am in similar situation trying to decide which lens will take over after I retire my 75/2.5 color heliar, I am a bit torn between nokton (I was really hoping for more petzvalish/biotaresque character from this one) and close focusing, smaller ultron 75/1.9. I was thinking about summarit 75 for a moment, (2.5 or 2.4 I can’t remember which one had 0,7 close focus) but eventually narrowed it down to two voigtlanders. 

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[lct]

The Ultron 75/1.9 is a great little lens too with more contrast than the Nokton and a handy 0.5m MFD. Closer competitor is the Summicron 75/2 apo. Summicron and Ultron have a more modern rendition than Summilux and Nokton. For sharp portraits of perfect skins, i prefer Summicron and Ultron and for gentle portraits of less than perfect skins, Summilux and Nokton. YMMV.

[Carlos cruz]

8 minutes ago, thedirektor said:

Thank you. What lenses are you referring to ? I think I’m ok with just using the lens on the 262. Analogue focus on a long lens on M7 May be a step to far for me  regards IB

 

16 minutes ago, thedirektor said:

Thank you for the input. Do you know what kind of glsss would have a rangefinder coupling with the M262 ? Leica M lenses obvs ! And modern Voightlander and Zeus’s should be ok. Thanks again. Regards IB

It was about primoplan that probably has all of optical charm of its original, wild, bubbly out of focus areas, but without rangefinder coupling it’s a  no-no for me. If you’re after older glass with character and lack of rf coupling is a non issue you can look around for retired ciné portrait lenses, they usually will cover full frame all you need is an adapter for arri s mount and lens from the very back of camera rental shop.