50mm M-Mount Lens Suggestions

AZD · Dec 10, 2021

Well, it happened. Been doing some horse trading lately and finally got the right horse. On Monday I picked up a clean early-ish M3 with no preview lever. Converted to single stroke. Nice and smooth, serviced not terribly long ago in Solms. It’s nice join the Leica cult. The tattoo is a little tender still, but the cut on my palm is healing nicely. Bloodletting isn’t as bad as I’d thought.

Anyhow, blew my cash on the body before saving for a lens so I have some time to think about it. Now eventually I’ll probably spring for a Summicron dual range, but for now I’m going to need something decent and less expensive.

Here’s my thinking: One of my favorite SLR lenses is the M42 Takumar 50mm 1.4, the unhyped 7 element SMC. It’s a great all-arounder. Not really a character lens, but just does its job well and produces images I like, day or night. I’d like to find something with similar characteristics.

On the list of possibilities are the Voigtlander Nokton 1.5 in thread mount, the Canon 50mm 1.8, and who knows what else…

So that’s the question: what have you used that is 1) f2 or faster, 2) Decent wide open, 3) not necessarily a character lens, and 4) still affordable and not hyped to the moon?

As mentioned, I have probably 3-4 months to think about it, but it’s good to be informed in case a deal passes by.

Thanks for your suggestions.

madNbad · Dec 10, 2021

Don't ignore the LTM lenses and an adapter, but get a decent screw mount to M mount adapter.

Patrick Robert James · Dec 10, 2021

The Japanese Summilux (Canon 50mm 1.4) is going to be as close to the Pentax lens as you will get. Great lens. You can get one for a few hundred bucks at most.

I've used a bunch of 50s over the years. They are all good really. You need to state what your budget is for anyone to give you any suggestions. There are dozens and dozens of 50mm lenses that fit Leica.

bdial · Dec 10, 2021

The Nikkor 50mm f/2 LTM rangefinder lens is very nice, and not super expensive. As mentioned, use with an M adapter.

Kodachromeguy · Dec 10, 2021

I agree with Patrick above. The Canon 50 f/1.4 is superb. Once you get a clean and haze-free example, you really will not see better optical output with a Leica lens. (If so, prove it.)

https://worldofdecay.blogspot.com/2019/07/1960s-excellence-canon-50mm-f14-leica.html?m=1

As for the Canon 50 1.8, can you find an example that doesn't have the infamous etching and haze on the inner elements? All the 1960s black version examples that I have seen for sale in the last x years were ruined.

The 50 dual range Summicron is a classic, no question about it:

https://worldofdecay.blogspot.com/2018/05/1950s-excellence-leica-50mm-f20-type-2.html?m=1

The inexpensive option: try a Soviet Jupiter-8 lens:

https://worldofdecay.blogspot.com/2021/07/optical-treasure-1960s-jupiter-8-lens.html?m=1

Nitroplait · Dec 11, 2021

When you already know what you want, I think it is waste of money and - not least - time to search for good budget substitute.

Anything budget worth a damn in Leica land is budget for a reason. I mean; you have to sieve through dusins of duds, misrepresented items, poorly calibrated, home CLA'd items to find something that approaches a jewel. And you still don't get anything remotely cheap.

Then you have to do the same again all over when you are ready to find a clean Summicron Dual Range.

It never harmed anyone to spend a little time saving.
If you already own that Takumar, then it is time to attach it to a Pentax and use it until the piggybank is full.
BTW. Your own example outlines how idiotic Leica pricing is. The Takumar 50/1.4 (regardless of no. of elements) is a marvel of a lens still selling for peanuts, and if it was available in M mount I would take it over any vintage Summicron.
And I have to correct you, if the Takumar 50/1.4 isn't a character lens, I don't know what is - Pentax managed to beat Zeiss in implementing the Planar design throughout all their versions regardless of elements. It displays exceptionally smooth out-of-focus transitions in a way no other 50mm I know does.
Dare I say, If you don't see the character in the Takumar 50/1.4, you may not be able to see it in the Summicron Dual Range?

Craig75 · Dec 11, 2021

If you like pentax i have the 43mm pentax 1.9 in ltm mount - you get lens and 43mm viewfinder (although I never bother with it and just use 50mm framelines and crop a little later if need be) and mine was about $700. Obviously you will need ltm to m adapter too.

$700 is still $700 but its leica mount so nothing was ever going to be 50mm slr lens prices.

Kodachromeguy · Dec 11, 2021

Nitroplait said:
The Takumar 50/1.4 (regardless of no. of elements) is a marvel of a lens still selling for peanuts, and if it was available in M mount I would take it over any vintage Summicron.

Here is another option: buy a Fotodiox M42 to Leica M adapter and use the 50 Takumar on the M camera. It will require guess focus, but that is not all that difficult.

https://worldofdecay.blogspot.com/2018/11/successful-experiment-pentax-takumar.html

The reasonable-price 55mm ƒ/1.8 SMC Takumar is another superb performer. This lens on an M adapter would not be too large a package.

Patrick Robert James · Dec 11, 2021

You could always do this too. The Pentax-M 50 1.4 converts due to the nominal focal length. You need the appropriate sized brass tube and some minor mechanical ability, but it can be converted with rangefinder accuracy. I've been using this lens off and on for almost ten years now. Only downside is it focuses backwards compared to Leica lenses. One of the top 50s ever made-

Paul Howell · Dec 11, 2021

For the same price as the Voigtlander Nokton 1.5 in Leica thread how about a Konica 50 2.0 in M mount? I have many Konica lens in AR mount, some of best glass I have ever used.

Nicholas Lindan · Dec 11, 2021

If it were me I would get an FSU lens for next to nothing - letting you use the camera - and save up for the DR Summicron.

Dali · Dec 11, 2021

Whatever lens solution you favor, keep in mind that "monster" lenses (most with max aperture > f/1.4) go IMO against the rangefinder philosophy as not only they are pretty difficult to use at full aperture but they also block the viewfinder badly.

Stick with a f/2 lens (small enough not to be intrusive and fast enough 99% of the time) and you will be happy with your M3.

Jim Jones · Dec 11, 2021

Kodachromeguy said:
I agree with Patrick above. The Canon 50 f/1.4 is superb. Once you get a clean and haze-free example, you really will not see better optical output with a Leica lens. (If so, prove it.)
A darkroom fire destroyed any proof, but my Canon 50mm f/1.4 was relegated to shooting sports in dim small-town gyms until Kodak produced their fine (for some applications) Tmax P3200. Then I could use my Summicron at reasonable shutter speeds.

AZD · Dec 11, 2021

Thanks everyone for your suggestions so far. It’s good to see a range of options as we’re all coming at it from a different perspective. I agree that for my purposes the monster lenses with ultra fast aperture would work against my goal, which is to have a compact setup that can be taken anywhere, any time, while retaining excellent image quality. So for me a “character lens” to avoid is anything that imposes itself on the image or requires me to work around it. Nothing against those things in a different context, but not as a go-to setup.

I have a Nikon kit that suits an entirely different purpose, with fast primes, redundant bodies, and the accompanying weight and size. Excellent stuff, but not something I’d take with me on a overseas trip, for instance.

The Tak 1.4 was just to kind of set a baseline. As someone mentioned, they are phenomenal for the price, so maybe setting the bar too high? I have used mine extensively with wear to show. Still, the trusty Spotmatic lacks the immediacy (and lower decibels) of the M3’s shutter, and the clarity of its viewfinder. There are times when I want to see exactly what was happening the moment the shutter was tripped rather than just before or after. And times when I don’t want the shutter to be a distraction (something about an N6006 in a cemetery comes to mind, oops). Otherwise, I’d say the Spotmatic is a formidable competitor. Two SPs, the 50, and a 28/3.5 are my current compact option and have served me well.

I’m going to research the lenses mentioned. I’m sure one of them fits the bill.

BradS · Dec 11, 2021

I was in your situation some years ago and bought a lightly used Zeiss 50mm f/2 Planar ZM. At the time, the plan was that I'd eventually get a current model Summicron and sell the Planar. I eventually did get the Summicron and found the Planar to be superior in to the Sumicron in every regard except snob appeal. I returned the Summicron and have no intention of ever buying another. Like so many things in the Leica world, it just did not live up to the hype.

It's not really clear what your budget is but the Planar ZM can be found in excellent used condition for around $600.

dourbalistar · Dec 11, 2021

Another vote for the Canon 50mm f/1.4 LTM. I think it meets most if not all your criteria. Possible downsides are, depending on your personal preferences, a relatively long focus throw and has an infinity lock (which can be disabled with a reversible mod). Also slightly larger than some of the other recommendations above, with a less common 48mm filter thread. I used it for many years on my M5, and you can see some image samples in an album on my Flickr. Another fast 50mm option in the Canon LTM universe is the Canon 50mm f/.5 LTM. It's a much smaller lens, but being a Sonnar-type, you might have to contend with some focus shift. I find it has a bit more character (whatever than means) than the 50/1.4, and my copy may be a bit less sharp wide open. Again, some image samples on my Flickr so you can judge for yourself.

Finally, someone mentioned the haze-prone Canon 50mm f/1.8. No personal experience, but I've read the earlier chrome Serenar 50mm f/1.8 is less prone to haze. It may be harder to find one in good condition though, as it's an older lens. Not sure if it was produced in the same numbers as the later, more common black barrelled Canon 50mm f/1.8. FWIW, there were two versions of the later lens, one that stops down to f/22 and one that stops down to f/16.

AZD · Dec 11, 2021

BradS said:
It's not really clear what your budget is but the Planar ZM can be found in excellent used condition for around $600.

Ha, yeah, it’s never really clear what my budget is, except that I never buy anything I can’t afford, and never spend more than I’m comfortable with. This is a hobby, not a lifestyle. That said, I think my basic plan went something like “spend around $300 now, save for something else later, and sell anything I’m not going to use regularly once that happens.”

So far the Canon 1.4 looks good, but that 2.0 ZM Planar looks excellent in every respect. Hmm…

AZD · Dec 11, 2021

dourbalistar said:
Another vote for the Canon 50mm f/1.4 LTM. I think it meets most if not all your criteria.

BTW, I’ve landed on your Flickr before (thanks Google) and really like the range of tones your B&W pictures have. It’s very similar to what I aim for, so your suggestions are particularly useful. Thanks!

Craig75 · Dec 11, 2021

Just get this 50mm f1 for $2000 and be done with it

https://m.dpreview.com/news/8971543...st-ever-full-frame-lens-the-nokton-50mm-f1-vm

(Just randomly saw it announced today and thought I'd idly throw it in thread for no helpful reason)

I have the zeiss 21mm and they are really nicely made, and you do see a lot of zeiss about for sensible prices 2nd hand (and new).

However I also got a Reid with a 50mm leica lens (can't remember which one now) for same price as a new 50mm zeiss so... you can basically get a beautiful ltm camera and lens for same price as a new m mount zeiss.

At some point you will probably end up with a load of lenses anyway because leica is just a huge rabbithole so it doesn't matter which one you choose now.

faberryman · Dec 11, 2021

It is possible that if you wait until you have saved up enough to buy the Leica lens, you won't be able to afford it.

AZD · Dec 11, 2021

I might have said the same about the M3 six months ago

A bit of luck, a bit of hustle, and a bit of cash on the spot can open doors to new opportunities.

dourbalistar · Dec 11, 2021

AZD said:
BTW, I’ve landed on your Flickr before (thanks Google) and really like the range of tones your B&W pictures have. It’s very similar to what I aim for, so your suggestions are particularly useful. Thanks!

Thank you for the kind words! I often research Flickr to see what certain lenses are capable of, it's a really useful research tool.

AZD said:
Ha, yeah, it’s never really clear what my budget is, except that I never buy anything I can’t afford, and never spend more than I’m comfortable with. This is a hobby, not a lifestyle. That said, I think my basic plan went something like “spend around $300 now, save for something else later, and sell anything I’m not going to use regularly once that happens.”

So far the Canon 1.4 looks good, but that 2.0 ZM Planar looks excellent in every respect. Hmm…

That sounds like a sensible plan to me. If you decide to upgrade down the road, I don't think you'll lose out on much if you re-sell the Canon 50/1.4, especially with the way prices are trending these days.

Lee Rust · Dec 11, 2021

I recently acquired from Kodachromeguy the very same Canon 1.4 LTM that he describes above, and I can confirm that it is indeed a very fine 50mm.

Pioneer · Dec 11, 2021

I know it isn't a 50 (slap my hand) but I have been using the Voigtlander Color Skopar 35 for several months now and I am very impressed with it. It is a pretty small lens with excellent image quality right from f2.5 on up and the price fits your budget. Just a thought, you can always crop to 50 if you want.

Wallendo · Dec 12, 2021

I was fortunate enough to find a haze-free Canon 50/1.8 lens and it works great on my Leica IIIc.
The Canon 50/2.8. although thought of as a "consumer" lens is also a good performer and should provide you with very good images while you are saving up for excellent images. Truthfully, I doubt images with a high end Leica lens will look that much better than what you can get from a Canon 50/2.8. Unlike Soviet ltm lenses, the Japanese lenses don't have the same focusing calibration issues.

50mm M-Mount Lens Suggestions

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