Official Talk Leica thread

[justpix]

Recently picked up a M2 (first Leica) and have been wondering what lens to start with…feel like I’m suffering from analysis paralysis…

Was thinking 35mm first and probably looking to spend £500-700. So far I have shortlisted:

• CV 35mm 2.5 color skopar
• CV 35mm nokton 1.4 v2
• Zeiss C biogon 2.8 35mm
• Summarit-M f2.5 35mm (very much depends on used availability and condition as to if it falls in price range)
• CV ultron 35mm f2 vintage

I like small lenses and that’s what I’ve tried to keep it to. I just go round in circles in my head as to what to get. There’s not many right now but the color-skopar looks like a good deal used. The nokton is tempting due to 1.4. Many forum posts talk about the greatness is the Zeiss and summarit and not to ignore them due to their speed.

I mostly photo people - friends and family. I’ve tended to only use film outdoors as it’s too dark inside but would like to use it indoors if possible.

I’m not sure what I’m expecting people to suggest as there’s no right answer, so maybe and advice or personal experiences.

Hi, of the lenses you mentioned I only have the Summarit, which I recommend. When you buy, look for one with the original lens hood.

I bought my Summarit used years ago, when the Summarit line was cheap ...

(The ZEISS is also said to be good, but I do not have it. I have the Biogon 2/35, which I can recommend (if you do not want the Distagon).)

 

[Ahhyes]

It's not easy as there is such a big price range with Leica fit lenses

If you buy used and are careful you should always get your money back with such a lens, so maybe start at the cheaper end and see how you go - one of my favourite lenses on my M6/M8 and also M4/3 with an adapter is/was the Voigtlander Ultron 35mm f/1.7 which is quite a lot cheaper than your stated price range. The lens, however is not really small,

Good luck

Thanks for the suggestion. It doesn’t look too big and maybe a good compromise between f-stop, price, and weight. I suspect whatever I get wont be my only lens - just where I start!

 

[wibbly]

Recently picked up a M2 (first Leica) and have been wondering what lens to start with…feel like I’m suffering from analysis paralysis…

Was thinking 35mm first and probably looking to spend £500-700. So far I have shortlisted:

• CV 35mm 2.5 color skopar
• CV 35mm nokton 1.4 v2
• Zeiss C biogon 2.8 35mm
• Summarit-M f2.5 35mm (very much depends on used availability and condition as to if it falls in price range)
• CV ultron 35mm f2 vintage

I like small lenses and that’s what I’ve tried to keep it to. I just go round in circles in my head as to what to get. There’s not many right now but the color-skopar looks like a good deal used. The nokton is tempting due to 1.4. Many forum posts talk about the greatness is the Zeiss and summarit and not to ignore them due to their speed.

I mostly photo people - friends and family. I’ve tended to only use film outdoors as it’s too dark inside but would like to use it indoors if possible.

I’m not sure what I’m expecting people to suggest as there’s no right answer, so maybe any advice or personal experiences.

CV 35mm 2.5 color skopar is a cracking little lens for the money. I used one on both my M6 & an M10-P for a while and it’s a really good performer.

Only sold mine as I bought a Summicron, but to be honest I see very little difference between the ‘cron and the Voigt.

 

[Ahhyes]

CV 35mm 2.5 color skopar is a cracking little lens for the money. I used one on both my M6 & an M10-P for a while and it’s a really good performer.

Only sold mine as I bought a Summicron, but to be honest I see very little difference between the ‘cron and the Voigt.

I’ve seen that comment a few times in my hours of forums. They go for a very reasonable price on eBay, just none for sale right now. It’s high up on my list.

 

[BillN_33]

If you want small/compact, have you thought about a collapsable Elmar?

If you are using it on a M2 it would be nice to have a Leica lens and I think the Elmar should be within budget

Not used mine for years, but I always felt that it was a good lens

(but you wanted a 35mm and this is 50mm or 5cm as they used to say)

 

[Topsy]

If you want small/compact, have you thought about a collapsable Elmar?

If you are using it on a M2 it would be nice to have a Leica lens and I think the Elmar should be within budget

Not used mine for years, but I always felt that it was a good lens

(but you wanted a 35mm and this is 50mm or 5cm as they used to say)

My M2 came with one of those, nice lens but I prefer 35mm which was why I bought M2 over M3.

 

[BillN_33]

My M2 came with one of those, nice lens but I prefer 35mm which was why I bought M2 over M3.

Thanks, I cannot remember the difference between the M2 and M3 - I did not have a M2

 

[Topsy]

Thanks, I cannot remember the difference between the M2 and M3 - I did not have a M2

There are loads of differences but the big one for me was the M3 only has framelines out to 50mm, no 35mm without attachments. Both are great cameras but if you want to shoot 35mm conveniently the M3 is not the way to go.

 

[Ahhyes]

If you want small/compact, have you thought about a collapsable Elmar

If you are using it on an M2 it would be nice to have a Leica lens and I think the Elmar should be within budget - it is a really well made lens

Not used mine for years, but I always felt that it was a good lens

Whilst all these Voigtlander and Zeiss lenses are very good, I do think it would be nice to have a Leica lens. Perhaps ones from the era of the M2, like the one you’ve suggested. I am looking for 35mm, but plan to expand to 50 and 90 - just I have 50mm already in my SLRs, so starting with 35. I started having a look at them. Thanks again.

 

[justpix]

Hi, ... (M9 - Summarit 2,5/35 f 4) :

Overview :





Crops :

 

[Adam Bonn]

I have a 35/2.4 summarit and the CV 35/1.7 ultron

I only shoot digital these days though

Of the two I use the Ultron more.

The CV vignettes more and the summarit has more visible distortion

The summarit is a nicer shape, is a lot smaller (it’s tiny without the hood)

The CV is bigger, has frankly a very strange shape, with a weird shaped focus ring

The colour signature of each is pretty similar

I feel the Voigtlander is sharper, the extra stop it has over the Leica is very welcome

Neither lens is particularly prone to flare

My CV cost new ex-display about half that of my summarit as a dealer bought secondhand item

If I could keep only one it would probably be the Voigtlander

Final opinion..

If (IF) you can live with the size and strange shape of the CV 35/1.7 it offers you a little more performance than the summarit at a lot less coin

The Leica lens is coded for Leica digital (and the LR lens profile corrects the distortion, but the C1 one doesn’t) but that’s pretty irrelevant for film shooters I guess…

The biggest performance difference I see between them is wide open/close to wide open (the CV is basically a stop faster), so if you’re an F8 and be there kinda shooter, then don’t put too much stock into this

 

[Adam Bonn]

Reaching for Heaven by Adam Bonn, on Flickr

m10 and cv35

 

[ecniv]

Recently picked up a M2 (first Leica) and have been wondering what lens to start with…feel like I’m suffering from analysis paralysis…

Was thinking 35mm first and probably looking to spend £500-700. So far I have shortlisted:

• CV 35mm 2.5 color skopar
• CV 35mm nokton 1.4 v2
• Zeiss C biogon 2.8 35mm
• Summarit-M f2.5 35mm (very much depends on used availability and condition as to if it falls in price range)
• CV ultron 35mm f2 vintage

I like small lenses and that’s what I’ve tried to keep it to. I just go round in circles in my head as to what to get. There’s not many right now but the color-skopar looks like a good deal used. The nokton is tempting due to 1.4. Many forum posts talk about the greatness is the Zeiss and summarit and not to ignore them due to their speed.

I mostly photo people - friends and family. I’ve tended to only use film outdoors as it’s too dark inside but would like to use it indoors if possible.

I’m not sure what I’m expecting people to suggest as there’s no right answer, so maybe any advice or personal experiences.

I have none of those lenses
But if there is a used lens store nearby I'd recommend popping in (assuming the restrictions have lifted) and see how each feels on the camera. If it were digital I'd say test them on the street wide open and f8, not sure you'd want to do that with film, but at least you'd feel weight of the lenses.

Alternatively, may be a photo meet with someone with the lenses so you can try them on the camera (noting which and when used) then you can see which you want to save for...

I have a voigtlander 28mm (links to flickr -> album in flickr for shots) which is also very nice, was around 500 euro used...

 

[Ahhyes]

I have none of those lenses
But if there is a used lens store nearby I'd recommend popping in (assuming the restrictions have lifted) and see how each feels on the camera. If it were digital I'd say test them on the street wide open and f8, not sure you'd want to do that with film, but at least you'd feel weight of the lenses.

Alternatively, may be a photo meet with someone with the lenses so you can try them on the camera (noting which and when used) then you can see which you want to save for...

I have a voigtlander 28mm (links to flickr -> album in flickr for shots) which is also very nice, was around 500 euro used...

I wish there was a store nearby!

I decided to go for the CV 1.4. It was my first choice then I fell down the rabbit hole of forums…the newer version seems to have fixed the main issues with the first one so appears suitable. I’ll wait and see!

 

[justpix]

Cheers ... (M9 - Summarit 2,5/50 f 2,5) :

 

[justpix]

Hi, a philosopher's grave in Frankfurt/D ? ... (M9 - ZEISS Distagon 1,4/35 f 1,4 ; crop) :

 

[Adam Bonn]

Took the 7artisans (50/1.1) for a spin on the M10

Faded Summer by Adam Bonn, on Flickr

 

[BillN_33]

Grasse, France

 

[justpix]

Hi, after the rain ... (M9 - Elmarit-M 2,8/90 f 2,8 ; crop) :

 

[justpix]

Hi, a bike snapshot ... (M9 - ZEISS Distagon 1,4/35 , f 4 ; crop) :

 

[justpix]

To your health ... (M9 - Elmarit-M 2,8/90 f 2,8 ; crop) :

 

[justpix]

Hi, ... (M9 - VOIGTLÄNDER Apo-Lanthar 2/50 f 2 ; crop) :






(I find the bokeh quite nice. With artificial light sources the Apo-Lanthar can be a little grainy, however. Compared to the pic above, a slower 90mm lens can show a nicer bokeh ... )

 

[Adam Bonn]

You Must be Joking by Adam Bonn, on Flickr

M10 and ZM21/2.8

 

[ecniv]

Leica M10 + voigtlander 28mm
View early (ie before 8am) one morning from the balcony... Bit of mist...

 

[justpix]

Hi, ... (M9 - Elmarit-M 2,8/90 f 2,8 ) :

 

[justpix]

Hi, ... (M9 - Elmarit-M 2,8/90 f 2,8 ; crop ) :

 

[Adam Bonn]

Dark Paths by Adam Bonn, on Flickr

M10 and CV35/1.7

 

[justpix]

Hi, ... (M9 - VOIGTLÄNDER Apo-Lanthar 2/50 f 2 ; crop) :

 

[wibbly]

M10-P | Summicron 35mm f2


L1002144 by Dave Young, on Flickr

 

[justpix]

Have a nice weekend! ... (M9 - Elmarit-M 2,8/90 f 2,8 ; minimally cropped ) :

 

[justpix]

Hi, ... (M9 - Tele-Elmarit-M 2,8/90 f 4 ; crop) :

 

[No_Photoh]

Got myself an M typ 240 and a couple of 7artisans lenses, the 35mm f1.4 and the 75mm f1.25.

The lenses seem really good for the money (I’m not a pixel peeper right enough) but the 35mm is bulkier than I’d like. I’ve not been using it wide open either so have just ordered a 35mm f2.5 Voigtlander color-skopar.

Here’s a couple pics from the 7 artisans lens.

 

[Topsy]

M9 35mm Summicron.

 

[justpix]

Hi, croppability ... (M9 - Elmar-M 3,8/24 f 5,6 ) :

 

[justpix]

Hi, in Schwelm/D ... (M9 - Elmar-M 3,8/24 f 3,8 ; crop ) :

 

[ecniv]

Got myself an M typ 240 and a couple of 7artisans lenses, the 35mm f1.4 and the 75mm f1.25.

The lenses seem really good for the money (I’m not a pixel peeper right enough) but the 35mm is bulkier than I’d like. I’ve not been using it wide open either so have just ordered a 35mm f2.5 Voigtlander color-skopar.

Here’s a couple pics from the 7 artisans lens.

Congrats!

I tested the 35mm in store, but didn't like the feel. Not sure if it was too soft.
Got the 50mm f1.1 instead (link to album in the bottom of this post).

The 240 was nice, definately a good intro to leica (can have evf and live view... video wasn't great but nice to have if you want the movements)...
I'd be interested in the 35 f2.5 in comparison to the 7artisan lenses... once its arrived

 

[wibbly]

Got myself an M typ 240 and a couple of 7artisans lenses, the 35mm f1.4 and the 75mm f1.25.

The lenses seem really good for the money (I’m not a pixel peeper right enough) but the 35mm is bulkier than I’d like. I’ve not been using it wide open either so have just ordered a 35mm f2.5 Voigtlander color-skopar.

Here’s a couple pics from the 7 artisans lens.

Good choice, enjoy. I had a Color Skopar for a while before I got a Summicron and it's a great lens..... I've looked a couple of times at the 75mm f1.25, but with the crap experience I've had with 2 various 7artisans 35mm f2's, I'm a bit reticent to pick one up.

 

[justpix]

Hi, my dear alma mater in Bochum/D ... (M9 - Elmar-M 3,8/24 f 5,6 ) :







(24mm is quite long for architecture like this. My ZEISS Distagon 4/18 was better for this ... )

 

[justpix]

Hi, have a nice weekend (sorry, Adam, ALDI had no BOCK or SUPERBOCK ) ... (M9 - VOIGTLÄNDER Apo-Lanthar 2/50 f 2 ; crop) :

 

[Adam Bonn]

Adam, ALDI had no BOCK or SUPERBOCK

My supermarket had Estrella Galicia the other day, a beer that I find nicer than anything on my side of the border (but shhhh about it or they take away my residency )