Best buys in a Leica lens?

[kevin m]

I was just thinking that with the price of the modern Leica glass having gone thru the roof recently, there are still good deals to be had in Leica glass. The most recent Elmar 50 is a great performer and a good value on the used market; the older Tele Elmar 135's are a screaming deal in Leicaland if you like that focal length.

What are your "best buy" Leica lenses? Any hidden gems or great "bang for the buck" lenses out there?

[benkelley]

Elmarit-m 90mm, just discontinued. They're around for good prices and they look great... Don't flare like the TE, and aren't as big as the summicron.

[ferider]

In addition to the lenses that you mention:

- Screwmount collapsible Summicron 50/2
- classic 50/2.8
- Summicron-C 40/2
- any 90/4
- 135/2.8 (Series version)

In general, all lenses longer than 50mm didn't suffer from M8-related used price increases :)

Cheers,

Roland.

[raid]

Think of Canon lenses are Leica lenses for those who want value.

[FioreVelviamo]

All those mentioned deals are deals that make you save a few meazly bucks.
I think anyone who got a Noctilux for 4000$ and below has a 1000$ deal in their hands. Now that's a deal.

Or a 40mm sumicron. This lens has always been a screaming deal.

[pfoto]

Rigid Summicron 50/2. Optically identical to the DR but goes for less on the market. Get it CLA'd and it will give years of service - they don't make them like this any more. With careful looking they can be bought for around $350.

[gdi]

Latest non-Asph 90 Summicron is a good deal at around 800....

[FPjohn]

Elmar 50 and 90 or the Summicron C - at the other extreme, the F1.4 Summilux 75!

yours
FPJ

[ampguy]

I can see the Cron Asph 35/2 being the next Noctilux. Wider, handles better, less distortion. Wait until the innerweb hears about this lens!

[kevin m]

I forgot about the 90 Elmarit. That's a sweet-handling lens on an M body.

So many nice lenses on this list.

[Darren Abate]

Forget Leica and buy CV 35 1.2. Thats the most bang or the buck ;)


I certainly do love mine.

[Darren Abate]

I have to agree with the 40/2 Summicron-C vote. Sharp as hell, with amazing bokeh. The most underrated lens in the Leitz lineup, and a complete steal on the used market.

[maddoc]

Hm... on my list are: Summicron-C 40/2.0, Tele-Elmarit 90/2.8 (it is prone to flare but otherwise a great performing lens), Elmar-M 50/2.8 (I am astonished about the quality of this lens :))

[jasoncohen]

I would also say the CV 28 1.9 & 15mm 4.5 (just got this one and it is great)

[Turtle]

35mm Summicron ASPH. Can be picked up for $1400, and it shines.

I see the 35 cron asph losing favour not gaining it, brought about by the arrival of the ZM Biogon f2 and the summarit. This would appear to be the reason for the lower prices.

Personally i dont see any great deals in Leica lenses really. A used 35 Cron asph only appears cheap conpared to current new prices, but is expensive compared to the comparably performing ZM and to their new price 2 years ago. The latest 50 Elmar M can be had for a song....only compared to the new price which leapt up from $600 to $900 for a mint used as new lens at Popflash within about 12 months. In fact they are quite hard to find used for less than their new price 2 years ago. Maybe relatively unpoopular vintage glass is the way to go for a good deal, but then you are going to get a particular look/performance and not everyone wants that. for reaaly sharp, low flare modern lenses, there are no good value Leica options in my view. One has to buy Zeiss or CV. Its a shame...

[ampguy]

Hi Turtle,

What was the new price 2 years ago? Thanks.


I see the 35 cron asph losing favour not gaining it, brought about by the arrival of the ZM Biogon f2 and the summarit. This would appear to be the reason for the lower prices.

Personally i dont see any great deals in Leica lenses really. A used 35 Cron asph only appears cheap conpared to current new prices, but is expensive compared to the comparably performing ZM and to their new price 2 years ago. The latest 50 Elmar M can be had for a song....only compared to the new price which leapt up from $600 to $900 for a mint used as new lens at Popflash within about 12 months. In fact they are quite hard to find used for less than their new price 2 years ago. Maybe relatively unpoopular vintage glass is the way to go for a good deal, but then you are going to get a particular look/performance and not everyone wants that. for reaaly sharp, low flare modern lenses, there are no good value Leica options in my view. One has to buy Zeiss or CV. Its a shame...

[bob338]

I see the 35 cron asph losing favour not gaining it,


i couldn't disagree more, this is a wonderful lens that will be appreciated sometime in the future. i have wondered for a long time why it seems to be ignored by so many people. tack sharp, good contrast, excellent build quality, small, light, etc...what's not to like?

bob

[ampguy]

No disagreement here. Note that it is the #1 on the list of top M-mount lens here:

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?page=2&threadid=58930

(page down a bit)


i couldn't disagree more, this is a wonderful lens that will be appreciated sometime in the future. i have wondered for a long time why it seems to be ignored by so many people. tack sharp, good contrast, excellent build quality, small, light, etc...what's not to like?

bob

[Turtle]

Its not that there is anything to dislike about the 35 cron asph per se, only that there is a lot of good competition (including from Leica). It certainly is not unique in the way the Noctilux is. When used summarits hit the market this might further reduce used asph cron prices. A used biogon could be had for well under half the price of a used asph and a new biogon is still about $600 less (enough to buy a new 50 planar too). I think all these factors have pushed asph cron prices down.

From popflash, I recall the lens could be had new for under $2k. Certainly quite a bit cheaper than now.

[ampguy]

Note the resolution of the bark here:
http://matsumura.smugmug.com/photos/286286112_YETRk-O.jpg
I don't think other lenses come close to approaching this resolution and lack of distortion:

Its not that there is anything to dislike about the 35 cron asph per se, only that there is a lot of good competition (including from Leica). It certainly is not unique in the way the Noctilux is. When used summarits hit the market this might further reduce used asph cron prices. A used biogon could be had for well under half the price of a used asph and a new biogon is still about $600 less (enough to buy a new 50 planar too). I think all these factors have pushed asph cron prices down.

From popflash, I recall the lens could be had new for under $2k. Certainly quite a bit cheaper than now.

[Turtle]

Note the resolution of the bark here:
http://matsumura.smugmug.com/photos/286286112_YETRk-O.jpg
I don't think other lenses come close to approaching this resolution and lack of distortion:

You dont have to defend your favourite; I was not attacking its performance, only suggesting that there is some darned good competition out there, which are superb (arguably better, but this is a matter of opinion) value. I think a used $1400 lens appears good value only in terms of insane new prices at present. I was suggesting that when one steps outside of the leica stable, the high prices become much more apparent. Plenty of people prefer the cron asph, just as plenty prefer the biogon, regardless of price.

I would have to agree with an earlier poster in the 90 Elmarit M (Latest) being great value used. I have one and it is a lovely lens. At $750 or so in mint condition, it is genuinely good value I think.

PS The ZM biogon has incredible resolution and lack of distortion. The asph cron may beat it wide open on centre, but the biogon beats it at the edges at all apertures - take your pick, but remember there is an epic price difference for two lenses that are arguably comparable, but with different strengths. At f2.8 and beyond the ZM is not to be beaten on centre however. In the shot you posted, edge resolution wide open would be important. The ZM Biogon really is in a league of its own in this regard according to every comparative test I have read. Besides, who cares. You like it. I am sure I would like it, apart from the price. I think the used asph cron is great value for those prepared to fork out for a new summarit, but for those open to zeiss, it is still a lot of money. It is smaller than the Biogon, however, but not by a huge amount and probably larger with a hood. I have not once managed to make the biogon flare so have no intention of buying a hood. some users do complain of flare with the asph cron however.

[Travelbug]

I just bought an old (1960's) Elmarit M 2.8 90mm includung both caps and a 12538 hood for 100 Euro from the bay. The glass is clean and has no scratches. The aperture ring is a bit stiff and the barrel has some play but I think with a CLA for about 150 Euro it's a very good deal. Maybe I'll sell my recent Elmarit 90 for it because it's a bit heavy for the pocket and the vintage one looks much better on my M2. Before I eventually decide I'll shoot a bit with both.

[Austerby]

I recently sold a good Summaron 35mm f3.5 for £165 - I was hoping for more, but this was the best offer. It was my third attempt at selling so there really wasn't much interest in this lens. Given its beautiful build quality and excellent performance I'd say it was an absolute bargain.

[raid]

I agree with you on this point. I have a mintish Summaron 35/3.5 screwmount, and I recently got it cleaned for better performance. It is like a little jewel.

[urban_alchemist]

I don't particularly like my Elmar 50/2.8, but I have to admit it was a bargain (and I think it is my ownership of the 50Cron and Lux that are clouding my judgement rather than the quality of the lense itself)...