50mm Lens Options for the LTM

[aperture64]

I bought a Leica IIIc, and I am wondering what is an ideal 50mm lens to pair up with it, within a price limit. I know there is the Nokton 50mm f1.5, which I have never tried. Then there is the Canon 50mm f1.8 black, which I had on my Leica IIIa years ago. I only used the lens 2 times before I sold it and the camera and don't have much memory of the 'look' of the images from it. I also had the Summitar, which came with the IIIa, but it looked 'muddy' unless I had Velvia 50 loaded in the camera.

What are other people's opinions of the 50mm focal length for LTM, under $300. I shoot mostly B&W, with some occasional color. I'm looking for a lens that has a good amount of contrast and I mostly shoot between f5.6 and f11. Any opinions of the Canon 50mm f1.4 or 50mm Color Skopar?

Thanks

[John Shriver]

The Canon 50/1.4 is an excellent lens, with a "modern" signature. It's a little on the large size for a IIIc "Barnack" camera, as it will block a solid one-third of the viewfinder.

The Canon 50/1.8 remains excellent value, a lens that outperforms the collapsible Summicron, and is almost always found in usable or better condition. (Most collapsible Summicrons are scratched, hazed, or missing internal coating.) It's a classic double-Gauss design, decent contrast.

Coated Summitars with perfect coating aren't too low contrast, but they are quite low contrast wide open. (Think of it as a variable contrast lens.) They, like the collapsible Summicron, are from Leica's high sharpness/low contrast era.

The Nikkor 50/1.4 and 50/2.0 are high-contrast lenses, but at least the 1.4 is rather far north of your budget.

[ampguy]

A couple that I like better than the Nokton 50 in LTM are the 50/1.4 lux, and the Pentax Special LTD (actually 43, but comes with a finder).

[MarkoKovacevic]

I really like my Jupiter-8 on my Leica iiia. Just send it out for a CLA and collimation before using it, if needed.

[raid]

With a classic Leica camera I would recommend to use a classic Leica 50mm lens.
The 5cm 3.5 Elmar comes to mind and also the 5cm 2.0 Summitar. The collapsible Summicron LTM would also be a great lens with a IIIc.

[brachal]

My favorites for my IIIf are the f/2.8 Elmar, Industar-10, Jupiter-8, and Jupiter-3.

[Bingley]

I agree w/ John and Raid -- all good selections. In fact, I have a IIIc and Summitar in the mail headed my way. :)

[David Murphy]

I bought a Leica IIIc, and I am wondering what is an ideal 50mm lens to pair up with it, within a price limit. I know there is the Nokton 50mm f1.5, which I have never tried. Then there is the Canon 50mm f1.8 black, which I had on my Leica IIIa years ago. I only used the lens 2 times before I sold it and the camera and don't have much memory of the 'look' of the images from it. I also had the Summitar, which came with the IIIa, but it looked 'muddy' unless I had Velvia 50 loaded in the camera.

What are other people's opinions of the 50mm focal length for LTM, under $300. I shoot mostly B&W, with some occasional color. I'm looking for a lens that has a good amount of contrast and I mostly shoot between f5.6 and f11. Any opinions of the Canon 50mm f1.4 or 50mm Color Skopar?
Thanks
The Canon 50/1.4, Color Skopar 50/2.5, Nikkor 50/2, Summarit 50/1.5, and Collapsible Summicron are all sterling performers and in your price range.

[meven]

I would recommend the Canon 50/1.4, it truly is an excellent lens, otherwise I would go for the Nokton 50/1.5 but it might be too big for your Leica IIIc!!!!

I know that you mentioned a price limit but if you want to go crazy, you can also consider the modern limited edition Summicron 50 and Summilux 50 in LTM!!!

[ZorkiKat]

Jupiter-8, Industar-61 L/D. Hard to beat in terms of price.

[chris00nj]

I just went through a similar dilemna to pair up my IIIf.

I love my Nokton 50/1.5 (my only 50 in LTM) , but I wouldn't consider it an "ideal " pair up with a IIIc. It's big and it's signature is modern.

I considered and constantly changed my mind:

Elmar 50/3.5
Summitar 50/2
Nikkor 50/2
Canon 50/1.8They are rather competitive on price, with the Canon's being a wee cheaper. In the end I got (and waiting) on an Elmar, because it was the most diverse from the Nokton. If I didn't have a fast 50 already I would have likely picked either the Nikkor or the Summitar.