What are your favorite modern M mount lenses?

jsrockit · 09-23-2011

I was just wondering which modern M mount lenses (or modern LTM) people are really hooked on these days? I will define modern, for this post, as within the last two decades... say 1990 and on.

For me, I'm really blown away by the Zeiss 35mm C-Biogon 2.8 and the 50mm Leica Summarit 2.5. I never thought I'd like the slow lenses as much as I do. I love the compact size, the short focus throws, and the modern sharpness / rendering. I've used more expensive and more hyped lenses, but these two are very special in my opinion (and relatively cheap in terms of new Leica mount lenses).

Richard G · 09-23-2011

I've looked at the Summarit 50. Amazingly short and compact. If I didn't have a good 50 I'd get that for sure. And I still might, one day. My 70s Summicron really needs a service.

My picks are all Zeiss: 50 C Sonnar, 25 Biogon and 21 4.5 Biogon.

perudo · 09-23-2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by jsrockit

I was just wondering which modern M mount lenses (or modern LTM) people are really hooked on these days? I will define modern, for this post, as within the last two decades... say 1990 and on.

For me, I'm really blown away by the Zeiss 35mm C-Biogon 2.8 and the 50mm Leica Summarit 2.5. I never thought I'd like the slow lenses as much as I do. I love the compact size, the short focus throws, and the modern sharpness / rendering. I've used more expensive and more hyped lenses, but these two are very special in my opinion (and relatively cheap in terms of new Leica mount lenses).

me too, love the biogon 2.8. When I see how much overpriced used leica lenses are right now, this is defenetly a best buy right now.

Austerby · 09-23-2011

I think the Zeiss lenses mentioned here are terrific and they've really found a market by being relatively affordable as well as at the highest performance levels.

Certain Voigtlander lenses are also stars - the 35/1.2 for one.

My favourite has to be the Zeiss 50mm C-Sonnar

CrisR · 09-23-2011

For me, having little experience outside of those i've been able to purchase myself, it's the Nokton 50mm f1.1.

Paired up to my M6 TTL, i'm taking the kinds of photos i've never been able to in the past and only dreamed of.

Maybe i'll tire of the look in time, i'm probably still in the Honeymoon period, but i've never owned a better lens and am smitten with the results every time.

I still feel the 0.95 Noctilux is probably even more of what i want, but as that's never likely to be within my budget for mere hobby use, it may as well not exist. Plus, i've never taken a photo with it, so i have no idea how it would perform for me.

raid · 09-23-2011

Right now, I love the 35/1.4 pre-asph version 2. It is very compact and also very sharp. I guess, this lens is not really "modern"? Compared to a CZ 5cm/1.5 [which I love) made in the 1930's, the Lux is "modern".

I do not own any new lenses anyways, and I don't have any modern lens except the CV 25/4, CV Heliar 50/2, CV Heliar 50/3.5.

FPjohn · 09-23-2011

I suppose the Snapshot Skopar 25mm f4 is the "little lens that can".

yours
FPJ

jarski · 09-23-2011

50 Lux e46 pre-asph. me gusta

Juan Valdenebro · 09-23-2011

Honestly I think the “Best modern M-mount lens design" prize should be given to the CV 40 1.4, and here's why:

It's fast and it's small. It has low distortion and it's sharp wide open... With this on mind, very few lenses rival it no matter the brand or price, but there's another big advantage:

When I think of having with me just one lens, my first worry about it is small size (street shooting)... Then I worry about what if I go into churches or other low light places, so most small lenses aren't the best tools there, but the Nokton remains a winner... And finally, I like to have with me a lens that allows me to use selective focus when that's what I prefer, and that's not easy with most 28 or 35s unless you use the biggest, heaviest ones, and going to a 50 means totally losing angle and also losing easy prefocused shooting when necessary... The difference in subject isolation ability between a 35 and the 40 Nokton (43mm) is huge: I was surprised after testing it... And the difference is huge not only because of the focal length, but because of the close focusing at 1.4...

That lens can produce images that look like 35mm ones and also images that look like 50mm ones, and there's no other 40 1.4 by any brand, so it's one of the best all around lenses in the world, or maybe the best one.

Cheers,

Juan

andredossantos · 09-23-2011

Man, Im starting to get GASSY over that 50 Summarit...Damn you, Jsrockit!

Calzone · 09-23-2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by andredossantos

Man, Im starting to get GASSY over that 50 Summarit...Damn you, Jsrockit!

The focus is really fast. Gotta love that tab. I'd have to get my M3 modded for close focus though.

Cal

Calzone · 09-23-2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by Juan Valdenebro

Honestly I think the “Best modern M-mount lens design" prize should be given to the CV 40 1.4, and here's why:

It's fast and it's small. It has low distortion and it's sharp wide open... With this on mind, very few lenses rival it no matter the brand or price, but there's another big advantage:

When I think of having with me just one lens, my first worry about it is small size (street shooting)... Then I worry about what if I go into churches or other low light places, so most small lenses aren't the best tools there, but the Nokton remains a winner... And finally, I like to have with me a lens that allows me to use selective focus when that's what I prefer, and that's not easy with most 28 or 35s unless you use the biggest, heaviest ones, and going to a 50 means totally losing angle and also losing easy prefocused shooting when necessary... The difference in subject isolation ability between a 35 and the 40 Nokton (43mm) is huge: I was surprised after testing it... And the difference is huge not only because of the focal length, but because of the close focusing at 1.4...

That lens can produce images that look like 35mm ones and also images that look like 50mm ones, and there's no other 40 1.4 by any brand, so it's one of the best all around lenses in the world, or maybe the best one.

Cheers,

Juan

Juan,

Thanks for the thoughtful and helpful post.

Cal

Juan Valdenebro · 09-23-2011

Well, Cal, sorry for not talking about a current line aspherical Leica

(obviously great lenses) but to me it's hard to find a lens to go out with as only lens and be able to do everything with it... Thanks for your words!

Cheers,

Juan

andredossantos · 09-23-2011

Juan: I think we are all capable of realizing that there are other good lenses besides ASPH Leicas! The VC Nokton 40 1.4 and its cousin the 35 1.4 are both excellent lenses IMO.

Juan Valdenebro · 09-23-2011

Cool Andre!

I really like how CV design: great gear because of being great tools for different things (both cameras and lenses...) The 35 1.2 is such an amazing thing!

Cheers,

Juan

benlees · 09-23-2011

35mm skopar is the only m mount I own. Seems pretty good. The Zeiss 25mm 2.8 really temps me but the price seems high when CV offering is so much less- and a lot smaller.

Glass Addict · 09-23-2011

35mm Summilux ASPH FLE.
Can't get much sharper than this and has a very modern look.

Calzone · 09-23-2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by Juan Valdenebro

Well, Cal, sorry for not talking about a current line aspherical Leica

(obviously great lenses) but to me it's hard to find a lens to go out with as only lens and be able to do everything with it... Thanks for your words!

Cheers,

Juan

No need to apologize. BTW I love my CV Nickel Heliars. I accually appreciate the thinking that's out of the box, and that's why I reponded to your post.

Cal

rover · 09-23-2011

Favorites, I sold a V4 35 Summicron because it was just to small, unusable for me, and re-aquired a 35 Ultron, just right, for me. I at one time, for some reason, had 5 different 50 Summircons. I now only have 1, a Rigid.

Those 2 would have to be my favorites.

back alley · 09-23-2011

from the lenses i currently own...my fave is the rollie 40/2.8 sonnar. small & sharp and i love 'the look' it gives an image.

from past kits...
the cv 40/1.4 was great! oof area never bothered me. i'd like to get another someday.
the zm 25 was extremely sharp...too bad the zm line seem so large compared to most other lenses, especially the cv line of tiny lenses.
the zm 35/2.8 very very nice lens.

kzphoto · 09-23-2011

Love the 21/4.5 c-biogon and a 50/2.4 LTM hexanon. Also really like the 28 summicron but I don't own one.

michaelbialecki · 09-23-2011

I vote for the 35/1.2 lens...........I know some say it is "big" but I don't think so.......I am a big guy with big hands and it feels good on an m body........and as far as "big lenses" go, I use an old 90mm/2 that is big and heavy.....it doesn't bother me one bit.....nor would it bother me to walk around all day with a .95 Noctilux either.....

I have a 15mm vc lens and use it often so I know what a small lens feels like, and I don't really get it why people complain about the size of an m-mount lens.......from many photos that I have seen, many members here seem to be "big" guys, so what's the problem with a little bit more lens.....

Do you really think someone is not going to "notice" someone taking a photo of them because of the difference of a 35mm/1.2 and a 35mm/2.8 lens?....I know that size is not the only factor....there is also focus throw, weight, etc......but come on......I am a 6 foot white guy in Asia, is the difference in size of my lens really going to have an impact on my photography....I say "no"....I feel it has a lot to do with how you photograph/interact with people....not the difference between a 35mm/2.8 and a 35mm/1.2 lens.....just my 2 cents......

cheers, michael

Juan Valdenebro · 09-23-2011

Hi Michael,

Yes, I think the difference is enormous between a Bessa with a 28 3.5 and a Bessa with a 35 1.2 both if we talk about the size and weight for the photographer (carrying and storing) and also if we talk about the look of the camera to others in the street.

Cheers,

Juan

Paul Luscher · 09-23-2011

the Leica 28mm F2 ASPH. Very versatile lens. Call it my "general purpose" lens--it's the one I clap on my M when I'm just knocking about with one camera and one lens.

michaelbialecki · 09-23-2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by Juan Valdenebro

Hi Michael,

Yes, I think the difference is enormous between a Bessa with a 28 3.5 and a Bessa with a 35 1.2 both if we talk about the size and weight for the photographer (carrying and storing) and also if we talk about the look of the camera to others in the street.

Cheers,

Juan

thanks for your reply, Juan......we don't obviously feel the same.....but it doesn't really matter.....we both love photography and are passionate about it.......good for you......

cheers, michael