Good sleeper lenses?

[Agent 13]

After trading into my 7II i am considering a 35mm range finder. I am mainly wondering what are the over looked m mount lenses that are good performers. Mainly interested in leica lenses,age doesnt matter. I prefer to be less than 300 dollars to get a starter lens and move on from there. I am overwhelmed by the amount of different leica lenses and prices out there. Thanks.

[Lflex]

For 300 you probably need more luck than knowledge to find a worthwhile Leica M lens. An LTM Elmar perhaps? On top you will need to budget for an L to M adapter.
I would probably go for a used Voigtlander 35/2.5 and not look back from there - or wait for the Leica M price bubble to burst.

[dbarnes]

+ 1 on Voightlander 35/2.5. Plentiful, sharp (!) and cheap.

[Vickko]

M lens for $300? Wow, tough challenge.

The LTM to M adapter is going to be $50, constraining you to $250 for an LTM lens.

Yeah, might be constrained to the Cosina stable.

[Brian Legge]

Canon 50mm 1.8 + adapter would probably be the safest bet that is well within your price range. Even the VC lenses are higher.

[Agent 13]

Yeah i figured voightlander would be the answer,is the 35mm 1.4 worth the extra money. The noktons sure are attractive at the price they are.

[Agent 13]

I dont want an adapter,rangefinder isnt coupled any longer.

[Lflex]

Originally Posted by Agent 13

I dont want an adapter,rangefinder isnt coupled any longer.

Yes, it is coupled.

[Lflex]

Originally Posted by Agent 13

Yeah i figured voightlander would be the answer,is the 35mm 1.4 worth the extra money. The noktons sure are attractive at the price they are.

IMO, Yes-wonderful lens with a classic footprint, but it has some quirks so use google to educate yourself. If you dont know that a Ltm lens couples w an adapter on an M you have some more reading up to do

[Agent 13]

Really,oh i was mistaken.

[lam]

If you're lucky you can find a Summicron-C 40mm f2 for around $300. ( saw a couple go for $350)
I second the Voigtlander Color-Skopar 35mm f2.5 (maybe had for 300? it's so popular now everyone has raised the price), or a 50mm f2.5, or a Canon 50mm f1.4 LTM, or a Canon 50mm f1.8 LTM, you'd need 50mm LTM to M adapters, it is RF coupled.

[Vickko]

I was shocked at what the Summicron-C 40mm lenses were getting on ebay.

Wow, talk about a Leica price bubble.

[JayM]

Originally Posted by Agent 13

Yeah i figured voightlander would be the answer,is the 35mm 1.4 worth the extra money. The noktons sure are attractive at the price they are.

Yes, yes it is. I keep trying to find a reason to buy a "better" lens than the Nokton I have and every time I just end up feeling ridiculous for even letting the thought cross my mind

[Bingley]

I'm a bottom feeder when it comes to lenses. I can attest that two of the best values in RF lenses are the Canon 50/1.8 and CV Skopar 35/2.5. The former lens is still widely available for well under $300 (even including the cost of an adapter); the latter you should be able to find w/ careful shopping for "around" that amount.

The CV Skopar 50/2.5 can be found for a little over $300. It's really good.
The Canon 35/2.8 (chrome version) is a beautiful vintage optic that also goes for around $300; moderate contrast and high resolution, the poor man's Summaron. Great lens. Both of these are LTM, so figure in the cost of an adapter.

[Brian Legge]

I'm with Bingley. Thats a good list of the less expensive options (without going to FSU, which can yield great bargains with enough time, patience, buys and tweaking).

If you can find someone to adjust a Jupiter 3, you can buy a very nice one and have it adjusted for about $300 including shipping, etc. The very clean ones are going in the $200 range. Obviously a lot more risky than other buys but if you can find one from someone here who already had it adjusted and can found for the condition of the lens... its worth it.

[kossi008]

Originally Posted by Bingley

[...] I can attest that two of the best values in RF lenses are the Canon 50/1.8 and CV Skopar 35/2.5. The former lens is still widely available for well under $300 (even including the cost of an adapter) [...]

Depends on where the OP is located. In Germany (and probably all of Europe), the Canon lenses are much harder to get.
Otherwise I would be owning some by now...