One 50mm lens for SS M3

[nasdak]

I have one for sale that would suit your needs (appart the price issue)

[raid]

If you search enough, you may find a Rokkor or Summicron-C 40mm/2 for $300. A more realistic option would be a Canon 50 1.4 for $250-$300 (check out keh.com). If you wantto save some money, consider a Canon 50 1.8 instead. The last sugestion would be a J 3 from the 1950's, if possible. The first two digits of the serial number give away the production year.

[pevelg]

I like click/stop apertures because I'll be using this on a non metered body (SS M3). I meter once and unless lighting situation changes, I do not change the speed/aperture setting. I inevitably always accidentally change the aperture on the lens while walking around or focusing when the lens does not have click stops.

[paulfish4570]

where do you guys find these lenses for $300 or less? canon 50/1.8s in good shape are going for $400, $500 or better. same for the nikkor 50/2, which i'd like to try. maybe you could get a cv 56/2.5 and adapter for under $400, but it ain't no sonnar; way sharp..

just checked the bay for canon 50/1.8s. buy-it-nows ranged from $364 to $599. there is one sub $200 being offered from ukraine. gotta figure the price of an adapter, too. what does a good one run? i've no idea.

[raid]

Paul: the Canon 50/1.8 sells regularly for about $150-$175. I bought a week ago a very clean Canon 50/1.4 for less than $250. The j3 is selling for about $200 these days. The Canon 50/1.5 is costly. I bought a Nikkor 50/2 a couple of months ago for less than $300, butthry can be costly too.

The less costly lenses sell quickly at KEH. Still, there is one in EX condition for less than $350.

http://www.keh.com/camera/Canon-Rang...000137500?r=FE





Canon 50 1.8 for very cheap: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Canon-Rangef...item46044305d2

Another 50 1.8 less than $200: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Canon-Rangef...item2ebf79b9b6


Canon P plus Canon 50/2.2 for cheap right now:http://www.ebay.com/itm/Canon-P-35mm...item3377ed1f5c

Canon P with 50 1.8 for $299:http://www.ebay.com/itm/Canon-P-35mm...item3377a3b1d7

[paulfish4570]

no luck for me on that score, Raid. i'd love to have another 50/1.8 and adapter for my r2m ...

[raid]

See above, Paul. There are several 50/1.8 below $200. I have avoided listing here a $99 lens at KEH because it has some fungus in it.

[Phil_F_NM]

Dual Range Summicron with goggles. There is no substitute.
If you shop around and are patient you can still get them relatively cheaply.

Phil Forrest

[kxl]

Price will be your biggest constraint.

To me, I like the idea of getting a classic Leica lens to go with your classic SS M3. Find out the production year of your SS M3 and get a lens that matches that production year. Just getting nostalgic...

[raid]

Hi Phil,
Right now on ebay, the cheapest is for $900, reaching way over $1000 for such a lens.

[paulfish4570]

thanks, Raid. i like the ones offered by the japan seller with the canon P back caps. too bad we have a wedding upcoming. hmmmm. i have the f2a and 50/2 nikkor ...

[raid]

It is rather rare for a P not have wrinkled shutter curtain.

[paradoxbox]

IMO the best option for the original poster is a Jupiter-3. Produces stunning images. No click stops but as others mentioned it can be modified, and the price is quite cheap in general. I have two!

[paradoxbox]

one thing i just thought of.

the jupiter-3 is a sonnar design. the jupiter-3 in kiev mount has click stops AND is made of steel rather than aluminum. it's really well built. so is the f2 version.

if you buy yourself an adapter you could get everything for under $300 i think, and kiev / contax mount jupiter front elements and barrels tend to be in better condition than the thread mounted versions.

i know you can get a jupiter-8 for kiev for under $20 if you look hard enough (not just on ebay). the jupiter-8 is a sonnar design so it'll have beautiful bokeh but it can be quite sharp at times. here is a shot from my kiev 4 / jupiter-8 combo. this lens was around $25 in mind condition.

[Vics]

Originally Posted by Yuhi

How about the 50mm F2 collapsible summitar? Great and often underrated lens!

Plus one for the collapsible 'crom I love mine, especially for portraits!

[Rico]

Speaking of collapsible, OP should consider the classic Elmar 50/2.8: fits the budget (in user grade), awesome bokeh, click stops, darned handsome.

Family pic was f/5.6 but b/g blur can be evaluated - smoooth. Did I mention the 15-blade diaphragm?

[pevelg]

Thanks everyone for all the tips on the lenses. I've tried purchasing two lenses already, one a Summitar 50 f1.5 and the other the Nikkor 50 HC. Unfortunately the Summitar sold a day earlier and the Nikkor HC sold within minutes of ad appearing. However, the individual who sold me the M3 gave me a good price on a rigid Summicron, so I ended up getting it. Now I have to wait ever so patiently while it goes from post to me! I did end up going over my preferred budget, but I think its going to be worth it. I will be mainly doing black and white, developing and printing on my own and sending film off for scanning.

I'm thinking of going on a one lens a year experience. I plan to use the Summicron for about a year to learn what I like and don't like about it. Then I can trade or get an extra 50mm and experiment with it for a year. Should be fun! And maybe, just maybe, I might find a lens I like better than the modern ZM Sonnar.

[paradoxbox]

a rigid summicron will be pretty hard to beat. it's one of the best lenses in all of 35mm photography. nice pick.

[pevelg]

[philipus]

Congrats, looks great !!

[johannielscom]

Really cool, Pavel!

I bet you're going to love that combo and will get great shots from that!