Looking for Leica M mount lens recommendations

[roachyy_]

I'm a total noob when it comes to rangefinders. I know the basics of photography, I just don't know where to begin with lenses. I picked up a Leica CL with the standard 40mm f2 and I'm really excited to use it. But the lens is a bit moldy & is due for a cleaning. The body appears to be perfectly fine though. What are some inexpensive lenses I could use while the kit lens is getting serviced?

 

[httpwww.photo.netbarry]

 

Cosina voigtlander [sp] makes a lot of lenses. Check out Steve Gandy's Cameraquest website.  Lots of info. He's also a dealer of same.  If you are interested in classic cameras and rang finders its a fun site to see.

[Niels - NHSN]

5 hours ago, roachyy_ said:

 What are some inexpensive lenses I could use while the kit lens is getting serviced?

Lovely combo, but you have chosen the wrong system for "inexpensive lenses" - or my idea of inexpensive is different from yours. 

If I remember correctly, the CL only has 40, 50 and 90mm frame-lines, so unless you are ready for the additional expense of an accessory viewfinder, those are the focal lengths to look for.

I am guessing a 50mm wouldn't be that interesting when you already own a 40mm. And a 90mm lens is perhaps a bit specialised just to satisfy your wish to use the camera while waiting, but it is probably at this focal length you'll find the lowest prices.

May I perhaps propose to use this opportunity to exercise patience and restraint? 😉

Edited October 17, 2022 by NHSN

[robert_bowring]

This camera was made by Minolta. If I remember correctly there are lenses for this camera that are badged as Minolta lenses but they will probably be just as expensive as the Leica badged lenses. There are some M mount lenses that will not work on this camera so do some research before you purchase any lens. I think this is the first time I have seen a Leica lens referred to as a "kit" lens. If you are looking for inexpensive lenses I think you may have bought the wrong camera.

[roachyy_]

11 hours ago, NHSN said:

Lovely combo, but you have chosen the wrong system for "inexpensive lenses" - or my idea of inexpensive is different from yours. 

If I remember correctly, the CL only has 40, 50 and 90mm frame-lines, so unless you are ready for the additional expense of an accessory viewfinder, those are the focal lengths to look for.

I am guessing a 50mm wouldn't be that interesting when you already own a 40mm. And a 90mm lens is perhaps a bit specialised just to satisfy your wish to use the camera while waiting, but it is probably at this focal length you'll find the lowest prices.

May I perhaps propose to use this opportunity to exercise patience and restraint? 😉

You're totally right about that. I need to invest in patience 😂. My definition of cheap in this case is less than $300. Still more than what I have paid for any of my film bodies (CL included) but it's still a decent range. For the 50mm lens I was thinking of adapting a Jupiter 8. From the looks of it, it doesn't have a rangefinder coupling so that remains a "maybe". The 7artisans 35mm f2 also fits that bill pretty well.

[Jochen_S]

As suggested above: Hunt down something 90/4. Older Leitz might be cheaper than Minolta? 

Think about what you are doing. AFAIK the CL(E)s are no longer entirely repairable? If you want to shoot an uncoupled lens without framelines: Voigtländer 15mm is fun for selfies and hopefully in your price bracket.

[Karim Ghantous]

Voigtlander for sure. I agree with Jochen on the Leica 90/4. It will need an adapter though.  Voigtlander lenses are the best value for money by a mile, even when compared to the Chinese cheapies.

[robert_ante]

Even when the CL first appeared, it was described as for the casual photographer, and not meant to compete with the M camera system. The ads praised the two lenses especially designed for use on the CL to make camera easier to carry on vacation. As I understand, the Minolta version is considered the more reliable version. Love and learn.

[christopher_a._junker1]

The CL body may still be repairable; mine was rebuilt after Sherry Krauter acquired a large stock of CL parts and used later updated series parts to repair mine. After 7+ years it works as well as the day it came back. Give her a call and see if she still does CL repairs.

[Niels - NHSN]

$300 may not be enough, but instead of buying something that merely qualify as toys (like those cheap Chinese lenses) or FSU lenses that may not couple well (or may suffer from the usual QC problems), getting something that may actuallly be useful going forward is likely wiser use of money.

For example, A Voigtlander 25mm scale focusing LTM lens, M adapter and a finder is great fun - and provide excellent image quality.

Edited October 20, 2022 by NHSN

[httpwww.photo.netbarry]

On 10/19/2022 at 8:27 PM, Karim Ghantous said:

Voigtlander for sure. I agree with Jochen on the Leica 90/4. It will need an adapter though.  Voigtlander lenses are the best value for money by a mile, even when compared to the Chinese cheapies.

That would be a good choice, but the Voigtlander 90 f4 is IMO much better. Newer formulation and much better lens coatings. I have it in LTM and it works perfectly with an adapter.