I have had my 'lensless' M4-2 for a day now and had the chance to try a voigtlander 35 1.7 in a shop - nice. However I'm still not convinced by 35mm lenses and have decided I will go for a 50mm and back it up with a new GR1-V with 28mm ( I've had one before and lost it so I know the lens is good) and 'maybe' a 90 and 21 mm Voigtlander combo in the future. The Voigtlander 28 is quite big and although my M4-2 has been updated with the 28/90 finder its a bit tight to view things properly. The voigtlander 50mm looks nice but again it's quite big - which leaves the Konica 50 f2 ( even cheaper when you add the price of the adaptor to the voigtlander) Iv'e seen the MTF's and reviews - good - but also read about the Leica/konica flange to film distance difference. From my initial reading I can see that different film thickness would seem to matter more? anyway I'm sure some of you could either put my mind at rest or steer me clear of a problem. BTW the way the 50mm frames come up just seems right on the .72 finder neither too big so you have to look around nor too small so you are distracted by the rest of the field of view. Also many thanks too all who responded to my previous posts.

-- John Griffin (john@griffinphoto.u-net.com), February 25, 2002

Answers

Hey John I don't know about the actual handling or performance of the Konica lenses, but I can tell you that for the price of the Konica 50mm you should be able to get a good used Leica 50. Check out some of the online auction sites or even better a good used dealer like Tamarkin, Ken Hansen, Eli Kurland, Wall Street Camera, etc.

Good luck, and let us know what you came up with.

-- drew (swordfisher@hotmail.com), February 25, 2002.

Do not discount the Voigt 28/2. By all reports it is a stunning performer.

-- John Collier (jbcollier@powersurfr.com), February 25, 2002.

I found a Minty 50mm Summicron for $325. You could too!

-- mike (thearea19@aol.com), February 25, 2002.

John. There's nothing wrong with the Konica 50/2 or CV 50/1.5, both fine lenses. But my choice would be a nice 50/2 Leitz Canada Summicron (earlier version with focussing tab, Cat. No 11819). This is the version from the 1980s without the build-in hood. This lens is quite compact and balances nicely on the camera. It is the same optical formula as the current 50/2 Summicron and a pleasure to use. After all, you have a Leica camera, why not get a leica lens (and one of their best at that).

-- Eliot (erosen@lij.edu), February 25, 2002.

Don't worry overmuch about the 'incompatability' - it's usually a case of a Hexar body misadjusted at the factory. I use short Leica lenses on a Hexar a lot without problems. Even Erwin now admits (see his M7 review) that the Hexar RF was specifically designed to BE compatable with Leica - just that Leica turned down the concept in favor of something more conservative.

But - I agree that you should be able to find a used Leica/Leitz 50 for as cheap or cheaper than a Konica, and that that's a better deal. The Konica 50 is OK but not astounding, runs a little pink/blue compared to Leica, and (killer headache) takes very-hard-to-find 40.5mm filters instead of the somewhat more common and Leica/Voigtlander-compatable 39mm filters.

Plus at least some of the Leica 50s have tabs, offering you a choice. The Konica is tabless.

If you get the Hexanon, just make sure you have a return period and shoot a test roll at infinity and intermediate distances down to .7 meters to see if there's a problem - but you should do this for ANY lens - a quirk of rangefinders is that ANY lens from ANY manufacturer can be out of sync with a particular body.

-- Andy Piper (apidens@denver.infi.net), February 26, 2002.

I had the choice under my nose a while back: a 'cron 50 and a Hexar 50--both used. The Leitz lens was more expensive (by about $200.00) but I bought it. Reasons: focusing tab, no built in hood and, of course, because it was a Leica lens. (I'm modest enough to admit to vanity.) Seriously, the focusing tab was crucial. Anyway, a report I've read in Chasseur d' Images (Jan. / Feb. 2002) says that the Hexar 50/2 is similar in optical quality to the 1980's Leicas.

The best little deal in town might be the Hexar 28/2.8. C. d' I. gave it five stars in "Note technique" and "Cote d'amour" and said nice very things about it. the Latest Elmarit 28/2.8 only got four stars in both catagories.

-- Alex Shishin (shishin@pp.iij4-u.or.jp), February 26, 2002.

Thank's for the advice again guys - the problem here in the UK is that the used Leitz lenses I'm seeing are twice the price of new Voigtlander/Konica lenses. This may be that Lieca stuff is generaly cheaper in the US or that Voightlander/konica is cheaper in the UK? I will keep looking!

-- John Griffin (John.griffin@millerhare.com), February 26, 2002.

Hi John,

some months ago I also was looking for a nice affordable lens and ended up with a Hexanon which was 'like new' from a set where the buyer only wanted the Hexar. The asking price was $220, so this was a no-brainer to me. Recently, prices seem to go up, but you should be able to get a mint one for $300 or less. All summicrons I could find which were in that price range had some defects: Either cleaning marks, completely dusty or having even fungus inside. Maybe that was just my bad luck, but all acceptable quality summicrons would have cost me at least $150 more.

Ok, I have to admit that Konica is not Leica, but this lens feels beautiful, and has real optical qualities. Sharp, flare resistant, well built and comes with a nice leather puch. I compared it to the summicrons available and found no big difference but the name. Be aware that the Summicrons are a bit smaller, but a M2 with the 50/2 Hexanon is a very balanced and nice set. It is able to handle flare quite good, and results are very pleasing.

There are some disadvantages which I found out:
It doesn't have Leica printed / engraved on it.
The 'odd' filter size of 40.5, but Zeiss Ikon made some filters for that years ago, and it is the same size as their Sonnars and the russian Jupiter 50mm lenses. So filters are there, you just have to look a bit harder. Some video cameras seem to feature this filter sice as well.
It is a bit larger than the summicron, but not that much.
And finally: It doesn't have Leica printed / engraved on it.

Here is an example of what that lens can do (just made on a poor quality scanner (Epson 1250), but nonetheless):

Unfortunately I don't have any other subjects right now available, but they also look very nice, believe me.
After using it for about 6 months I'd like to say that I would buy it again, no question. Of course, a Leica lens is a Leica lens, but if you are looking just for glass to make pictures with and don't care about resale value and collector items, this is a best buy in my eyes.

Hope this helps - Kai

-- Kai Blanke (kai.blanke@iname.com), February 26, 2002.

...re Kai's shot. Like I said - a little pink/blue compared with Leica.

But an 81a will clear up some of that easily - IF you can find an 81a in 40.5 mm (!!)

-- Andy Piper (apidens@denver.infi.net), February 27, 2002.

Andy,

the color is the same as on my summaron pictures - it was just a bit too high to take pictures w/o them. Getting a 40.5 81a filter is no problem, but with the sun just out of the frame it could result in more flare which I wanted to avoid.

BTW, I wanted to ask Heliopan for step-down rings from 40.5 to 39 (they are situated about 40 km away from here), so if they are reasonably priced, will anybody join me in ordering ?

-- Kai Blanke (kai.blanke@iname.com), February 27, 2002.

Dont forget Voigtlander have just brought out a new compact 50mm the 50 f2.5 (Not the limited edition f3.5) the same size as their 35 f2.5 Classic and takes 39mm filters. May be worth a look if you want a compact 50mm

-- Joel Matherson (joel_2000@hotmail.com), February 27, 2002.

Kai,

I also had the Hexanon 50 that came with the kit. I only sold it for a Leica because I started with the 35mm Leican and wanted to keep the same filter size.

I sold mine for $225 via ebay with very few bidders. The price you paid was a good price.

I found no difference in picture quality between the 50 Hexanon M f2.0 and my Leica 50 Summicron f2.0 on either my M6 or Hexar RF. Mr. Puts notices some differences wide open at the edges. Frankly I never looked or noticed.

The Hexanon 50 is an excellent lens. I can also verify that the Hexanon M lens does indeed NOT have Leica written on it.

-- David Smith (dssmith3@rmci.net), February 27, 2002.