Leica sharper(sharpest) lenses for the M

aaronz28

Regular
i've been thoroughly enjoying my 240 - but i've been shooting with vintage glass - which i also have been thoroughly enjoying...

but i'd like to look into something that will get crisp images like that from my Nikon glass.

i'd really like to not spend 3-4000$ if possible - so i'm curious what options i might have?
Thanks
 
The sharpest M mount lens that I've used has to be the 75mm summircon. IMO, this lens is too sharp and very unflattering when used as a portrait lens. When I owned the 75 cron, I preferred to use it for landscape as a short telephoto but ended up trading it for the previous version of the 90mm ME for additional reach. I regret selling that lens, it's images really stand out in terms of sharpness.
 
Any 50 Summicron from about 1983 or later will be very sharp. As will the 35 Summicron ASPH, though that's in $3,000 territory. I don't have personal experience with the current Zeiss lenses, but I've heard very good things about the 50/2, 35/2 and 2.8. The Voigtlander 28/3.5, which I own personally, is astoundingly good. And don't discount the current Leica Summarits.

If you want both lens speed and "so sharp your eyeballs will hurt," then be prepared to pay, because you probably will want a current Leica ASPH. If an f/2 or 2.8 ish lens is enough speed, then one of the late Mandler-design lenses with the later coatings may keep you perfectly happy. Or the equivalent in Zeiss or Voigtlander. Check with people who own a specific lens that you're interested in.
 
Which Nikon lenses are you shooting with that you want comparable performance? There is a wide range in performance. The Voigtlander 50/1.5 Aspheric Nokton compares with most of the Nikon normals. The modern 50/1.5 Nokton LTM version is a bargain, and uses 52mm filters.
 
50mm Summicron (1979 to present, all the same optics) is extremely sharp. Until the $8000 APO Summicron came out it was often described as the sharpest lens one could own. At less than $2500 it is a bargain. You could pair it with a 35mm f/2.5 Summarit (exactly what I did) and still be well under $5000, or just over $5000 if you want the new f/2.4.
 
You have an M240- are you using any of the Nikon lenses on it with an F->M adapter and the EVF?

There are some lenses that come "insanely close" to the Summicron at a fraction of the cost. The Konica Hexanon 50/1.7 is one of them. I need to redo the RF coupling on mine, the original one that i made had some paint flake off. Of course, with the M240- you do not need to make an RF coupling.

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Hexanon 50/1.7, RF Coupled by fiftyonepointsix, on Flickr

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Hexanon 50/1.7, RF Coupled by fiftyonepointsix, on Flickr
 
Brian - yes I have a rather inexpensive coupler - but i really like using the rangefinder
i have both an old Nikon 85mm and 105mm which are super sharp =
 
The original Nikkor 85/2 and 105/2.5 are both Sonnar formula lenses, available in LTM. The SLR version of the 85 is a Planar formula, I have the 85/2 and 85/1.8 in F-Mount.

The Zeiss C-Sonnar 50/1.5 will give the classic Sonnar look, and by F2.8 is very sharp- I use it on thr M Monochrom often. That would be my suggestion for a modern lens that is sharp, and gives the look of the Nikkors mentioned.

If you have the later Nikkor PLanar formula lenses: the Nokton 50/1.5 Aspheric is the best value/performance lens.

The modern Summicron and Asph Summilux will be sharper, but much more expensive.
 
Think 21 SEM or CV 15mk3, 28 Elmarit, and some summarits, which are pretty darn sharp. The ZM lenses are pretty good too :)
 
what do you guys think of the 50 Summicron? I can get a pretty good deal on S/N 2610140 its made in Germany - but if i date it correctly - its 1979? thanks
 
According to Erwin Puts' "Leica Lens Compendium," that serial number is from 1973. That would make it Version 3. It's still a fine lens, but the version four (1979 and onwards) is a bit better.
 
Also, the Germany versus Canada thing is just something collectors like to argue about. I have a version 4 summicron with the focusing tab, made in Canada, and it's one of those lenses I would probably never give up.
 
ok, so i tried the 1973 50mm Summicron this weekend - and its about the same as the 1936 Zeiss Jena Sonnar 5cm I got from Brian - the 5cm 1.4
I actually like the Zeiss better as it seems to have less flare, and the colors are just great. ITs just a tad soft.

I'd rather have razor sharpness and be able to soften in LR or PS than the other way around :D

I guess I'll try to find a 79and newer 50 or 75 -
 
The Zeiss ZM 50/2 Planar is very sharp. Zeiss ZM 35/2 is very sharp as well, and I hear the Zeiss ZM 35/2.8 is even sharper. Those are the sharpest sub-$1000 lenses I have tried for the M.
 
i'll look at those Zeiss lenses again - I'd love to get a 50/2 and a 35/2 - and then eventually something like a 90 for closeups....thanks for all the great advice
 
I bought the CV Nokton 50/1.5 LTM for its sharpness and modern coatings.
I prefer the Rigid Summicron 50/2 for its overall qualities. It is a high resolution lens.
I like the 74/1.4 Summilux as a fast portrait lens.
There are several very sharp LTM or M lenses that people can get.
 
The Zeiss ZM 50/2 Planar is very sharp. Zeiss ZM 35/2 is very sharp as well, and I hear the Zeiss ZM 35/2.8 is even sharper. Those are the sharpest sub-$1000 lenses I have tried for the M.

yes, what he said! and ditto for the 21&28 biogons. i love leica lenses, but imo a lens from the '80s will not be sharper than the modern zeiss zm's. (please note i did not say better, i said sharper) you can get 3 for less than your $3000 and you will be very pleased if sharpness is your primary criterion. as an ancillary benefit you will also get the zeiss 'pop'. i agree that the 75 lux is an 'insane' performer, but then so is the price.

were it me, for $3000 and sharp, i'd go biogon 21, zm 35/2 and summarit 75/2.5, a very very underrated lens.
 
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For my $3000 I'd go 35/2.5 Summarit and 50/2.5 Summarit, both gently used. Sharp, beautiful rendering, flare resistant and modern, coded Leica lenses. Used you could even move up to a current generation 50 Cron with the 35/2.5 Summarit and still be right there under budget.
 
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