New to leica-the must have lens.

<p>Dear Friends;<br>

I am in photography nearly for 25 years, Still amateur becasuse I just do it for my joy -not for professional reasons. Previously I used Nikon FM2, F100, F6, D300 with high quality Nikon lenses. After moving to digital, I am not satisfied with the results. I always have to sit in front of the computer for handling of the pictures I've taken. I never get the results I have waited for. Also with digital, I lost the feeling that really makes me happy when I was shooting with film. I discovered that I also loose my patience and dicipline during digital shooting. I was much more happy with my F6 and Velvia. But it is too late, I have sold my F6 and I am planning to move leica M system. Exactly I "moved" to Leica M system. Last week I grabbed my first -nearly mint- M6 body from e-bay-like new, in box for 1425 USD. For a while, I will keep D300 body and Nikkor lenses. During this period I would like to get best results from Leica M and consider totally replacing my Nikon kit with Leica M one. For a start, I will purchase my first Leica lens. As far as I follow up forums, 50 mm summicron and 35 summicron lenses are favourite ones for most of the people. Considering I still keep my 80-200 f/2,8D ED and 24-70 f/2,8 I will use my Leica for wide angle and 50 mm photography. So what is your advice for my first Leica lens. Do I have to insist on aspherical ones? Are the current ones best to go or would you prefer previous alternatives as better choices... like legendary "Best of Bokeh" etc.<br>

Thanks for your attention, cheers<br>

Hakan</p>

<p>Hakan it sounds like Your kit is very sensible, 25 yrs. was in Your case time well spent. so the question is 35 or 50 to start. If money is second to image quality then get the new asph glass. The 35 summilux is outstanding wide open as is the 50 summilux asp so if you need the speed don't fuss to much over the summicrons. I never bought a fast lens from leica and wished for something slower even if it was reputed to be sharper. as for the old glass this is were the joy of owning a leica really is. Try it all, read it all and test to see what You like. Your digital glass is top shelf, high speed glass but wait till You see what this little camera can do. Enjoy the journey!</p>

<p>35/1.4 asph was my first M lens. Over the years I have acquired several others, but the 1.4 asph is by far the most used, and with superb results.<br>

Second most used is the 28-35-50 f4 tri-elmar. Very convenient as a one-lens carry around, although it is larger and heavier. Outstanding optics at all focal lengths, although a bit slow at f4.<br>

Third choice is 21/2.8 asph. Also superb, but a somewhat specialized focal length that sees much less use.<br>

I've only used 90mm two or three times, but then I don't shoot people portraits.</p>

<p>I recommend the Summicron DR 50/2.<br>

...be careful, though...<br>

the lens is m-mount but the 'goggles' will not fit all of the m-series.<br>

[Perhaps, half of the fun of the Summicron DR 50/2 is the ability to take "close-ups."]<br>

Next, I would prefer the (older) Summilux 50/1.4... that lens has a creamy OOF that remind me of "butter on toast."<br>

Josiah</p>

<p>I use 35mm most of all, I've got the CV f/1.7, but if I was buying again I'd probably buy a 35mm cron. The extra fraction of a stop is not that useful.</p>

<p>My 2nd most used lens is the 50 cron.</p>

<p>My favorite Leica lens is the 50mm f2. I have tried many other lenses, even the Noctilux, but prefer this one. It is fast enough, is sharp wide open, does not block the viewfinder, is light weight and focuses close. As a second pick the 28mm aspherical or the previous generation 28.</p>

<p>Several years back I traded my entire Nikon F system, including an F2, an FM2, and no less than five lenses for a like-new M6 classic and a 50mm Summicron.<br /><br />I would start there (again). The 50mm FL is a good starter for an M system. Later you can build wider and longer as you desire. Also, don't hesitate to try the Zeiss ZM lenses. They're very near Leica quality for a lot less money.<br>

<br />A (unmodified) DR Summicron will not focus properly on an M6 in the close focus mode.</p>

<p>From what I've shot with, the 35mm f/1.4 Summilux is the highest on my list as well. I had one, but had to sell it for college some years ago. I still want to get one again.</p>

<p>The new asph lenses are certainly the best. However, the previous lenses are outstanding. Besides the Leica lenses Carl Zeiss makes outstanding lenses in M mount. There are a number of threads on all the diffferent lenses and comparisons.</p>

<p>I can also advice you the Summicron 2,0/50mm and for a second lens the Elmarit 2,8/28mm. If you want a nice set completed look at the Summarit 2,5/75mm as a third lens. If you like wide and have the money: 3,8/18mm + VF.<br>

I have the same set: However not the 18mm but the C.V. 4,5/15mm super wide Heliar. The last one is also available in M-mount now.<br>

If you like the M-system you will never get rid of it anymore.......</p>

<p> </p>

<p>Here's a thought: many people who have moved to rangefinder cameras from SLRs (let alone DSLRs) find that they take rather different pictures with the r/f and therefore may not use the same focal lengths as they did with the SLRs. So why not buy a few second-hand lenses, one of each of the focal lengths recommended here: e.g. a s/h 50mm Summicron, a Cosina/Voigltander 35mm (there are quite a few of these, including several fast ones), and something wider: again, CV lenses are low-cost. Then use them. After a while you'll know which lenses you are going to use most often with the M6, and then you can buy the best example of that focal length you can find/afford. At that point you can sell your s/hand 'starter' lens(es), and probably get back what you paid for them.</p>

<p>I have shot with most Leica M lenses, and if I had to pick one, it would be the 35/1.4 ASPH. It is fantastic at all apertures, has great bokeh, lots of speed for low light, and it is a focal length that I find the most versatile on an M camera. Most of my best shots have been taken with this lens. <br>

If I had to have two lenses, the second would be the 75/1.4 -- it makes a great two lens kit with the 35mm, and it has the nicest bokeh and character of any M lens (in my opinion). It is dreamy wide open, but becomes extremely sharp at f/2.8 and smaller. It is large and heavy for an M lens, but the results have always been worth it to me. Though the 75/2 is sharper at f/2 and f/2.8, as well as smaller and lighter, I always find myself reaching for the 75/1.4</p>

<p>If you did get the results you wanted on film, then by all means go back. I would have bought another F6 myself, but a nice Leica does always appeal. The <a href="http://www.cameraquest.com/index.htm">Cameraquest</a> site has opinionated discussions of various Leica topics and models, including incidental discussion of lenses)<br>

Many of us feel liberated by the digital experience rather than disappointed, but everyone is different.</p>

<p>Welcome to the club! I can highly recommend the current 35mm Summicron if you don't need the extra speed of the Summilux (I actually traded my summilux for the summicron). Lots of choices at 50mm; the collapsible Elmar surprised me when I first got one with its crisp signature, but I eventually moved to a current Summicron and kept an old 1950's collapsible Summicron for certain shots. I liked the first version of the Summilux (my God it looked impressive on my M4), but couldn't justify a bunch of 50 mm lenses when 35mm was my favorite. IMHO you can forget the Noctilux...overpriced and razor thin DOF wide open...really a specialized used lens. Stopped down it looks like a Summicron. Whatever you choose...have fun, you waited 25 years for this moment!!!</p>

<p>Hakan<br /> <br /> <br /> I went to your gallery and I think I can guess which shots were taken on film; and I think I agree with you that your film shots are much better.<br /> <br /> <br /> For a first lens, as opposed to a must-have lens, I always recommend the 50/2.8 Elmar. I know very few people recommend this lens, and even Leica does linguistic acrobatics with this lens when describing it in their brochure, because they don't make much money from it. But the fact is, this is the lens around which the original Leica was designed; and using it, you will learn how the Leica was intended to be used.<br /> <br /> All other lenses, including the 50/2, is an extension of the original. Without understanding the fundamentals, and starting only with the extensions, you will never use the Leica to its fullest potential.<br /> <br /> The 50/2.8 has almost no distortion, is very light, and is a great performer. Leica knows this, but the maximum aperture makes it un-sexy. The fact of the matter is that F2.8 is the maximum aperture on which a symmetrical lens can be designed, and only symmetric lenses can have no distortion. There is no undue burden on the individual elements comprising the lens, in view of the maximum aperture and the focal length. So it is sharp and contrasty at all apertures.<br /> <br /> Use the 50/2.8 as the only lens for at least 6 months. Then you can add another lens. The moment you add another lens, you will know what I'm talking about. After that, if you like, you can sell the 50/2.8.</p>

<p>Hi Hakan, a fellow PNer asked this question in another forum about Zeiss lenses (F mount). That was some time ago, but it's a cool question and fun to talk about.</p>

<p>The dream combo seems to be 35 and 75 in 1.4. If you only get 2 lenses, you could do much worse. It's a nice combo for digital also, I think the 75 lux price is being held high from M8 guys buying it, the 35 Lux is not super commom used and prices also are high.</p>

<p>Other then the 35/1.4 I'd love to have one of the Zeiss super wides. Do you have a focal lenght you prefer?</p>

<p>If I were to do it all over again (that is: sell the Nikon film kit and buy the Leica M kit), I'd get an M4-P (my old favorite body) or M7 and outfit it with an Elmarit-M 24/2.8, a Summicron-C 40/2 and an APO Summicron-M 75mm f/2 ASPH. I know: the Summicron-C 40/2 is an odd choice. It's not the best lens in the line. But I like its compact size, light weight, and always liked the images my old one made. It would be my most used lens.</p>

<p>That's it, that's all I'd want. I'd put the rest of my money into film and travel. </p>

<p>Someday I'll do the same thing with the M8, though, because I just don't have the patience for dealing with film anymore. But with the M8, I'd go with the 21/2.8 and 35/1.4, along with the 75/2 again, to accommodate the difference in format. </p>

<p>Godfrey</p>

<p>I'd start withe the 50/2.0 Summicron or the 35mm/2.0 Summicron ASPH. Both are killer lenses and relatively easy on the pocketbook. I used Summicrons for about 15 years before I started trading out for Summiluxes. Today I shoot w/ the 35mm/1.4 Summilux ASPH -- simply a fabulous lens; excellent bokeh, otherwise sharp. Later you can add the 90mm Summicron ASPH for portraits or med-tele work. Welcome aboard!</p>

<p>My first lens was 50 late version non asph and then the 35 same. I now use the 35 most of the time, though it's nice having the 50. These two lenses I think are the best bang for buck in the Leica realm as they are actually quality lenses that are numerous and affordable. If cash is not a problem for you, then I would go with the first poster, and get the 35 Sumilux 1.4 Asph. great low light and quality image through out the range, though some may think it's too sharp in certain instances. I get good results with the Summicron's though and like their "signiture" if there is such a thing.</p>

<p>Hakan Bey,<br>

Merhaba. Oncelikle yeni M6'iniz hayirli olsun. Size Leica lenslerle ilgili olarak nacizane goruslerimi paylasmak istiyorum. Oncelikle her Leica lens serisinin ayri bir tadi vardir. Elmar, summicron, summarit, summilux hepsi ayri yapida, farkli optik ozelliklere sahiptir. Eger imkaniniz olursa, degisik modelleri denemenizi oneririm. Ama ugrasamam, bir defa alayim ve elimde bulunsun diye dusunuyorsaniz, oncelikle 50mm icin Summilux almanizi oneririm. Tabii fiyati sorun olmazsa. Eger cok pahalli gelirse, tabii ki 50mm summicron alin. Mumkunsa aspherical olanini almaya calisin. Olmaz ise rigid ve Dual Range olanini alin. Bende 50mm DR var. Google takarak, macro gibide calisabiliyor. Ama galiba m6'lara takilamiyor. 35mm f2 gene summicron isinizi rahat gorur ve tatmin eder ama elinizdeki makinaya 28mm lensde kullanabilirsiniz. 28mm Elmarit veya summicron imkaniniz varsa dusunun. Bence 35mm summicron'da oldukca iyi ama 28mm Elmarit cok daha iyi. Tabii bunlarin hepsi butce meselesi. Benim yakin bir tanidigimda bu lenslerin cogu oldugu icin deneme sansim oldu. Farklari gordum. Bende iki tane 50mm lens var. Summarit ve Summicron. Ikisininde tadi baska. Hele S/B calisacaksaniz, farklari kendiniz daha iyi anlarsınız. Ama hic bu iyi veya kotu demeyeceksiniz. Bu benim daha cok hosuma gitti dersiniz sadece. Yeni makinanizi iyi gunlerde kullanin.<br>

Tolga ANIL</p>

I started out with an M6 + Zeiss ZM 35/2 and added a Zeiss ZM 50/2 a few months later. Both have outstanding image quality; my equivalent Nikon lenses (50/1.8 AFD and 35/2 AFD; now sold) are dogs by comparison especially in terms of corner sharpness, distortion, and build quality.

if you have a 0.72 viewer, buy a tri-elmar 28-50-35mm as first lens. (first version has no dept-of-field indicator but you usually get it cheaper; usually, in most cases, the first version doesn't need a shade; it is a bit longer than 2nd version and front lens is quite retracted.)

<p>Just a question. Why did you move from Nikon to the Leica M system? Given that you already have top Nikon glass, do you really think a Leica is going to give you better results? </p>

<p>If your priority is quality, chose the aspheric version lenses and the less lighter, like the Summicron 35 1:2 Asph instead of the Summilux 35 1:1.4 Asph. If you need to work in low light, then your choice should be the Summilux lenses. The Summicron 35 1:2 Asph is known as the best Leica M lens! The 28-50-35mm (2nd) version is a very good start and you will be surprised with results.<br>

See these two sites:<br>

<a href="http://www.imx.nl/photo/index.html">http://www.imx.nl/photo/index.html</a><br>

<a href="http://www.summilux.net/">http://www.summilux.net/</a></p>

<p>Ask 10 people get, 15 different answers. The correct answers, of course, is "it depends".</p>

<p>It depends on what you forsee yourself shooting more. If it's people, get a 50. City scenes with people sometimes, get a 35. If you forsee shooting at night a lot, get the Summilux. If you prefer a lighter weight system, get a Summicron.</p>

<p><br />Following this handy guide:</p>

<table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="272">

<colgroup span="1"><col span="1" width="113"></col><col span="1" width="83"></col><col span="1" width="76"></col></colgroup>

<tbody>

<tr height="17">

<td width="113" height="17">I prefer shooting…</td>

<td width="83">Night</td>

<td width="76">Daylight</td>

</tr>

<tr height="37">

<td height="37">People</td>

<td width="83">35/1.4 'Lux</td>

<td width="76">35/2 'Cron</td>

</tr>

<tr height="34">

<td height="34">Landscape</td>

<td width="83">50/1.4 'Lux</td>

<td width="76">50/2 'Cron</td>

</tr>

</tbody>

</table>