If you were to have only one Leica lens

[DNG]

I have a CV 28/1.9 ASPH and a ZM 50/1.5 C-Sonnar, And I am very happy with both. I'd go wider, So:
The 21/2.8 would be the one.

 

[Steve M.]

A 35 is just too wide for me in most instances. I love the way a 90 gives you a nice crop and compresses space, and it's probably the best lens for portraits and bokeh, but it's an inconvenient focal length for having as your only lens. So I go w/ the 50 as the best all around focal length, and the one I would choose is a Summar.

Now, some people are probably thinking "a Summar"???. I know, they have a bad rep....because most people encounter them w/ haze, debris inside, more haze, etc. But a clean Summar is a gift from the Leica gods. I've used all of the usual suspects in Leica 50's, and dearly love the way the DR's image, but a good Summar is just plain wonderful. It gives me images that aren't as I see them w/ my own eyes, rather it renders them is this wacky way all it's own. The first shot was made even more odd by the curtain issues in my camera, but it's at the camera doctor now and won't be doing that again. I hope.

 

[helen.HH]

Well Steve I will Have to AGREE about a 50
50's are Supreme... the PURRfect Distance between me & the Desired....PURRfect Ratio / Size of that Captured

as for Leica I BOUNCE
between 1937 uncoated Summar, & a ver 2 Lux

If I were to only have ONE.... I'm still Deciding

 

[ferider]

Try a DR Summicron, Helen, it will stop the bounce

 

[Rayt]

For every Leica lens, there is a non-Leica alternative.
But Noctilux....

voted for Noctilux

Absolutely!

 

[raid]

I also "bounce" like Helen does when it comes to picking "the pick" here.

One 50mm lens mandated and enforced: 50mm Rigid Summicron
One 35mm lens: 35mm/1.4 preasph second version
One tele lens: 75mm/1.4 Lux

Of the above, if a really bad dude orders me to pick just one lens, it would be the Summicron in the end.

 

[kshapero]

Pretty happy with my CV 35/1.4 SC

 

[johannielscom]

I actually have two Leica lenses, as of today.

One is an 1939 uncoated Elmar 90/4.0 and today I received a Leitz Wollensak Velostigmat 50/3.5. Which technically is not a Leica lens. Late 1940's build, coated.

No need for another Leica lens.

 

[deirdre]

I think the 28mm Elmarit is likely to be my first.

 

[Roberto V.]

I'd take a Noctilux 50mm f/0.95. I shoot a lot in very low light, and I'm used to SLR lenses, so I wouldn't mind the size. Of course I don't have the money for the noct, so realistically I'll probably get a nokton 1.1 for night shots and a smaller 50 for general use (maybe zm planar)

 

[cliffpov]

28 Summicron. The Legend.

 

[tbarker13]

I do only have one Leica lens at the moment - a 35 pre-asph lux.
But also having a 35 UC Hexanon, I sort of find myself thinking I don't need two 35s.
Maybe I need to go the 50 summicron route. Seems a pretty classic choice.

 

[kevin m]

Hello, I bought an M6 recently with a CV 35 1.2
now I'd like to try out a leica lens but they are so expensive that I can only afford one

If you were to have only one Leica lens which one would you choose/keep?

You already have arguably the best 35mm lens ever made. Ask yourself what it is you think a Leica lens is going to do for you before you set your heart longing for something that's not only expensive, but perhaps not even necessary.

 

[Sonnar Brian]

I'll cast my vote when they make this a multiple choice poll.

 

[Kolame]

Funny, more people taking a 35mm as a first one rather than the 50mm.

 

[exiled4979]

Hello, I bought an M6 recently with a CV 35 1.2
now I'd like to try out a leica lens but they are so expensive that I can only afford one

If you were to have only one Leica lens which one would you choose/keep?

I can recommend Voigtlander Nokton 50mm 1.5 Aspherical with my whole heart! It's not just like my Summilux, but it's really not far off... I tried one with m39 mount, and everything is just right... I can't really tell the difference in print between nokton and summilux, but when pixel-peeped, sure, there's some advantage to summilux... so, if anyone is looking for really cheap, fast, top-shelf 50 - try to get your hands on nokton...

 

[Erik van Straten]

Leica M2, Summicron 35mm f/2 eight elements, Tmax400, silvergelatineprint.

Erik.

 

[Erik van Straten]

Both in terms of optical quality and ergonomics, the Summicron 35mm f/2 (the first model of it) is one of the best lenses for B+W photography.

Erik.

 

[FPjohn]

Any 50mm f2 Summicron. DR preferred.

yours
FPJ

 

[porktaco]

Summilux 75mm/f1.4


...Mike

yum. mandler's favorite.