Ruhayat
Well-known
Just a thought experiment: if you can only ever have one M body and one M lens, what would it be?
Mine would be the M7 with 35mm Summilux, I think. Reasons being: it is compact, would handle low light, is more versatile than a 50mm Summilux yet can reasonably approach the 50mm look if needed, and I like the Summilux rendering best of all the Leica types.
Sorely tempted by the 28mm Summicron, but I'd think for a single lens pack, the 35mm would be more versatile.
Mine would be the M7 with 35mm Summilux, I think. Reasons being: it is compact, would handle low light, is more versatile than a 50mm Summilux yet can reasonably approach the 50mm look if needed, and I like the Summilux rendering best of all the Leica types.
Sorely tempted by the 28mm Summicron, but I'd think for a single lens pack, the 35mm would be more versatile.
maddoc
... likes film again.
35mm Summilux-M pre-ASPH with the Leica M4-P. 
Ruhayat
Well-known
I love how the M4-P feels in my hands - it balances better than my M6TTL and M7 - but I'm not sure I can ever get used to shooting without a meter. Tried it once, not very successful.
kshapero
South Florida Man
Not my choice but I went not quibble with your choice.
Ruhayat
Well-known
What would be your choice, then?
coelacanth
Ride, dive, shoot.
Assuming no modification is permitted, I want 50mm (and 35mm) frame lines uncluttered.
Since I can have only ONE body, I want it to be simple and reliable. Although I love my M2 and modified MP, only-one body satisfying above criteria would be... M4 with late s/n which has synthetic cement for the prism.
As for the lens, though I am now feeling more comfortable with 35mm, my favorite is still 50. I love my Elmar-M, but as only-one lens, I'd choose V4 Summicron.
There, M4 + V4 Summicron.
That said, I'm very very happy with M2+MP combo with 35mm Cron and 50 Elmar-M.
Since I can have only ONE body, I want it to be simple and reliable. Although I love my M2 and modified MP, only-one body satisfying above criteria would be... M4 with late s/n which has synthetic cement for the prism.
As for the lens, though I am now feeling more comfortable with 35mm, my favorite is still 50. I love my Elmar-M, but as only-one lens, I'd choose V4 Summicron.
There, M4 + V4 Summicron.
That said, I'm very very happy with M2+MP combo with 35mm Cron and 50 Elmar-M.
maddoc
... likes film again.
Well you can always use an external meter or if you are owner of an iphone use the light-meter application.
semilog
curmudgeonly optimist
Today it would be an M6 classic + 28 Summicron ASPH. Tomorrow... who knows?
Shade
Well-known
An m3 with 50 cron or lux.
seakayaker1
Well-known
Today ~ MP with 35 Summilux ASPH, if only one, then need for speed and a wide lens.
. . . . . tomorrow ~ MP with 50 Summilux ASPH, if only one, the need for speed and I love the 50mm focal length.
Then the day after tomorrow ~ Ah, how to make a decision on one camera and lens is tough. A great exercise and food for thought.
. . . . . tomorrow ~ MP with 50 Summilux ASPH, if only one, the need for speed and I love the 50mm focal length.
Then the day after tomorrow ~ Ah, how to make a decision on one camera and lens is tough. A great exercise and food for thought.
rxmd
May contain traces of nut
M7 with a Summilux 21.
coelacanth
Ride, dive, shoot.
You are bold and brave, sir. :angel:
clayne
shoot film or die
M4 + 35/2 pre-ASPH.
back alley
IMAGES
if i were to look at this question with the idea of being as 'realistic' as i could muster...as in what could i afford and get my hands on...
and m2 with 40 summicron.
fantasy?
m9 with 40 summicron.
and m2 with 40 summicron.
fantasy?
m9 with 40 summicron.
f16sunshine
Moderator
I have it in my bag.
M5 and Summicron f2/40mm (mine is the CLE version of the lens).
i tried the Summilux 35mm FLE. Thought it would be the one but after years of the tiny cron 40mm... It's too big and focus is too heavy/stiff.
M5 and Summicron f2/40mm (mine is the CLE version of the lens).
i tried the Summilux 35mm FLE. Thought it would be the one but after years of the tiny cron 40mm... It's too big and focus is too heavy/stiff.
errorlogin
Love vintage Hifi, too!
rxmd
May contain traces of nut
Thanks. I'm serious though. I shoot 21mm a lot and a 21 that I can hand-hold at 1/10 or 1/30 at f/1.4 for night shots would be great, apart from being an outstanding lens in itself.
Make the M7 a 0.85x version. I wouldn't mind an M9 either, though, I'm not too religious about the film-vs-digital thing.
The Summilux 21 is pretty much a dream lens in the Leica lineup, except that I'll probably never own it, in spite of it dropping from "half a year's pay" into "a few weeks' pay" territory since I've left university.
zuiko85
Veteran
You mean have as in someone gives it to you or you have to spend your own money?
If the latter then I already spent my money and have an M4-2 and CV 35 f2.5 (plus a CV 21 and 90 Elmar) so I guess it would be an M4-2 and my 35mm lens if I had only one lens.
If the latter then I already spent my money and have an M4-2 and CV 35 f2.5 (plus a CV 21 and 90 Elmar) so I guess it would be an M4-2 and my 35mm lens if I had only one lens.
