The ultimate Leica one lens kit

[Ruhayat]

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.

 

[maddoc]

35mm Summilux-M pre-ASPH with the Leica M4-P. 🙂

 

[Ruhayat]

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]

Not my choice but I went not quibble with your choice.

 

[Ruhayat]

Not my choice but I went not quibble with your choice.

What would be your choice, then?

 

[coelacanth]

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.

 

[maddoc]

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.

Well you can always use an external meter or if you are owner of an iphone use the light-meter application. 🙂

 

[semilog]

Today it would be an M6 classic + 28 Summicron ASPH. Tomorrow... who knows?

 

[Shade]

An m3 with 50 cron or lux.

 

[seakayaker1]

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.

 

[rxmd]

M7 with a Summilux 21.

 

[coelacanth]

M7 with a Summilux 21.

You are bold and brave, sir. :angel:

 

[clayne]

M4 + 35/2 pre-ASPH.

 

[back alley]

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.

 

[f16sunshine]

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.

 

[errorlogin]

🙂

 

[rxmd]

M7 with a Summilux 21.

You are bold and brave, sir. :angel:

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]

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.

 

[Frontman]

Not a Leica lens, but I actually prefer this Canon lens to my Summilux or DR Summicron,

 

[Vincent.G]

35 cron asph + MP.