If you were to have only one Leica lens

If you were to have only one Leica lens

  • 50mm 1.4

    Votes: 246 21.1%

  • 50mm 2.0

    Votes: 158 13.6%

  • 35mm 1.4

    Votes: 350 30.0%

  • 35mm 2.0

    Votes: 240 20.6%

  • 90mm 2.0

    Votes: 5 0.4%

  • 90mm 2.8

    Votes: 3 0.3%

  • 21mm 2.8

    Votes: 3 0.3%

  • 21mm 1.4

    Votes: 18 1.5%

  • 50mm noctilux (any one)

    Votes: 78 6.7%

  • Other (precise below)

    Votes: 64 5.5%
  • Total voters
    1,165
After 30 years or so with the 35/1.4 pre-Aspheric as the lens with which I take the majority of my pics, it's not a hard choice.

Mind you, for the M8/M8.2 it would be the 24 Summilux.

Cheers,

R.
 
Are you asking for recommendations for your only lens or which lens to add to the excellent 35mm lens you already have? Assuming that you want a companion to your 35mm lens, I'd echo the recommendation for the 75/1.4 because it will give you a very different view of the world than the lens you chose.

I have used most of the lenses on your list, but not the Leica 35/1.4. So that's what I'd choose if I had to choose something off your poll. OTOH, I wouldn't replace your 35/1.2 with a 35/1.4 unless I could identify in advance the way in which I thought I would use it more.

Ben Marks

Edit: Don't you find that the way people answer these types of threads more elucidates their approaches to problem solving than settling anything definitive about the choice you yourself must make?
 
24mm 1.4 ASPH. The only Leica lens I would like to own.

I shoot M-Hexanons and have no need for any Leica lens. I also (predominantly) shoot the screw mount L-Hexanon 35mm f2.0 and no Leica lens can beat that one.

But the 24mm f1.4 ASPH I would like to shoot!
 
What can one answer, except one's own preferences, preferably based on experience, secure in the knowledge that these preferences are likely to be of little or no use to the person asking the question?

They ask; you try to answer the question. How much good it does is another question, except that if there is a preponderance for a given focal length, or for faster lenses over slower (or vice versa) it may help the OP clarify his/her thoughts or consider a path hitherto unconsidered.

Cheers,

R.
 
Last edited:
For every Leica lens, there is a non-Leica alternative.
But Noctilux....

voted for Noctilux
 
the
50mm 2.0
50mm 1.4
75mm 1.4
are finalists for me
I am looking to replace the 35mm so no 35mm or 21, I could consider the 12 or 15 mm CV after I get the leica lens
I have a question though, what is the "double aperture blade" that some leica (if not all) have
like this one here:
a 75mm 1.4

2009930155947476.jpg


and second question, which leica lens does leica make a rectangular hood for ?
 
Benjamin Marks said:
Edit: Don't you find that the way people answer these types of threads more elucidates their approaches to problem solving than settling anything definitive about the choice you yourself must make?
Click to expand...

I agree, but I also think it's about 75% of the fun - reading or responding - to these kinds of threads. :angel:

William
 
Absolutely 100% without a doubt: my pre-asph 35mm Summicron that lives on a Wetzlar M6 and occasionally sits on my chrome MP. Pickett: I use the rectangular hood with it.

When I sell all the other great lenses, this is the lens that will remain with me.
 
21/1.4 for me, this lens is truly unique and about the only lens in the Leica portfolio I'd like to have (and will at some point).
 
Benjamin Marks said:
Don't you find that the way people answer these types of threads more elucidates their approaches to problem solving than settling anything definitive about the choice you yourself must make?
Click to expand...

Ha. As much due to inertia as to conscious choice, the default lens on my camera appears to be the 35/2 Summicron v.4. I'll switch to something else or carry another lens depending on what I'm setting out to photograph. Otherwise, the Summicron seems to be my body cap of choice.
 
A fast 35 mm. I'm a 50mm shooter, but if I could only have one lens then it would be a fast 35. My reason is simple, in low light I will have more keeper shooting at 1/15 or 1/8, with a 35mm than I would with a 50mm or longer lens.

Bob
 
ferider said:
35/1.4 Nokton SC. Try it. Not expensive, either.

Ohh, you said Leica lens ? That would be the 75/1.4. But, it's not on your list.
Click to expand...

Since I favor the Zeiss 5cm 1.5 Sonnar as my 50mm lens, the Leica 75mm 1.4 would be the choice. Too bad that you missed listing this phenominal super-lens by Leica.
 
I'm the only one to vote for 90mm f/2.0. The APO Asph 90mm is the only Leica glass that I have, otherwise Zeiss, CV and Hexanon. I probably use the 90mm a good bit more than most of you.
 
For me the Noctilux, there is nothing comparable and I like shooting at night. The 35/1.4 pre-ASPH is very close, though.
 
As far as Leica lenses go, I have 28/2, 35/1.4, 50/1.4, 75/1.4... If I could only have one of those, it would be the 35 lux ASPH. Then the 75. Then the other two.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom