If you were to have only one Leica lens

[Ted2001]

For this poll I chose the 35/1.4, but most of the time I'd prefer the 28/2. I'd be happy with either.

 

[anorphirith]

I should have put the "Tri" lenses instead of the 90's

 

[l.mar]

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

. . . it would be the early 1930's "0" serial number lens that I got from my Grandfather.

 

[Turtle]

Well, my take is from a different angle. If you want to get a feel for 'classical Leica style photography' buy a nice small CV 35 2.5 pancake II or a 50 elmar 2.8 M, 35 summarit/summaron etc. The reason I say this is that I personally and I mean very personally think that small, light, quick handling and always with you is what Leica is about. Altho the 50 1.4 asph may be a dazzling performer it is quite large for a RF 50mm and heavy and incredibly expensive. In order to find out what you can do with your M6, get a nice small 35 or 50mm and do a lot of walking. At this stage forking out on a 50 asph or 35 lux asph would be madness IMO.

 

[Sandwick]

I think it has to be a 50/2 Summicron of one form or another.

 

[dseelig]

35 mm aspherical summilux

 

[Kent]

Cron 35. It's sharp, fast enough for AL, good to focus, has a nice angle and still compact. There is hardly a photo you could not shoot with it.

 

[ruby.monkey]

I'd stick with my old 50mm rigid Summicron. I fear change. 😉

 

[FPjohn]

I picked 50mm f2 Summicron originally. However,if forced, I would be choosing not among focal lengths but between Summicrons: Collapsible, DR and version III. The DR would win out by a hair.

yours
FPJ

 

[alan davus]

I don't own any Leica lenses (yet) but the one I'd love above all others is the 50 1.4. I reckon paired with a M9 it would never leave my camera.

 

[Artorius]

changed my mind

changed my mind

After getting the CV 50mm f/3.5, I guess I would have to say if only one Leica lens, then it would be the Elmar 90mm f/4 collapsible.
I should add that I'm not a fast lens user, other than the CV 40mm f/1.4. Most of my lens's are 2-3.5 min aperture.

 

[Vince Lupo]

50/1.5 Xenon - not bad for a 74 year old lens.

 

[venchka]

The one and only 50mm f/2.0 Dual Range Summicron has a large and loyal following. There must be a reason. Sometimes 30 years old or more is a good thing. Before the Bean Counters and Cost Cutters and Price Pointers got in the way.

 

[raid]

Wayne,
There are as many followers of the rigid Summicron for the same reasons. I have never felt the need to get another 50mm Summicron.

 

[ed1234]

I only got 2 Leica lens a 35/2 pre-asph, and a Summarit 1.5, I will pick the Summarit as it is far more entertaining than the cron.

 

[Erik van Straten]

50mm f/2 Summicron rigid first type, Leica M3, TriX printed on Ilford MGIV fb.

Erik.

 

[matt335]

35mm summicron asph

 

[Honus]

35mm summicron asph

Wonderful photograph, Matt. I chose the 35/1.4 asph, but you make a convincing argument for the asph 'cron.

 

[matt335]

Wonderful photograph, Matt. I chose the 35/1.4 asph, but you make a convincing argument for the asph 'cron.

Thanks Robert, I guess you make best with what you have huh? Fact is they are all great. I shot for years on nikon and canon, pentax lenses (slr), and they are great, but I notice more shadow detail and better exposures in leica lenses. Robert, I dig your website, very very nice work.

 

[Erik van Straten]

Summilux preasph 50mm f/1.4 II, Leica M3, TriX printed on Ilford MGIV fb.

Erik.