Is there a Perfect Lens for RF?

[thomasw_]

I agree with Nando, the summilux 50 asph does everything I could want in a 50 performance-wise.

 

[Rob-F]

If I could only bring one lens to do everything, it would be my 35mm Summilux ASPH.

 

[Debusti Paolo]

😀😀My perfect lens is my Biogon 38mm of my 903swc!!😀😀

 

[ZeissFan]

There might be a perfect lens for one person, but there is no perfect lens for a group of users, because everyone has their own opinion on what is considered to be ideal.

 

[35mmdelux]

The 35 summi ASPH for me due to handling aspects, APO qualities, sharpness, boke, and the ability to work in loose or cramped quarters.

 

[wlewisiii]

Zeiss Tessar. Any of them; even one of those labled Elmar 😉

William

 

[Tom Diaz]

The 35 summi ASPH for me due to handling aspects, APO qualities, sharpness, boke, and the ability to work in loose or cramped quarters.

Ditto. I think that lens is wonderful. I also love the 35mm f/2 lens on my Hexar RF, which is usually said to be modeled on a 4th generation Summicron.

Having said that I think I would be just as fond of the 35mm Zeiss or CV lenses or other modern 35s if that's what I had, because it is that combination of reasonable speed, compactness, and focal length that leads to such versatile shooting with 35mm film. (With the M8 I would say the 28mm f/2 lenses are more like the ideal ones.)

 

[dof]

The closest thing I've found to the perfect RF lens is the 40mm Minolta Rokkor f2.

Its qualities are many:

Small
Fast enough
Light weight
Inexpensive
A field of view that's both long and short enough for the subjects I tend to shoot most
Good contrast rendition
Very good resolution
Pleasing out of focus rendering
Makes the 35mm M8 frame lines useful

What's not to like?

 

[waileong]

Of course there's a perfect lens. For you. Just that it may not be everyone else's perfect lens.

I have 9 lenses for my Leica. A 24, two 35's, three 50's, two 90's and a 135. I have old lenses like the DR 50 cron, and modern lenses like the 35/1.4 asph and 90 AA.

My "perfect" lens right now, when there's enough light, is my 35 bokeh king. The lens is so light and small, it's just pure magic, and one can learn to focus without bringing it to the eye, so it makes for very fast shooting.

It's just amazing that despite advances in optical design, sharpness, resolution and contrast are no longer my no 1 criterion when choosing a go-to lens.

But when I do need low-light performance, my 35/1.4 will be the lens of choice.

Well, I know it's hard to define "perfect". Plus there are many very good, even Great lenses. We love them for their signature or speed or bokeh. Or something else. But is there a lens that combines all things in it and you never ever heard anyone say anything bad about? It would have a great sharpnes, good speed, nice bokeh, great flare control, good size and weight, comfortable handling and priced reasonably? It can be current or vintage lens. One that wouldnt have any compromise?
I was thinking about all the lenses that I have or have had and while some do come close - none is really "Perfect". Even my beloved Hexanons - superb lenses and while I have never had any problems with them and for me they come to be nearly perfect, - being objective, I do realize that some people claim that they dont focus right on their Leicas. And that makes them "Almost Perfect". CV Nokton 35/1.2 comes close as well, but while it's not an issue for me - for some it's size is a problem. UC-Hexanon - superb lens, but it's min focus could be better/closer. Nikkor 105/2.5 LTM - superb optics and built, but heavy, with long focus throw and hard to focus on RF. CV 15mm Heliar - great, but too slow for some applications and not RF coupled. Hope you get the point.
Sure, many of these things we can deal with, but in the perfect world they would be better.
So, thinking objective - i.e. not just for you but for anyone - is there a "Perfect" lens for RF? Any brand, any FL? One that does everything perfect?