Most "Leica" Lens

[hms624]

I know this is extraordinarily subjective. I was wondering what the ultimate Leica lens is. This does not necessarily mean quality. In fact, it will probably not mean quality. For example, the newest lenses maay be of the highest quality, but not necessarily represent the ideal personality that a lens gives. Feel free to either claim that a thread-mount or an M mount is the top lens. Or the best of each category. Either way, please give a reason for your choice.

Thanks,
Harrison

P.S. Pretend that price has no bearing on the decision. I am a college student, and I will almost surely use this information to purchase a 50mm lens--currently I have the newest (hood included, no tab) version of the 50mm Summicron--most likely a more classic, older lens. Nonetheless, when making a quality decision, please ignore price completely.

Thanks again,
Harrison

 

[SolaresLarrave]

Sorry, Harrison... but, what is your question exactly?

 

[FrankS]

You're going to fit right in here, Harrison. In my quest for exactly the same result: a vintage look, I bought an M-mount col Summicron. I am currently waiting for a col Summitar and a Summarit lens which are in the mail. Less costly options are the Russian Jupiter 3 (f1.5) and Jupiter 8 (f2) lenses. They can deliver great "performance" at much less cost.

 

[Todd.Hanz]

Very subjective, I would imagine most would cling to the 50 summicron, I on the other hand would say a 35 summicron (4th version). If it is the "glow your after then probably a 50 summarit or summitar. This should be interesting!


Todd

 

[FrankS]

Another lens with a beautiful signature/fingerprint is the Canon 50mm f1.5, a lens popular with folks on this site.

 

[hms624]

Some clarity...

Some clarity...

Francisco, I understand that my question is quite vague and meandering. This is because I am trying to provide as little guidance as possible. Ultimately, I am looking for each member's personal idea of what the best Leica lens is. This can either relate to a technically superior lens, or one that has a high degree--the most in fact--character. I have fairly technically competent lenses at the moment (most recent versions of the 35/2 and 50/2 Summicrons.) Thus, although I am interested to know what each person's idea of the best lens is--technically or otherwise--I am probably leaning towards people's ideas of what lenses have the best combination of technical prowess and classic Leica personality, or "glow," as Todd explains.

Thanks,
Harrison

 

[richard_l]

I have the latest versions of both the Summicron and the Elmar. There's no way I can fault the Summicron, but most of the time I prefer the clean, crisp signature of the Elmar. A variant of the Tessar, it is high contrast and does not have the mellowness generally associated with classic Leica lenses.

I am a devoted Leicaphile, but I don't believe in any special Leica "glow."

 

[former member]

The 5cm F3.5 Elmar established Leica cameras. Every Leica Lover should have one. They are sharp, small, compact lenses. When collapsed, they are almost flat on the camera. And they are not that expensive.

If you have the latest Summicron already, it would be a good complement to it.

Frank, do you have an Elmar?

 

[FrankS]

I don't have an Elmar, but I have a collapsible FED f3.5 lens. I'm happy to play with the Summxxxx lenses I have coming and the J8 and J3. I can't get excited about an Elmar. I think I'll have enough signatures to deal with. 🙂

 

[raid]

This is a tough question, but if the answer to it can be simply what we like most, then it becomes an easy question. I love my first version Summicron lenses (35/50/90) and also my Canon 35/1.8 and Nikkor 50/2 and Collapsible Summicron 50/2.

 

[Kin Lau]

Welcome Raid... nice to see you here.

To me, the "classic" Leica, is a LTM Leica + Elmar 50/3.5 .

 

[former member]

> I think I'll have enough signatures to deal with.

Just one more, Frank. I found my "Elmarsky" was very soft compared to my "Elmar".

 

[raid]

Welcome Raid... nice to see you here.

To me, the "classic" Leica, is a LTM Leica + Elmar 50/3.5 .

Thanks, Kin. Somehow, my password was lost here, and I had to register again to be able to post on this website.

 

[vizioneer]

A couple of lenses strike me as being very Leica- the 50mm noctilux and the 75mm summilux. The noctilux is unique and the best performing of its kind- shooting at night with ISO 125 film under a few streetlights is fun, and the 75 lux has a fantastic fingerprint and an interesting envelope- the speed and close-focus. Then there's the 35 lux asph as the high performing do-all lens that keeps the simplicity of a Leica M in check.

The old screw mount bodies and lenses I'm sure are pretty amazing too- I've handled some and was impressed by the sheer solidity.

Well I guess I mentioned 3 lenses! 😛

 

[FPjohn]

Two classic

Two classic

Hello:

The two classics are the 50mm Elmar f3.5 or 2.8 and the DR Summicron IMHO. Perhaps the 75mm Summilux as the epitome of later design but others will have to recount their experience.

yours
Frank

 

[Honus]

...Noctilux...

 

[hms624]

wow, thank you all. everyone here has been amazing so far, responding quickly with warmth and an extraordinary breadth of knowledge. just wanted to say thanks,

Harrison

 

[waterlenz]

Noctilux 50mm f/1.0 This is what the Leica is all about!
Tom

 

[ZeissFan]

One of the most expensive Leica lens wasn't made by Leica. It was made by Carl Zeiss AG. It's the 16mm Zeiss Hologon. These were leftover lenses from the production of the Zeiss Ikon Contarex Hologon camera. The lenses were refitted to the Leica M mount. Today, they are very expensive. Probably not your everyday all-purpose lens, but there it is.

 

[Pymm]

I have just started using a Leica, the lens I use is an Elmar 50mm 2.8 (new version) and I must say the resonance of this is truly fantastic, with tri-x in D-76 the prints look magnificent, so without knowing any other Leica lenses I would say the Elmar must be one of the "true" Leica originals.