What are your favorite modern M mount lenses?

I'd go with the 35mm Summicron ASPH and the 50mm Summilux ASPH. I am biased towards the 35/50 focal length, but for me, these are the best lenses out there. 35 Lux ASPH is just a little big for my liking, but otherwise another contender for the top spot.
 
Best M-mount lens made by Zeiss is surely the 25mm Biogon that most likely also outperforms the Leitz 24mm. But I am really fond about the 35mm Summicron (in fact I like them all), the aspherical would fall in your time range, and is the latest of the 5 types.


Shot with Zeiss Biogon 25mm
3460252561_bec68ac3ef_b.jpg
 
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The Summarits are nice lil' lenses. But I think a lot of Leica snobs look a bit down on them as a "budget lens." Which is a little ironic, considering they're $1,500 a pop. The lower aperture blade count, the rubber focus grip, the minimum focus distances... Nevertheless, their form factor, performance and price are quite nice (from what I've seen anyway).

I went with the 35mm f/2.5 Color Skopar because it's just *that* much smaller, probably just as good and only costs a couple hundred clams. 😉

It's hard to buy right now and the 35mm Zeiss 2.8 is great and half the price. Couple that with what DN is stating about it being a "budget" lens and I think we know why...

In the next 10 years, opinions will change on this lens.

Make sense, thank you both, for the education.

$1500 lens is 'budget', heh, only in Leica-land, I guess...

That should teach Leica to never offer anything but expensive, superlative-laden stuff 😀
 
The 28/2 Summicron ASPH looks to be a big winner.

The 50 Summilux ASPH is staggeringly good.

The 75 Summarit looks really fantastic.

The 90 Summicron ASPH is best-of-class (but I can't imagine what I'd use it for).

There are a bunch of amazing 35's, including but not limited to:
- Nokton 1.2
- Summilux ASPH (both versions)
- Summarit 2.5
- C Biogon 2.8

I'm hoping that the C Biogon 21/4.5 is up there with the rest of these. I'll know soon enough. 😀
 
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From Leica:
35 Summicron v4 (for me it just doesn't get any better)

Have you tried the Konica UC Hexanon 35mm?

In my opinion the build quality is second to none, the ergonomics and size are perfect and the rendering is superb. It is only let down by its relative scarcity and the 0.9m close focus limitation.
 
^---- yes, I really loved my 35/1.4 ASPH. The Biogon-C that I now use is less versatile (as it's 2 stops slower), but it is smaller, lighter, more flare-resistant, has less distortion and a flatter field, and doesn't block the finder. Trade-offs!

Quite different lenses optimized for different things, but both stunningly good.
 
Have you tried the Konica UC Hexanon 35mm?

In my opinion the build quality is second to none, the ergonomics and size are perfect and the rendering is superb. It is only let down by its relative scarcity and the 0.9m close focus limitation.

I agree with all of the above. I love the UC-Hexanon. However, it does have distortion - not great for architectural photography.
 
For Leica M-lenses
1) Noct 0.95
2) 35mm Lux FLE
3) 50mm Lux asph
4) 21mm Lux
5) 24mm Lux
6) 28mm Cron asph
7) 75mm Lux
8) 90mm cron APO
9) WATE

🙂
Cheers!
 
if i LOOK at other people's work here on RFf I ADORE the
35 Nokton 1.2 ....Sublime

The nokton I do not own
for my Eye and Hand
the Modern Lens I reach for
is the 35 Cron Asph
It has made me Crave No Other 🙂
though I do think possibly any version 35 cron is a marvel

Some of You recently described this lens in a Thread as
"the worst of the 35's"
But I Laughed to myself....
when i look at my pixs with this lens and Tmax 400
my Heart beats Faster and I am left with a sweeeet Grin from
Cheek to Cheek 🙂
 
^----- Can't argue with that, nosiree!

And it's small and has that super-sexy reverse-curve rectangular hood. Probably the best ergos of any 35.
 
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It is difficult to surpass a Summicron.
I am still a user of the 8 element first version 35mm Cron.
For a modern look, the Cron Asph must be awesome.
 
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