Which 35mm lens for street photography?

[ramosa]

All,

There have been lots of related threads over the years. But let's do an updated poll specific to your use of a 35mm lens for street photography on a Leica FF digital rangefinder (i.e., M9, M9P, ME, MM, M).

If you could have JUST ONE 35mm lens for street photography on a Leica FF digital rangefinder, which one would it be?

Thanks ...

 

[Roger Hicks]

Are you going to focus, or use it as a hyperfocal distance idiot-proof camera (all right, not completely idiot proof, but I'm being generous to the idiots)? For the former, I'm happy with my pre-aspheric Summilux on my M9. If I didn't know how to focus, then I'd buy the slowest modern lens I could get (not a Summaron -- Voigtländer or Zeiss preferred). By f/5.6 or f/8 there's not a lot to choose between 'em so why pay the extra.

Cheers,

R.

 

[Monochrom]

Hi, i had a pre aspherical summilux, also a summicron 35mm v4....after a while i tested the biogon 35mm f28 and kept it...it´s better than both of the leicas i mentioned before, also is cheaper.

 

[Roger Hicks]

Hi, i had a pre aspherical summilux, also a summicron 35mm v4....after a while i tested the biogon 35mm f28 and kept it...it´s better than both of the leicas i mentioned before, also is cheaper.

True, except at f/2 and f/1.4...

Cheers,

R.

 

[Rob-F]

I voted for the Summaron, as I have used one for many years for this purpose. While I have several of the other lenses listed, I don't think they offer any advantage for street work. I don't need f/2 or f/1.4 for street work. The Summaron has a lovely rendition that seems just right to me for the purpose.

 

[jsrockit]

Any lens with a focus tab and a short focus throw.

 

[MIkhail]

All,

There have been lots of related threads over the years. But let's do an updated poll specific to your use of a 35mm lens for street photography on a Leica FF digital rangefinder (i.e., M9, M9P, ME, MM, M).

If you could have JUST ONE 35mm lens for street photography on a Leica FF digital rangefinder, which one would it be?

Thanks ...

Whichever I could afford.
Does not make any difference at the end.
I even was able to get decent street photos (won some contests with it) using the idiot's method (per Roger's definition), which is hyperfocal focusing. Go figure.

 

[Mark C]

Any 35 Summicron. My current favorite is 6 element V3, which happens also to be the least expensive (along with the similar V2).

 

[maddoc]

35/1.4 Summilux (need to be checked if focus to infinity is posible with the M9) would be my choice. Tiny, works well already at f/1.4 (if the lens is clean ...) and is equivalent to any Summicron pre-ASPH version from f/2.0 and up.

 

[helen.HH]

Big Fan of the C biogon 35 2.8 ... Even 2.8 at night I will gladly work with
Thats how much i Love the lens !
Hence I voted 'other'

Next Choice : the 35 Nokton or 35 Lux for that 1.4 speeeeeed

 

[sebastel]

any 35mm that you are able to pay and work with.

 

[shanenoir]

Summicron ASPH... because that's the one I have

 

[Richard G]

Agree with Helen. But I voted v4 as it is tiny. I think there should have been a final option 'Any.' Any 35 will do fine.

 

[Mark T]

Small and light. Since I typically want depth of field and pre focus the lens, I wouldn't want a fast lens but would enjoy the lighter weight and smaller size of a slower lens. If I was using a digital Leica, I would use a Summarit which was designed alongside digital cameras. I wouldn't want a second hand, old lens that was not designed for digital. If you are talking about film, well that is another story...

 

[Godfrey]

I'll eventually buy another Summaron 35 M-mount, but I have and use the Voigtländer Color Skopar 35mm f/2.5 at present ... and it is terrific! And a bargain.

G

 

[hlockwood]

Summicron ASPH... because that's the one I have

Same here.

HFL

 

[Bill58]

25mm for up close and no focusing.

 

[k__43]

I voted Leica 35mm Summilux f/1.4 ASPH FLE cos when I'm able to buy a digital FF M Leica somebody must have handed me over a fortune.

 

[nanthor]

While I agree that by using the lens at f4 or 5.6 for DOF most any of these lenses will suffice I voted for the 35mm cron asph due to it being modern, critically sharp, good OOF, short focus throw, and having a tab and light focus action (most of them do). And actually a decent price point for what you get, the lux's are more expensive and the extra speed is not needed (it's actually a detriment) for street work. Bob.

 

[Calzone]

35/1.8 Nikkor in LTM with 2X yellow filter on a Leica Monochrom.

Very small with no VF'er blockage. Also love that the distance scale is in feet only.

Also own a 35/2.8 Summaron.

Cal