Best light/compact 1-lens set?

[rob_w]

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For a while now I have owned all the M lenses I thought I would ever want: 24 Elmarit, 35 SA, 50 'cron, 75 'cron asph and 90 'cron asph. I did not expect to be wanting any more any time soon

 

But none of these lenses is particularly small. Recently I have been thinking how convenient it would be to have a really compact M9 set that would fit in my brief case when I am away on business trips or in my coat pocket when we are out for an evening.

 

What 1 lens would be in this set? I am minded to choose the 28 elmarit asph, but it could be a 50 collapsible or one of the summarits ... so I thought I would ask the forum, what have you found best for this purpose?

 

Appreciate your thoughts and suggestions

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[chris_tribble]

35 cron (current asph or pre-asph v.IV) . Just my 2 cents - but I think a lot of people will agree..

[jaapv]

40 Summicron C adapted as Summilux 35 first version, Elmar-M 50, any of the Summicron 35s.

[lars_bergquist]

On the whole, I agree with Chris. But I'd say, either a v.4 35mm Summicron, or a 35mm Summarit. This is about as compact as you can get – and the most universally useful focal length.

 

The old man from the Dark Ages

[luigi bertolotti]

Collapsed Elmar 50 or Summicron 35 asph (this one is MY 1 lens set.. but on M8).

[chris_tribble]

On the whole, I agree with Chris. But I'd say, either a v.4 35mm Summicron, or a 35mm Summarit. This is about as compact as you can get – and the most universally useful focal length.

 

The old man from the Dark Ages

 

Hadn't thought of the Summarit - Sean Reid rates it (subscriber review only). Steve Huff also likes it. The Leica 35 Summarit Lens Review | STEVE HUFF PHOTOS - not a silly review.

[!Nomad64]

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Of those you already have, I'd say the 35 SA or the 'cron 50. Both being light and reasonably compact, yet fast enough.

 

Cheers,

Bruno

[sblitz]

35 cron without question

[farnz]

If you want 'tiny' compact:

28 f/6.3 Hektor

28 f/3.5 Kobalux

50 f/3.5 Elmar collapsible

 

Pete.

[Jerry_R]

As someone mentioned - Summicron-C 40mm!

[JMacD]

I am using the new 28mm 2.8 all the time on the M9 just as you are describing. As my always have with me camera and lens.

Compact, fast enough, more forgiving than 35mm. Crop to get narrower field. fits in a overcoat pocket or any bag.

 

A photographer mentor once advised some of us to learn the focal length you "see" in.

For me it is 28mm. And my iphone is 28mm effective, as is my S2 35mm.

 

So what focal length do you "see" in?

 

I have a collapsible 50 but never use it, not as small, and not as fast to set up. But the very nice slip on metal lens cap is now used on the 28mm.

[JWW]

I vote for the 35mm Summicron V4. Noticeably lighter and smaller than the ASPH version and good performance.

[waileong]

I vote for the 35mm Summicron V4. Noticeably lighter and smaller than the ASPH version and good performance.

 

I agree. Works very well. Beautiful bokeh.

[Rick]

35 cron.

[thrice]

Please don't lynch me, but you didn't specify it had to be a Leica.

 

I like the Voigtlander 50/2.5 Color-Skopar for my compact take everywhere system.

 

It seems that the review sample(s) of this lens that were passed around were all rubbish compared to the production lenses, or maybe I got lucky, but mine is ridiculously sharp wide open, lovely bokeh (IMO), immune to flare, modest CA (a little purple fringe WO), and stunning build quality (the chrome version is solid brass).

 

Some past shots by me with this lens.

[chriscove]

Check out the Perar 35/3.5 Triplet

 

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=94672

 

At the end of this post there are some pictures of it on a M9. Optically it looks pretty good.

 

For me the Viogtlander 35/2.5 Color-Skopar is pretty small and optically excellent. Sean Reid speaks very highly of this lens. He has the screw mount but I have the M-mount which has the same optics.

[earleygallery]

The 35 Skopar is excellent and very compact and light. You can't get any more compact than the 5cm 3.5 Elmar (older style) it's no bigger than a body cap!

[Nick_Yoon]

Mine is Minolta 40/2 for CLE, or Color-Skopar 28/3.5.

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Hallo,

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[Dannybuoy]

35 Cron is so gorgeously small. I've got the v4 Asph and if you take off the hood it looks so dinky and inconspicious.

[Shade]

Either the 35 Cron or 40 Cron. Amazing lenses they are in such a compact design.