Most popular M mount lenses.

[IWC Doppel]

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Would not help to answer the question of total lenses sold this or would it?

 

That's true, but would in part put M mount popularity today in context for those active and interested (assuming forum members would be representative)

[bpalme]

Would not help to answer the question of total lenses sold this or would it?

It does help me a little.

But I'm really more specifically thinking lenses that people are actively using today. I dont think as many people are using a lens like the 135mm today.

 

 

With the stats up to 2005 ...I would imagine a small uptick in the wider end since the intro of the M8.

[luigi bertolotti]

Hmmm... it would be interesting to gather mass data about lenses' numbers, but to extract statistically correct figures about the most used lenses is a task exposed to a lot of uncertain elements... supposed that any lens sold is bought to be used (reasonable.... apart Noctilux "the last 100" and similar oddities...) , how many of them are bought to REPLACE in use another ? That complicates a lot any evaluation... in general is easy to conclude that 50mm in general has been the most popular focal... but how many of the thousands of Summicrons have been put apart when a Summilux has been bought ? Similar questions for 35s, 90s etc....

Another issue... is it correct to say that Elmar 50 was more "popular" than, say, Summilux 50 asph, considering that at the times of Elmar they sold MUCH MORE bodies than in the "years of Summilux asph" ?

Statistics is a deep and questionable science...

 

(and what about COLLECTORS ? my most used focal is 35, but I have just 8 35s, and 14 90s...)

[algrove]

Due to Leica lack of lens supply, this whole idea is meaningless when wanting to include the latest popular (but in short supply) 35 FLE for example. Then there is the 50 lux ASPH which is also in very short supply and the new 21 SEM which have dribbled out only recently.

[jeverettfine]

One of our trainees had some spare time, so I asked him to do something useful and analyse the data made available by Mr. Puts.

FWIW, here's what's come out (2006 and beyond are N/A I'm afraid):

 

1. Summicron 50

2. Elmar 50/3.5 (becomes #1 when taking into account the f/2.8 version - see #9 below)

3. Elmar 90 (I was surprised)

4. Summitar 50

5. Summar 50/2

6. Summaron 35/3.5 (becomes #5 when taking into account the f/2.8 version)

7. Summicron 35 (has probably become #6 now)

8. Hektor 135 (another surprise)

9. Elmar 50/2.8

10. Summilux 50 (likely #9 by now)

 

Interestingly, the analysis also shows that over 50% of the M lenses made were 50mm, with 35mm and 90mm accounting for 15% each, 135mm nearly 10% and all other focal lengths combined less than 10%.

 

Popular is such a rediculously subjective term. You have to look at the cost of the lens as well as the total number manufactured. Price is a big factor in any purchase. Interesting that my vintage 1958 M2 outfit consists of a 50 Summicron, a 90 Collapsable Elmar and a 35 Summaron: #1, #3 and #6 (5); the three most "popular" lenses above without duplicating focal length.