New to Leica and need some advice

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For street photography applications, I have come to appreciate the 28mm focal length - you might want to give the 28 a hard look.

 

As for used lenses, the Elmarit 28 mm f/2.8 is a good choice. Version III which was made in Leica's Canada facility can be found in very good (9) condition for $900-1000USD. This lens produces its best image quality (according to Erwin Puts) when stopped down to f/8 or smaller apertures, which is not really a liability for street photography during daylight hours, particularly with a medium speed film like Kodak Tri-X or Illford Delta 400.

 

Version IV of the 28/2.8 Elmarit was produced in Solms and offers improved image quality and smaller size compared to its predecessor. Of course, version IV will also come with an "improved" (higher) price than version III. Either version is priced attractively compared to a new example of the 28mm f/2 Summicron ASPH, though. The 28/2 Summicron ASPH is indeed an outstanding optic but as we all know, outstanding comes at a price - particularly when there's a red dot on the lens.

 

If you prefer the 35mm focal length, the last version of the 35mm f/2 Summicron would be a good choice for a used

lens. If the price tag doesn't cause you to keel over, the new version of the 35mmf/1.4 ASPH would be the way to go if

you value low light performance and the ultimate in image quality at the 35mm focal length.

 

In my experience, a person can cover a lot of photographic ground with a 50mm and either a 28mm or 35mm lens.

These two focal lengths will do the job about 90% of the time for documentary, street and travel photography.

[Guest NEIL-D-WILLIAMS]

For street photography applications, I have come to appreciate the 28mm focal length - you might want to give the 28 a hard look.

 

As for used lenses, the Elmarit 28 mm f/2.8 is a good choice. Version III which was made in Leica's Canada facility can be found in very good (9) condition for $900-1000USD. This lens produces its best image quality (according to Erwin Puts) when stopped down to f/8 or smaller apertures, which is not really a liability for street photography during daylight hours, particularly with a medium speed film like Kodak Tri-X or Illford Delta 400.

 

Version IV of the 28/2.8 Elmarit was produced in Solms and offers improved image quality and smaller size compared to its predecessor. Of course, version IV will also come with an "improved" (higher) price than version III. Either version is priced attractively compared to a new example of the 28mm f/2 Summicron ASPH, though. The 28/2 Summicron ASPH is indeed an outstanding optic but as we all know, outstanding comes at a price - particularly when there's a red dot on the lens.

 

If you prefer the 35mm focal length, the last version of the 35mm f/2 Summicron would be a good choice for a used

lens. If the price tag doesn't cause you to keel over, the new version of the 35mmf/1.4 ASPH would be the way to go if

you value low light performance and the ultimate in image quality at the 35mm focal length.

 

In my experience, a person can cover a lot of photographic ground with a 50mm and either a 28mm or 35mm lens.

These two focal lengths will do the job about 90% of the time for documentary, street and travel photography.

Thanks for that.........I have already ordered a new 35mm f2 and will play with that one first to get me started with Leica, and move on from there.

I have a Nikon 50mm f1.4 and love that on my D3s so that could be my next Leica lens, but will need to save up for one of those puppies:)

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If you want to take a look at a photo made with the 28/2.8 version IV, see the second photo of post #8 here http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/customer-forum/245898-help-me-learn-about-lens-signatures.html#post2119421

 

The 35 Summicron you ordered is an outstanding lens for your M cameras - it doesn't come up short in any way that I can think of. You made a very good choice.

[Guest NEIL-D-WILLIAMS]

Just bought the SanDisk 16 GB Extreme Pro..............I hope that will work well in the new Leica

[nelly]

I very much like the Summicron 28mm asph for street