Just one lens... which though?

[Georges]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

The only one I kept from my R collection is the R 280mm f/2.8 Modular. But she is much too heavy to be my favorite one. But she is oooh so sharp.

[LeicA7R]

If I could only have 1 lens, it would always be a high-quality 28mm/f2 or 2.8

It just suits my style and what I want to shoot perfectly

[philmcm]

If I could only have 1 lens, it would always be a high-quality 28mm/f2 or 2.8

It just suits my style and what I want to shoot perfectly

 

That's interesting; I do have a 28mm lens but I've found myself more and more drawn towards only taking a 35mm with me, as it just seems to suit the way I work and the style of photography I'm interested in. I must confess, I initially expected to settle on a 50mm, and after reading all the excellent suggestions and explanations in this thread I was ready to be swayed by the 90mm - but no, it's the 35mm Elmarit-R f/2.8 that's won me over. 

 

I've got a lovely late 70s 28mm Elmarit-R f/2.8 which I've taken some great photos with, but I found I was only occasionally reaching for it out of my bag so I'm increasingly leaving it at home. 

 

It's a good job we all differ and I'm really grateful to you for sharing that. Thanks!

[ramarren]

When I pick up a Leica M, the vast majority of the time I want a 35mm lens which swaps off with a 75mm a bit of the time, and also with an ultrawide another smaller bit of the time. 

 

But when I pick up a Leicaflex SL or R8, I almost always want a 50, 60, 90, or 180 on it ... and then very occasionally I fit the 19 or 15. 

 

So ... If I were to carry just one of these SLR bodies and just one lens, the versatile best for me would be the Macro-Elmarit-R 60mm. If I then wanted a second lens, I'd get the Summicron-R 90mm. Somehow, whenever I put the Summicron-R 35 on the film SLR, I want something longer or wider almost immediately; why that is so different on the M is a bit of a mystery to me. 

[pgk]

For 'value' the 60mm has to rate as being an exceptionally good buy at present. Its a superb lens and whilst its usable as an 'ordinary' lens, it also has extensive macro capabilities if combined with currently equally 'cheapish' Leica extension tubes. As a 'dual purpose lens simply add a dSLR mount converter of choice and it will produce excellent images at increased magnifications unlike most of the IF macro lenses available for dSLRs today.

[Yuhau]

If its the R lens ... I'll  take the Marco R 60 F2.8 as well .  I can use it as a standard  lens and with added Marco capabilities.

If it's M lens... I take the M35 f2, 7 element for its compactness and bokeh.  

 

Both of these lenses applies to T and M for me.

[Yuhau]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

Of course  I mean  R systems (  R5, R6.2 ) for the R lens mentioned  above .

[philmcm]

 

So my question is this really: which ONE lens would you recommend given the cameras I have and the kind of thing I enjoy taking photographs of? I need something which will really stand out, no matter what challenge I throw at it.

 

I should perhaps add that my own personal favourite at the moment is my well-worn Macro-Elmarit-R 60/2.8

 

 

Curiously enough, the 60mm lens was my very first single lens of choice, as mentioned at the start of this thread! I do still adore that lens but have come to appreciate the compact little 35mm prime over time