Best second Leica lens?

[luchoperez]

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35 and 90

28 and 50mm

[Herr Barnack]

I bought a M240 a few months ago along with a Summarit-M 50mm lens. I love the combination so far but I find having only one focal length is pretty limiting right now. I just got some unexpected extra money and want to buy a second lens for my kit. I plan on sticking with the Summarit line because the price is right and the max f/2.4 aperture doesn't bug me. So far I'm trying to choose between the 35mm and the 75mm (though, I heard the 90mm is also really great). I'm having a tough time deciding which direction to go. I mostly use the Leica for portraiture and street shooting. Though, I can see it as a travel camera in the future, too.

 

What would your choice be for someone starting with Leica? I'm not a beginner photographer by any means, but this is my first Leica. Any tips or suggestions would be most welcome.

 

Given the above, I would suggest a wide lens for street photography, a 28mm or a 35mm.  35mm looks to my eye like an all around focal length.  It works well for general photography and street photography but I prefer the 28mm for street photography.

 

A great three lens travel kit would be your M240 with 28mm, 50mm and 90mm lenses.  Add a 21mm and you have a fairly comprehensive kit that won't wreck  your neck & shoulder. 

 

To simplify things for traveling, I would be willing to take my chances with a 28mm and a 50mm; those two focal lengths cover 90% or more of my subject matter

Edited February 28, 2018 by Herr Barnack

[james.liam]

28-35-50 Tri-Elmar.

Simultaneously, your best second, third and fourth lens

[jdlaing]

Ditto.

[M11 for me]

But this is not a lens that is officially sold today. Why it has been removed from the price list I don‘t know

[rramesh]

The 50 is a great focal length and there's a lot of things you can do with it. Get the most from this first. Move your feet to vary distance, compose what fits the frame lines of the 50 and take great pictures. Enjoy what you can and not regret what you can't.

 

Then and only then, think of adding another lens. Do it too fast and you will just accumulate a whole cupboard of lenses.

 

Over time, you will be able to analyze your regrets. did you miss taking more wide shots or was it the narrow ones. Then you can add a 28 or a 75/90.

[duoenboge]

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If I take 2 lenses my favorite combo is the SLux35 and the M-Elmar 90. Both very compact. For me perfect for travel.

[jdlaing]

But this is not a lens that is officially sold today. Why it has been removed from the price list I don‘t know

What does that have to do with the post? If you want one you can find one. They’re bought and sold all the time.

 

Because it is not a current lens doesn’t reduce its value as an extremely good and useful lens(s).

Edited February 28, 2018 by jdlaing

[roger_1987]

I always have a 50mm with me, the second lens I carry is either a 35mm or a 28mm, a bit indecisive sometimes. 

Edited February 28, 2018 by roger_1987

[IkarusJohn]

50 and 28, and I add a 21 if I think I might use it.

[a.noctilux]

MATE !

 

But this is not a lens that is officially sold today. Why it has been removed from the price list I don‘t know

 

Tri-Elmar-M 28-35-50 (MATE ! ) is the answer.

The point is that people didn't want them when they were on production.

But when Leica ended the MATE production, some years ago, some people wanted them.

 

So from normal price when new, MATE became "more expensive second hand" and a bit scarse to find.

Look at this thread here : https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/280991-tri-elmar-mate-going-price-still-a-relevant-lens/

 

and here : https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/276505-mate-fair-market-price/

 

 

I'm happy to use one and would not depart with it soon.

To respond to the OP : MATE paired with Macro-Elmar-M 90mm are the second best to none  .

 

But that may be almost the case with all Leica lenses ( judged from dozens of lenses that I use regularly).

No second best lens, but only best for what it's intended use .

Edited February 28, 2018 by a.noctilux

[M11 for me]

Thank you. I just remember that in the other recent thread I was not aware yet that there was a MATE a few years ago. Thank you. Indeed this MATE would be a perfect option for travelling. And with max aperture of 4.0 it is still fast enough during daylight. I would miss a faster lens in the evenings.

[wattsy]

I had a 28-35-50 Tri-Elmar back when it was a current lens (and before the M8). I liked the flexibility and admired the engineering that went into it but ultimately found the F4 and 1m close focus too limiting and sold it. Which with hindsight is odd because I have been using an F5.6 Summaron and film almost exclusively for over a year.

[HeinzX]

When I had the Ms (last one a M 240), I owned  following lenses:

 

18 mm SEM, 28 mm Elmarit, 50 mm Summilux ASPH and 90 mm Macro Elmar.

 

Much used lenses for travelling were 28 and 50mm. For travelling  to cities the 18 SEM was a great lens.

Edited March 2, 2018 by HeinzX

[james.liam]

I had a 28-35-50 Tri-Elmar back when it was a current lens (and before the M8). I liked the flexibility and admired the engineering that went into it but ultimately found the F4 and 1m close focus too limiting and sold it.

The MATE’s relevance has rebounded since M8 days, with higher ISO capabilities of the Monochroms and now, the M10. Considering that an older E55 can be found for ~$2800 (£2000 or 2200€) nowadays, pretty reasonable deal for 3 focal lengths. Edited March 2, 2018 by james.liam

[Paul J]

For a second lens to a 50 I would suggest a 35. Just what ever you are comfortable spending.