Best third Leica lens?

[jmahto]

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Since we already have a thread for second Leica lens and I feel we have discussed enough, now it is time to move on to third lens.

 

For me "third" lens means it can be left at home but then you keep missing it. But when you are carrying it then you may end up not using it after a full day and get second thoughts about carrying it for next outing. Also, you will never go out with this lens alone since it is not a first or second lens.

 

For me third lens is 90mm Macro Elmar M. (Sometimes it gets promoted to second lens with 28cron as first lens).

 

It is lazy Friday evening.

Edited March 3, 2018 by jmahto

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[TomB_tx]

I agree that a 90 is a 3rd choice for an M. For 4 decades my entire M lens kit was 35 & 50 Summicrons and 90 TE (v1). On film the 50 saw about 65% use, the 35 30% and the 90 5%, even though I bought the 90 first - after coming from SLRs. With the M I shifted wider.

With digital the 35 & 50 ratios flip. The 90 macro would be an excellent choice, but I've settled into a 90 Summarit.

[evikne]

My two first lenses were the 50 and 35 mm Summilux ASPH. My third and newest lens is a 75mm Summilux. This is going to be my "fun" lens. Not as sharp and "perfect" as the newer designs, but with the more charming expression and characteristic bokeh.

Edited March 3, 2018 by evikne

[mby]

I do love the Summilux 75mm, Walter Mandler's favourite lens; good reads are those, for example:

• http://de.leica-camera.com/content/download/102721/908051/version/2/file/Summilux-M%2075%20mm%20Technische%20Daten_de.pdf
• http://www.stevehuffphoto.com/2012/02/20/shooting-with-the-leica-75-summilux-f1-4-lens-on-the-m9p/
• http://www.overgaard.dk/Leica-75mm-Summilux-M-f-14.html
• and also our very own https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/218058-advice-on-75-summilux/

[Ernstk]

Any 50 mm is my third lens.

 

I have an irrational deep dislike of this focal length. It is neither one thing or another. Not wide enough to be useful and not long enough to be useful.

 

Ernst

[pgk]

For me "third" lens means it can be left at home but then you keep missing it.

 

I have too many such 'third' lenses. I should rationalise .

[JDFlood]

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To me the three are 28mm, 35mm, and 50mm. To me the Leica range centers around 35mm, intimate with your subject. If I start putting on telephoto, I go to my Nikon or Fuji. I use my Leica 21mm, 75, and 90 the least. JD

[Ko.Fe.]

I didn't find use for 90. Thinking of swapping Leica 50 to FF Canon with 50.

Leica advantage is on the wide end, IMO. So, maybe 21 instead 50. I have and use 28/35.

I already have 20mm VF .

[otto.f]

Difficult question. In practice and for most starters the 35 and 50 might be the first two choices. In my case they were not. I started with a Nikon in 1983 with a 35 and a 100, that would be a 90 in Leica. And that’s what happened when I started with M in 1990: 35 and 90.

I used an SLR alongside my M for a long time, R5 and R8 and that was necessary for the tele lenses and for macro. But through the lens photography was a long time difficult in Leica after they stopped with R.

So in my history my third Leica lens coincided with another body/system; it was a 135 or a 180 for my R5. Only many years later I bought a 50 and a 24 for my M.

If I would have to start over knowing what I know now, including what I know from experience as the Leica M lenses I really love it would be:

1. 35 Summicron iv

2. 75 Summilux

3. Elmar 50/2.8 collapsible last version. Because this is a quite inexpensive lens I would put ex equo:

3. Elmarit 24mm

 

But I would leave my M lenses with two lenses in peace first and get the Elmarit 60 R on a through the lens body like SL for instance.

 

Having written this, it turns out as remarkable that there’s no Karbe lens here.

Edited March 3, 2018 by otto.f

[Herr Barnack]

To me the three are 28mm, 35mm, and 50mm. To me the Leica range centers around 35mm, intimate with your subject. If I start putting on telephoto, I go to my Nikon or Fuji. I use my Leica 21mm, 75, and 90 the least. JD

 

I have to agree with the above.

 

That having been said, my 90 Summicron APO does get a fair amount of use for portrait shooting.

[SiggiGun]

3 different answers:

• If the question concerns my travel combo: my favored 3 lens kit is: Standard : 24EM + 50APO + 90Macro or Landscape: 21SEP + 35LUX + 75APO
• If the questions concerns the ratio of use: 35LUX 60%), 50APO (20%), 75APO (5%)
• If the questions concerns my love list (special character): 50NX, 75LUX, 50CRON (II)   

[otto.f]

Yes and then there is the difference between most chosen to go out with and most used.

When I travel I never limit myself to three lenses and one body.

 

Perhaps it’s better that OP specifies the body where the lenses are attached to

Edited March 3, 2018 by otto.f

[ktmrider2]

Well, the classic three lens combo for a Leica is the same as the frame lines in the M2-35/50/90.  For years, I have carried the 35/90 combo for travel but when lazy, I would just take a 50.  These days, I still travel with the 35/90 and the third lens is either a 21 or 135 depending on the circumstances.  If I had to pick one, then it would be the 21.  Although, 21/50/135 has some advantages as well.

[james.liam]

MATE, again. For traveling.

[rodoleica]

90mm Macro Elmar

[lct]

I don't miss a third lens since i carry three lenses in my camera bags generally i.e. 35/50/90 in FF and 21/35/50 in APS. The fourth lens i may miss is often a 28 in both formats so i bring one in my suitcase as a precaution.

Edited March 3, 2018 by lct

[jdlaing]

MATE

[Narsuitus]

Leica  M6 and M10 with the following lenses:

 

35mm f/1.4 Zeiss Distagon (first lens)

90mm f/2 Leitz Summicron (second lens)

21mm f/1.4 Leitz Summilux (third lens)

 

Three-Lens Rangefinder Kit by Narsuitus, on Flickr

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Hallo,

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[rramesh]

35 cron ... sold ... 50 lux ... 28 cron ... burp ... 21 SEM ... burp ... 90 elmarit-m ... burp ... 15 cv ... burp ... 35 cv, for me

[chris_livsey]

So, you have two favourite lenses, everyone seems to assume they are different focal lengths, my contention is to have two and now given the opportunity, three, of the same favourite focal length.

The "look" of the lenses of different ages and makers is sufficient reason to change glass and retain the field of view you prefer to work with.

You will note the number of posters who admit to owning several 35mm or 50mm lenses and that discounts those who don't own up.

Consider the character differences between 50mm Lux Apo and ZM C Sonnar and the possibility of adding another to the stable say an inexpensive uncoated Summar, the same argument goes for 35mm with similar exciting choices, so the third lens is another of your favourite focal length.

The problem with this is travel, what to choose, but then it always is.