Leica announces three limited edition M lenses. What would be your choice?!

[JazzyMac]

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I like the 28mm Summilux.  Beautiful lens!

Also, the tiny black-painted 28mm has made me interested in the silver version.  It's on my list to buy now.

Edited February 18, 2019 by JazzyMac

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The Leica Q3 is available for pre-order at B&H Photo Video and Adorama

[evikne]

6 hours ago, pico said:

You all can dislike a focusing tab until you focus with gloves or with old-age hand disabilities. Until the later just ignore it.

 

To me, using a focusing tab is like driving a car with one hand on the wheel: It works fine on the highway, but in more demanding situations I have much more control with both hands.

I often wear gloves in the wintertime, but I’ve not tried with old-age hands yet. 😄

[ELAN]

12 hours ago, IkarusJohn said:

Really?  That's interesting.  I have three M lenses without focus tabs - 21 Summilux, 50 Noctilux and 75 Summilux and I notice they're not there.

I agree that the larger tab-less lenses are harder to focus - I have two of the above mentioned lenses and quick focusing action isn't their forte.  However, the midsize retro lenses with the knurled rings and shorter focus throw (50/1.4 BC, 50 APO LHSA and this LE) are a joy to work with and I prefer them over the standard tabbed models.  Incidentally, I focus fastest with the tabbed 35 FLE - it almost seems like it focuses itself :)

My 4-year old silver chrome 50/1.4 was bought brand new, has been sticky from day one and got a little worse since.  The one I had before that was the same.  The black (aluminum) copies I tried were smoother but I prefer brass lenses when given a choice.

[ianman]

13 hours ago, IkarusJohn said:

I have three M lenses without focus tabs - 21 Summilux, 50 Noctilux and 75 Summilux and I notice they're not there.

I don't know about the other 2, but I would think a focus tab on the 75 Summilux wouldn't be very useful as the throw is so long.

[Narsuitus]

1) Leica Summaron-M 28 f/5.6, matte black paint

2) Leica Summilux-M 28 f/1.4 ASPH, silver anodized

3) Apo-Summicron-M 50 f/2 ASPH, black chrome

 

I am not a big fan of the 50mm focal length and the 28mm f/5.6 is too slow for my shooting style. If forced to take one of the three lenses, I would take the 28mm f/1.4 to fit between my 21mm f/1.4 and my 35mm f/1.4 lenses.

[IkarusJohn]

6 hours ago, ianman said:

I don't know about the other 2, but I would think a focus tab on the 75 Summilux wouldn't be very useful as the throw is so long.

Agreed.  I’ve found the longer throw on the Noct and 75 Summilux helps considerably with focus accuracy. 

I will be interested to see what focusing is like with the APO Summicron 50.

[pico]

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1 hour ago, IkarusJohn said:

Agreed.  I’ve found the longer throw on the Noct and 75 Summilux helps considerably with focus accuracy.

Those of who find some difficulty with focusing, for example the 75mm Summilux find remedies such as Leica Goodies Steer. For other lenses I can post picture examples of my attempts. (FWIW, like one other long time member here I have multiple problems due to arthritis and traumatic hand injuries and these things make picture taking possible.)

The Steer.