The dream set of lenses versus the actual

[pgk]

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So here's a question for everyone. How would your dream set of Leica M fit lenses differ from those that you actually own and use. I ponder this and am gradually coming to the conclusion that what I own and use is probably my dream set but that there is always a dream lens which appeals and which I have not got. My 'working' set for example, all share E46 filters, but lenses that I think I would like often don't. The only exception to this is my 75mm Summilux which is an E60 and which gets bouts of sporadic, heavy use. I've been very fortunate in that I've built up a good set of lenses and think that I should now get those which need 6-bit coding fitted with it rather than buy any more lenses. In fact I think that a few lenses might have to go as they get use so rarely. Bt there is always another lens which appeals.

My 'working' set: 21SEM, 35 Summilux Asph (pre-FLE), 50 Summilux Asph, 90mm Elmarit-M - these will cover 99% of my needs - and the jewel in the crown - the 75mm Summilux.

Other Summiluxes always appeal though. I like 'speed' .....

[a.noctilux]

I'm searching for those "dream" lens or "dream set lenses" for long time enough that actually I found some "sets",

depending on some different cameras and situations.

As I understood , not long ago, that a dream set is only for "dream time", not actually useful in real life, but funny to search for.

- lastly, I happily found for my Monochroms the two dream sets (for differents usages) : old LTM lenses I own which can use A36 or E39 filters with adapter,

the other set is modern Summarit-M 2.5/35/50/75 completed with 15/21/28/90/135/etc.

 - maybe completing my Noctilux/Summilux sets with something not too big/heavy ( less than the actual Summilux 21/24 )

 - still searching though 😇

[shirubadanieru]

I would like to have the Noctilux f1.2 or f1 but both price and weight/size don’t justify it for me. 
i also had the 75mm summilux once and loved the rendering but the size/weight trade off was too much. In the end I rely on Summicrons the most (although I don’t enjoy the rendering of asph crons the, v1 35mm and v2 50mm are probably the best user lens that Leica has ever released from my point of view).
 

 

[farnz]

For a 'dream' set I would add:

• a Teikaku Zunow 50/1.1
• a Carl Zeiss Jena 75/1.5 Biotar
• a Konica Hexanon 60/1.2
• a 90/2.2 Thambar 
• a 73/1.9 Hektor.

Of course this requires winning the lottery but I feel it must be my turn any day now.

Pete.

[andybarton]

I'm quite happy with the lenses I already have.

 

At a push I might replace my 24 Elmarit-M ASPH with a more modern version, but I'd lose a stop and would need convincing that the quality was worth the upgrade. I doubt that it is, TBH.

[earleygallery]

Well I guess my dream set would be one of everything. 

[pgk]

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16 minutes ago, farnz said:

Of course this requires winning the lottery but I feel it must be my turn any day now.

Expensive tastes, and they aren't even all by Leica!

[wattsy]

I only use two of the six Leica lenses that I own – the 28/F5.6 and 90/F4 Macro Elmar. I really ought to consider selling the others.

In fact, I could probably be quite happy with just the 28. There are no other Leica lenses that I would like to own at any price because I simply wouldn't use them.

Edited April 24, 2020 by wattsy

[pgk]

9 minutes ago, wattsy said:

There are no other Leica lenses that I would like to own at any price because I simply wouldn't use them.

That is a very nice position to be in.

Edited April 24, 2020 by pgk

[Milan_S]

I am happy with the kit I have 

Just would like to add a few 50 noct f1, a black paint 50mm rigid and 35mm f2 8 elements (incoming) and a Steel rim 35mm summilux.

[a.noctilux]

15 minutes ago, wattsy said:

I only use two of the six Leica lenses that I own – the 28/F5.6 and 90/F4 Macro Elmar. I really ought to consider selling the others.

In fact, I could probably be quite happy with just the 28. There are no other Leica lenses that I would like to own at any price because I simply wouldn't use them.

Ian,

thanks for this genius idea.

Those old friends of mine took much use but less and lesser now.

Next time, I'd just use them : 5.6/28mm and 4/90 or maybe only one 28mm to find out.

my last words ...

😏Having too many choices kills the creativity.

Edited April 24, 2020 by a.noctilux

[TomB_tx]

In my experience dream lenses can become nightmares...

[pippy]

I've been struggling with the problem of quite how to reply to this question......are we considering stuff we are going to use or merely stuff to have as 'curiosities'?

If the former; I don't lust after anything even reomotely "fancy" and, as mentioned elsewhere, I much prefer small and light over fast so I'd choose nothing more exotic than a 28 Elmarit ASPH, a 50 Summicron (my v4 is more than adequate) and either a 75 or 90 Summarit. Those are honestly what I'd choose to carry around and, as such, make up my 'Actual' set as well as my 'Dream' set. Hey, what can I say? I'm a cheap date!

If the latter then I'd probably go for some of the obvious candidates such as the 35 Summilux AA and the f1.2 Noctilux but can't honestly say I give such stuff a second's thought. They certainly wouldn't be picked if I was going out snapping unless I had a particular need for using either of those variations.

Philip.

 

Edited April 24, 2020 by pippy

[onasj]

Interesting question.  For me, the answer depends on the context of the dream:

- Artistic dream: 28 lux, 50 noct, 75 lux, 90 APO

- Modern image quality dream (heavily weighted towards sharpness and/or lack of CA): 21 SEM, 35 lux, 50 APO, 75 noct, 90/2.4, 135 APO

- Travel dream in which my back doesn't hate me: WATE or 21 SEM, 28 cron, 50 APO, 90/2.4

That's the beauty of the Leica M lineup—just about any dream can be accommodated, so long as your dream includes a money tree

 

[spydrxx]

I owned all but one of my dream set years ago, ended up selling them due to a financial hardship. On the rebound I got several back, but still had one (oldie) desirable missing. Although I still think about it, I'd rather concentrate on an upgraded digital body...maybe that outlier lens will find its way sometime down the road😎

[Universalb50]

...current production Summicron 50 APO, Summicron 50 rigid (non DR) in perfect condition, and (OK, not a Leitz lens) but Nikkor 3.5cm/1.8 in ltm...I would list the Summaron 28mm/5.6, but the Nikkor 2.8cm/3.5 substitutes for it at less cost...also would like to borrow a Noctilux for a few weeks just to try it out...

[Lelmer]

No difference between dream and actual set...In case I would dream about another lens, I'd just buy it 😀

[Gregm61]

Part of "the dream" would be, the shoulder strong enough to hold/carry it all for long periods, LOL

The one in my bag currently is one of choice and is a good speed vs carry-ability compromise, the M262, 21mm SEM, 35mm f1.4 FLE, 50mm f2 current non-APO and a 90mm f2 pre-ASPH that I purchased like-new in the box and had Leica 6 bit code and adjust 3 years or so ago.

[Fedro]

I have been buying M lenses over the past 20 years and I think I have every lens I would want to have (in fact, I think I have too many as is)

My dream kit would include wate, 28 Lux, 35 Lux, 50 APO/Lux + 75 Nocti/Lux (but not for carrying around). I love fast lenses and very rarely use longer than 75 on an M

The only lenses that I have been tempted with over the years (but never had) are the 75 apo and 90 Macro Elmar

If there is anything I would love to see at some point (and maybe have), it is a 35 Noctilux

Edited April 24, 2020 by Fedro

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Hallo,

Look here: Leica M

[lct]

My dream lens does not exist yet: a compact 21/2 or a 35/2 apo the same size as the 35/2 v4. Don't ask me if i hold my breath