New to rangefinder focusing: help me to find my first lens

[wolan]

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Hi,

I bought some time ago a second-hand Leica M10. I am happy with it, but I have been using it mostly with adapted lenses (Nikon F, M42 etc.).

That means, I never used a real rangefinder lens and always focused with the LV or EVF.

Now I'd like to try my hand at it, so I am looking for a first rangefinder lens. However, the choice out there is overwhelming, so maybe you can help me here.

 

Requirements:

• 35mm focal lens (I plan to used it for street photography / landscape / env portraits)
• F2 or faster
• not too expensive. If I am happy with it, then I might invest later
• very sharp, but not necessarily super sharp
• possibly a good bokeh
• second-hand or vintage lens is perfectly ok

What do you suggest?

Thanks.

 

[dkmoore]

Please define "not too expensive." That will help the group give advice.

I also suggest searching the forum as this exact topic has been discussed a lot, and multiple times just in the past couple of months.

I suggest going with the 35 Cron. You absolutely won't go wrong and it will last a lifetime. You can get the previous ASPH version for $2k or the latest version for $2.6k (quoted used pricing).

 

Edited April 27, 2020 by dkmoore

[earleygallery]

Choices for a Leica lens for your criteria are pretty limited, a Summicron (f2) or a Summilux (f1.4). Choices then come down to new or used and if used, which version. 

 

[jdlaing]

Leica 35mm Summicron 

Leica 35mm Summarit

Leica 35mm Summilux

Voigtlander 35mm Nokton

Voigtlander 35mm f/1.4

7artisans 35mm f/2.0

TT Artisans 35mm f/1.4

Zeiss 35mm Biogon 

Zeiss 35mm Distogon

Choices are NOT pretty limited.

Read up a little and look at some example images and you may just see the one you like.

 

[wolan]

6 minutes ago, jdlaing said:

 

Leica 35mm Summarit

Leica 35mm Summilux

Voigtlander 35mm Nokton

Voigtlander 35mm f/1.4

7artisans 35mm f/2.0

TT Artisans 35mm f/1.4

Zeiss 35mm Biogon 

Zeiss 35mm Distogon

Choices are NOT pretty limited.

Read up a little and look at some example images and you may just see the one you like.

 

Thanks, I think I'll restrict the search to Zeiss or Leica.

Where I am a bit struggling is with the different versions of the Leica 35mm lenses

Let us take the Summicron, 35mm f2.

In order to save a bit money I can buy an older version. But except the last two generations, pre-asph and asph, I am not sure about the image quality. Is there any place on the Internet that runs these comparisons across the various generations of Leica lenses?

Thank you.

[jdlaing]

8 minutes ago, wolan said:

Thanks, I think I'll restrict the search to Zeiss or Leica.

Where I am a bit struggling is with the different versions of the Leica 35mm lenses

Let us take the Summicron, 35mm f2.

In order to save a bit money I can buy an older version. But except the last two generations, pre-asph and asph, I am not sure about the image quality. Is there any place on the Internet that runs these comparisons across the various generations of Leica lenses?

Thank you.

If it were my choice in that situation I would choose an aspherical lens.

You may have to dig a little to get comparisons but this forum should give you a start. Just do a search for each lens and you should get some very good samples.

Edited April 27, 2020 by jdlaing

[jdlaing]

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PS: Don’t overlook the Voigtlander lenses. They have some excellent ones.

[earleygallery]

41 minutes ago, jdlaing said:

 

Choices are NOT pretty limited.

Read up a little and look at some example images and you may just see the one you like.

 

I said choices for a Leica lens are limited - also remember the Summarit is f2.5/f2.4 and the OP wants f2 or faster. 

Budget is a big factor and we don't know what that is. 

[garysamson]

My suggestion would be the Zeiss 35mm Biogon f2 lens. It’s around $1000 new and an excellent performing lens, you will not be disappointed. I have used this lens for the past six years and I find the color and sharpness to be superb. 

[davidmknoble]

@wolan, you’ve invested in an M10 which is the current M digital body.  My recommendation to get the most out of that body is that you buy an equivalent current leica M lens.  You mentioned budget and bokeh.  The Summilux 35 ASPH FLE has great bokeh, but even used is expensive.  The Summicron 35 ASPH is a compact lens, and not very expensive used compared to other current M lenses.  Shot at f/4.0. Especially in a close range or at f.5.6 or f/8.0 for street or landscapes is tremendous. At f/2 is very good, but most leica lenses are sharpest about two stops from wide open.  A 6bit coded lens will also register on the M10 and record the lens in the EXIF with no work, automatically.  Lightroom will also apply any lens corrections for the current lenses.  If you were shooting an M8 or film, I might try an older lens. I have used the Nikon glass on my M10M and my SL and they are fun, but the current leica lenses were made for digital.  Best of lucj]k whatever you choose.

NOTE THe Summicron 50 and Summicron 35 ASPH were my first two lenses in 2004.  Still have them. 

[andyturk]

1 hour ago, wolan said:

Now I'd like to try my hand at it, so I am looking for a first rangefinder lens. However, the choice out there is overwhelming, so maybe you can help me here.

Try out different focal lengths to see which one(s) suit your shooting style. That can be expensive if you only use Leica glass, but Voigtlander makes some very nice M-mount lenses. E.g., I picked up a 28mm Ultron f/2.0 and shot with that before upgrading to a 28mm Summicron. The Voigtlander was about $400 used and the Summicron (also used) about 5x more.

[a.noctilux]

1 hour ago, wolan said:

Hi,

I bought some time ago a second-hand Leica M10. I am happy with it, but I have been using it mostly with adapted lenses (Nikon F, M42 etc.).

That means, I never used a real rangefinder lens and always focused with the LV or EVF.

Now I'd like to try my hand at it, so I am looking for a first rangefinder lens. However, the choice out there is overwhelming, so maybe you can help me here.

 

Requirements:

• 35mm focal lens (I plan to used it for street photography / landscape / env portraits)
• F2 or faster
• not too expensive. If I am happy with it, then I might invest later
• very sharp, but not necessarily super sharp
• possibly a good bokeh
• second-hand or vintage lens is perfectly ok

What do you suggest?

Thanks.

 

 

If you accept the price, Summilux-M pre asph. 1.4/35, like the one on the M-A ,  ( some samples from Adan Lux 35mm  < link here ) ,

this family pic was to say "one 35mm lens a day, for a week ! "

in this thread ...

 

Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here…

Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members!

 

I use a bit more 35mm lenses over time, and my present prefered is Summarit-M 2.5/35mm ( not in the pic.) quite enough for using the good "high ISO" of M10.

In Summilux-M 35mm lenses, the best choice for only one lens is by far the Lux asph. 35mm (right one )not too big, balance nicely and top IQ comparing to same FLE model.

[Herr Barnack]

I would recommend the Leica Summarit-M 35mm f/2.4 ASPH lens.  The Summarit line are truly excellent little lenses and are quite affordable (compared to the Summilux and Summicron lenses). 

If f/2.4 is a little slow for your needs, then I would take a look at the Leica Summicron-M 35mm f/2 ASPH lens.  Be prepared to pay a stiff premium for that extra 1/2 stop of maximum aperture speed, though.

If the 35mm Summarit f/2.4 interests you, buy quickly as they are no longer being produced, which is very sad.  These are truly excellent little lenses.

Take a look at the Zeiss Biogon T* 35mm f/2 ZM lens, too.  Zeiss lenses are also excellent in every way.  The Biogon T* 35mm f/2 ZM is a surprisingly affordable lens and has a lot to offer.

Edited April 28, 2020 by Herr Barnack

[Stein K S]

If you invest in a used 35 cron asph (v1 to get the price a bit down...), I feel quite confident that you will keep this lens for a life time... Even if I myself stick to my first ever Leica lens, the v4 😉

 

[giannis]

12 hours ago, wolan said:

Hi,

I bought some time ago a second-hand Leica M10. I am happy with it, but I have been using it mostly with adapted lenses (Nikon F, M42 etc.).

That means, I never used a real rangefinder lens and always focused with the LV or EVF.

Now I'd like to try my hand at it, so I am looking for a first rangefinder lens. However, the choice out there is overwhelming, so maybe you can help me here.

 

Requirements:

• 35mm focal lens (I plan to used it for street photography / landscape / env portraits)
• F2 or faster
• not too expensive. If I am happy with it, then I might invest later
• very sharp, but not necessarily super sharp
• possibly a good bokeh
• second-hand or vintage lens is perfectly ok

What do you suggest?

Thanks.

 

You should definitely check the Voigtlander 35mm f/1.7 Ultron.  Check samples online too. It's a lens with really nice bokeh and very high sharpness, which is not very easy to find in a lens, especially a small and fast one like the Voigtlander. The fact that it doesn't break the bank is the cherry on top. Also its flare resistance is very good.

I have to say from experience, on street you'll rarely go below f/8-f/5.6. And virtually never below f/2.8. F/2 and faster are for environmental portraits I'd say, not street per se. So if you're willing to accept a maximum aperture of f/2.5, check the 35mm f/2.5 Color Skopar, by Voigtlander. Punches way above its weight, and is ideal for street because of size, and because as I said in street you rarely go below f/5.6 anyway. For myself, I always pick the smallest lens when I'm about to go out to shoot street, because after the first couple outings with a fast, heavy lens, you realise you've been carrying the extra weight for no reason (you didn't use the max aperture), and a small lens feels much comfier in comparison.

Another couple ideas are the 35mm f/2 Biogon by Zeiss, which is very sharp, contrasty and "neutral" in its bokeh rendering (no outlining etc.). Or if money and size is no object, probably the best performing 35mm optic by objective standards is the 35mm f/1.4 Distagon.

Edited April 28, 2020 by giannis
typos

[a.noctilux]

Wolan,

The first M lens needs not to be the last lens.

So don't be shy, just buy the one which ticks the most your requirements, then the most important is to use it with your style/taste/M body/workflow/etc.

That is the only way to find out "quickly" if the lens suits you or not.

Then with knowledge replace or keep, or even "complete" with other(s) lens(es) in future.

[otto.f]

12 hours ago, wolan said:

Zeiss or Leica

 

13 hours ago, wolan said:

not too expensive.

What’s expensive if you first want to try a less expensive Zeiss and (according to statistics) in the end you want a Leica anyway? Then you spend two times your money.
The choices are very limited. The only option you have if you don’t want expensive is the Summaron 35, it is very sharp and has a smoother out of focus than the Summicron 35 iv king of bokeh, but it is 2.8. There are no cheap Leica 35/2.0’s that are sharp and have the good bokeh. You could fall back on the Summicron 35 asph, but this is not exactly a lens that is representing the magic that can be seen with Leica lenses in general. 

Edited April 28, 2020 by otto.f

[wosim]

I personally would suggest the Zeiss Distagon f 1.4 35mm - a first class lens on par with the Leica Summilux f 1.4 35mm for a fraction of its price (sometimes you can find a used one for around 1.200 Euro).

For more information about most LTM- or M-Mount lenses you could have a look on my huge collection of links to lens reviews: 

Collection of lens reviews for Leica M Cameras

Good luck!