Lenses and M10 at its essence

[01maciel]

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After having used my M10 for about 2 years I realised that three lenses is enough to keep me permanently happy:

1. Noctilux-M 1:1/50 v4
2. Summicron 50 v4
3. Summicron 35 (not yet)

The essentials so to speak. The rest is not really necessary for me but it's nice to fiddle around with different brands and focal lengths. The choosen quantitative and empirical approach was quite expensive as you can imagine

Just my thoughts and 2 cents. You may have different needs and/or requirements.

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[TomB_tx]

Good concept. I used Leica M4 & M6 for 40 years with only 35 & 50 Summicrons and 90 TeleElmarit (1968) as my only M lenses. Started experimenting with others after retiring and getting an M9 in 2010, but would really do fine with only the 3 old lenses. (and seldom use the 90)

[Gobert]

You are completely right.
A combo of 35 and 50 mm will do and does it for me as well. But it is so nice to play around with other lenses......

Edited July 12, 2020 by Gobert

[jdlaing]

Get a 35 or 28. You’ll like it.

[mmx_2]

I think a 35 and a 50 is the "optimal" for a Leica M, but I also really like to use 21 and 24mm. I was never very fond of 28mm, but I really like 50mm :). If I would only keep one lens it would be the Summilux 50, but others will have different opinions.

[TG14]

I have the 50summicron (1st lens). Bought a 28elmarit after thinking that i need a wider lens but after using it for a year or so, still not the most comfortable with it. Find that whatever i shoot comes out too small. Want to get a 35 lux but that is some investment.

[bags27]

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I'm gradually easing into the world of rangefinders (at almost 73 with diminishing eyesight!). I've been using an M4-P paired a bit absurdly with a 35 f/1.4 FLE (previously on my digital CL), and expecting a used 50 Lux ASPH in the mail this week. I love my beat up 135 f/4 (Mandler) on any camera body. Am agonizing over a nice 21 SEM. And know I need to get an M10 for take full advantage of my modern glass, though (yikes!) I could buy a couple of Mamiya 7iis for the price. I'm about 2 standard Leica currency units away from getting everything I want now.

Anyway, I'd go out with the M4-P and M 10 with the 35 and 135 (or maybe the 90 f/4 macro) OR the 21 and 50. Either combo would force me to look at the world in certain ways.... 

Edited July 14, 2020 by bags27

[WhiskeyVerb]

4 hours ago, bags27 said:

I'm gradually easing into the world of rangefinders (at almost 73 with diminishing eyesight!). I've been using an M4-P paired a bit absurdly with a 35 f/1.4 FLE (previously on my digital CL), and expecting a used 50 Lux ASPH in the mail this week. I love my beat up 135 f/4 (Mandler) on any camera body. Am agonizing over a nice 21 SEM. And know I need to get an M10 for take full advantage of my modern glass, though (yikes!) I could buy a couple of Mamiya 7iis for the price. I'm about 2 standard Leica currency units away from getting everything I want now.

Anyway, I'd go out with the M4-P and M 10 with the 35 and 135 (or maybe the 90 f/4 macro) OR the 21 and 50. Either combo would force me to look at the world in certain ways.... 

I'm curious, what are "Standard Leica Currency Units"?    

I think you are talking about how ridiculous it costs, right?   

Are those measured in 'Lux   🙂?   

Cause I do have a few 'Lux lenses - same as yours.   Lovely lenses. 

Cheers. 

 

[otto.f]

If I had such an expensive and versatile camera I would not be satisfied with just a 35 and two 50’s. Besides, there are quite a few very special R lenses I’m hooked too where I can easily use this M10 for.  If it was about an M9, M4 or M7 it might be different but I can’t miss my Elmarit 24 either. 

Edited July 14, 2020 by otto.f

[Gobert]

35 minutes ago, otto.f said:

If I had such an expensive and versatile camera I would not be satisfied with just a 35 and two 50’s. Besides, there are quite a few very special R lenses I’m hooked too where I can easily use this M10 for.  If it was about an M9, M4 or M7 it might be different but I can’t miss my Elmarit 24 either. 

I agree, neither am I.

But if you analyse which lenses you use most, it will probably be a limited number.

(it’s an expensive hobby we have).

Edited July 14, 2020 by Gobert

[Gregm61]

21 SEM, 35/1.4 FLE and 75mm f2 APO, with the 135mm f3.4 APO if I really want to cover all the bases, with my M262.

Narrowed to two, the 21 and 35. Given the option of one lens only.....the CL and 11-23.

Edited July 14, 2020 by Gregm61

[otto.f]

36 minutes ago, Gobert said:

if you analyse which lenses you use most, it will probably be a limited number

True. I’m still trying to say goodbye to a few lenses, which should be possible with more lenses of the same focal length. But with some lenses I seldom use, the 24 and the APO90, I made ‘once in a lifetime’ photo’s. Regret of having sold a lens can also become a very expensive hobby. 😊

[pgk]

My 50mm Leica lens is my least used one. There are no 'one size fits all' solutions for photographers. Each will have his/her own preferences.

[Gobert]

6 hours ago, otto.f said:

True. I’m still trying to say goodbye to a few lenses, which should be possible with more lenses of the same focal length. But with some lenses I seldom use, the 24 and the APO90, I made ‘once in a lifetime’ photo’s. Regret of having sold a lens can also become a very expensive hobby. 😊

Stop torturing yourself. Don’t sell lenses for that reason.

[g2van]

Great OP! I really like my M10 (now 10-P). My essence kit would be:

- Konica 21-35mm M-Hexanon Dual

- Noct V2

- 90 tele-elmarit

 

My substitutes bench would be:

- 35 FLE

- Voigt 75/1.5

- 7Artisans 50/1.1

 

My absolute one lens kit - still undecided between Konica 21-35 and the 35FLE

 

I own and use all of these and they all make my "won't sell" kit (for now at least).

 

 

[Steve Ash]

I am on my way to Brunei. I took the sem21, the summilux 50 and Apo-telyt 135. Interesting to see which one I am going to use most in my fourteen days quarantine.

[Dennis]

2 hours ago, g2van said:

Konica 21-35mm M-Hexanon Dual

Never heard about it. Interesting FL range. How is optically? Decent or great?

[jdlaing]

Great.

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Hallo,

Look here: Leica M

[jdlaing]

An rare too.

[Arif]

I had one for several years but sold it last year.  I liked the convenience but did not use it enough to really fall in love with it.