Most 'Leica like' lens?

[leffe]

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Which of the lenses in the actual Leica portfolio is the most Leica like one? Glow et cetera...

[carstenw]

50 Noctilux It is hard and personal to define the look. If you mean a classical look, perhaps the 50 Cron or 90 Elmarit. But then, there is no need to stick with the current lineup. What focal lens are you looking for? You may want to look at the upcoming Summarits too.

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[sdai]

You're likely going to have more than 20 different answer but it's the dual range 50 cron in my opinion.

[j. borger]

Which of the lenses in the actual Leica portfolio is the most Leica like one? Glow et cetera...

I am afraid from the current lens line-up only the Noctilux has the "older Leica fingerprint" you seem refering to.

I would look for a 35 or 50 lux pre-asph as long as they are available in minty condition.

The 50 lux pre-asph is still new in box available at several places.

Yes .... you most likely have to buy 2nd hand if you want the old leica look ... and then we could make a long list of glowing lenses with the older fingerprint

[Jack_Flesher]

Agreed that there are as many answers to this question as there are generations of Leica M lenses, but that said, the one that embodies ALL the classic Leica traits; sharp enough wide open, stunningly sharp stopped down 2 from wide open, smooth bokeh, pleasant contrast (not harsh, not soft), "3-D look", I also go with the...

 

50 PRE-Asph Lux -- and more specifically, the very last version with the built-in hood. (PS: And they are selling at relative bargain prices on eBay right now -- usually between $1100 and $1500 US).

 

Others that fall into this category are:

 

>> 90 Cron, last immediate Pre-Asph version with built-in hood. The earleir Canadian ones were a different optical formula (and NO, Sean did NOT test this version in his 90 review, he tested the an earler one). FWIW, this lens is a bit smaller than the 90 APO Asph and not so much larger or heavier than the 90 Elmarit;

 

>> 35 Cron Pre-Asph, 4th version, the classic that needs no explanation;

 

>> any earlier version 50 Pre-Asph Lux (has a teeny bit harsher bokeh than the one above, but still excellent);

 

To a slightly lesser degree, less strong on one or two traits listed above, and as long as they are clean inside and out:

 

>> 50 Cron Pre-Asph, almost any version after the collapsables, though the last collapsable with the improved blue coating (and not the one radio-active internal glass elements which is usually yellow-ish) can be quite good too. The DR, which won't mount on an M8, is the sharpest camera lens of any description I ever tested for center resolution, period. Note that 50 Crons are generally too sharp across the field and a bit too high contrast to render that classic 3-D look -- IOW they're too good ;

 

>> 75 Lux (any version);

 

>> First f1 Noctilux, 58 filter size version -- best bokeh of the Noct's, (but no Noct is as sharp as the 50 Pre- Lux from f1.4 and up -- and I have tested every version...);

 

>> 28 Elmarit Pre-Asph, last version with clip-on (no pins) hood and 46 filter size;

 

>> 21 Elmarit Pre-Asph (any version);

 

>> 21 Super Angulon, either f3.4 version but NOT the f4 version. Note that these lenses do not meter properly on the M8 AND have a notably tighter view than the 21 Elmarit -- so are probably closer to 22 - 22.5mm focal length. (FWIW, this is the probable explanaton for why Leica did not bother to design a 24mm M lens until after the 21 Elmarit arrived.);

 

>> 90 Tele-Elmarit, thin version (this lens is quite flare prone, so never use it without the hood properly attached, and take secial note whenever a bright light source is in the frame);

 

>> 135 Tele-Elmarit, any version;

 

And lastly, if you are ready for this:

 

>> the sub $400 15mm Voigtlander Heliar!

 

Cheers,

[sean_reid]

Which of the lenses in the actual Leica portfolio is the most Leica like one? Glow et cetera...

 

There's no such thing but it is interesting to see what lenses people favor, love, etc.

 

Cheers,

[lct]

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Which of the lenses in the actual Leica portfolio is the most Leica like one? Glow et cetera...

Noctilux 50/1, Summilux 75/1.4, perhaps Summicron 28/2 which 'paints' like a modern Leica lens with a pinch of vintage look in it.

About previous lenses, see what Jack Flesher said above.

You might wish to consider the cute Summicron-C 40/2 and the Summilux 35/1.4 pre-asph as well but i don't know the latter in person so ask Jack who owns one if i remember well.

BTW Tele-Elmarit 135/4 is a typo, read Tele-Elmar 135/4.

[norm_snyder]

My favorite? 35mm v.4 Summicron

For glow? 50mm uncoated 3.5 screw mount Elmar--not the sharpest, but it does have a "look."

 

--N

[Guest stnami]

Buy the most "unlike" lens and use the rest.........then I will borrow the unlika lens, Photoshop the image to look like your leicalika lenses..........

[Jack_Flesher]

I will Photoshop the image to look like your leica lenses..........

 

(edited for clarity)

 

I wish I had a dollar for every time I've heard this... Fact is, it never happens. I've tried myself several times, and I'm pretty facile with Photoshop (), but never get it good enough to fool myself or any folks that know what they're looking for. Same thing with a classic soft focus lens like the Cooke or Thambar -- it's an effect you simply cannot duplicate with filters or PhotoShop.

 

And I'm happy to money on this one.

 

Cheers,

[Printmaker]

Leica like - I love my 50 Dual Range Summicron on my M4. Its sharp enough and the colors glow. Too bad it does not work on my M8. I had an early 70s black rigid 50 Summicron and it was a sweet lens as well (Sold it with a M2R to pay for a divorce). And then there is the 35 Summicron (V4). I lost mine and replaced it with a 35 CVM. Close, but no magic. The 90 tele-ele is okay. I have an old one, but my new 90 Elmarit M blows it out of the water. Call it the new, hard edged, Leica style or whatever, but I like the look. All of the ASPH lenses seem to have this same razor-edged new look.

 

Tom

[Guest stnami]

Well Jack you just gotta get your skills up and wammo it will be all there for your picking. Then again manyon this forum would agree with you after all it's a Leica forum not a Nikon, Canon, Olympus etc, others are more practical in their views,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, in the end it is what one wants to believe that goes a long way with infuencing the stance............ here it will always be that Leica is so sooooo different and better.............................. I have no desire to change your fantasy

[vic vic]

wow jack...... what a deep understanding and nueances identification u have........

 

money money money......

put your photos on the table.... lets see what u know....... talk about photography...... let me hear what exactly u know about this art and craft.......... common......

 

i have enough money and dont know to manipulate with photoshop...... i belive in pure photography ........... what is it ???????? u know what is it ???????? leica lens........

 

lets make a little discussion......... about pure photography....... and then i will join u the leica-like lens discussion........ will contribute my knowledge.......... but u first....... what is non-photoshop photography ?????? maybe u should ask some faked leica interent gurus all around??????????????

 

cooke ????? thambar (this is some leica soft lens i guess)..........???????? what do u know about it.......??? to make it soft??????? that is it???? to buy a lens and make it soft rite ???? to buy another lens that in your dreams make your photos better ???

common ... u dont need cooke 945....... learn to photograph with pinhole, holga first...... then even with cooke u may appreciate photography and even the one that is done with cooke...... photography i mean ........ not degeneratography and lens/camera pornography..........

holga snaps telaviv

 

u just show now the most non-leica-like face that is so common among the leica owners many times.........

hahah

[norm_snyder]

I used to read this other forum....then...oh, well!

 

...dada nihilismus.....

 

N.

[MP3]

Well Jack you just gotta get your skills up and wammo it will be all there for your picking. Then again manyon this forum would agree with you after all it's a Leica forum not a Nikon, Canon, Olympus etc, others are more practical in their views,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, in the end it is what one wants to believe that goes a long way with infuencing the stance............ here it will always be that Leica is so sooooo different and better.............................. I have no desire to change your fantasy

 

Hi Imant

 

From the same logic, so you believe PS, profile and Alienskin can give us real Tri-X, Kodakchrome or Agfa Scala Rodinal look ??

 

- Matthew

[Guest stnami]

Most of you guys are making stuff for the monitor or the be printed by a inkjet/electronic device..... those two determine the final appearance, Photoshop/Aperture etc plays a huge role in determining that. The look of a lens can be emulated

Tri-X, Kodakchrome or Agfa Scala Rodinal look . ......... for that you will have to go back to the darkroom as Vic has pointed out on may occassion

For me I have a digital end result....... on paper or the screen............. no I have no wish to shove liquid chemicals/Rodinal into my hard drive and most would agree with me on that point

[sdai]

Let's not get personal here ... for me, it's only different ways to spend your money and get yourself satisfied.

 

To repeat an old argument ... if you prefer the look of film, then shoot film, if you love Leica then by all means go for a Leica. LOL

 

Peace.

[DaveB]

I probably shot 6000 pictures over the past eight weeks with a variety of lenses including nice Leica 35mm, 50mm and 90mm asph examples.

 

Damned thing is that my cheapo 15mm CV lens produced more memorable shots than any other. (35mm summicron was a close 2nd).

 

I almost always regret not having the thing on my M8. Plus, it's always in perfect focus! I had an IR cut filter wedged in all summer with pieces of cardboard from a spaghetti box.

 

My only complaint is that three months after buying the thing I keep trying to focus through the rangefinder.

[Guest stnami]

It's about lenses not film......... but others saw it important enough to be part of the equation...... as you did

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[Laki]

wow jack...... what a deep understanding and nueances identification u have........

 

money money money......

put your photos on the table.... lets see what u know....... talk about photography...... let me hear what exactly u know about this art and craft.......... common......

 

i have enough money and dont know to manipulate with photoshop...... i belive in pure photography ........... what is it ???????? u know what is it ???????? leica lens........

 

lets make a little discussion......... about pure photography....... and then i will join u the leica-like lens discussion........ will contribute my knowledge.......... but u first....... what is non-photoshop photography ?????? maybe u should ask some faked leica interent gurus all around??????????????

 

cooke ????? thambar (this is some leica soft lens i guess)..........???????? what do u know about it.......??? to make it soft??????? that is it???? to buy a lens and make it soft rite ???? to buy another lens that in your dreams make your photos better ???

common ... u dont need cooke 945....... learn to photograph with pinhole, holga first...... then even with cooke u may appreciate photography and even the one that is done with cooke...... photography i mean ........ not degeneratography and lens/camera pornography..........

holga snaps telaviv

 

u just show now the most non-leica-like face that is so common among the leica owners many times.........

hahah

 

sorry, but when i read this post two things come in my mind.

 

1. you have a problem with the poster to which you reply

2. you are saying that it doesnt matter with what you photograph but on the other side you urge people to use holgas, pinhole etc., so where is the big difference? i mean by using a specific lens to get a specific look is a bad thing? just using a holga or pinhole camera doesnt make a photo art and the boxholder an artist.

 

actually to be honest there were three things, but the third is more about personal communication skills and using question marks etc., so i will drop that, because by using all that '????' and '....' it must be art too.