Moving to M system from Q2 -Advice

[New to Leica M]

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Hey Leica aficiondos, 

I am transitioning from my Lecia Q2 to the M system.   Love the Q2 but will be switching to the M system.     I am excited to move into a 35mm lense and debating between the Summicron f2 or the Summilux f1.4.      Anyone out there with experiences on either OR both?   Clearly the Summicron is less expensive and I think and F2 will be just fine in low light but thought I would check nonetheless.    Another less imp question is if there is any advice on the colour of  the lense.    I am getting a chrome body but feel both lenses (black and chrome) look good with the chrome body.   I am indifferent so someone could sway me one way or the other so would welcome the advice.  

Thanks!

Will

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[jaapv]

Personally I prefer the low light rendering of the Summicron, but the Summilux will give you shallow DOF.

[Delirious123]

I'm thinking of doing exactly the same but really cannot justify the cost to myself yet. The Q2 is so good and I have to ask myself will I do any better with an M11 or M10-R? Probably not but it's the wanting of the classic range finder M style I'm after. That said as for lens colour. I'd go silver with a chrome body. Very classy. 

Cheers,

Delirious. 

[New to Leica M]

Thanks a bunch.    Yeah, I had to self rationalize the investment for myself for a while.   Key things I convinced myself on (and it made me feel better) - true range finder experience, planning to never change again so lenses will accumulate over time (not just a 28mm that the Q2 has).    I actually think I will become worse before I get better but it will be a fun process along the way.   I am no professional so only my pride and bank account will be hurt temporarily and I think it will be worth it.    
 

regarding the silver lense - I do find it looks better.   The argument the other way is that “if” I ever change the body colour (from silver to black) way down the line will the silver lenses still jive with a black body.      Again,  I am somewhat indifferent but that would be the counter argument a small part of my brain throws out there for time to time.  

[Delirious123]

15 hours ago, New to Leica M said:

Thanks a bunch.    Yeah, I had to self rationalize the investment for myself for a while.   Key things I convinced myself on (and it made me feel better) - true range finder experience, planning to never change again so lenses will accumulate over time (not just a 28mm that the Q2 has).    I actually think I will become worse before I get better but it will be a fun process along the way.   I am no professional so only my pride and bank account will be hurt temporarily and I think it will be worth it.    
 

regarding the silver lense - I do find it looks better.   The argument the other way is that “if” I ever change the body colour (from silver to black) way down the line will the silver lenses still jive with a black body.      Again,  I am somewhat indifferent but that would be the counter argument a small part of my brain throws out there for time to time.  

If you plan on acquiring a number of lenses over time then you can mix and match between black and silver. It won't really matter. As you also state you may also change the body, in time, then you can also switch the body colour from chrome to black and not worry. That aside though. the silver lenses look great on a black body also.

Whichever route you go, have fun choosing. I'm jealous 😋

Cheers,

Delirious.

[mkur]

I also prefer the look of silver lenses - a silver 35 Summicron ASPH was my first Leica lens. They look lovely on both silver and black bodies. However, keep in mind that older silver lenses are made of brass, so they are heavier than their black counterparts. While the difference is not large for a single lens it can add up quickly if you are carrying several in your bag. Most current lenses available in silver are made from aluminium, so no weight difference. Also, silver lenses tend to retain their value better, as they are simply rarer.

And having both the 35 Summilux FLE & the current Summicron, I would suggest the FLE -- beautiful rendering, especially wide open. Mine is black 😉

Edited February 4, 2022 by mkur

[tom0511]

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I believe the Summilux FLE to show somewhat more consistent sharpness over the whole image.

But I also like the Summicron, and also its small size.

By the way the 35 Summarit is also a very good lens, small, flare reistent, nice bokeh,...

[MaticB]

Just to warn you: with true range finder and 35 mm lens, your field of view will go from edge to edge. Composition won't be as easy as with Q2, where you can activate crop mode to 35mm and than finally use either 35 or 28 mm frame. I use both system, but my path went in oposite direction - from M to Q. I must admit - with Q2 compositioning is far easily. On the other way, rendering of M lenses, specially wide open, is something special.

[tom0511]

Am 4.2.2022 um 15:59 schrieb MaticB:

Just to warn you: with true range finder and 35 mm lens, your field of view will go from edge to edge. Composition won't be as easy as with Q2, where you can activate crop mode to 35mm and than finally use either 35 or 28 mm frame. I use both system, but my path went in oposite direction - from M to Q. I must admit - with Q2 compositioning is far easily. On the other way, rendering of M lenses, specially wide open, is something special.

it is 28mm which goes from edge to edge in the M viewfinder, not 35mm.

[Herr Barnack]

In my experience, a 35mm lens angle of view is so close to the edge that there is not much benefit over a 28mm in terms of seeing what's outside the frame lines.  A 50mm lens offers a significant advantage in that regard.

The 35mm is a very good all around focal length. To my eye, a 28mm lens creates a more 3D rendering.  Both are great choices for an all around wide angle optic.  The 28mm requires a bit of a different approach to shooting than the 35mm.  It requires the photographer to step up and get closer to the subject. 

Edited February 7, 2022 by Herr Barnack

[MaticB]

1 hour ago, tom0511 said:

it is 28mm which goes from edge to edge in the M viewfinder, not 35mm.

"Herr Barnack" described more precisely, what I wanted to emphasise. Angle of view in "M" range finder for 28 mm and 35 mm are so close together, that the photographer,  when evaluating future composition,  has to look "around the corner" - in both cases. In "Q2" view finder, angle of view for 28mm (actually 24mm!) and especialy frame lines for 35mm give much more "comfort" in that respect.

[tom0511]

I feel I can see outside the frame with M at 35mm (maybe not as much like Q2), but I don't wear glasses. I do find it a bit difficult to see 28 frame lines with the M.

 

[MaticB]

2 minutes ago, tom0511 said:

I feel I can see outside the frame with M at 35mm (maybe not as much like Q2), but I don't wear glasses. I do find it a bit difficult to see 28 frame lines with the M.

 

Well, I wear glasses..., 🤓!

[nicci78]

You should keep the Q2. 
M is completely something else. 
 

I gave up Ms long ago. I love Q then Q2 so much. No need to go back.