back to Leica : What to do with these three old M lenses (elmar, summaron, summicron)

[chris7273]

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Hi

I want to go back to the Leica World. 

I have three lenses that I inherited from my Grand-father (with his M1 and M2). I used these a lot in the eighties-nineties and then I turned "digital" with Nikon. 

I am now ready to go back to Leica but here is my dilemma with the M mount lenses (I think they are from the sixites) : Summaron 35mm f/2.8, Elmar 50mm f3.5 collapsible, Summicron 50mm f/2.0. They are in good condition, no fungus, clean and dust free.

If I opt for the M11, I won't have money left for a lens and I wonder if these old lenses will be good enough for the 60Mpix sensor ? or for the same price, would it be a better idea to opt for an SL2s with the 24-70 and still have the possibility to use the old lenses with an adapter ring ?

Thank you for your ideas, advices, point of view, experiences... 

Chris

 

[andybarton]

Your lenses will be absolutely fine with an M11.

[Keith (M)]

I use my '67 35mm Summaron f2.8 and '55 5cm Summicron Collapsible on my M11 (and M10M) and have never had any concerns about the results.   As long as they are in good condition you need have no concern.  There are threads here and elsewhere about 'sensor out-resolving old lenses' if you would like further info.

[darylgo]

The Summicron and Summaron will render beautifully on the M11.  There’s many posts and users on LUF that prefer the older lenses for their softer character wide open and very fine performance stopped down.   If you want the look of the most modern optics they may not measure up but often times a boost in clarity or contrast in Lightroom will get close.  

Edited December 22, 2022 by darylgo

[pegelli]

I have the same lenses and use them on my M2 as well as M246 monochrom. On those bodies they are absolutely fine so it can only get better on later/higher MP bodies. Almost every lens will perform better on a sensor with more resolution.

If you want to complement your set with a longer lens from the same era (and comparable rendering) look for an Elmarit 90/2.8 (the long version, without the word "Tele" in the name), they can be found for relatively little money for a Leica lens and are also excellent performers.

[Jeff S]

Use and enjoy.  
 

The SL2/S, and a zoom, is a completely different system, with different pros and cons.  Choose based on your shooting needs and preferences, not because of any IQ concerns.

Jeff

[chris7273]

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9 minutes ago, Jeff S said:

Use and enjoy.  
 

The SL2/S, and a zoom, is a completely different system, with different pros and cons.  Choose based on your shooting needs and preferences, not because of any IQ concerns.

Jeff

Thank you

My heart goes to M11 🙂

[jaapv]

Nice lenses; just use them on (nearly) every Leica. No sensor outresolves a lens, no lens outresolves a sensor. It is an additive system, not a subtractive one. 

[dpitt]

With any digital M these lenses form a very portable and capable package.
Of course the M11 would be great, but why pour all your money in a digital body? 

You could save some money on the long run and buy a used M now with warranty like a M10 (R  or not). The price of the M10 will depreciate much less than a new M11 will over the same period. If you can ‘live’ with the IQ of the M10 for 2 years and then upgrade to a used M11, the price they each fetch will be much closer. The price difference delta will likely buy you a very nice Leica lens...

[dem331]

I am sorry if my view is rather contrarian on this. I think those lenses are great, but I would never buy an M11 to use them, unless they were to supplement other newer lenses. To use the lenses you have I would invest in an used M, probably M240, or go straight into the SL system, depending on your personal preferences, although in the latter case I think you will probably end up using mainly L-mount lenses. 

[James6714]

The old lenses render differently than the new lenses (Asph).  On M11 don’t be surprised the results are not what you are looking for. It happens to me.  I suggest you find out which look is your preference.  Either ways, the journey is very memorable and maybe like me, you end up try both routes. 

[gotium]

Agree that older lenses are fine on a modern digital M but I also agree that there's no need for an M11 in terms of image quality - only if there's some other reason you like it, like the weight or the battery or whatever. Otherwise a used M10?

[chris7273]

Thank you for the M10 idea... I have only played with an M11 at the leica store. I really liked the focus peaking on the rear screen. Is this feature present on the M10 ? and as good as on the M11 ? 

[Lelmer]

32 minutes ago, chris7273 said:

Thank you for the M10 idea... I have only played with an M11 at the leica store. I really liked the focus peaking on the rear screen. Is this feature present on the M10 ? and as good as on the M11 ? 

Yes, and also on the M240.

But to be honest, I only use this feature from time to time to check the rangefinder.

[LocalHero1953]

Those lenses will be great on the M11, and are all you should ever need. That will not stop you buying new, modern, bleeding-edge sharp lenses, just because they are there. View these lenses as a gateway drug. You are already lost.

[dpitt]

3 hours ago, chris7273 said:

Thank you for the M10 idea... I have only played with an M11 at the leica store. I really liked the focus peaking on the rear screen. Is this feature present on the M10 ? and as good as on the M11 ? 

Is live view the main reason to go back to Leica (M11) ? Strengths of the M system are mainly the compactness and the joy of using a RF. Yes, the newer M's can do live view and EVF makes them almost the same as a mirrorless. But a true mirrorless like the SL range will do this job better and for less money.

Through the RF one sees  the scene in a different way and the outside of the frame is visible too. This is something no mirrorless or reflex camera can emulate.

[chris7273]

59 minutes ago, dpitt said:

Is live view the main reason to go back to Leica (M11) ? Strengths of the M system are mainly the compactness and the joy of using a RF. Yes, the newer M's can do live view and EVF makes them almost the same as a mirrorless. But a true mirrorless like the SL range will do this job better and for less money.

Through the RF one sees  the scene in a different way and the outside of the frame is visible too. This is something no mirrorless or reflex camera can emulate.

don't ge me wrong 😉 I played a bit the M11, I liked it a lot as a rangefinder camera (same feeling as with my grandfather's M2) and cherry on the cake : the live view is really nice and convenient to use. 

 

[dpitt]

Indeed, it is just that, a very nice cherry. Looks like you want an M for the right reasons. So in that case any M from 240 on will do for you.

Edited December 23, 2022 by dpitt