LeicaNewbieMA Posted February 5, 2023 Share #1 Posted February 5, 2023 Advertisement (gone after registration) Hello! New to Leica and new to the forum. After several test runs at my local Leica gallery, I’m smitten with the M11 and wondering which lens is the ideal everyday lens to complete my dream setup. I am an enthusiast who shoots mostly family (toddler and new baby coming in a few months), family events (birthdays, vacations), and some travel/landscape which I hope to pick back up again once the kids are older. I’ve read a lot about the 35mm vs 50mm debate and was leaning toward 50 since I shoot my children and love the shallow DOF, though I do appreciate having a wider field of view particularly at family gatherings. Assuming budget was no limitation, which would you choose? I’ve tried several and one produced exceptionally beautiful images IMO, but don’t want to lead the witnesses Thanks in advance! 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted February 5, 2023 Posted February 5, 2023 Hi LeicaNewbieMA, Take a look here What is your single-lens dream setup for a new Leica M11 user?. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
jaapv Posted February 5, 2023 Share #2 Posted February 5, 2023 50 APO 9 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
trickness Posted February 5, 2023 Share #3 Posted February 5, 2023 50 Summilux 1.4 ASPH. Not as sharp as the APO, but wide open can produce very dreamy results. And its less money than either the 35 Lux or the (!) 50 APO 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hans-Dieter Gülicher Posted February 5, 2023 Share #4 Posted February 5, 2023 35 APO 7 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Photomek Posted February 5, 2023 Share #5 Posted February 5, 2023 35 APO 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al Brown Posted February 5, 2023 Share #6 Posted February 5, 2023 Welcome to the 100th "what single lens for my M camera" thread. Enjoy the ride. 5 10 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Photoworks Posted February 5, 2023 Share #7 Posted February 5, 2023 Advertisement (gone after registration) The camera is best for framing a 35mm, and for that the most best lens if the new 35 Summilux-M II. gives you shallow fosus with 1.4 and closer focus with EVF. if you then stop down to F4 you have the same sharpness of the 35 APO-M I would start there, It is a carry everywhere lens, and it can easily cropped to 50mm. 6 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
darylgo Posted February 5, 2023 Share #8 Posted February 5, 2023 25 minutes ago, Al Brown said: Welcome to the 100th "what single lens for my M camera" thread. Enjoy the ride. How can we resist helping a fellow photographer who's reaching out? @LeicaNewbieMA 50 Summilux Asph, great lens wide open for landscapes, not as harsh on portraits as the 35 or 50 Apo. Stop it down for similar sharpness as Apo. Second lens: 35 Summilux Steel Rim, this is a little jewel, Leica hit it out of the park with this reissue. 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
erudolph Posted February 5, 2023 Share #9 Posted February 5, 2023 I was going to say 35mm APO, a fantastic lens, and with the M11 easily cropped to other fields of view. But it’s not easy to find one and I was struck by Photoworks suggestion of the latest version of the 35mm Summilux. It’s a good thought. I’d choose one of those two. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
IkarusJohn Posted February 5, 2023 Share #10 Posted February 5, 2023 You’re unlikely to stop at one lens for long - particularly if you spend time here! I started with a 35mm, and soon found that 50mm is a sweet spot for the M camera; for me, anyway. Start with the APO 50 Summicron. It’s not as fast as the 50 Summilux ASPH, but its out of focus treatment (bokeh) is creamy smooth. Then add the 28 Summilux. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SrMi Posted February 5, 2023 Share #11 Posted February 5, 2023 35 APO, full OVF use with glasses. If you need to see outside the frame, then 50 APO. 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ianforber Posted February 5, 2023 Share #12 Posted February 5, 2023 Is size an issue? I went for the 50mm non-APO Summicron when I was in your position around 12 months ago, but then I have the 28mm Q2 for a wider pov. Oh, and I’ve now got a 35mm…. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhoToad Posted February 6, 2023 Share #13 Posted February 6, 2023 Tri-Elmar 28-35-50 3 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
MyLeicaWorld Posted February 6, 2023 Share #14 Posted February 6, 2023 21 superelmar .. awesome lens .. 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpark114 Posted February 6, 2023 Share #15 Posted February 6, 2023 I can't decide. I'm equally in love with 35 lux and 50 lux... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ouroboros Posted February 6, 2023 Share #16 Posted February 6, 2023 Ummmm......errrr..... 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jakontil Posted February 6, 2023 Share #17 Posted February 6, 2023 my choice always been a 50 apo when im out and about with a single lens, that goes without saying that i have some other options, like the lux and noctilux too .. but since FLE II 35mm can focus as close as .4m it makes it more versatile, and the wider opening is more preferred than the 35 apo in my shooting scenario, might worth considering outside the 50mm focal length 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lct Posted February 6, 2023 Share #18 Posted February 6, 2023 On 2/5/2023 at 3:24 PM, LeicaNewbieMA said: I’ve read a lot about the 35mm vs 50mm debate and was leaning toward 50 since I shoot my children and love the shallow DOF, though I do appreciate having a wider field of view particularly at family gatherings. I wold take a 50 to begin with but you will need a wider lens soon or late. What rendering do you prefer, classic or modern? If modern, the Summilux 50/1.4 asph is the way to go IMHO. The Summicron 50/2 apo is a superb lens too but its DoF cannot be as shallow as that of the Summilux at full aperture. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
trickness Posted February 6, 2023 Share #19 Posted February 6, 2023 On 2/5/2023 at 10:43 AM, Hans-Dieter Gülicher said: 35 APO Perfect answer to the question: what lens should I get for my M11 that is nearly impossible to find and costs more than the body itself? 🤣 5 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Herr Barnack Posted February 6, 2023 Share #20 Posted February 6, 2023 (edited) 28 Summilux for me. Edited February 6, 2023 by Herr Barnack 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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