Which Leica M to choose?

[stewartlim]

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Which Leica to choose?

After long wait for Leica Q3 with nothing being heard from the dealer, I decided to give up my pre-order and choose M system instead. As I have pretty limited budget, after some research and reading, this is what I came up with (both are within my budget).

1. Leica M11 + Zeiss Distagon 35mm F1.4 ZM

2. Leica M10-R + Leica Summicron 35mm F2

 

Many thanks, guys.

[Smogg]

I would choose the first option without a doubt! The Distagon is one of the best 35mm lenses for Leica in terms of picture quality, if its size doesn't bother you. And the M11 has enough advantages over the M10-R

[dkmoore]

35 Distagon is a very large lens. I’d go M11 and and get the 35 Cron. 
 

look on Leica classifieds on Facebook. There are some amazing sellers and you can get both because pricing is better there than anywhere else. 

[Leica Filmmatic]

Definitely the M11 with 35 summicron, that’s what I am running and I love it.

[Gelatino]

Gentlemen, stewartlim may dream of it , but didn't propose the option of  M11 + 35 cron .

 

[TomSchmitt]

M11 with a 35. I had the Distagon but sold it due to the size. Optically wonderful, but too big. Go for 35 Cron - or the new VL Nokton 1.5 if you need the extra stop of light plus save an extra 1k.

[dkmoore]

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8 hours ago, Gelatino said:

Gentlemen, stewartlim may dream of it , but didn't propose the option of  M11 + 35 cron .

 

Yes, because he thought he would have to trade off of the 35 Cron if he went with the M11. 
 

however, if he goes to Leica classified like I recommended, he will be able to afford both. 

[M11 for me]

I propose an M11 (no doubt about that) with the 28mm Summicron.

I recently did a long journey with the Q3 (nothing else) and it was the first time since about >40 years that I traveled with just one focal length. And I was thrilled. With limited budget (as you say) I would wait for the Q3.

[bcaslis]

I had a Q2 but found the 28mm too limiting. I was never attracted to previous M cameras but the M11 with 60MP sensor and the removal of the bottom plate and direct battery access was enough to make me try it after the Q2. I would absolutely go for the M11 over the M10-R.

Edited July 9, 2023 by bcaslis

[FlashGordonPhotography]

M11 + CV 35mm APO. The CV35mm APO is a spectacular lens and lets the M11 shine.

Gordon

[jakontil]

Distagon is amazing lens… but due to its size my honeymoon cut short.. but i’d pick a cron anytime of the day

[ianforber]

I have the M11 plus CV Nokton 35mm f1.5. Thoroughly endorse it

[adrianh]

I have also used my waiting time for the Q3 to invest in the M system. I had a M10R for 4 weeks but switched to M11. As others have said that here, there is enough progress in the M11 to make it worth upgrading. Especially as you don’t seem to have any M related legacy feelings. 

In terms of deals: there are of course way better deals to be had on the M10R , however there are often demo units from the M11 available, or people that got their Q3 and are getting rid of their fresh M11. I think you can find good deals on M11 too if you look hard enough for one. 

Edited July 10, 2023 by adrianh

[MarkP]

On 7/10/2023 at 4:35 PM, jakontil said:

Distagon is amazing lens… but due to its size my honeymoon cut short..

She left you for the Distagon?

[jakontil]

3 hours ago, MarkP said:

She left you for the Distagon?

😂🤣😂 i left the distagon went for the FLE 

[tedd]

Date bodies, marry lenses.

I still use an M240 with modern Leica glass and would never trade it for an M11 with Zeiss/CV. I've had five Zeiss M mounts in the past and was never satisfied with any of them - I'll still have my 50 Lux ASPH when I eventually do upgrade the body, which I am in absolutely no rush to do. 

[Kiwimac]

I’ve experienced both lenses and both bodies. 
 

I’d go for your M10-R option. That Zeiss is very good but I always found it too big when I had it. 

[Warton]

On 7/8/2023 at 6:56 PM, stewartlim said:

Which Leica to choose?

After long wait for Leica Q3 with nothing being heard from the dealer, I decided to give up my pre-order and choose M system instead. As I have pretty limited budget, after some research and reading, this is what I came up with (both are within my budget).

1. Leica M11 + Zeiss Distagon 35mm F1.4 ZM

2. Leica M10-R + Leica Summicron 35mm F2

 

Many thanks, guys.

I have 3 pairs "glued" together:

1. M11 + Summicron 28mm

2. M10-R Black Paint + APO-Summicron-50mm

3. M-A + Summilux 35 FLE

 

If I were you, I would go option 2 (m10-r+'cron 35mm), if you can spend a bit more, get APO.

Edited July 18, 2023 by Warton

[Jon Warwick]

On 7/10/2023 at 7:35 AM, jakontil said:

Distagon is amazing lens… but due to its size my honeymoon cut short.. but i’d pick a cron anytime of the day

fwiw I have the same feeling re Voigtlander 35mm APO Lanthar, what a fantastic lens re image quality, but its length is substantially more than a Summicron. Fine for the Visoflex, but getting a bit in the way of rangefinder framelines. Still, given the VC’s amazing image quality, I’d only give it up for the M 35mm “APO” Summicron if I ever switched.

As an aside - fully happy with the size of the 50mm version of the APO Lanthar, that’s all good and more “Leica” in length.

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[dpitt]

Size matters for Leica M lenses. The M system is the most compact package for its size. Every M owner should at least have one lens option as small (or smaller than) the Summicron 35 option.

Maybe I can suggest one more option in the same budget range?
M11+ Summicron 40C should be in the same range as M10R + 35 Summicron

The 40 C is as compact as the 35 Summicron and matches the 35mm M Summicrons IQ of he same period.
I love the 40mm FL and it still is more compact than a 50mm Summicron.