Your current kit

[sebben]

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15 hours ago, Steven said:

But if I had to chose one only, it would be my favourite body (MP3) with my favourite lens (35 Steel Rim). Here is a picture of some of my steel rims mounted on some of my MP3s. I charge a dollar for each brassing comment. 

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Are these the €1.5million euro MP3s or just the €50.000 MP3s? 

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[Winedemonium]

On 7/17/2023 at 10:12 PM, shirubadanieru said:

and it would be awesome to also see what some of you are using these days, including pics of your beautiful cameras / lenses

Thanks for sharing your collection. It seems you have gravitated to 'classic' rendering. It certainly has its charm.

On 7/18/2023 at 1:43 AM, adan said:

They do not get much use at the moment, but I am loathe to part with them, since I would likely end up shopping for replacements (a boring and expensive prospect!)

I have enough experience with these jewels and know myself well enough now to try to avoid selling an M lens unless I really dislike it. Part of the beauty of this endlessly interchangeable system is the chance to - at some point - decide to shake things up and put a lesser-used lens on the body and head out with it.

17 hours ago, Steven said:

these past two years, I took the habit to travel with only one focal lens, to be fully in the zone when I shoot. It's so liberating, you should try it.

17 hours ago, Steven said:

I have to admit that I've been toying with the idea to commit to one focal lengths for... the rest of my life. It would be 35mm, Alex Webb style.

This is an interesting idea, and like @IkarusJohn I hadn't considered it. But I do find I prefer to stick to one focal length for extended periods, so as to 'see' in that focal length. It leads to better photographs. 35mm gets a rough time in some quarters, but you only have to point to Alex Webb to see how fabulous it can be. Alex's extraordinary sense for composition aside, a nailed 28mm composition has that little extra intimacy and drama, and I do like the formality of 50mm too... and should we not discuss the layered abstract compositions Saul Leiter achieved with longer FLs?... 😄 

But the idea of two lenses in the same FL used at the same time, that's interesting. The brain doesn't have to switch for composition, but the rendering can be changed.

 

In terms of my current kit, I have the M10-R black paint and the M10M, and two film MPs, one silver chrome one black paint. I have owned, used and customised, and sold off, and restarted many times, including a Kanto custom repaint of an M2-R and lens to match, Leica a la carte M7, etc. And I've owned and used much of the back catalogue including screwmount lenses like Elmars and a Thambar, etc. 

The two lenses I most regret selling are my super mint 35mm Summicron 8-element, and my 35mm Summilux "AA". I regret the 8e more because it was compact, and I loved its combination of sharpness and its particular rendering at f/2. The "AA" I personally find easier to have let go because I would feel a little nervous now with its value, and also because the focus shift was difficult on the M (though I imagine very practiced users like @Steven have learned to work around this). The "AA" rendering is very special.

Currently though I am enjoying the 35APO a lot. I have the 35mm re-issue "Steel Rim". (I accept that it is different to the original SR, but its rendering still gives me what I want when the 35APO isn't it). I also like and use the 50APO, and the 50LX black chrome. Beyond that, actual usage diminishes a lot - 21SEM, 24ET, 28ET (may switch this for the 28 Summaron re-issue at some point), 28LX, 85 Zeiss Sonnar ZM f/2, 90ME, 135AT. Far less vintage in the line up than there used to be. 

(I also have a bunch of film cameras and lenses in medium and large format - which is where I have much more 'vintage' looks available, but that'a another story.)

My main concern is to have something handy and pleasurable there to encourage me to carry the camera and use it. 

[IkarusJohn]

@Winedemonium I have never regretted selling a lens - 35 Summicron ASPH, 2 copies of the 35 Summilux (FLE) v1, 35 Distagon 1.4 ZM, 28 Summicron ASPH v1, 70 APO Summicron & 90 APO Summicron - they all went for their own reasons, and I’ve never contemplated purchasing them again.  My current lenses have been acquired over 13 years or so, mostly after careful consideration.

With a mix of old and new, I don’t see adding to them, or selling any of them (but you never know).

Like @Steven some lenses or focal lengths I didn’t like.  Coming from Nikon, I preferred either wide (14-24) or long (180).  I had zero interest in 35mm or 50mm, then I bought a 50 Summilux ASPH for my M9, and was amazed.  The Noctilux struck me as a vanity project, until I saw what it could do when the entire subject was in focus, rather than ridiculous images with too shallow depth of field; also, when I realised that my 75 Summilux had a shallower depth of field wide open than the Noctilux.

Returning to 35mm has not been easy for me.  My first Leica was the 35 Summicron ASPH v1 bought with my M9, and I found it uninspiring compared to the 50mm - both in rendering and field of view.  I switched to 28-50 for that reason, and trying a black 35 (FLE) and the stainless steel version which came with my M Edition 60 (the most beautifully made M lens I’ve had or held) didn’t change my view.

After a few years not missing 35mm, I bought the 35 Summillux pre-asph (v2) on a whim, and because I liked (some) of the images online.  It was relatively inexpensive and I wanted to give the focal length another try.  I’m working on it!  I ummed and ahhed  over the APO 35 Summicron for ages, but the images online (particularly the smooth bokeh which was very similar to my 50 APO Summicron) were so good I succumbed. 

I now have a silly number of lenses I can’t justify, and three M cameras, each different - Monochrom (silver chrome, with brown ostrich print leather), M10-D (a black M10-P, but with no LCD) and M-A (black paint with black ostrich print leather).  I appreciate that cameras and lenses are for using, but I take real pleasure using my M-A with the 35 Summicron or 28 Summaron and my M10-D with the black chrome 50 APO or my Monochrom with silver 50 Summilux ASPH.

I was frustrated with the number of electronic failures of my Leica digital cameras (I realised that ever digital Leica I’ve owned (5) has gone back to Leica for repair or replacement), and the M11 series just goes in too many unnecessary directions to be of interest.  My modest (on paper) and flawed 18MP, M9 based Monochrom is plenty for me in an M camera.  I don’t think future digital Ms will be for me.

If I get another digital camera (once my current digitals die), it will almost certainly be back to the Hasselblad with an X2D and one lens, or its successor.

[Winedemonium]

@IkarusJohn Ah, I recall now that you and I both bought the M60 at around the same time, and discussed it a little then. I thought that camera was quite beautiful, and I liked the 35FLE version on it... except two things: the whole package felt a bit heavy, and I didn't like the case and strap that came with its lugless design. I sold mine. By coincidence I saw this set on a visit to B&H in NY just this week. 

I have mostly used the 35mm focal length since switching to the Leica M over ten years ago. I sometimes use 50mm. I love 28mm, but now as a wearer of eyeglasses, I feel frustrated at not being able to see the corners of the framelines all at once. 

I am coming around more and more to the 35APO and 50APO for most things. I find the smoothness all round less distracting. If I have any gripe, it is that they produce images sometimes too high in contrast SOOC. 

Yes, you have been unlucky with Leica digital bodies. A pity, and I can understand your sentiment. 

The nice thing with the lenses, and films bodies, is that we can just put them away for a while, and use the combination that appeals, and then return to them later - years later. There's no shelf life. 

[RexGig0]

Well, “current kit” seems to mean what I use, not my entire accumulation, some of which remains experimental, or relegated to storage shelves or cabinets. So:

M10, Black Chrome. My first M camera. Bought new, in April 2018, along with my Summilux-M 50mm ASPH.

M Type 246, Black Chrome. Bought pre-owned, when my M10 was down, after a mishap.

Summilux-M 50mm ASPH, Black Anodized. THE reason I added the Leica M system.

Zeiss Distagon 35mm f/1,4 ZM. Used for more images than all of the others combined.

Summilux-M 35mm Steel Rim, the 2022 “Re-Issue.” Just received. My first Leica lens bought new. Early impressions are good.

Voigtlander 35mm f/2.5 Color Skopar II. Misplaced for a few years, but then found, recently, and being used often, this summer.

Elmarit-M 28mm, Version III.

Elmar-M 24mm ASPH.

APO Summicron-M 75mm ASPH. Still experimenting, but it is in a readily-accessible bag, so, “current.”

Thambar-M 90mm. Also still experimenting with this one, but also kept in a readily-accessible bag. Used more as a normal 90mm, stopped-down*.

Zeiss C-Biogon 21mm f/4,5 ZM. Delightful compact UWA. Will show color shift, so used on Monochrom.

Voigtlander Nokton 21mm f/1,4 VM. Recent addition, for shooting color UWA, on M10, and night shooting with either camera.

Voigtlander Nokton 50mm f/1.0 Aspherical VM. Another recent addition. Still experimental, but ready to go, for some anticipated evening shooting, so, current enough. 

Zeiss Biogon 25mm f/2,8 ZM. Bought early last year, but then stored. Recently pulled from storage, for testing, so, current enough to mention.
 

I do not mean to imply that I carry this entire “current kit” every time I go shooting. One camera, with one lens, perhaps with a minimalist pouch or bag, is the norm. One or two cameras, and two to three total lenses, is more normal, when I bring a normal-sized bag. I see the potential of down-sizing, in the future, though these lenses do not eat much, so there is no real need. Some of the lenses that I did not list, that have been in storage, are more-likely candidates for being traded or sold.
 

*Though known as a “soft” lens, to be used wide-open with its special center-spot filter, the Thambar sharpens nicely when stopped-down.

 

 

Edited July 20, 2023 by RexGig0

[Stein K S]

With reference to hdmesa`s post #18 😄, these two exact lenses are also my most used among my current set of 12 lenses. The body, the M6 TTL, however, is replaced by an M10 these days.

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[hansvons]

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My current gear are an M6, an M4P, a Summicron 35mm ASPH-1 and a Nokton f1,4 SC. But more important are the film stocks, which are Kodak 5207 and 5219, and B&W Ilford Delta 100 & 400. 
The Summicron renders super sharp images on the high-resolving Delta 100 and 5207 (mostly used with the M6), while the Nokton renders as the poor man’s Steel Rim from f4 downward moody images that work nicely with the faster 5219 and Delta 400. The Nokton lives without a hood and is my preferred lens when things need to be as compact as possible and the environment might be too hostile for a 2,5 K lens (plus it has the option for an emergency f1, 4).

I also own a 50mm Summicron but use it only on dedicated portrait shoots. That's it. Don't need more. 
 

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Edited July 20, 2023 by hansvons

[shirubadanieru]

11 hours ago, Stein K S said:

With reference to hdmesa`s post #18 😄, these two exact lenses are also my most used among my current set of 12 lenses. The body, the M6 TTL, however, is replaced by an M10 these days.

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This 7e summicron in silver is one of the best looking 35mm lenses Leica has ever produced, alongside the steel rim (original), 8e summicron and summaron. 

[hdmesa]

13 hours ago, Stein K S said:

With reference to hdmesa`s post #18 😄, these two exact lenses are also my most used among my current set of 12 lenses. The body, the M6 TTL, however, is replaced by an M10 these days.

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That silver v4 is stunning. I’m replacing my M6 as well but with a silver edition SL2.

[SiggiGun]

2023 with M:

Mainly

M11  + APO35M

or

M11 + 21SEM + 35APO + 75 APO

 

[pgk]

Current 'used' kit: M9, 21SEM (owned from new and showing usage), 35 Summilux (pre-FLE Asph. which is by far my most used lens), 90mm Elmarit-M (tatty but delivers).

I have some other M gear including a spare M9 body which I occasionally fire up but haven't used for ~5 years, 35 and 75 Summarits (relatively cheap but great little travel lenses), a 50 Summilux Asph (beautiful lens which rarely gets used) and a 135 which seldom sees the light of day. I should consider their future with me in all honesty ...... .

I've gone through a lot of lenses many of which have sold for more than they cost but my present set-up feels about right and delivers as I want it to.

Edited July 21, 2023 by pgk

[hansvons]

19 hours ago, RexGig0 said:

Zeiss Distagon 35mm f/1,4 ZM. Used for more images than all of the others combined.

I owned a set of Zeiss Superspeeds Cine lenses. The 25mm (S-35mm equivalent to 35mm on full frame) was my most-used lens, by far. 35mm is the best lens for storytelling in "one-go", meaning one shot tells the whole story.

What I find important with 35mm lenses that I use for shooting faces is a flat rendering. The Superspeed 25mm did that, my Summicron 35mm ASPH does that, and so does the Nokton 1,4 35mm (different design compared to the others, old-fashioned double Gauss like the Steel Rim).

19 hours ago, RexGig0 said:

Voigtlander 35mm f/2.5 Color Skopar II. Misplaced for a few years, but then found, recently, and being used often this summer.

I own this lens because I like the compactness, and the low price makes it suitable for challenging environments. However it has a modern design and renders faces highly dimensionsional which I find not favourable. Plus, on digital, the vignetting and uneven colour distribution from the centre to the corners is quite pronounced. The vignetting is very much mitigated on film. Not sure what to do with it. Because I like a clean shelf I think of selling it. 

[willeica]

As a collector, I have a very large number of Leica cameras and lenses to choose from. My most used camera these days is an M6 (original not the recent replica) with a 35mm Summicron. If I need digital, I use an M10, often with a 50mm Summilux. Apart from those lenses, I often use a 75mm Summarit and 24mm f3.8 Elmar or a 21mm Voigtlander. Most of my collector cameras are LTM models. I have the WATE, but these days I only use the Frankenfinder that came with it. My favourite user LTM is a IIf RD (1/1000th max speed) with an LTM collapsible Summicron. 

William 

[grahamc]

Hi @shirubadanieru 👋 

I am currently travelling and after much thought I brought this kit (bodies are M10-D and MP) 

It was a tough call whether to bring 35:2 8e or 35:1.4v2 but IMO the 8e gives me a slightly more analogue look on a digital sensor. So it works very well for balancing a consistent look of images in a hybrid set up. But 35:1.4v2 will be interchangeable in this kit in the future I’m sure. 

I searched a while for a more compact 90mm but of the many 90s I tried I really love the 90:2v3 so I accept the weight penalty.  

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Edited July 21, 2023 by grahamc

[shirubadanieru]

5 minutes ago, grahamc said:

Hi @shirubadanieru 👋 

I am currently travelling and after much thought I brought this kit (bodies are M10-D and MP) 

It was a tough call whether to bring 35:2 8e or 35:1.4v2 but IMO the 8e gives me a slightly more analogue look on a digital sensor. So it works very well for balancing a consistent look of images in a hybrid set up. But 35:1.4v2 will be interchangeable in this kit in the future I’m sure. 

I searched a while for a more compact 90mm but of the many 90s I tried I really love the 90:2v3 so I accept the weight penalty.  

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Nice, we have two lenses in common. And as you know I was a long time user of the 35mm v2 / v1 as well, but in the end decided to just keep the 8e, mostly due to the 0.7m focus, price (found a mint copy at a good offer and these lenses are getting harder to find and more expensive). Also, not enjoying the remake steel rim kinda led me back to the 8e as my one and only 35mm. Hope you are enjoying your travels. By the way, both straps look great, what are they?

[grahamc]

7 minutes ago, shirubadanieru said:

Nice, we have two lenses in common. And as you know I was a long time user of the 35mm v2 / v1 as well, but in the end decided to just keep the 8e, mostly due to the 0.7m focus, price (found a mint copy at a good offer and these lenses are getting harder to find and more expensive). Also, not enjoying the remake steel rim kinda led me back to the 8e as my one and only 35mm. Hope you are enjoying your travels. By the way, both straps look great, what are they?

Agree.  I do love both of those 35s and I have a freakish summilux copy that somehow focuses at 0.75 so it makes the decision a little harder. Also I use the hood/filter of Lux v2 which does make it less compact than this lovely 8e.  But there is not much to choose between these nice lenses. 
 

i love these straps, they are by Instagram “ybputro” in Indonesia and very soft, great quality. I also have a nice distressed leather bag perfect for 2 M bodies with lenses or 1 body 3 lenses (just).  Very nice price and quality 

 

edit: actually I can fit this whole kit in one of his small bags (not the flash though), but it’s a squeeze obviously. 

Edited July 21, 2023 by grahamc

[Ouroboros]

Here goes.  From the back:

• my usual travel-with set of 28, 90 & 50 summicron safari edition lenses
• 50mm elmar-m f2.8 and Voigtlander 40mm f2.8 asph ltm 
• MP bp fitted with 35mm summicron asph v1  and M10-R bp fitted with 28mm summaron-m f5.6

On the left my 'portrait set' of lenses:

• ZM 50mm c-sonnar f1.5
• Voigtlander 50mm Heliar Classic f1.5
• 75mm apo-summicron asph f2

On the right:

• 50mm red scale elmar f3.5
• iiif RD DA fitted with CV 12mm f5.6 ltm   (iif and rs elmar are from my birth year)

Centre:

• 'O' Serie Oskar Barnack 125 year Anniversary reissue with 50mm anastigmat f3.5.  Bought on a whim because it included the full boxed anniversary set, all unused and I liked the look and feel of the camera when I picked it up. 

This little camera has been a revelation, it is tiny but hefty in comparison to even my iiif and the quality of manufacture is just beautiful.  It's an example of what Leica craftsmanship was, and should still be.  It has all the benefits of being a 'new' camera for daily use with none of the potential drawbacks of a 100 year-old original, but is operationally identical.

  There are a few 100+ year-old operational aspects I could live without but it's a camera that makes you think very carefully about what you're doing and once you embrace the mode d'emploi, it's one of the most enjoyable cameras I've ever used.

The real revelation came when I processed my first roll of Delta 100.  The 50mm anastigmat f3.5 is simply a stunning lens from wide open.  I don't know if Leica deviated from the original lens formula apart from multi coating on the reissued lens, but who cares!  The negatives make the camera worthwhile and it's a truly pocketable gem.  

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Edited July 21, 2023 by Ouroboros

[timo01]

M10

Voigtländer 50mm 1.5 Nokton Bi-Colour

Voigtländer 28mm 2.0 Ultron II

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Hallo,

Look here: Leica M

[JoshuaR]

My current kit is:

M10 in black (currently with Leica NJ)
MP in silver
Q2
(also a Ricoh GR IIIx and Pentax 67ii with various lenses)

21 Color-Skopar
28 Elmarit ASPH v2
35 Summilux FLE v1
50 Summicron v5
75 Color-Heliar

I use the 35 FLE almost all the time on both M bodies. The "weak link" in my kit is probably the Q2—it's a great camera for certain point-and-shoot situations but I don't love using it. I might sell it help pay for a 21 SEM, 50 Lux, and 90.....

[Kreeshp]

On 7/19/2023 at 3:20 AM, Steven said:

Actually, these are all original, so I'm not to blame 😄 I did try the reissue but didnt like it. Don't want to get into it here (anymore), but knowing you I assume your tried it too, in which case I would not need to explain to you why this lens was a failure, because you must already know. 

 

On 7/19/2023 at 3:30 AM, shirubadanieru said:

I did try it, and I agree it was a missed opportunity by Leica! Hehe : p 

I respect the opinions of both Steven and shirubadanieru and I wonder if they could enlighten the rest of us -- who haven't tried the reissued steel rim -- why they feel the lens is a "failure" and a "missed opportunity."

 

On the face of it, it seems to be a worthy consideration for anyone wanting a somewhat vintage rendering without paying collector prices, while getting a brand new, warrantied build without having to deal with the usual problems/risks of getting a vintage lens.

With the lens hood + filter vignetting debacle now resolved with Leica's updated lens hood design, what now are your main criticisms of the steel rim reissue?