Which is the most underrated Leica lens?

[Sharpdressed]

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Summaron 28 and Elmarit 24 for me.

 

[pgk]

Probably the 75mm and 90mm f/2.5 Summarits. Given that they are excellent, relatively recent designs, very well built and produce excellent images, they remain relatively cheap on the used market. They can be bought for similar prices to many much older version of Leica's 90mm M lenses, which are often technically quite inferior. I've been expecting these two to start increasing in price like their 35mm and 50mm conterparts and whilst this hasn't happened as yet, I'm sure that it soon will. The 75mm seems to be getting scarcer though which probably means that buyers are realising that currently these represent good value (I'd say great but we are talking about Leica lenses here).

[69xchange]

summarit ASPH line

[yanidel]

2 hours ago, Sharpdressed said:

Summaron 28 and Elmarit 24 for me.

 

The 24mm Elmarit is underrated, probably due to lack of framelines. But it is not an especially cheap lens nowadays.

[Kiwimac]

Tri Elmar MATE.

 

Actually a work of genius - if it was f2, you would have people queuing to spend piles of cash on every example left in the world.

[MarkP]

4 minutes ago, Kiwimac said:

Tri Elmar MATE.

 

Actually a work of genius - if it was f2, you would have people queuing to spend piles of cash on every example left in the world.

Agreed, just the frustrating flare at 50mm. 

[hansvons]

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17 hours ago, yanidel said:

50mm Summicron. Plenty of them for around €1000. Great IQ, small and light.

This. Superb value for the money. Got a Canadian V4 copy—a brilliant little lens.

[otto.f]

9 hours ago, Ernstk said:

Another vote from me for the Summaron 35/2.8.

It's a wonderful little lens with the best build quality of any Leica lens that I've seen.

Ernst

I agree, although it’s not that cheap anymore

[colint544]

The 90mm Tele-Elmarit 'fat' version 1. It's very compact - similar in size to the 50mm Summilux ASPH, and it's very sharp. A touch of 'glow' around the edges at full aperture. Exquisitely built. I got mine back in 2011, and from memory it cost around £600. They haven't gone up in price since then. It's the lens I bolt onto my M Monochrom if I'm photographing the city in the fog.

[Kiwimac]

On 7/24/2023 at 10:45 PM, MarkP said:

Agreed, just the frustrating flare at 50mm. 

Although I used one for about 2 years and never really noticed that as a problem.

I still vacillate about getting the lens again - especially now that there is no pressing need for fast glass with modern high ISO sensors other than for artistic reasons.

[Milan_S]

The 50mm f2 rigid, it's sharp enough has beautiful b&w tones and renders skin tone in a very delicate but beautiful way. 

[Keith (M)]

Yet another vote for the 35mm Summaron f2.8.  Excellent rendering, superb build quality and materials, compact size.

With M11.

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[RexGig0]

I just looked at the asking prices, on the evil-bay, for the Elmar-M 50mm f/2.8 collapsible lens. Based upon that index, I would say that it is under-rated. Of course, some simply do not like its sharp, modern rendering, so there is that factor, simply reflecting artistic choice. Some fear that it will damage a digital M camera, if fully collapsed. I do not have the definitive answer, on that, so, have kept mine extended. It is a tiny, non-intimidating lens, even when extended.

Edited July 25, 2023 by RexGig0

[pedaes]

15 minutes ago, RexGig0 said:

I do not have the definitive answer

Agree, a spectacularly sharp lens.

Mount extended, but safe to collapse on digital body.

Edited July 25, 2023 by pedaes

[Almizilero]

Am 24.7.2023 um 09:39 schrieb pgk:

Probably the 75mm and 90mm f/2.5 Summarits.

I second that. Got the 75mm recently, and it is amazing! Beautiful colours, sharpness and an incredible 3D-pop. Guess it's the name (aka the "cheap" Leicas) that keeps people from getting them instead of the older lenses. The focal length is a bit hard to handle for me on an M, but when I get it right, it's great.

[Pierre68]

1 hour ago, RexGig0 said:

I just looked at the asking prices, on the evil-bay, for the Elmar-M 50mm f/2.8 collapsible lens. Based upon that index, I would say that it is under-rated. Of course, some simply do not like its sharp, modern rendering, so there is that factor, simply reflecting artistic choice. Some fear that it will damage a digital M camera, if fully collapsed. I do not have the definitive answer, on that, so, have kept mine extended. It is a tiny, non-intimidating lens, even when extended.

Which one are you talking about? I have the old one and I could not recommend it enough. But I would ont call it sharp and modern rending....  I know the is a recent model of the lens (#11831) but I have no experience with it, but could be interested to try it

I can confirm that there is no problem to collapse the older lens on a M10-R. It then becomes the most discrete and portable camera you can think of. It even fit in a jacket pocket 😉

Edited July 25, 2023 by Pierre68

[John Robinson]

1 hour ago, Almizilero said:

Got the 75mm recently, and it is amazing! Beautiful colours, sharpness and an incredible 3D-pop.

I have the 75/2.5 (first version).  Excellent lens!

[John Robinson]

16 hours ago, John Robinson said:

I have the 75/2.5 (first version).  Excellent lens!

Should have added that I used it on an M9, M9M (with orange filter) and SL.  Good on all these cameras; outstanding on the SL.  Of particular note is the very short focus throw (just under 45 degree) that--combined with peaking--makes holding focus on a moving object almost as good as autofocus and very fast shooting on a static scene.  And yes, I agree it has "pop" when used wide open down to about f/4 or 5.6.

[Almizilero]

vor 27 Minuten schrieb John Robinson:

Should have added that I used it on an M9, M9M (with orange filter) and SL.  Good on all these cameras; outstanding on the SL.  Of particular note is the very short focus throw (just under 45 degree) that--combined with peaking--makes holding focus on a moving object almost as good as autofocus and very fast shooting on a static scene.  And yes, I agree it has "pop" when used wide open down to about f/4 or 5.6.

That's interesting to hear. I have the same version and if there's anything to not love about this lens, it's the short focus throw. But I never tried it on my SL. Will do that!

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Hallo,

Look here: Leica M

[Lelmer]

On 7/23/2023 at 10:04 AM, dennersten said:

I am curious about what you think is the most underrated lens—defined here as cheap versus the quality it delivers. 

In my limited experience, it's the Tele Elmar 135/4 I bought it three months ago for 300 Euros. It delivers stunning pictures. 

Please attach samples. 

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You are showing here again that the gear, although essential, is not the most important for producing a great photo 🙂