What exciting lens am I missing?

[tappan]

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Over the years I have been lucky enough to be able to have an 18mm SE, 24mm Elmarit, 28MM Elmarit (newest), 35mm FLE Summilux Vers 1, 50mm Summilux (not the 2023 version but the one before), 50mm Summicron collapsible, 90mm Macro Elmar.
I say lucky enough because as we all know, these things are expen$ive!
What is the one lens that you may have that you absolutely love that is not on my list?
Thanks,
Mark

[scott kirkpatrick]

APO 50 Summicron

APO 35 Summicron

[Rollei35]

Not lucky if you haven't tried APO or Noctilux

[69xchange]

I’m going to list some character lenses…

 

35mm lux pre-asph v2 / Steel rim reissue

35mm cron v1 (8e) / LLL 8e replica

50mm lux pre-asph v1-v3

50mm LLL Elcan replica 

50mm LLL SP ii 

75mm lux v1/v2 

90mm thambar 

Edited April 18, 2024 by 69xchange

[IkarusJohn]

What about the 35 Sumilux Aspherical?

[overexposed]

21 lux, 135telyt

[hansvons]

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Unfortunately not particularly expensive, nor APO but tons of character, sharpness and usefulness in a compact form factor: the Summicron 35mm ASPH. 

Even cheaper (sorry), a tad smaller, and sharper (close to the 35mm APO), the Summarit 35mm. Excellent little travel companion, which doesn't require a hood as it’s super hard to make it flare. 

(I’m not mentioning the brilliant and inappropriately cheap Nokton 35mm 1.4 V2 SC here because it can be easily substituted with a Steel Rim, vintage and new, for a fair amount of money without getting something better.)

[dpitt]

This might be one of the cheapest amongst all these excellent other lenses:

Leica Summicron 40C

I love the balance it strikes between old vintage and modern, 35mm and 50mm , and hyper contrast and sharpness like in the modern APO and ASPH designs and the weak contrast of older designs. I have lots of more expensive options, but this one gets more use than any other on my M9.

BTW: mine is modified to bring up 35mm frames, and works great when you use the inside of the frame.

Edited April 18, 2024 by dpitt

[pippy]

Of those which I do have (and don't render the same as some which you already list) I'd say 35mm Summilux v2 and 50mm f1.5 Summarit.

One lens which I don't have which I think I'd love to have is the 50mm f1.2 Noctilux. I wouldn't insist on it having to be from of the original 1966-'75 series; one of the current re-interpretations would be perfectly fine thank you very much. Wouldn't be a sensible buy for me as I hardly ever shoot 50mm wide open but YMMV.

Philip.

[costa43]

I can only speak for myself but for me, the quintessential (and exciting) Leica lenses are the 35mm Summilux v2 pre asph and the 50mm Noctilux f1.

A worthy mention goes to the Mandler fave, the 75mm Summilux. I've seen some lovely portraits with this lens and am tempted to pick one up even though it will see little use as I tend to shoot wide.

 

[a.noctilux]

After trying a lot of lenses,

now I use the most Summarit-M lenses, 2.5/35, 2.5/50, 2.5/75.

 

[Kama Smith]

Simera 35mm & 28mm f/1.4 lenses for M mount from Thypoch can be of choice, costing $699 each. A square hood is included!

[Darrell]

28mm Summilux

50mm Summicron DR

[Lelmer]

Summicron 35mm v4

[fotografr]

Another vote for the 28mm Summilux. 

[fotografr]

3 hours ago, pippy said:

 

One lens which I don't have which I think I'd love to have is the 50mm f1.2 Noctilux. I wouldn't insist on it having to be from of the original 1966-'75 series; one of the current re-interpretations would be perfectly fine thank you very much. Wouldn't be a sensible buy for me as I hardly ever shoot 50mm wide open but YMMV.

Philip.

I was an early purchaser for the remake. In more than 40 years of M shooting, during which I've owned dozens of M lenses, I've never been as disappointed as I was with this lens. I used it extensively for a month and finally sold it. Don't feel bad about not having one. If you really get the itch, buy the Voigtlander 50mm F1.2.

[lexffm]

For a few weeks now I have the Tri-Elmar-M 1:4/28-35-50 ASPH. (MATE). Super lens with excellent results. Partly better than a fixed focal length (see report here, but is only in German).

https://www.roter-punkt-kamera.de/leica-tri-elmar-28-35-50-mm/

Regards

Alex

[TomB_tx]

I'd echo the Summarit 2.5s, or the Elmar-M 50 2.8 collapsible. Wonderful images on all.

[01maciel]

Just wait a little longer, then you'll get all the lenses recommended here that have ever existed and are currently available   Since you make no restrictions on the manufacturer, here is another rather unusual recommendation from me. Apart from all the good and very good lenses mentioned, the absolute insider tip is an M-converted Yashica (C/Y) ML 50mm 1:1.4

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Hallo,

Look here: Leica M

[Danner]

Well, OP, you have a fantastic kit for sure.

From my kit, I would suggest the v2 50mm Summilux and the v4 35mm Summicron.

But, I'm guessing you are shooting with a late model digital M, so perhaps your kit is plenty good, or, maybe look at the latest and greatest APO lenses.