Looking at getting an M11P and totally new to M series so lens info needed

[ALScott]

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How do the 50 and 35 Summicrons compare to the Summilux in the same focal lengths?  How do they render differently and which is sharpest and in what ways, center, corners, edges etc?  This will all be a supplement to my Q3, SL3 and 24-90, 50 Lux (which I dearly love) and other longer lenses.  I will be shooting landscape and street/family/friends with the M11P.  

[shirubadanieru]

If we are talking Asph lenses only Summicron is always sharper, lighter and easier to handle than summilux lenses. Summilux lenses tend to be bigger and heavier and also less sharp wide open but do provide bokeh and a dreamy look that Summicrons don’t.  
 

if you want one lens to do it all well and be your one lens that you always stick to your body I’d say the summilux 35 is a great option. But so is the summicron it really depends if you want the dreamier look wide open or not. 

[ALScott]

19 minutes ago, shirubadanieru said:

If we are talking Asph lenses only Summicron is always sharper, lighter and easier to handle than summilux lenses. Summilux lenses tend to be bigger and heavier and also less sharp wide open but do provide bokeh and a dreamy look that Summicrons don’t.  
 

if you want one lens to do it all well and be your one lens that you always stick to your body I’d say the summilux 35 is a great option. But so is the summicron it really depends if you want the dreamier look wide open or not. 

Thanks yes, I guess, ASPH only.  Those are the later lenses correct, 6-bit?  I don't want to overwhelm myself with new things using a rangefinder and the later lenses will help as I understand it.  

[shirubadanieru]

7 hours ago, ALScott said:

Thanks yes, I guess, ASPH only.  Those are the later lenses correct, 6-bit?  I don't want to overwhelm myself with new things using a rangefinder and the later lenses will help as I understand it.  

yeah 6bit has been around for a while so even older versions would have them. 

Definitely it's a great place to start, then as you get used to it you can try more fun & interesting glass from Leica's 100 years catalog

[Almizilero]

I personally enjoy pairing my M11P with older lenses like the Summicron 35 V4 and Summilux 50 V2 (both pre ASPH) or the pseudo-old Summilux 35 Steel Rim re-issue. But that's a personal choice, the look is very different from my SL2S with modern AF lenses. If you want similar output to your Q3 and SL3, the more modern lenses would be the better choice. For example Summilux ASPH FLE for the 35 and Summicron 50 V5 for example. Maybe in your case (money seems to be less of a problem and you already have nice gear to cover the other focal length), I'd go all out and get the Summicron 35 APO as a one lens solution for the M. With the 60 MP, it's easy to crop to 50mm.

[chris7273]

"When in doubt : overdress"  (Author : Vivienne Westwood)

So Summilux for me 🙂 

 

Edited September 3, 2024 by chris7273

[jaapv]

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12 hours ago, ALScott said:

Thanks yes, I guess, ASPH only.  Those are the later lenses correct, 6-bit?  I don't want to overwhelm myself with new things using a rangefinder and the later lenses will help as I understand it.  

The 35 asph pre- FLE will exhibit considerable focus shift. Unless you are comfortable handling it get the FLE.

[ALScott]

4 hours ago, Almizilero said:

Maybe in your case (money seems to be less of a problem and you already have nice gear to cover the other focal length)

Haha... No, money definitely is a consideration.  Last night when I typed the original question I became hyper aware of the gear's cost.  I started with the Q3 early this year and truly rediscovered my love of photography so I sold several hobby type things I wasn't using enough (Jeeps, old camera gear, guns, etc.) that I acquired over many years to fund all of this gear.  I am definitely on a budget.

Edited September 3, 2024 by ALScott

[lct]

If you are on a budget, i would not buy Summilux lenses that are expensive so my choice would be the current Summicron 50/2 v5 and Summicron 35/2 asph v2. You cannot go wrong with either. Or Summicron 50/2 v4 and Summicron 35/2 asph v1 as second hand alternative.

[Almizilero]

I would even go further and say just the 50 (Summicron V5). It's a good companion to the Q 28mm lens and not wildy expensive (in Leica terms). The Q can be used for all wide angle needs until the funds have recovered from the initial purchase.

[Jeff S]

Having a Q3, SL3 and M11-P in short order, simultaneously, hardly seems a budget play.

That said, I think lct’s recommendations are good; not for budgetary reasons, but just because the Summicrons are superb lenses.  I started with the then current 35/50 Summicrons in the mid-80’s (based on the sound advice of my first Leica dealer); it’s still good advice.  I eventually added a 35 Summilux ASPH FLE (and sold it), and a 50 Summilux ASPH (and kept it).  But the 35/50 Summicrons (modern, but non-APO) still serve well. 
 

Hopefully you print so that you can realize the full potential of your gear. For online only viewing, your kit is well beyond necessary.

Jeff

[ALScott]

39 minutes ago, Jeff S said:

Having a Q3, SL3 and M11-P in short order, simultaneously, hardly seems a budget play.

 

Definitely not, but funded by liquidating unused "extra" stuff.  I am headed on a big, for us, trip to Yellowstone and the Tetons soon.  Since getting the SL3 i now see the issue of dust frequently with lens changes.  I thought about just getting another SL body but the M seems like a very good supplement to any SL.  Use the M for wider shots and the SL3 for telephoto while I am there.  Plus, a M with a SL3 is a lot easier to wrangle than two SL's.  Plus, I love street photography with the Q3 and the M can add to that with interchangeable lenses. Just my thinking.

[Jeff S]

19 minutes ago, ALScott said:

Definitely not, but funded by liquidating unused "extra" stuff.  I am headed on a big, for us, trip to Yellowstone and the Tetons soon.  Since getting the SL3 i now see the issue of dust frequently with lens changes.  I thought about just getting another SL body but the M seems like a very good supplement to any SL.  Use the M for wider shots and the SL3 for telephoto while I am there.  Plus, a M with a SL3 is a lot easier to wrangle than two SL's.  Plus, I love street photography with the Q3 and the M can add to that with interchangeable lenses. Just my thinking.

Your 24-90 covers all typical M focal lengths, with no need to change lenses or add another body, and a weathered sealed system for travel/landscape.  I use it on my SL2 to complement M use, but I don’t use the two systems together; different shooting approaches and circumstances.  I can’t imagine adding a 3rd system to cover 28mm, which the M does superbly. Just my thinking.

Jeff
 

 

[ALScott]

I agree, but I don't want to be swapping lenses and miss something in the process.  I have always had two bodies.  Comes from my years with newspapers.  The Q3 was the first purchase down this rabbit hole and it is super easy to carry around and shoot with little effort, almost as point and shoot as you get but with amazing results.  So, for now, I don't see myself getting rid of it.  More importantly my wife has expressed a desire to shoot while we are there also and the Q3 will be perfect for her.  

Edited September 3, 2024 by ALScott

[Olaf_ZG]

For both the Q and SL, you have modern lenses. All astonishing in their own way. For the M, you might want to add complementary rendering, look instead.

For the SL I have the 24-90 and 90-280. For my M I have a 28summaron, 40heliar, 50sonnar and a 50 lux (which I also have for the sl). The non-leica lenses all offer sth that the lenses of the SL can’t offer…

[ALScott]

19 hours ago, Jeff S said:

Hopefully you print so that you can realize the full potential of your gear. 

I am, and just starting to send some off for printing.  We always used WHCC and just got the first batch of test prints back to see which papers I like.  

[Jeff S]

59 minutes ago, ALScott said:

I am, and just starting to send some off for printing.  We always used WHCC and just got the first batch of test prints back to see which papers I like.  

Much more efficient, and far better flexibility (including papers) and control doing my own, but that’s another discussion; well covered in the Digital PP section of the forum. 
 

Jeff

[ALScott]

5 minutes ago, Jeff S said:

Much more efficient, and far better flexibility (including papers) and control doing my own, but that’s another discussion; well covered in the Digital PP section of the forum. 
 

Jeff

I would love to move that way but I know zero about it.  One step at a time for now.  Coming from a Canon 6D/DSLR's the learning has been far more than I anticipated with a new generation of camera equipment, the Q3 and SL3 and now adding a M.  

[Jeff S]

8 minutes ago, ALScott said:

I would love to move that way but I know zero about it.  One step at a time for now.  Coming from a Canon 6D/DSLR's the learning has been far more than I anticipated with a new generation of camera equipment, the Q3 and SL3 and now adding a M.  

Yup.  I would rather have just one camera system and learn the printing end first; where the ultimate enjoyment happens for me (as in darkroom days). Priorities and choices.

Jeff

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Hallo,

Look here: Leica M

[ALScott]

27 minutes ago, Jeff S said:

Yup.  I would rather have just one camera system and learn the printing end first; where the ultimate enjoyment happens for me (as in darkroom days). Priorities and choices.

Jeff

Been there done that with many, many, many years in a darkroom, had one in my house.  I will get back there one day, maybe.  Now, obviously by acquisitions this year, I find that I am enjoying the actual shooting once again.  Actually, loving it.  I never leave the house without something in my hand and already planning a shoot Sunday with the new M.  For so many years it still felt like "work" even after I changed careers.  I kind of stumbled into discovering it did not feel that way anymore.