Lenses — which ones should I get

[DadDadDaddyo]

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Haven't reviewed the entire thread to see if it's already been mentioned, but I'd vote for the wonderful 90mm Macro-Elmar-M. 

It's a marvelous lens for bringing along on a "Walking-Around-and-Making-Pictures Day," either mounted on the camera or tucked in a pocket. Compact, versatile, and multi-purpose. 

It would be on my short list for "First Lens to Get that's Longer than 50mm."

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[crf59]

I bet I am not alone in saying that I have bought a bunch of M lenses over time only to sell and replace them with something else. Always on the hunt for the most satisfying lens stable. Mostly because I subconsciously like a one rendering better than another. I say subconsciously because I don't pixel peep. Just the overall look of the image drives me one way or the other. 

I love saturated colors, good background falloff when at wider apertures, and crisp details. The lenses that satisfy me most are the 21 SEM, 28 Elmarit-M, 35mm Summilux FLE, and 90mm Elmarit-M (last version). It's odd, that given my desired attributes, I prefer the 90 Elmarit over the 90 APO. My 90 APO seems a touch flatter and more clinical in output. I like very sharp in some cases, but I would personally prefer colors and that "Kodachrome look" at times. 

An absolutely stellar lens that I seldom use is the 28mm Summilux. I love everything about it BUT the large size. In my humble opinion it's perhaps the best Leica M lens based on my desires. Stopped down I think it's a match for anything if sharpness is your game, but wide open it has a wonderful rendering and great colors. I also agree with DadDadDaddyo that the 90mm Macro Elmar is wonderful and hits all my buttons. I wish it was a 2.8 lens for a smidge more background falloff when wide open, but it's so good otherwise. 

Other outliers that aren't Leicas - Zeiss 85mm f4, Zeiss 35mm f1.4 Distagon (superb lens, but too big), Voigtlander 15mm Color Skopar, Voigtlander APO lenses (most of them are great).

Anyway, more of a rambling since you got me thinking about lenses and it actually has me thinking about what's next

 

Chuck

[JoshuaR]

Like a lot of down-the-rabbit-hole M users, I have two sets of lenses—one modern, one vintage. I generally, though not always, prefer the ones with vintage renderings for photos of my family. I often use the modern ones for other kinds of photography—landscapes, reportage, etc.

Vintage lenses: 35mm Steel Rim, 50mm Noctilux f/1.2

Modern lenses: 28mm Summicron ASPH, 50 Summilux ASPH

I very rarely use both sets at the same time. It's much more common for me to go through a 'modern period' for a while and then a 'vintage period.' I've been in a vintage mood lately because of the beautiful fall foliage. As the trees get bare, I'll probably get modern again.

I also own some lenses outside of the core 28-50 range—a mix of modern and vintage. But I use those lenses a lot less, and so haven't spent much on them.

For me, building this kind of modern / vintage kit has allowed me to maximize the enjoyment and artistic range of my M system.

[KFo]

I have vintage and modern lenses in the 28 to 35 range.  Generally I use vintage (Canon LTM 28&35 f/2.8 on M10P, 35 Summicron 8 element on the M3, Sonar Rollei 40 f2.8 on the 35SE)

On the occasions that I tool up with my modern lenses I almost always find the acuity surprising, particularly with the Summilux 35 and Summicron 50 asphericals.

I think the choices involve understanding what lens your style matches.  Buying and using several lenses is needed to hone in on that.  

Looking at other's photos only gives a crude idea of capability.  It's all in the photographer's hands and the style your work takes on.  Unfortunately with Leica lenses that does cost a bit of money.

Edited November 19, 2024 by KFo

[Ko.Fe.]

I'm trying to read between lines. OP mentioned something about "film". My I assume OP is using film Leica?

In discousitions like these it is first thing needs to be mentioned, because where are a lot more interesting Leica/Leitz lenses for film.

Like Mandler's 28 2.8. Humongous lens with cheap plastic tab, but rendering on BW darkroom prints is high class, no ASPH needed.

His 21 2.8 is in the same league. 

And I would go from 50 typ4 to 3 or even Rigid if it is on film, depending if color or BW is in priority. Or first version of Lux.

If only color - 4 is just fine, great colors, except ugly flaring.  

Here is really no point of getting latest ASPH or APO just for film, IMO. Those lenses are optimized for digital. 

Edited November 19, 2024 by Ko.Fe.

[grug norgy]

Thank you to you all for being so generous with your knowledge, I appreciate it so much and feel very confident to make the next moves to find the right lenses