35mm summicron (asph) vs 50mm summilux (asph)

[MatKuhre]

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Hey it might be an odd and irrational comparisons. 
 

but I want to give my self a present, my first newer Leica lens for my m11. I’m a hobby shooter primarily 35mm or 50mm. And I’m torn by which lens to get. I know there are so many things to take in to consideration. And it’s a stupid purchase ( when I don’t even know if I’ve get a 35mm or 50mm ) but that’s where I stand atm 😅🤘 

so my question is. Which one would you get or already own, and why you choose that lens ? 😀 

I can’t rent them locally. Have tried them both at the local Leica store. 😀

dont hate on me for being stupid, I know it’s irrational 😅🙏

[espelt]

Hey Mat,

The theory of rational decision and Leica – they hardly fit together anyway. So no apology is necessary.

Regarding the lenses: Both are classics. Both are excellent. In my opinion, the 35mm is a bit more of an all-rounder. I often or almost always have 35mm on my camera. I simply like the combination. Especially because of the size. Nevertheless, I often find 50mm quite appealing too. I have several. The oldest is 90 years old. I would make the decision based on which focal length I prefer, which I'm likely to use the most. Sooner or later, the other one will come along anyway... It's hard to argue against that.

[Carlos cruz]

I’d take a closer look at the lenses you want to replace, and what are the reasons your present 50 and 35 no longer make you happy. I’d say that apart from focal lengths they differ a lot in character and I’d start with answering what are you after in a new lens. 

[evikne]

Both are classics. I use 50mm mostly for portraits and closer details of things. More artistically, in a way. And it can create beautiful bokeh when used wide open. I use 35mm more in a documentary way. But they are not so different that you can't use either one with a little creativity.

[jgeenen]

The first lens I bought together with my first digital Leica was a Summilux 50mm. I still own and use it, while others (like the Summicron 35mm asph) had been replaced meanwhile. Strong point for the Summilux 50mm. On the other hand I more and more use my Summilux 35mm (which replaced the Summicron) instead of the 50mm - my photographic view seems to have "widened" over the years. This leads to part 1 of my suggestion: Chose the focal length that suits best to your photographic needs. Nothing is more useless than a lens that rests on the shelf.

Secondly I have realised that I don't use the f1.4 of the Summilux 50mm that often. For portraits, depth of field easily gets very narrow and for other purposes the corner sharpness is (sometimes too) limited. I find myself stopping down the lens in most cases - which raises the question whether an APO 50mm would be more beneficial for my style of shooting. On the 35mm however, the f1.4 is giving me the little bit extra over the 35mm Summicron asph.. This leads to part 2 of my suggestion: Don't look at specs, decide on which feature you really need.

So my ranking (as of today) for a personal Leica gift lens would be:

1. Summilux 1.4/35mm asph. CF (the most recent one)
2. APO-Summicron 2/50mm 

 

[MatKuhre]

2 hours ago, espelt said:

Hey Mat,

The theory of rational decision and Leica – they hardly fit together anyway. So no apology is necessary.

Regarding the lenses: Both are classics. Both are excellent. In my opinion, the 35mm is a bit more of an all-rounder. I often or almost always have 35mm on my camera. I simply like the combination. Especially because of the size. Nevertheless, I often find 50mm quite appealing too. I have several. The oldest is 90 years old. I would make the decision based on which focal length I prefer, which I'm likely to use the most. Sooner or later, the other one will come along anyway... It's hard to argue against that.

Haha that’s true 😀 i was looking at the 35mm first, I came across a really good deal. ( but I was too slow ) and then I fell down the rabbit hole looking at the 50mm I have both a 35mm and a 50mm but atm I feel more comfortable on the 35mm but I think that’s because I used a Leica q for quite some time, before going for the m11. And that might be the reason for the fascination for the 50mm as it feels “new” and I’m drawn by that, so the 50mm is the most irrational choice for now. But then again it’s might also be an itch that needs to get scratched 😅

[MatKuhre]

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2 hours ago, Carlos cruz said:

I’d take a closer look at the lenses you want to replace, and what are the reasons your present 50 and 35 no longer make you happy. I’d say that apart from focal lengths they differ a lot in character and I’d start with answering what are you after in a new lens. 

That’s a good point of view! It’s not that they don’t make me happy, I think it’s an irrational longing for the “real” Leica feel. Or getting that stay on camera lens so I don’t feel the need to change lenses all the time. Which I’m prone too at the moment 😅 

I have an old 50mm summicron v3 it’s a bit rough, that the reason for the desire to upgrade. 

and a ultron 35mm f2 which optically is really good, but it doesn’t have the feel or handelig as the Leica equivalent. 
 

so yea it’s not based on any real logic 😅
 

 

[MatKuhre]

2 hours ago, evikne said:

Both are classics. I use 50mm mostly for portraits and closer details of things. More artistically, in a way. And it can create beautiful bokeh when used wide open. I use 35mm more in a documentary way. But they are not so different that you can't use either one with a little creativity.

As a hobbyist I do a bit of it all, but nothing needs to be perfect. I’m “new” to both, but feel more familiar to the 35mm as I used a Leica q for quite some time before getting in the the m system 😀

[MatKuhre]

 

1 hour ago, jgeenen said:

The first lens I bought together with my first digital Leica was a Summilux 50mm. I still own and use it, while others (like the Summicron 35mm asph) had been replaced meanwhile. Strong point for the Summilux 50mm. On the other hand I more and more use my Summilux 35mm (which replaced the Summicron) instead of the 50mm - my photographic view seems to have "widened" over the years. This leads to part 1 of my suggestion: Chose the focal length that suits best to your photographic needs. Nothing is more useless than a lens that rests on the shelf.

Secondly I have realised that I don't use the f1.4 of the Summilux 50mm that often. For portraits, depth of field easily gets very narrow and for other purposes the corner sharpness is (sometimes too) limited. I find myself stopping down the lens in most cases - which raises the question whether an APO 50mm would be more beneficial for my style of shooting. On the 35mm however, the f1.4 is giving me the little bit extra over the 35mm Summicron asph.. This leads to part 2 of my suggestion: Don't look at specs, decide on which feature you really need.

So my ranking (as of today) for a personal Leica gift lens would be:

1. Summilux 1.4/35mm asph. CF (the most recent one)
2. APO-Summicron 2/50mm 

 

I was looking at the Summilux 35 as well but that’s was one more bump up in price. 
 

I come for the q system, so I feel a desire for some think new, and that’s many why the 50mm is so intriguing. And I thing the “need for speed” might be GAS 😅 I have a 50mm f2 and a 35mm f2. And often I find myself closing down and not even going for f2 in 90% of my photos, but sometime I feel like I would want just a bit more depth. So maybe I should take one more look at the 35 summilux as a middle ground 😀 now I’m even more confused 🤔 

it’s hard to decide, when there are so many nice lenses out there 😀

thank you for the reply! 

[Carlos cruz]

14 minutes ago, MatKuhre said:

That’s a good point of view! It’s not that they don’t make me happy, I think it’s an irrational longing for the “real” Leica feel. Or getting that stay on camera lens so I don’t feel the need to change lenses all the time. Which I’m prone too at the moment 😅 

I have an old 50mm summicron v3 it’s a bit rough, that the reason for the desire to upgrade. 

and a ultron 35mm f2 which optically is really good, but it doesn’t have the feel or handelig as the Leica equivalent. 
 

so yea it’s not based on any real logic 😅
 

 

You don’t have to be logical with your choices. I think the best option is to buy a lens you want, check it against your old lens, and let the loser go to a new home. Each of us has different criteria for lenses, so do what you feel is right for you.

[spydrxx]

Given your comments, I'd suggest you take a deep breath and at the moment do nothing. Revisit the issue in a year when you have more experience and can make a more rational decision. Have been there several times in my long association with Leica. 

[espelt]

vor 1 Stunde schrieb spydrxx:

Revisit the issue in a year when you have more experience and can make a more rational decision.

This recommendation could have come from my wife... Which I can hardly offer any arguments against. The only solution: Just buy it. And then try to solve the problem with "once in a lifetime opportunity" or "I'll never get it this cheap in this condition again." 😉

[lct]

With a bit of experience you should know what focal length you feel better with. Some people "see" in 50mm, others in 35mm, others differently. If you don't know yet i would borrow or rent one 50mm and one 35mm lens to begin with. When you know which focal length you prefer, your choice will be easier. Happy snaps

[Jeff S]

I own both you mentioned, each version one ASPH. And the current non-ASPH 50 Summicron. You may end up owning them over time.  Pick one; the order doesn’t matter.  My first M lens, in the 80’s, was the then current 35 Summicron, because the opinionated Hungarian Leica dealer, in a thick accent and knowing demeanor, insisted.  

[Manicouagan1]

I would like to suggest the APO Summicron 75mm f2.0 as an option.  The lens has two features important to me.   1) In my opinion the field of view is wonderful for Landscapes.  Quite possibly this preference is looking at many of Ansel Adams' photos where the lens focal length is known.   2) The lens doubles as a semi-macro lens  with a 1:7 magnification ratio suitable for large flower blossoms and smallish animals.   Also the lens is relatively inexpensive in the used market.  

[lct]

+1. For a more compact and even less expensive alternative, the Ultron 75/1.9 and its 0.5m MFD works fine for both landscapes and semi-macro too. Great combo with the Nokton 35/1.5 that has a 0.5m MFD too.

[costa43]

On 6/25/2025 at 1:02 PM, Carlos cruz said:

You don’t have to be logical with your choices. I think the best option is to buy a lens you want, check it against your old lens, and let the loser go to a new home. Each of us has different criteria for lenses, so do what you feel is right for you.

This is good advice, Leica purchases are in my experience, emotionally driven. Go with the one that excites you the most. The other one will find it’s way to you later on.

[pgh]

Impossible to know given you don’t know which focal length you want but for me, having both that you mention I pick and use much more often the 35mm asph.

I have the 50 asph 1.4 and an older 50mm f2 (v4 I believe) and prefer the 50mm summicron generally.
esp if you are shooting digital, the 1.4 just isn’t as helpful as it used to be.

But I’m also of the opinion that if you buy a lens for its traits solely wide open you’re probably not doing interesting photography - or should I say photography that maybe doesn’t interest me and that my opinion probably isn’t relevant to.
 

Small but meaningful difference if you buy it for the extra light gathering needed in a pinch and it looks better wide open than others, because a bad wide open look can be a distraction. 

Edited July 10 by pgh

[leicam10r]

On 6/25/2025 at 1:36 PM, MatKuhre said:

Hey it might be an odd and irrational comparisons. 
 

but I want to give my self a present, my first newer Leica lens for my m11. I’m a hobby shooter primarily 35mm or 50mm. And I’m torn by which lens to get. I know there are so many things to take in to consideration. And it’s a stupid purchase ( when I don’t even know if I’ve get a 35mm or 50mm ) but that’s where I stand atm 😅🤘 

so my question is. Which one would you get or already own, and why you choose that lens ? 😀 

I can’t rent them locally. Have tried them both at the local Leica store. 😀

dont hate on me for being stupid, I know it’s irrational 😅🙏

I own them both (Summicrons of course. The best lenses and my only two lenses). What do you want to know about them? I have the "V5" 50mm and the 35 ASPH II. I think it is best if you just write me in my Instagram directly. DM me. 

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Edited July 11 by leicam10r

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