sanadsaad Posted July 11 Share #1 Posted July 11 Advertisement (gone after registration) Hi guys. I have gone on a somewhat ruthless culling of collected objects that I dont use as often which isnt good for my blood pressure. But I thought i'd consolidate everything into one system. I enjoy using the M6 and I absolutely love using the DLux 8 for when I need something really light and somewhat pocketable. I was looking at the M11 especially the black paint. My main use is urban and street photography, some landscapes and im learning portrait photography with studio lighting. What would be the ideal 3 lens setup that can cater to this? The M lenses I own are 50mm f2 summicron type 4, Zeiss 35mm f2.8 biogon and light lens lab 50mm f2 Elcan. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted July 11 Posted July 11 Hi sanadsaad, Take a look here Consolidating into one system around M11. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
DadDadDaddyo Posted July 11 Share #2 Posted July 11 Just add a 90mm... If that ain't right, change it out, but I'll bet it's close to what you need to round out that 35 and 50... And remember, that 90 is good for a lot more than just portraits.... 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jgeenen Posted July 11 Share #3 Posted July 11 Although 90mm is said to be THE portrait lens, I sometimes find it‘s field of view too narrow in studio or environmental portrait situations. With Leicas, the lack of viewfinder magnification adds additional challenge for framing, composition and precise focusing. In my point of view a 75mm lens is the better choice, especially combined with a decent 35mm lens (on M11, this combo can make the 50mm lens redundant). 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jakontil Posted July 11 Share #4 Posted July 11 Might consider a 28mm or even a 21mm for landscape Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sanadsaad Posted July 11 Author Share #5 Posted July 11 (edited) 1. 21 Elmar for landscapes, 50mm Summilux for street/portrait all around etc and 90 Apo at some stage for portrait. Theres always live view for critical framing. 2. 21 for landscape, 35mm Summilux steel rim for street and all around and add 75/90 at a later stage for portrait. M11 or M11-P? What I am looking towards is an endgame setup. I know I love the rangefinder format, I know I love Leica, I gravitate between 35 and 50mm for street but find 35 too wide at times for my taste. I havent used 75mm but that might be something to test drive and compare against a 90. I wont buy everything at once, just keep buying whatever I have the money for from the list I finalise. I handled an M11 black paint with a steel rim 35 and it looked so gorgeous......... Edited July 11 by sanadsaad Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jakontil Posted July 11 Share #6 Posted July 11 Yeah definitely the steel rim is gorgeous looking lens.. my kind of go to with the 28 summaron but im more like a 50mm… so street going with 50 and 28 on with either film body and 21mm definitely my landscape .. the SEM Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jgeenen Posted July 11 Share #7 Posted July 11 Advertisement (gone after registration) Endgame? Good luck!!! I am in the midth of my 3rd or 4th endgame currently. The 60Mpix of the M11 gives me plenty of options. My direction currently: 24/25mm for street and landscape. I find 21mm too wide (perspective distortion) and 28mm too narrow (I need some space to align horizons, crop a bit etc). If in hurry, I don‘t even need the auxiliary finder. Unfortunately there are only few options available. I am currently with the Biogon ZM 25mm but who knows - if a reasonable Super Elmar 24mm shows up? 35mm for general purpose. I can use it for environmental portraits, landscapes, street etc, and has meanwhile largely replaced my 50mm (especially since my recent cataract surgery helped to get a good overview over the framelines). Here, I wanted the best compromise of quality and size and speed, currently I am torn between a Summilux 35mm asph. and the APO Summicron. 75mm for portraits and detail shots The APO Summicron 2/75mm is reasonably sized, weight is ok. 50mm, 21mm, 28mm and 90mm or even 40mm - all very fine options too with their own rights (I can perfectly understand people preferring the one or the other - sorry I know, I am making decisions harder), but for me it is currently the 25/35/75 for the M11. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sanadsaad Posted July 11 Author Share #8 Posted July 11 Thank you all for your input. The reason I say endgame is multiple cancer diagnosis in the family and a similar scare for me has put things in perspective. A lot of introspection into what brings meaning and joy to life and what Ive chased for the sake of it. I realised photography brings me joy and to some extent some meaning. I like printing my shots. I like waiting for the right shot. When ive visited different cities, I loved documenting different parts of the city, the buildings, the people, the vibe. Im guilty of chasing the latest gear. When I stopped doing that with digital and switched to film, I HAD to try out the different film cameras (all the Nikon Fs, Rolleiflex, Bronica, Contax, Minolta, Leica M3, M6 and R9 etc). Now that ive tried a LOT of different cameras, im looking to settle with one camera whos functions are simple, elegant and is not heavy. The M6 will be with me and I will one day pass it on. A digital companion would hopefully last me long enough. I dont need more than 60mp, it has good dynamic range, it is solidly built, I dont want autofocus. I want something similar in size to my m6 with lenses I can use on both and spend my time enjoying photography and hopefully make good images along the way which me, my friends and family can enjoy. With 21, is the distortion pronounced? I found it was significant with the dlux 8. Is it similar to that? If so and too cumbersome to correct in post, id look at a 24. I might shoot a bit more with only a 35 to see if I stay uncomfortable. I might end up leaving it and going with 50 and then a 90 as 75 is in between. Decisions, decisions! 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
didier Posted July 11 Share #9 Posted July 11 1 hour ago, sanadsaad said: going with 50 and then a 90 as 75 is in between 75 is much closer to 90 than to 50. Since I got the SAA 75/2 I don’t shoot my SAA 90/2 anymore. The 75 is so much smaller and with excellent IQ, and a ‘telephoto’ rendition. Add a ‘lux 50 or APO 50 to that + APO 35 and you’ll have a great kit (I personally find the APO 35 much more to my liking than the ‘lux 35 ASPH (FLE) whose bokeh can be nervous compared to the smoothest bokeh of the APO line-up). If you want ‘character’, add a ‘lux 35 Steel Rim reedition to that kit ! I am not much of a wide angle shooter but the Elmar-M 24 is a hell of a lens. Didier Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ronaldc Posted July 12 Share #10 Posted July 12 Summaron 28 5.6 👍👍 Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! 2 Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/422983-consolidating-into-one-system-around-m11/?do=findComment&comment=5832416'>More sharing options...
jakontil Posted July 12 Share #11 Posted July 12 18 hours ago, sanadsaad said: Thank you all for your input. The reason I say endgame is multiple cancer diagnosis in the family and a similar scare for me has put things in perspective. A lot of introspection into what brings meaning and joy to life and what Ive chased for the sake of it. I realised photography brings me joy and to some extent some meaning. I like printing my shots. I like waiting for the right shot. When ive visited different cities, I loved documenting different parts of the city, the buildings, the people, the vibe. Im guilty of chasing the latest gear. When I stopped doing that with digital and switched to film, I HAD to try out the different film cameras (all the Nikon Fs, Rolleiflex, Bronica, Contax, Minolta, Leica M3, M6 and R9 etc). Now that ive tried a LOT of different cameras, im looking to settle with one camera whos functions are simple, elegant and is not heavy. The M6 will be with me and I will one day pass it on. A digital companion would hopefully last me long enough. I dont need more than 60mp, it has good dynamic range, it is solidly built, I dont want autofocus. I want something similar in size to my m6 with lenses I can use on both and spend my time enjoying photography and hopefully make good images along the way which me, my friends and family can enjoy. With 21, is the distortion pronounced? I found it was significant with the dlux 8. Is it similar to that? If so and too cumbersome to correct in post, id look at a 24. I might shoot a bit more with only a 35 to see if I stay uncomfortable. I might end up leaving it and going with 50 and then a 90 as 75 is in between. Decisions, decisions! Sorry to hear what you are going through.. hope everything will be right into place… the 21mm is quite oke, not too pronounced for a super wide angle lens.. might not be the best example but here to give some ideas… Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! 3 Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/422983-consolidating-into-one-system-around-m11/?do=findComment&comment=5832438'>More sharing options...
jakontil Posted July 12 Share #12 Posted July 12 22 hours ago, jgeenen said: Endgame? Good luck!!! I am in the midth of my 3rd or 4th endgame currently. The 60Mpix of the M11 gives me plenty of options. My direction currently: 24/25mm for street and landscape. I find 21mm too wide (perspective distortion) and 28mm too narrow (I need some space to align horizons, crop a bit etc). If in hurry, I don‘t even need the auxiliary finder. Unfortunately there are only few options available. I am currently with the Biogon ZM 25mm but who knows - if a reasonable Super Elmar 24mm shows up? 35mm for general purpose. I can use it for environmental portraits, landscapes, street etc, and has meanwhile largely replaced my 50mm (especially since my recent cataract surgery helped to get a good overview over the framelines). Here, I wanted the best compromise of quality and size and speed, currently I am torn between a Summilux 35mm asph. and the APO Summicron. 75mm for portraits and detail shots The APO Summicron 2/75mm is reasonably sized, weight is ok. 50mm, 21mm, 28mm and 90mm or even 40mm - all very fine options too with their own rights (I can perfectly understand people preferring the one or the other - sorry I know, I am making decisions harder), but for me it is currently the 25/35/75 for the M11. A 35 lux asph means pre fle? Or the close focus? anyhow… for versatility in 35 realm, i’d pick the 35 apo i used to have both… i love the close focus FLE, good with portraits and close enough for details photo, but the apo is on another level in terms of quality and 3d pops…. But i would do fine either lens, ironically, im left with a lux 35 SR, love its small compact body but sometimes i miss the contrast from asph and a 35 cron, coz it’s sentimentally black paint 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pgk Posted July 12 Share #13 Posted July 12 On 7/11/2025 at 10:45 AM, sanadsaad said: What would be the ideal 3 lens setup that can cater to this? Personally I would add in a 75 (I use the f/2.5 Summarit which is a lovely lens and can be bought relatively cheaply at the moment - I doubt that this will last) which would add in a great portrait lens as well as one very handy for tighter landscapes. Otherwise it appears that you are well set up with 35 and 50 lenses. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jakontil Posted July 12 Share #14 Posted July 12 1 hour ago, ronaldc said: Summaron 28 5.6 👍👍 Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Another lens that i always take with me… 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tseg Posted July 12 Share #15 Posted July 12 Here is the Leica starter set: 28mm Summicron ASPH III 35mm APO Summicron 50mm Summilux ASPH II 90mm APO From here you can build out your 'character lenses. Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/422983-consolidating-into-one-system-around-m11/?do=findComment&comment=5832586'>More sharing options...
Scrapbook Posted July 12 Share #16 Posted July 12 Am 11.7.2025 um 15:20 schrieb sanadsaad: What I am looking towards is an endgame setup. That is impossible, isn't it!😃 Claus Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derbyshire Man Posted July 12 Share #17 Posted July 12 (edited) 4 hours ago, Tseg said: Here is the Leica starter set: 28mm Summicron ASPH III 35mm APO Summicron 50mm Summilux ASPH II 90mm APO From here you can build out your 'character lenses. Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Starter kit? Maybe if you work in finance 😂 Edited July 12 by Derbyshire Man 4 1 5 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BWColor Posted July 12 Share #18 Posted July 12 (edited) End game… I use this for every expensive purchase that I make. My days of shooting events, sports and the like are gone. Last model portfolio was two decades ago, so my use case is for travel. That said, 21mm is my favorite focal length. Distortion isn’t an issue once you figure out the focal length, plus the 61Mpix sensor crops nicely. I only shoot seriously with the M11 Monochrom.. otherwise use different systems. For decades my favorite 21mm was the very small Zeiss f/4.5 Biogon-c. Virtually no distortion, very sharp on the M11 family, but does suffer from vignetting. Last month I made the mistake of shopping at Map Camera in Tokyo. I’ve had a 90mm APO Asph for over a decade, but rarely use it. It is a pretty large and heavy lens. I decided to buy a 75mm APO Asph and Map had a few nice used ones. I think that this is a more useful focal length and the lens is a bit smaller & lighter than the 90mm. If I were to buy the 90mm, I would look at the just released Voigtlander Ultron APO. You can find pages of testing at Fred Miranda’s Forum. I also sold my favorite lens in a bid to force myself to buy the 21mm Super Elmar. I don’t think that one is better than the other, but my take so far is the Zeiss is smaller with higher micro contrast. The Leica is prettier and less vignetting. My second favorite lens is 35mm. I currently use two lenses, but I have many more. I use the Voigtlander 35mm APO Lanthar for unbelievably clean, sharp images and the Zeiss f/1.4 Distagon, which is larger, heavier and almost as optically perfect, but a stop faster. So, my two lens travel set would be 21mm & 35mm and if I added a third lens it would be the 75mm. Again, I have a number of 50mm lenses, but I don’t tend to use them as much. It is all very personal. Edited July 12 by BWColor Sorry 90mm Ultron does not have Asph elements 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ronaldc Posted July 13 Share #19 Posted July 13 19 hours ago, jakontil said: Another lens that i always take with me… Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Very niceeee such a good lens 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted July 13 Share #20 Posted July 13 On an M1 with its high MP count you don't need a portrait 75 or 90. You can easily crop into a 50 mm shot. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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