Consolidating into one system around M11

[BWColor]

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1 hour ago, sanadsaad said:

So I picked up the M11-P today and traded in my M6 as well as the 50 summicron. Tried the 35 APO and the steel rim summilux in store. The steel rim is slightly smaller than the biogon but has character where the biogon is clinical. The setup was very light! The 35 APO was really good in hand and the pictures are gorgeous. They didn't have the FLE in store in Mayfair but showed me the 50 Lux as that has a similar heft. I am leaning more towards the 35 APO.  The weight of the M11-P is significantly less than the M6! Im shot with it with the biogon and I really enjoyed the weight. Very glad I pulled the trigger on the M11-P. Loving the experience so far. And thank you all for all your guidance. 

Perhaps I’m rehashing a decision already made, but both the 35mm and 50mm APO Lanthars compete with the Leica offerings, but Leica tends to be smaller, lighter and prettier.  The 21mm Super Elmar is a great lens, but remember that you need an external viewfinder, or Visoflex 2.  Nothing wrong with using a Voigtlander external viewfinder.  I’m using a Zeiss one on film and Visoflex 2 on M11M.  Lots of great Leica 75mm APO on the used market and for me, I use it more than the 90mm APO.  Have fun with your M11-P.

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[sanadsaad]

The kit's coming together nicely. Currently getting to grips with digital again and using my Biogon 35mm f2.8. It is interesting how the film shooting discipline bled through when shooting with the M11-P. I forgot the screen was there. So now that most of my old kit is sold, I started looking at lenses. With the funds that I currently have, I could either go with a 35mm Lux/APO Summicron now and add other lenses later, or go with a 75mm Lux/APO Summicron, 21 SEM and a Visoflex 2 but use my 35 Biogon till I get more funds. The 75mm summilux (non-coded, Exc condition, 6 month warranty) and 75 APO summicron (little oil on back of aperture blades but 2 yr Leica warranty and serviced recently) both are available for the same price. I am unsure of the Lux vs APO in both the 35mm and 75mm. 

[lct]

75/1.4 has not the same character (and bulk) as other candidates. 50/2 + 75/2 would do well with your 35/2.8 and you could trade the 35/2.8 for a 35/2 later on if needed. Just an idea.

[BWColor]

1 hour ago, sanadsaad said:

The kit's coming together nicely. Currently getting to grips with digital again and using my Biogon 35mm f2.8. It is interesting how the film shooting discipline bled through when shooting with the M11-P. I forgot the screen was there. So now that most of my old kit is sold, I started looking at lenses. With the funds that I currently have, I could either go with a 35mm Lux/APO Summicron now and add other lenses later, or go with a 75mm Lux/APO Summicron, 21 SEM and a Visoflex 2 but use my 35 Biogon till I get more funds. The 75mm summilux (non-coded, Exc condition, 6 month warranty) and 75 APO summicron (little oil on back of aperture blades but 2 yr Leica warranty and serviced recently) both are available for the same price. I am unsure of the Lux vs APO in both the 35mm and 75mm. 

You have inverted what I’m doing.  I’ve been 100% digital and now getting out my ‘M’ film cameras.  What I shoot and what I do dictates what lenses I’m looking at.  I’ve not been able to piece together what you are photographing.  You criticize the little Biogon-c for being too critical and next you can’t decide between “LUX/APO”..  Many people find 21mm to be too wide and too distorted.  I find it to be perfect for much of what I do and here at 21mm the Biogon-C and the SEM are both wonderful lenses, but only if you see the world through 21mm, else they just weigh down your bag.  Most people have a bias towards 35mm, or 50mm, but I don’t get that with you and you consider 75mm, or the 50mm.. again this makes me wonder what you are doing with the lens.  I’m guessing portrait.  I’m looking to purchase the new 50mm Summilux Asph., because I’m absolutely not a 50mm person and I want to explore a fast fifty on film and shoot only this lens and the 21mm.  So, here I want to do something that I’ve not done before.  So, my photographic goals somewhat dictate what lenses I’m interested in and for me, I have a few Leica lenses, but I’m not looking only at Leica.

[sanadsaad]

8 minutes ago, BWColor said:

You have inverted what I’m doing.  I’ve been 100% digital and now getting out my ‘M’ film cameras.  What I shoot and what I do dictates what lenses I’m looking at.  I’ve not been able to piece together what you are photographing.  You criticize the little Biogon-c for being too critical and next you can’t decide between “LUX/APO”..  Many people find 21mm to be too wide and too distorted.  I find it to be perfect for much of what I do and here at 21mm the Biogon-C and the SEM are both wonderful lenses, but only if you see the world through 21mm, else they just weigh down your bag.  Most people have a bias towards 35mm, or 50mm, but I don’t get that with you and you consider 75mm, or the 50mm.. again this makes me wonder what you are doing with the lens.  I’m guessing portrait.  I’m looking to purchase the new 50mm Summilux Asph., because I’m absolutely not a 50mm person and I want to explore a fast fifty on film and shoot only this lens and the 21mm.  So, here I want to do something that I’ve not done before.  So, my photographic goals somewhat dictate what lenses I’m interested in and for me, I have a few Leica lenses, but I’m not looking only at Leica.

Thank you for your message. I mostly shoot street photography, urban architecture and portraits. I sometimes shoot landscapes as well. I wanted to stick with a 21-35-75 system to cover the range I shoot at. The biogon is a beautiful lens for street but I have two issues with it. One, I love the Leica tab and find it much faster to focus with and two, it is too slow at 2.8. For street, it is perfect as I shoot at f8 or so. I just don't like the small nub to focus with. Also, I'd like to switch to a completely Leica system. So:

 

1. 21 SEM

2. 35 APO/FLE II

3. 75 Lux/APO

 

That's what I'm currently pondering over. Im using this thread to think out loud and get advice from members much more experienced than me. You've probably been down this road and can help me avoid making mistakes/give me good advice. 

[sanadsaad]

44 minutes ago, lct said:

75/1.4 has not the same character (and bulk) as other candidates. 50/2 + 75/2 would do well with your 35/2.8 and you could trade the 35/2.8 for a 35/2 later on if needed. Just an idea.

I have already sold the 50 summicron. 35 suits me better and going with a 50 and a 75 would make these focal lengths too close. 35-75 would work for me. 

[IkarusJohn]

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17 minutes ago, sanadsaad said:

Thank you for your message. I mostly shoot street photography, urban architecture and portraits. I sometimes shoot landscapes as well. I wanted to stick with a 21-35-75 system to cover the range I shoot at. The biogon is a beautiful lens for street but I have two issues with it. One, I love the Leica tab and find it much faster to focus with and two, it is too slow at 2.8. For street, it is perfect as I shoot at f8 or so. I just don't like the small nub to focus with. Also, I'd like to switch to a completely Leica system. So:

 

1. 21 SEM

2. 35 APO/FLE II

3. 75 Lux/APO

 

That's what I'm currently pondering over. Im using this thread to think out loud and get advice from members much more experienced than me. You've probably been down this road and can help me avoid making mistakes/give me good advice. 

Then I think it comes down to what you’ll use the lenses for.

I don’t have the 21 SEM - I bought the 21 Summilux before that lens was released.  I like the 21 field of view as it adds drama - a close subject, with good depth of field, or tight landscapes or urban settings and architecture - it is a lens I’ve used a lot.

The 35 APO I’ve come to like a lot (previously, I’ve found the field of view boring, preferring the 50mm field of view - I think the M system has a sweet spot at 50mm, the M3 lens).  For your choice, I would look through the images on the forum - they will give you a good idea of how these lenses perform.

For 75mm, the Summilux is large and about as heavy as the APO.  Where the Summilux shines is for portraits wide open (or rather with the subject in the depth of field).  At f/1.4 it has a narrower depth of field than a Noctilux (all esle being equal), but has a longer focus throw which makes focusing much easier than with the APO.  Stopped down, the Summilux is tack sharp and is an excellent landscape lens.

This combination does mean that, if you’re going out with a single lens, the 35mm is your most likely choice.

[didier]

6 hours ago, IkarusJohn said:

Then I think it comes down to what you’ll use the lenses for.

I don’t have the 21 SEM - I bought the 21 Summilux before that lens was released.  I like the 21 field of view as it adds drama - a close subject, with good depth of field, or tight landscapes or urban settings and architecture - it is a lens I’ve used a lot.

The 35 APO I’ve come to like a lot (previously, I’ve found the field of view boring, preferring the 50mm field of view - I think the M system has a sweet spot at 50mm, the M3 lens).  For your choice, I would look through the images on the forum - they will give you a good idea of how these lenses perform.

For 75mm, the Summilux is large and about as heavy as the APO.  Where the Summilux shines is for portraits wide open (or rather with the subject in the depth of field).  At f/1.4 it has a narrower depth of field than a Noctilux (all esle being equal), but has a longer focus throw which makes focusing much easier than with the APO.  Stopped down, the Summilux is tack sharp and is an excellent landscape lens.

This combination does mean that, if you’re going out with a single lens, the 35mm is your most likely choice.

+1 for the ‘lux 75 being a wonderful Lens. I don’t use it a lot (bulk) as I also own the APO 75, but the ‘lux 75 is amazing for portraits : its butterly smooth bokeh (‘painterly’ bokeh) allows for one of a kind pictures. I will never sell this lens; But you should have it coded and adapted to digital in Wetzlar.

[IkarusJohn]

Yeah, mine is coded.

[sanadsaad]

What is the cost to get it coded? And does it take long? 

[IkarusJohn]

8 hours ago, sanadsaad said:

What is the cost to get it coded? And does it take long? 

I couldn’t say - I had it done years ago.

[sanadsaad]

Update: Ive gone with the 35 APO! Thank you everyone for all your help. Over the moon with the purchase and im officially out of hobby money.....for now

[didier]

On 8/12/2025 at 1:31 PM, sanadsaad said:

What is the cost to get it coded? And does it take long? 

I had mine done in 2014 or 2015, and it cost about 800 Eur to have it adapted to digital and coded. And it is really worth the result

Edited August 13 by didier

[sanadsaad]

12 minutes ago, didier said:

I had mine done in 2014 or 2015, and it cost about 800 Eur to have it adapted to digital and coded. And it is really worth the result

I will keep this in mind. Next purchase at some point will be a 75 Lux and Visoflex 2.

[LeicaR10]

Sanadsaad,  I see you made some choices with the M11-P (good choice), and M 35 Apo.   If you are looking for the M 75s, you might check out the rendering of the two lenses that have your interest.   I use this site to see how the lenses render for my genre of photography that is mostly landscapes.  Here are the links that should help you decide what is best for you.  Last, since the M 75 Summilux has long been discontinued, you need to consider finding a mint copy that has recently been CLA'd and 6 bit coded.  The latest version of the 75 Summilux was made in Germany vs Canada.  Nearly the same, but the German version was tweaked and IMO, a little better.    r/ Mark 

Try:  https://onfotolife.com/lens_sample_photos?lens_id=382&page=1&focal_min=0&focal_max=800&aperture_min=0&aperture_max=32 

Try:  https://onfotolife.com/lens_sample_photos?lens_id=385&page=1&focal_min=0&focal_max=800&aperture_min=0&aperture_max=32

Try:  https://onfotolife.com/lens_sample_photos?lens_id=336&page=1&focal_min=0&focal_max=800&aperture_min=0&aperture_max=32 

The last link is for the 21 SEM that is simply superb on the M cameras.

[sanadsaad]

5 hours ago, LeicaR10 said:

Sanadsaad,  I see you made some choices with the M11-P (good choice), and M 35 Apo.   If you are looking for the M 75s, you might check out the rendering of the two lenses that have your interest.   I use this site to see how the lenses render for my genre of photography that is mostly landscapes.  Here are the links that should help you decide what is best for you.  Last, since the M 75 Summilux has long been discontinued, you need to consider finding a mint copy that has recently been CLA'd and 6 bit coded.  The latest version of the 75 Summilux was made in Germany vs Canada.  Nearly the same, but the German version was tweaked and IMO, a little better.    r/ Mark 

Try:  https://onfotolife.com/lens_sample_photos?lens_id=382&page=1&focal_min=0&focal_max=800&aperture_min=0&aperture_max=32 

Try:  https://onfotolife.com/lens_sample_photos?lens_id=385&page=1&focal_min=0&focal_max=800&aperture_min=0&aperture_max=32

Try:  https://onfotolife.com/lens_sample_photos?lens_id=336&page=1&focal_min=0&focal_max=800&aperture_min=0&aperture_max=32 

The last link is for the 21 SEM that is simply superb on the M cameras.

Oh my! This is exactly what i needed to see. Gorgeous images. Thank you so much. Even more convinced I made the right decision switching to the M system.