Vlad Posted January 29, 2009 Share #1 Posted January 29, 2009 Advertisement (gone after registration) ...which 35mm Leica would you recommend him to buy? I have recently found myself lusting over going back to a 35mm system, the thought of a Leica M model is very intriguing. My digital repertoire is stacked with all things Nikon, I am ready to take the plunge and get a Leica. The requirements are basic. Body, WA lens for landscape/urban shooting, does not have to be new. I will obviously do my research on this wonderful forum and other resource sites, though I still wanted to pick your brains for opinions. Budget is (fortunately) not a factor. Thanks in advance! Vlad Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted January 29, 2009 Posted January 29, 2009 Hi Vlad, Take a look here If you were to give advice to a newcomer.... I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
stunsworth Posted January 29, 2009 Share #2 Posted January 29, 2009 M7 or M6. the lens would depend on what you mean by 'wide angle'. Leica have lenses from 16 to 28mm. None are anything other than stella. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
JBA Posted January 29, 2009 Share #3 Posted January 29, 2009 M6 with 35 Summicron Asph. loaded with Tri-X. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
andit Posted January 29, 2009 Share #4 Posted January 29, 2009 Hi Vlad, I would suggest a Leica M7 or Leica MP with a 21mm Elmarit ASPH Lens. Since you are in the fortunate position that budget is not a factor, why not look at getting a M7 starter kit with the 50mm Summicron Lens and then get the 21mm Elmarit lens extra. That way you also have a great walk-about camera. Andreas Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
earleygallery Posted January 29, 2009 Share #5 Posted January 29, 2009 For me it would be a new MP with 35 Summicron (or 28mm if you prefer wider). Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Photoskeptic Posted January 29, 2009 Share #6 Posted January 29, 2009 For me it would be a new MP with 35 Summicron (or 28mm if you prefer wider). Amen! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
E.M Posted January 29, 2009 Share #7 Posted January 29, 2009 Advertisement (gone after registration) I 've always been a Nikon-user since the F2, always lusted after a Leica M6, which I finally bought 9 years ago. I prefer the look of a M6-classic, but I had a M6ttl. I hope to buy a digital M sometime and therefore like to have the shutterdial go in the same direction as the future Ms. So if I were you I would buy a M6ttl or M7 . I like mechanical cameras, but with an M7 (and M8) you can shoot wide open all the time ( with the exact exposure ) and the shutterspeeds are a bit more precise. For lenses I prefer a 35 or 28 . Etienne Michiels Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
JBA Posted January 29, 2009 Share #8 Posted January 29, 2009 For me it would be a new MP with 35 Summicron (or 28mm if you prefer wider). Agreed. I misread the statement about budget. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
budrichard Posted January 29, 2009 Share #9 Posted January 29, 2009 M7 with 35 LUX ASPH, best of the lot. The AUTO shutter feature with simple hold feature by a partial depress of the shutter button is fast, simple, accurate and allows maximum concentration on composition and focus. With a 21mm ASPH, prefocusing, you have a point & shoot camera. I have M3, M6 and two M7's, the M7's are clearly the best of the lot to use.-Dick Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mhulbert Posted January 29, 2009 Share #10 Posted January 29, 2009 Yeah, I would chime in on the M7 lobby. MP is a fantastic camera, but if you are coming from digi, you might like having the ap-priority auto feature of the 7. Not a big deal, however -- the MP is a cracking camera. As for lens -- for a "normal" WA, your best bet is 35mm. Remember to be aware that 35mm on a Leica film camera is not the same as a 35mm on your digis. I don't know the conversion factor exactly but a 35mm on your digi would be like a 50mm on a film Leica, and a 28 would -- roughly -- be like a 35. You need to get the camera in your hands and try it out with the lenses. Someone suggested a 35 LUX -- might as well if money no object. If it is a bit of an object, but you are ready to spend a significant amount, the "starter set" is a good deal, then add reasonable priced WAs as you need them (that's my set up -- M7 with the 50mm Cron and a 21 and 35 that are CV glass -- not Leica, but very nice lenses for when I want to shoot wider). Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattLain Posted January 29, 2009 Share #11 Posted January 29, 2009 my perfect pair would be MP w/ 35/1.4 summilux. wide enough for landscape, fast enough for 'urban' or 'street'. have a look at the 'a la carte' section on the leica website. its fun and informative if you can't decide between an M7 and MP. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
azzo Posted January 29, 2009 Share #12 Posted January 29, 2009 For me it would be a new MP with 35 Summicron (or 28mm if you prefer wider). Amen! ... ... indeed Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveYork Posted January 29, 2009 Share #13 Posted January 29, 2009 M6, M7 or MP -- they're all good. I got into Leicas 15 years ago when the electronics on a camera failed, so I would go for the MP or M6, which are all mechanical, except for the internal meter. As far as lenses, what will be your subjects? The 35-90 is a great small combination that can grab most pictures, at least most pictures involving people. It seems to me that it would be a great travel combination, because of the lightweight. All leica lenses are very good, but generally speaking the newer the better. I always thought that the 50mm focal length is a step ahead of the all-rounder 35mm lens. A 135-50-21 would be an interesting grouping. It would be easy to see with this combination: One eye is 135mm; your eyes with blinders is 50mm; and everything, including your peripheral is 21mm. But you may need something between 50mm and 21mm, especially if you're shooting people indoors, and then that gets to be kind of a big system, and who wants to be changing lenses all the time anyway. I don't have a 21mm lens, but I really could of used one this summer on a trip to the Baltic. I do think your standard should be a fast Summilux or Summicron. Leica lenses are good wide open and because there's no mirror flap, they're great low light cameras (figure on getting two extra stops of speed). That combination of a fast lens, and rangefinder, w/o the need of a flash, allows you to get some really special pictures. Just my thought. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
NZDavid Posted January 29, 2009 Share #14 Posted January 29, 2009 Any Leica M body, but make sure it is in top condition. If you don't mind a handheld meter (Sekonic 308 is good), go for M2,3, or 4. A 35/2 Summicron or 35/1.4 Summilux is very versatile, but if you want to go wider, Leica's 24/2.8 Elmarit ASPH is superb -- stunning detail, contrast and clarity, and very useful for both scenics and travel. You do need an accessory finder, though. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob Simmons Posted January 29, 2009 Share #15 Posted January 29, 2009 I like you have Nikon everything even went and got me a F4 about 6 months ago to get into film again. I just yesterday bought a M6 TTL with a Summicron 35 and I am so excited to go out this weekend and just walk around with this setup. I think you won't go wrong with the 35 because it is not too wide and not too normal and would be a good starting place for just one lens. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
kenneth Posted January 29, 2009 Share #16 Posted January 29, 2009 ...which 35mm Leica would you recommend him to buy? I have recently found myself lusting over going back to a 35mm system, the thought of a Leica M model is very intriguing. My digital repertoire is stacked with all things Nikon, I am ready to take the plunge and get a Leica. The requirements are basic. Body, WA lens for landscape/urban shooting, does not have to be new. I will obviously do my research on this wonderful forum and other resource sites, though I still wanted to pick your brains for opinions. Budget is (fortunately) not a factor. Thanks in advance! Vlad I chose M6 Classic 0.72 with a Summicron 35mm asph. I have added a 50mm-75mm and another body. The M6 is terrific value second hand and is an absolute icon of it's genre- Wonderful Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
antistatic Posted January 30, 2009 Share #17 Posted January 30, 2009 For me it would be a new MP with 35 Summicron (or 28mm if you prefer wider). Amen+1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
NZDavid Posted January 30, 2009 Share #18 Posted January 30, 2009 I think you won't go wrong with the 35 because it is not too wide and not too normal and would be a good starting place for just one lens. You don't want to be too normal if you use a Leica. And Kenneth: A 50-75mm? What, a zoom!? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
thomasw_ Posted January 31, 2009 Share #19 Posted January 31, 2009 No budget restrictions....then buy a MP3 and a fast 35 lens. If I were buying only one 35 focal length lens, I would get a faster lens than f2. I love my compact v4 summicron 35/2 rendering of OOF areas, but my 35 asph summilux is more versatile and still a compact package, especially if one shoots it w/o the hood. AFAIK, you have a few options if you desire a newer fast 35 in M-mount. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pangur Ban Posted January 31, 2009 Share #20 Posted January 31, 2009 M7 with 35 LUX ASPH, best of the lot. Seconded Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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