$8000 to spend on Leica lenses, what would you get?

[ZebGoesZeiss]

I've struck a bit of gold, and are left with $50,000 from some investment made years ago. Since my photography took off once I got the M8, I have decided to spend $10,000 on rounding off my lens "arsenal". At the moment, I've got:
- Leica 35mm Summicron ASPH
- Voigtländer 15mm Heliar
- Zeiss 50mm Planar

This are used on my M8 and on a M6.

All of these lenses are cherished, but having previously borrowed the 35mm Summilux ASPH, I'm getting that one - no matter what. That will probably mean that I'll be selling the 35mm Summicron. So, after that I should be left with around $8,000.

The Planar and Heliar stays.

There are some focal lengths I miss, and would like to cover:
- 24/28mm: Two obvious choices, the 24mm Elmarit ASPH and the 28mm Summicron ASPH. I would love a 28mm on my M8, but I don't like 28mm on the M6. The 24mm seems to be a loved lens, but I've never used the focal length, so I'm not sure.
- 75mm/90mm: Once again, I did own a 90mm Summicron APO-ASPH - loved it on the M6, but I do believe that it is a bit long on the M8. Perhaps a pre-ASPH Summicron or current Elmarit could do the trick?
- 50mm: I would love a high-speed 50mm, and a Summilux ASPH looks *nice*. Anyone who owns this and care to say anything about it? I guess this is in the category as the 50mm Summicron/Planar, but faster? In other words, no resemblance to the Sonnar 50mm from Zeiss (which I don't like).

OK: There you have it, "Fantasy lens purchase", $8000 budget - what would you do, and why?

Help on this matter is deeply appreciated!

[maddoc]

21/3.4 Super-Angulon-M (1500$)
35 Summilux pre-ASPH (1300$)
50 Noctilux (4000)
90 Tele-Elmarit (thin) (500)

should be around 7000 to 7500$ (and is exactly what I have and use) :)

[ChrisN]

"$8000 to spend on Leica lenses, what would you get?"

Counselling. :D

No that's rude. Have fun. My lineup is only a 35/2 ASPH, a 50/2 and a thin TE, but I don't need anything else for what I want a rangefinder for. I'm sure others will be happy to help you spend it!

[infrequent]

give me a $1000. i am sure the others can chime in on the best possible way to blow the other $9000. ; )

[elude]

50 1,4 Summilux ASPH & 90 Summarit (the summicron APO-ASPH is ugly for portrait, unless you work in moda etc, its TOO clean and not enough soft)

[pesphoto]

Could I borrow $5000? Hey, cant hurt to ask.

[dazedgonebye]

The entire CV line up and a long vacation to go shooting.

:)

[Kent]

Definitively a Noctilux 50!
Then a nice 21mm lens and a 75 or 90mm.
And a fridge full of good film, before its gone. ;-)

[BillBlackwell]

I would keep what you have and ad -

1. WATE

2. 75mm Summicron and

3. 28mm Elmarit-M Asph

Then you're set!

[SolaresLarrave]

The line between a 'cron ASPH and the 'lux ASPH you want is very thin and costly. Keep the 'cron, buy a Noctilux and a 75 (which will be as long, or longer than the 90mm in your M8), and, if you wish, an Elmarit 21 f2.8. That's it to me!

Oh, and a nice trip to shoot with all that glass! :)

[Peter Klein]

As you mentioned, trade the 35 Summicron for the Summilux ASPH. Now you have one very fast, "normal" lens.

If you do lots of available light, Maybe trade the 50/2 Zeiss for a classic (pre-asph) 50 Summilux. Buy either a a 28 'cron or a 75 Summicron, depending on whether you like wide or long.

If you shoot mostly in good light, buy two VC lenses to round out your outfit: the 28/3.5 VC (discontinued, get it used) and either the 75/2.5 or 90/3.5.

Now take the remaining money and travel the world for as long as you can.

Enjoy your good fortune!
--Peter

[funkaoshi]

I wouldn't go nuts on lenses till you find you're actually in need of a lens. Having a bucket of lenses isn't going to make for more interesting photography, in and of itself. I'd take your 8 grand and go travel.

[aizan]

28mm summicron asph (or the elmarit asph, since you don't like it in 35mm and you can easily make up the difference in speed with higher iso on the m8)
35mm summilux asph
50mm summilux asph
75mm summicron asph

[erikhaugsby]

1. Keep your CV 15mm f/4.5 Heliar ($0)
2. Add a 24mm f/2.8 Elmarit ($3,300)
3. Keep your 35mm f/1.4 Summicron ASPH ($0)
4. Sell your Zeiss 50mm f/2 Planar (+$600)
5. Add a 50mm f/1.4 Summilux ASPH ($3,300)
6. Add a 90mm f/2.8 Elmarit ($2,000)

Total=$8,000.

[pevelg]

Hmmm, no one has mentioned the 90mm Elmar w/ macro adapter. Sure, it is slow at F4, but what other lens offers macro in m-mount? It is small, collapsible, and is great for portraits. I have the Elmar without the adapter right now, can't wait to save enough to buy the adapter.

[maggieo]

You know, if you don't like a 28mm on the M6, you're not going to like a 24mm on the M8, what with the 1.33 crop. A 28mm is more like a 35mm on the M8.

[thomasw_]

You have some incredible good fortune! The Summilux 35/50/75: buy them used like-new; and get a smaller, slower lens for your main focal length, e.g., the Elmar 50/2,8 or 35/2,8, etc.. Drop I hope that helps you; I love helping other people spend their dough ;)

[raid]

I would reinvest $6000, and then I would use the remaining $2000 as follows:

1. Canon 50mm/1.2 .... $400
2. Canon 35mm/2.0 ...... $400
3. Nikkor 105mm/2.5 ..... $350
4. Canon 28mm/2.8 ... $350

Add DAG services for all lenses, and you will have wisely spent $2000 on a super practical set of lenses.

[aad]

Assuming the bills are paid, a long trip would do more than lenses, wouldn't it? Of course, I'm guessing you have enough money to go anyway. Have fun!

[BillBingham2]

I agree with Raid, reinvest $6,000 and use the profits in three years to fund an M9. For around $2K I would pick a different group of lenses though.

1. Nikkor 85/2 black
2. ZI 25/2.8
3. Brightline Finders for the 25 on the M6 and M8

I'm not a big lover of duplication in the same system these days.

B2

[Hacker]

I would not waste my time with the 35 Lux ASPH and just keep the 35 Cron. The 35 Lux ASPH it is over rated. I would drop the Heliar and the Planar and get:

1) 21mm ASPH
2) 28 Cron
3) 50 Lux ASPH (or a Zeiss 50mm f1.5).
4) 75/90 AA (if there is still $$ left over)

[novum]

D3 + 200/2vr

[jjovin]

Zeiss Ikon, C-Sonnar 50, Biogon 35, Elmarit 90.
Try to get all of these used and spend the rest on
a trip around the world.

[Hephaestus]

25mm Biogon - $750
50mm Noctilux - $4200
75mm Summilux - $2500
28mm Voigtlaner 1.9 - ~$400?
=$7850

I presently have a 25mm Biogon, 35mm Summilux and 50m Noctilux and the only additional lenses that I am really interested in are the 15mm Voigltnander, which you have, and the 75mm Summilux.

[dseelig]

Do you shoot low light? I would get a 28 f2 a 50 mm 1.4 last before asph. If you want a 35 summilux make sure it can be returned as many suckj on the m8 best off with a chrome or titanuim model of the 35 lux asph. I love my mate and wate lenses. Buy used when you can as it will save money and 8 grand in leica world goes fast. The 75 lux is nice be prepared for it to go to Solms for calibration . Or DAG . If I could only have 2 lenses 28 cron and 50 lux non asph. after that the mate and wate a 75 lux is nice though. If you have good luck with your 15 voigt maybe just get the zeiss 18 . David

[35mmdelux]

add 50/1.4 ASPH. Keep it simple.

[Ducky]

A couple of FSU Jupiters and a $7,900 CD.

[Rob-F]

Your decision to get the 35mm ASPH Lux is a good one! I would add the 24mm ASPH, as it will give you about 32mm equivalent on the M8. That seems like a good idea, since you can shoot both the M8 and M6 in essentially a 35mm focal length by using the 24 on the M8 and the 35 on the M6. I have both these lenses and can recommend them. You can even swap the 24mm onto the M6 when you need the extra coverage.

I seem to like the 75mm focal length on the M6. I use the Summilux. It is however majorly heavy. I don't mind; but if you do, then the new 75/2 Summicron might be a good choice for you, or the new 75mm Summarit. They won't weigh down your kit so much. On the M8, 75mm acts like a 100mm, which seems still in a reasonable range for the rangefinder camera. 135mm seems just too long to me, even on the M6 or M3! When I need a 135, it's time to use an SLR.

So I'm thinking 15-24-35-50-75. How does that sound?

[alan davus]

What could $8000 buy??? Unfortunately I can't offer any advice on the Leica front but here's a shopping list. (prices from Popflash)

Zeiss 18 Distagon $957
" 21 Biogon $969
" 25 " $887
" 28 " $876
" 35 " $817
" 50 Planar $691 Total $5197
add Leica 75 Summarit $1495
Viewfinders for the 18 21 and 25 are $364 each or just buy the CV 21 for $128 and use it for all three. You would have enough left over to buy (from the head bartender)
CV 12 Heliar $594
CV 90 Apo Lanthar $315. Better allow $3-400 to buy one of the large Billingham's to carry it all. Not much change for film but it would cure most peoples Gas for a while.

[gberger]

Maybe I'm just fortunate - -but I bought the 24mm three years ago, and I've never regretted it. Its resolution and contrast are simply awesome when projected. If you're even contemplating shooting on English, Japanese, German, Turkish, Moroccan or Italian smaller streets. you'll be surprised at the capability oi this lens . Yeah, it's a super wide angle - - but it really isn't. If you're used to shooting close-ups and crowded street scenes, the 24 will be glued to your M body.