One body, one lens...which ones?

[dave lackey]

Okay, I admit it...I have procrastinated buying a Leica over the past year and a half but I did sleep at the Holiday Inn...and managed to buy a NIB Nikon S3 2000 which has been a blast!

But, yet, I still would like to experience Leica. I am getting better at manual exposure and the millenium lens is awesome.

So, what are your recommendations for a Leica for long-term, with one lens to use everyday?

Thank you in advance.

[tripod]

I'd suggest an M6 with either 50mm Elmar-M or 35mm Zeiss f2.8, depending on if you're more a 50 or 35mm type.

[mfogiel]

I think the one combination which is still appealing from Leica, is the 0.85x M7 with the 50/1.4 Summilux - to make it really shine, you should remove the 75mm frame as it messes up the view. This will give you a reasonably good VF with a single 50mm frame, accurate focusing and a good and fast 50mm lens, which at the moment has not been bettered by other products. For the 35mm lens the ZI+Biogon f2.0 or Nokton f 1.2 are unbeatable IMHO, and for the wider angles the R4A is the most sensible choice.

[telenous]

From what you say I think you 'd be happy with an M2 (unmetered, manual exposure like the S3). Try a 35 lens to have something different from your Millenium Nikkor, perhaps the Summicron or Summilux preasphs, if you want a compact kit. I am sure you know already, the Nikon and Leica focus in opposite directions - could be a nuisance if the cameras are used in tandem. Good luck in your choice - enjoy!

[Teus]

M3 in good condition with a recent 50mm summicron, or an M2 with 35mm. An M6/MP/M7 are possible as well, depending on likes and budget

[tomasis]

its highly personal. I speak for M3 and 50mm. Another suggestion is M4 and 35mm though I dont like 35mm. Summicron is the king of choice for starters

[Rik]

Black Paint MP and Noctilux... set up for life :-)

[hans voralberg]

M2 with 40mm Nokton, it's halfway in between so you wont have to think too hard about 35 or 50 =)

[ferider]

A little outside the box, but how about two lenses ? 0.85 MP + CV 35/1.2 + Leica 75/1.4. Kind of a unique Leica combo which will also nicely add to your Nikon.

Best,

Roland.

[pfoto]

A 0.72x MP with a small 35mm lens such as a Summicron or a UC Hexanon.

[Axel100]

Get the M-Body of your choice and a 50mm Summicron.
Also possible is a 50mm Zeiss Sonnar if you like it a bit cooler.
My 5ct

Regards, Axel

[rich815]

If you like wide angle then get a wide angle, maybe a 35mm, or a 28mm if you like wider. If you like a more normal lens then a 50mm would be best, maybe a 40mm if you think you'd like that. As for a body I like the Leica M2 or M3, maybe an M4, or even an M6. MP is nice too, as is an M7.

[Harry Lime]

MP + 1.4/35 Summilux ASPH (or any other 35)

[kalokeri]

Originally Posted by dave lackey

So, what are your recommendations for a Leica for long-term, with one lens to use everyday?

This question is not easy to answer. It is a very personal decision.

If you can arrange yourself with a camera without build-in-meter and like to have something different than a 50mm the advice of Alkis - M2 with 35mm lens - is very good. Depends on how much money you like to spent if you go for a Summicron asph. or pre-asph. or try something cheaper like Voigtländer-lenses - they offer several 35mm. Whether you try this or the way - there is not much to do wrong. Just keep in mind that a M2-body should get a CLA sooner or later. Think about this extra costs when buying one.

Thomas

[Harry Lime]

Originally Posted by ferider

A little outside the box, but how about two lenses ? 0.85 MP + CV 35/1.2 + Leica 75/1.4. Kind of a unique Leica combo which will also nicely add to your Nikon.

Best,

Roland.

It's very difficult for many people to see the 35mm framelines on the .85 bodies...

[Benjamin Marks]

I like the way Roland thinks - give yourself a new capability. My own first Leica was a a used M3 and a 50/1.5 Summarit, which I bought used from an Oakland camera shop in 1992. Damn, that camera and lens were an awesome combo. I think the best value going in Ms is the M6 classic -- not as well loved, perhaps, as the M2 or M4, but with all the functionality that you really need to make great pictures without having another piece of gear in your pocket.


If you don't want to select lenses "around" your Nikon choice (that is, if you just see how you see) and if you are a modern 35mm guy, I'd take a serious look at the Zeiss Biogon -- great performance for less money than the current 35 Summicron Asph. If you are a modern 50 guy, the 50/1.4 Asph is capable of jaw-dropping performance and I think that mine is worth every cent I paid for it. If you like a more nuanced look, I'd go with a 1980's version tabbed Summicron in either 50 or 35mm.

Me: Every camera from a new system I ever bought, I bought with a 50 (or its format-specific analogue) -- it is the lens I learned with and it is how I see the world most often photographically.

So: Pentax K1000 with 50/1.7; Nikon F4 with 50/1.4; M6 with 50/2, Pentax 67 and 105/2.8; 4x5 and 180/5.6 and so on.

Ben Marks

[Mike Richards]

Originally Posted by Harry Lime

MP + 1.4/35 Summilux ASPH (or any other 35)

Amen Amen. If you're on a budget, don't overlook the M2/35 f 2.8 Summaron combo. A sweet package.

[Harry Lime]

Originally Posted by Mike Richards

Amen Amen. If you're on a budget, don't overlook the M2/35 f 2.8 Summaron combo. A sweet package.

Actually make that any M body (except for the M3 of course) with a 35.


Also skip the M4-2.

[phatnev]

An M2 and a CV 35mm 1.4 will be my first purchases this summer. I had a M2 and a 35 last August until it was stolen in November and I couldn't ask for anything more, except a faster lens as I had the 35mm f2.5 II pancake and with the unveiling of the f1.4 I can't help but spend the extra bucks.

[nrb]

M2 or M6. Summicron is nice, but so is Voigtlander or Zeiss or Konica or Canon.

[rpsawin]

Originally Posted by telenous

From what you say I think you 'd be happy with an M2 (unmetered, manual exposure like the S3). Try a 35 lens to have something different from your Millenium Nikkor, perhaps the Summicron or Summilux preasphs, if you want a compact kit. I am sure you know already, the Nikon and Leica focus in opposite directions - could be a nuisance if the cameras are used in tandem. Good luck in your choice - enjoy!

Yep...I'll second that. An M2 with a 35mm Summicron is an excellent choice.

Best regards,

Bob

[jslash6]

i've been only using a Bessa R2a with a CV 35mm f1.4 sc

[raid]

Many people here like using a 35mm lens. I prefer the 50mm lens instead. The classic Summicron 50mm/2 would be my choice.

[BillBingham2]

Having moved from Leica to Nikon I have to put in my 2cents. There is a special feel to a Leica M. IMHO the Nikon S3 feels just as good, in some ways better, in some ways not as my old M4-P. I really like the wheel focusing, but do not like the long throw of the focus. I've very happy that Tom A has not come out with a winder for the S3 and above as I would have to get one.

From my point of view I would take the money and get a new 35/1.8 Nikkor for your S3-2000 and call it a draw.

You would not do wrong with an M2 or an M4-P, moving up price wise go with a M6 classic. Lens wise just about anything 50mm is going to be a step down from where you are. I'd go with a 35mm say the new 1.4 CV would go very nicely and priced reasonably.

You might find you like Leica more than the Nikon S, nothing wrong, individual tastes. I still say just go with the new Nikkor 35.

B2 (;->

[Chris101]

I've got an M4-P fitted with a 35mm Ultron. It's quite compact and I carry it everywhere if I don't have a different camera with me. It takes nice pictures too - I (mostly) use only one film (trix) in it as well, so I rarely worry about metering. Guess & go!

ps, hey Chris! Glad to see you have recovered from the theft and are jumping back in!