I’d heard about this lens before I even owned a Leica camera. I’d heard from older colleagues how great the first-generation Summicron 35mm lens is. It wasn’t until I got my own Leica camera and put it on this legendary lens that I could confirm what my colleagues had said. It’s really excellent.
I often use this lens with black and white film, and it has consistently delivered excellent results. It has high definition, overly natural grayscale, rich shadow sculpting, and the colors are pretty good, too. This lens is pretty solid, whether you’re using it with a digital camera or a film camera.
Leica has so many wonderful choices at 50mm! You can go with the compact Elmar, the large-aperture Summilux, the super large-aperture Noctilux,and finally the balanced Summicron. I’m really starting to like this V4 lens, and Leica has positioned the Summicron to actually be balanced, which I think is great! I know the Noctilux and Summilux have f2 apertures too, but they’re not quite the same as the Summicron.
The Leica Summilux and Noctilux lenses are more expensive and bulkier—it’s a simple fact. A wise photographer knows how to find the perfect balance between size, weight, and cost. I believe the wisdom of life is also about finding balance.
The focal length of 50mm represents balance in photography—it’s as simple as that. This lens is undoubtedly the most balanced Leica lens. Leica really knows what they’re doing. They’ve been making this lens for over 40 years, and they’ve got a great understanding of balance.
Dr. Walter Mandler, the wonderful Leica lens designer and CEO of Ernst Leitz Canada, found the secret to making a high-quality 50mm lens a long time ago. Thanks to him, even the most affordable 50mm prime lens offers optical performance that surpasses many other brands.
Leica 50mm Summicron lenses are a fantastic choice if you’re looking for excellent value for money! I’d especially recommend the fourth generation and the current version. The fourth generation has a focus ring, while the current version has a lens hood. Both are really handy Leica lenses! The current version has the same great optics as before, and it’s the only remaining vintage Leica lens still in production. I’d love to know your thoughts on whether it really is a classic! Classic and popular—and we love it!
Street Photography
I just had to tell you about this great lens I’ve found! It’s the Leica Summicron 50mm f/2 V4, and it’s a fantastic addition to any camera collection. This lens is absolutely perfect for street photography! You can focus through the viewfinder or judge distance for a blind shot. The f/2 aperture handles a wide range of lighting conditions, so you’re always ready for anything. The 50 mm focal length is great for capturing people and environments, and it also highlights people really well. I was even able to lock the focus ring at about 1.7 meters to capture people’s expressions up close – it was perfect!
Focus Fandle
This lens has an amazing optical design that’s been perfected to the highest standard of double Gauss. It’s been around since 1980, and it’s still going strong! This lens has been around for a long time, and it’s seen a few changes over the years. There’s the crescent wrench version, the tiger claw version, and the version with a built-in lens hood. The lovely crescent version has a focus handle that looks just like a crescent! The tiger claw version has a focus handle that looks just like a claw!
V4 = V5
The 50mm Summicron lens is available in a number of versions, including the V1 Collapsible Summicron, V2 Rigid Lens, V3 (which is slightly taller with a silver mount), V4 (in which the finger ring is bent outward), and V4 (in which the finger ring is bent inward). The latest iteration is designated the V5 and has been available since 1994. Given that the optical characteristics of the V4 and V5 are identical, it is reasonable to conclude that there will be no discernible difference in image quality.
This 50mm Summicron stands out due to both its compact and well-proven optical design, as well as its legendary focal length which can provide natural perspectives. Production period: 1979-current Code: 11819(black), 11825 (chrome 11826(black), 11816(chrome), 11624(titanium), from 1994 with built-in extensible lenshood 11619 V-Summicron, screw mount Serial # 2,909. 101- current Total production: n/a Maximum aperture: 1: 2.0 Focal length(nominal): 50mm Angle:45 Minimum distance: 7Ocm Weight: 195 grams(black), with built-in lens hood: 240 grams black, 335 grams chrome, 335 grams titanium Filter: E39
If you’re looking for a truly unique photography experience, the Leica 0 series camera is the one for you! It’s the perfect blend of classic Leica style and cutting-edge technology. Capture stunning images with the “slow” and “portable” philosophy at the heart of every Leica camera. It may be a bit slow, but I sell this camera quickly.
My story
I found the Leica 50mm/0.95 around my neck to be too heavy, and it caused my neck to hurt for days. So I missed out on the smaller Leica, the 0 series replica is compact, even smaller than today’s smartphones, but it still has a solid case and pure Leica lenses, so I bought one to free my neck.
This is a replica of the Series 0. The original Model 0 sold for $2.16 million at auction, making it the most expensive camera in the world at the time. This special edition Leica camera has a gorgeous black lacquer finish and brass top. I had planned to use this camera for a while and then let the black paint wear off naturally.
Before I started using it for photos, I really liked the design. If you could carry it around with you, this camera could last a lifetime. The reality is that it’s really difficult to use, so you have to cover the lens every time you switch to the next negative.
Of course, it’s not the camera, it’s me! This limited-edition camera is meant to be a collector’s item, not a tool for street photographers like me.
Slow Philosophy
The concept of “slow” is relative and depends on the context. Back when the Leica 0 was first introduced, it was seen as a fast photography tool. Just like computers, you can’t really compare CPU speeds from 20 years ago to today’s standards.
Just a few more things to keep in mind when taking pictures with this camera. For instance, you’ve got to put the lens cap back on before you can switch to the next picture. Also, you’ve got to hold down the shutter while rewinding the film.
Just a heads-up: Once you’ve finished winding, the shutter speed is fixed, so it’s important to set it first.
How to use
To get the most out of this vintage camera, it’s important to develop good operating habits, like:
When you’re ready to stow the camera away in your bag, leave the shutter on release so you can adjust the shutter speed for your next shooting need.
Trim the spare film in advance before using it.
When installing a new roll of film, ensure that the protrusion on the film aligns with the notch on the spindle to ensure proper installation. Instead of using the spindle to locate the notch, you can use the notch to locate the protrusion on the spindle.
Always remember to open the lens cover before taking a photo, and cover it after winding the film. This simple mantra is worth remembering.
It may take some practice and skill to use a 0-type camera effectively, but the stunning results make it all worthwhile.
The Leica 0-series camera used the Anastigmat 50 3.5 lens, which was originally designed by Berek in 1920. Despite what some people said, the lens only had four elements in three groups, which is similar to the Elmar lens. The new version of this lens has four elements in three groups, but it’s got a new design and coated glass. It’s said to offer better contrast and sharpness when used at full aperture, and it’s pretty similar to the Summicron 50 f2.
The lens is really excellent. However, I really think that this camera is not suitable for use, only for collection.
This classic Leica lens has an interesting history. Since the Hektor 28mm 6.3 didn’t have a true aperture ring, it needed to be upgraded. They redesigned it with new glass and a half-stop increase in aperture, plus more refined craftsmanship. When this 28mm lens was first released, it was only available with the L39 mount. When the M3 was released in 1954 with the new M mount, there was no M mount version. It wasn’t until 2017 that an m-mount version of this lens became available.
Yes, it’s a recently listed older lens.
f/5.6
This Leica lens with an f/5.6 aperture has got to be one of the best optical lenses out there. It has great sharpness and contrast, with a Leica feel to it. In fact, most Leica lenses have an optimal aperture of f/5.6. For street photographers, this aperture is more than enough during the day. It’s very compact.
Just to let you know, the lens I have is the original, not the latest production. It still performs great optically, in line with the usual Leica philosophy. Of course, the main thing is how compact it is. For street photographers, image quality isn’t the most important thing. Hahaha. In the old days, lenses were designed to be very small, which was pretty incredible at the time. These days, lenses are getting bigger and bigger, and the light gap is also getting bigger. However, with a small f/5.6 lens, you can really shoot on the street for 12 hours during the day.
This lovely lens has been around for 80 years and shows no signs of stopping! It’s made of solid brass and glass, and it’s still going strong on the latest Leica digital cameras. It’s like a flower that can bloom forever! It’s a well-made, reliable tool that’s great for both digital and film photographers.
Cookies in the pocket
Dr. Max Berek designed the 28mm and 35mm “cookie” lenses for Leica. They’re pretty small. Sometimes I mount an Summaron 28mm f/5.6 on my Leica body and keep the other Elmar 35mm f/3.5 in my pocket with the cookies.
“This is Elmar.”
“This is cookie.”
“This is a Cookie Elmar.”
“You may think I’m small, but I have a big world inside me.”
Leica Elmar 35mm f/3.5 (3.5cm/3.5)Leica Elmar 35mm f/3.5 (3.5cm/3.5)
Street Photography
The Elmar 35mm lens is a total favorite among street photographers! This lens is just perfect for capturing the energy and spontaneity of the streets! Its compact size and wide angle make it ideal for street photography. Once you’ve attached the Elmar 35mm lens to your camera, you’re all set to go! The collapsible 50mm Elmar lens is also nice and small when mounted on the camera and collapsed. All you have to do is stretch it out to shoot! If you’re a street photographer looking to capture the heart and soul of a city, the Elmar 35mm is an excellent choice.
Leica Elmar 35mm f/3.5 (3.5cm/3.5)
Sharpness
Just a heads-up: When you’re shooting at f/3.5, the corners of the image might be a little blurred. But don’t worry! You can also make things look sharper and give your photos more depth by narrowing the aperture. I’m sure you’ll be really impressed at f/5.6 or f/8!
Leica Elmar 35mm f/3.5 (3.5cm/3.5)
Bokeh
I’m sure you’ve noticed that this lens produces gorgeous bokeh when shot wide open! I’m so impressed with the bokeh quality! It’s so smooth and creamy, and the shapes are just so natural and rounded! While it may not be as dreamy or ethereal as some lenses, it adds a lovely touch of depth and dimension to images captured with the lens, which I think you’ll really love! I really love the bokeh of this lens! It’s a great reason to add it to your photography toolkit. Absolutely! It does create bokeh.
Filter
If you’re looking to bring out the contrast and tonal definition in your black and white photography, the Leica yellow filter A36 is a great way to do it! This filter is great because it absorbs blue light, which makes the contrast between blue and yellow or white subjects really pop! This effect makes black and white photos look more defined and moody, which is why I think the Leica yellow filter is a great choice for photographers who want to add depth and drama to their images! You might find it helpful to use a yellow filter with this lens.
Hood
If you’re using a digital M camera, I highly recommend the Black Paint Hood FLQOO as a must-have accessory! It’s also great for reducing lens flare and improving image quality by blocking out excess light from bright point sources like the sun. We all know how frustrating lens flare can be! It can occur when light sources are much brighter than the rest of the scene, and it can damage your images. The Black paint hood FLQOO is a big hit with photographers and collectors alike, who just love its one-of-a-kind look and protective features. You might want to get a hood for this lens.
Glare
I just love the way the Elmar 35 3.5 produces a really attractive glare! The light is so beautifully distributed throughout the frame, which makes the photos taken with this lens really stand out in the best way! They’re described as having a classical style, and I absolutely love that style myself! I know not everyone is a fan of this style, which reduces the overall contrast, but I really like it!
Digital M
The Leica M9 and the ELMAR 35 are a match made in photography heaven! When you use them together, you get images with that famous “Leica Look” style we all know and love. The ELMAR 35 has a gorgeous look to it. You’ll find rich colors and smooth tonal transitions that make images captured by the lens really stand out and stay with you. The ELMAR 35 is a fantastic lens, even though it’s not the newest. I’m happy to say that it still delivers excellent results even on modern digital cameras! And the best part is that even after all these years, it still follows Leica’s color philosophy!
Elmar and Summaron
Leica Elmar lenses are made with love using the finest glass from Schott, which is part of the Zeiss Group. Oh, but the Summaron 3.5 lens uses glass made by Leica! That’s what I found online, and to be honest, the glass doesn’t really matter to me. I think the difference is probably just cosmetic, but I could be wrong! One thing that’s pretty obvious is that the two lenses are quite different sizes. The Summaron is almost twice the size of the Elmar, which is pretty big!
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Production period: 1930-1949
Code: LEDTF(non standardised), EKURZCHROM (chrome), 1, EKURZ(nickel
EKURZUP(nickel), EKURZ(postwar
Serial#:171,001(1933)-n/a
Total production: ca. 42, 800
Maximum aperture: 1: 3.5
Focal length(nominal): 35mm
Angle: 64
Minimum distance: 100cm
Weight: 110- 130 grams
Filter: A36
Leica Elmar 35mm f/3.5Leica Elmar 35mm f/3.5Leica Elmar 35mm f/3.5Leica Elmar 35mm f/3.5Leica Elmar 35mm f/3.5Leica Elmar 35mm f/3.5Leica Elmar 35mm f/3.5Leica Elmar 35mm f/3.5Leica Elmar 35mm f/3.5Leica Elmar 35mm f/3.5Leica Elmar 35mm f/3.5Leica Elmar 35mm f/3.5Leica Elmar 35mm f/3.5Leica Elmar 35mm f/3.5Leica Elmar 35mm f/3.5Leica Elmar 35mm f/3.5Leica Elmar 35mm f/3.5Leica Elmar 35mm f/3.5Leica Elmar 35mm f/3.5Leica Elmar 35mm f/3.5Leica Elmar 35mm f/3.5Leica Elmar 35mm f/3.5
It’s a compact Leica 28mm lens with a maximum aperture of f/2.8, which is pretty large for a wide-angle lens. I hadn’t planned on buying this Elmarit lens, but then it came with a set of used cameras. The main advantage is its compactness, but the main disadvantage is that it lacks character compared to other lenses. In terms of quality and features, it’s not quite as good as the more expensive Summicron 28 f/2 ASPH. I like that lens a bit more.
Pretty Compact
However, the clear winner in the 28mm lens category is the Leica 28mm f/2.8 v1 (9-element lens). It offers top-notch imaging, a rich Schneider character, excellent craftsmanship, zero distortion, and great potential for appreciation. Plus, it’s the only symmetrical design lens in the Leica 28mm focal length.
The APS-H version is pretty compact, and for a 28mm lens, that’s one of the main perks. A lot of street photographers like to carry a 28mm lens with them all the time.
Even so, the Elmarit M28 2.8 ASPH is still a Leica lens with its own unique character, and many Leica users can still choose it. First, a new lens won’t have any defects, and second, it works well with digital cameras.
LEICA m8 + 28mm f/2.8 ASPHELMARIT-M
SN Start
SN End
Product
Year
Total
-3928917
unknown-
28mm f/2.8 ASPH Elmarit-M
2006
unknown
-3997682
3999025-
28mm f/2.8 ASPH Elmarit-M
2007
1,344+
-4005877
4007583-
28mm f/2.8 ASPH Elmarit-M
2008
1707+
~4037099
4043484-
28mm f/2.8 ASPH Elmarit-M
2009
6,386+
-4086805
4100089-
28mm f/2.8 ASPH Elmarit-M
2010
13,285+
-4118183
4136266-
28mm f/2.8 ASPH Elmarit-M
2011
18,084+
-unknown
4191851-
28mm f/2.8 ASPH Elmarit-M
2012
unknown
TOTAL
ASSIGNED
SERIAL NUMBERS
2006-current
unknown
This Elmarit is the most compact lens in the entire portfolio of Leica M-Lenses. This is made possible by the use of an aspherical lens element, which enables particularly compact lens construction and a weight of only 180 grams.
Leica 28mm f/2.8 Elmarit-M Aspherical Lens - Rectangular Metal Lens Hood - Metal Lens Caps - Threaded Protection Ring
Focal length: 28.4mm
Aperture: f/2.8 to f/22
Camera Mount Type: Leica M
Angle of View: 75-degrees
There’s no Hektor lens in the current Leica lineup. It actually came out before Summicron, Summilux, Elmar, Elmarit, and Noctilux. The Hektor 6.3 is a bit of an old lens, but it still produces sharp images.
Street Photography
This compact lens is ideal for street photography. The lens’s maximum aperture is only f/6.3, which makes it tricky to use in evening or indoor lighting environments. It can still produce clear and bright images on the streets during the day. The f/6.3 aperture lets you get a nice, wide depth of field in street photography. Even if you use the Leica Elmarit 28mm lens with f/2.8, you have to shrink the aperture to f/8 when using ISO 400 film outdoors during the day.
Landscape Photography
Landscape photographers often go for narrower aperture settings, like f/11 or even f/16, to get a greater depth of field. This lets them capture images with a wider focus, from the foreground to the background, and more detail. This 28mm lens is a great choice for landscape photography.
Digital Leica M
Cleaning the Leica digital M camera is a hassle. Using the LEICA HEKTOR 28mm F/6.3 will make dust on the sensor more noticeable. So, it’s probably best to avoid using this lens on digital cameras altogether. Luckily, film Leica M cameras don’t have this issue.
In general, the larger the aperture, the higher the price. However, the Voigtlander Nokton VM50 1.1 is very affordable despite its large aperture. This is a Japanese-made lens. It has a large aperture and is very affordable.
Street Photography
A good street photography lens lets users focus on shooting and focus quickly. The Voigtlander vm50/F1.1 is a great example of this. The focus ring has a short travel distance, which makes it easy to quickly focus. Despite its size, the VM50 1.1 is actually pretty lightweight. The Leica Summarit M50 1.5 is smaller than the Nokton 50, but it’s much heavier. Of course, the Leica Noctilux 50 0.95 weighs more. The Voigtlander Nokton 50 is much lighter than the others.
Large aperture lens
Just a heads-up: Leica Noctilux lenses aren’t as sharp at full aperture as you might think. For instance, the Noctilux 50 1.0 and the Noctilux 50 1.2 aren’t as sharp as they could be. The Voigtlander Nokton 50 1.1 shouldn’t be too demanding at f/1.1. After all, the point of using an f/1.1 aperture is to get that beautiful bokeh. This lens is definitely worth using, even if it’s not the most expensive option out there. I’ve been using the f/1.1 aperture for portraits of family and friends, and they’ve all loved it.
Color
The only downside is that the colors aren’t as vibrant as they could be. When I look at the lens coating, I think it’s not as beautiful as those from Leica and Zeiss. That might be the main reason why it’s so cheap. I really like converting the image to black and white; it looks perfect that way. With digital cameras, you can adjust the color through software.
Digital Camera
Just a heads-up: the Leica Noctilux 50 f/1.0 and Noctilux 50 1.2 Asph lenses will have purple fringing on digital cameras. The same goes for the Voigtlander lens. When a lens with a large aperture meets a digital camera, it’s normal for purple fringing to appear. It can be removed with software. My favorite way to use it is with a Leica M8 camera to take black and white photos. It works really well.L1023808.jpg
The first two generations of Leica Summicron 90mm lenses were too big, so they didn’t sell well. The third generation was smaller and better. The Leica Summicron 90mm f2 pre-asph E55 lens was sold for twenty years from 1980 to 1998. The latest 90mm AA version uses ASPH and APO lenses, but they cost a lot. I think the pre-asph version is a great choice if you’re looking for a cost-effective option. For Leica, a 30-year-old lens is still pretty new. The pre-asph version looks very similar to the 90AA, and you can easily find new ones if you need to. For film photography, the pre-asph version is perfect, and I’m really happy with it. Since it’s not too big, I often use it for street photography. This helped me gain a new perspective on the 90mm.
90mm is a peak
Street photography with a 90mm lens seems to be a tough challenge. Typically, 50mm, 35mm, and 28mm lenses are the first choice for street photography. Only a few people use 90mm lenses for street photography.
poetic lens
When you look at the world with a 90mm angle of view, the field of view is smaller and more focused. It’ll help you separate the subject from the environment. This is a great way to test the photographer’s vision. What you choose to photograph says a lot about you. It made me take a step back and really think about how I approach photography. From this angle, a 90mm lens is like a detector that can reveal what’s really going on in your heart. It seems like my lens is looking for something in me, not at other people. The 90mm lens is a great choice for capturing those special moments.
