In the kingdom of M-mount optics, where Leica’s 28mm f/1.4 ASPH reigns at 6,000+,Voigtla¨nder’sVM28mmf/2emergesastheRobinHoodofrangefinders.This6,000+,Voigtla¨nder’sVM28mmf/2emergesastheRobinHoodofrangefinders.This500 aluminum haiku—crafted by Cosina’s optical samurais—delivers 85% Leica performance at 20% cost. For digital shooters craving f/2 drama without M-Aspherical tax, it’s the ultimate gateway drug to wide-angle addiction.
Born in 1972, the Summilux-M 35mm f/1.4 II Pre-ASPH is a lens that defies modern optics’ obsession with perfection. This 245g aluminum relic—discontinued in 1993—doesn’t just capture light; it interprets it through a veil of chromatic whispers and mechanical poetry. At 2,500–2,500–4,000 (used), it’s not a tool, but a collaborator in crafting visual sonnets.
In an age of disposable gadgets, the 1956–1968 Leica Summicron-M 50mm f/2 Rigid and its sibling, the Dual Range (DR), stand like a Stradivarius in a world of plastic ukuleles. Priced between 800–800–1,500 (2025 USD), these brass-and-glass marvels are the Audrey Hepburn of lenses—elegant, precise, and eternally chic. Born when engineers were artists and aluminum was heresy, they remain the gold standard for mechanical perfection.
Aperture Click: Rotating the aperture ring feels like winding a Patek Philippe—each click resonates with Swiss precision. Modern lenses? They clunk like subway turnstiles.
All-Metal Alchemy: Machined brass, weighing 240g—dense as a Hemingway novel, balanced as a ballet dancer.
Dual Range’s Party Trick
Macro Magic: Attach the “goggles” (a clip-on viewfinder), and focus down to 19 inches—like turning a sports car into a moon rover. Purists scoff, but portraitists swoon.
Optical Scripture: The lanthanum Glass Revolution
Aspect
Summicron Rigid/DR
Modern APO-Summicron
Sharpness
A scalpel slicing moonlight
Laser-etched titanium
Contrast
Chiaroscuro of a Caravaggio painting
Instagram filter
Bokeh
Silk sheets rumpled by jazz
Polyester pillowcases
Build Quality
Rolls-Royce Phantom
Tesla Model S
lanthanum Glass: Leica’s 1950s breakthrough—lanthanum oxide lenses boosted refractive index without the ick of radioactivity. Think of it as swapping leaded gasoline for electric batteries, but with more soul.
Flare Note: Wide-open backlighting? On film, it’s a soft halo—angelic. On digital, it’s a Instagram “vintage” preset. Embrace it.
IV. Generational Wars: Rigid vs DR
The Purist’s Choice (Rigid)
Simplicity as a virtue. No goggles, no fuss—just a zen monk’s focus on essentials.
The Tinkerer’s Toy (DR)
Macro mode: Perfect for photographing wedding rings or a butterfly’s eyelash. Rarely used, always admired.
Shared DNA
Same optics, same soul. Choosing between them is like debating espresso vs cappuccino—both caffeinate your creativity.
The “Four Firsts” Legacy
First lanthanum Glass Lens: Ditching toxic thorium for lanthanum—Leica’s “green” revolution before green was cool.
First Computer-Designed Optics: 1950s IBM brainpower meets German engineering.
First True “Rigid” Build: No collapsing nonsense—this lens scoffs at fragility.
Most Cloned Design: Imitated by Cosina, worshipped by collectors.
Shooting Experience: Time Capsule in Your Hands
Film Love Affair
Tri-X @400 + Rigid = Cartier-Bresson’s ghost nodding approval. The lanthanum glass renders grain like stardust.
Digital Renaissance
On a Leica M11, microcontrast pops like a Wes Anderson palette. Tip: Add +10 “texture” in Lightroom to mimic its film-era bite.
The Chinese Proverb Footnote“青出于蓝而胜于蓝” (“Indigo blue is born from green, yet surpasses it”) A nod to how the Rigid, born from 1950s tech, still outclasses modern rivals.
Who Needs This Lens?
✓ Analog Aristocrats: Who polish their M3s with unicorn tears ✓ Minimalist Philosophers: Believing “less is more” (and proving it) ✓ History Buffs: Who geek over Cold War-era innovation
Avoid If: You need autofocus or think “vintage” means “obsolete.”
Final Verdict: The Unkillable Classic
The Rigid/DR is photography’s little black dress—always appropriate, never outdated. For the price of a Rolex Oyster, you gain:
A masterclass in pre-CGI engineering
Proof that “they don’t make ’em like they used to” isn’t nostalgia—it’s fact
Bragging rights at any camera club (“Yes, mine has the original box”)
“A lens that whispers: ‘Timeless craftsmanship never goes out of style.’”
Pro Tips:
Flare Fix: Use a hood from a 12585H—it’s like sunscreen for your lens.
DR Hack: Remove the goggles for a stealthy Rigid clone.
Collector Note: Black paint versions fetch prices akin to Picasso doodles.
Epilogue: The Eternal Rigid Leica keeps reissuing lenses like Hollywood reboots classics, but the Rigid remains stubbornly 1956. In a world chasing pixels-per-dollar, this lens is a brass-knuckled reminder: true greatness isn’t upgraded—it’s revered. As Cartier-Bresson might say, “Sharpness is a bourgeois concept.” The Rigid? It’s sharpness with a soul. Now go shoot something timeless.
In Leica’s pantheon of 28mm lenses—from the Depression-era Hektor f/6.3 to the cult-classic Elmarit v4—the Summicron-M 28mm f/2 ASPH (2016–present) stands as Olympus among mortals. This 254g aluminum oracle merges Walter Mandler’s optical philosophy with 21st-century aspherical sorcery, delivering f/2 brilliance at $4,500. Forget “versatile”; this lens is photographic divinity incarnate.
The Leica M8 is a digital rangefinder camera that has been around for almost twenty years. It’s not just a technological marvel for me, but also a great emotional support and creative partner. Whenever I pick it up, it’s like I’m embarking on a special photographic journey, and every click of the shutter is a part of my deep connection with the world. The Leica M8 is more than just a classic camera to me – it’s an indispensable companion and a constant source of inspiration in my photographic career.
I just love the M8 because it’s so reliable and pure, and it never goes out of style. In this day and age, where cameras are getting more and more advanced with each new generation, the M8 stands out for sticking to the traditional manual operation and rangefinder linkage. I really admire this return to the essence of photography! It made me realise that the value of photography doesn’t depend on whether it’s technologically advanced or not. It’s about how the photographer captures and conveys their emotions and thoughts through the lens.
I find that using the M8 to shoot black and white photos is a kind of emotional catharsis and artistic pursuit that I really enjoy. The world in black-and-white shades, fading away the noise of colour, leaving behind pure light and shadow and deep emotions. The M8 with its excellent control of shadow, so that each photo is full of power and infectious. They are not only visually enjoyable, but also touching the heart. It was such a wonderful feeling, like I was travelling through time and space! I felt connected to those classic black-and-white photographs and I could really feel the eternal charm of the art of photography.
Do you remember that gorgeous black and white ad for the Leica M8 by Wim Wenders?
When I first saw Wim Wenders’ beautiful black-and-white ad for the Leica M8, I was really moved. It was so much more than just a display of images. It touched my heart and resonated with me deeply, as if it truly understood the art of photography.
The black-and-white images unfolded slowly, and every detail seemed to have been carefully crafted over time, revealing an indescribable purity and depth. I was completely captivated by the moments of light and shadow, feeling the emotions and stories behind each frame. Wim Wenders has done an amazing job! He has such a unique perspective and exquisite skills. He has brought out the charm of the Leica M8 in the best possible way. I’m now yearning for and loving this camera like never before!
I know that black-and-white photography is all about playing with light and shadow to create something really special. It lets the photographer focus more on the composition of the image, the layers of light and shadow, and the emotion in the picture. The Leica M8 is a fantastic camera for black and white photography. It has excellent image quality, precise focusing ability and unique German colours. I would absolutely love to have a camera like that so I can capture every single moment of my life and record all those beautiful, heart-melting moments that just seem to pass by in the blink of an eye.
That advertisement just fills my heart with so much longing and love for the Leica M8 whenever I think of it! It’s not just a camera, it’s my best friend! It helps me pursue my passion for photography and express my inner feelings. I truly believe that in the days to come, I will grow with the Leica M8. I will explore the infinite possibilities of photography together with it and interpret the beauty and sorrow of the world with black and white images.
CCD Advantages of the Leica M8
Let me tell you about the amazing CCD sensor in the Leica M8! This digital rangefinder camera has a CCD sensor that offers some truly unique advantages. CCD sensors are a type of image sensor that have been used in early digital cameras for a long time. They have some great features that really make a difference, and you can see all of that in the Leica M8!
Produces high-quality images: The APS-H format CCD sensor used by the Leica M8 has 10 million pixels, but thanks to the high sensitivity and low noise characteristics of the CCD, it still produces great images. In bright light, the M8 can capture more details and reduce noise, producing a purer, more delicate image.
Ideal for black and white photography: You were right about the Leica M8 performing well when shooting black and white photos. This is down to the CCD sensor’s ability to capture light accurately and restore it effectively, which makes black and white photos look richer in tone and more contrasty. It can even capture infrared light.
Leica leica super angulon 21mm f/3.4 + kodak tri-x 400
Leica 21mm f/3.4 Super-Angulon M – Technical Information
Manufacturer: Schneider-Kreuznach – Leica Optics: 8 elements in 4 groups Aperture range: f/3.4 to f/22 Filter: M 48 X 0.75 Thread – or Series 7 (held in place by the hood) Maximum Outer Diameter: 52.5mm Weight: about 250g (black version, without caps) Lens code number: 11103 Lens hood code number: 12501 (12501M) Front lens cap code number: 14102 (A52.5) External viewfinder code number: 12002 Leather case for viewfinder code number: 14617
This lens is optimised for digital photography and has significantly reduced image field curvature in comparison to the previous model.
Used Leica Elmarit-M 28mm F2.8 ASPH Lens (11677) W/ Box, Case, and Lens hood, and all caps.
