Translating Leica Lenses

Let's put an end to Leica lens name confusion and ask the real questions, like wtf is a Summitar? Check out all of these lenses at KEH by visiting geni.us/keh-dave and use the code AS20 to save some money!
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[@stefanlehmann_ch]

I own the new close focus 35 and 50 Summilux for my M11 and Q3 with 28 Summilux. For me, this is the perfect Setup for Everyday-carry, weddings, other events or travel. I recently bought a color skopar 35 f2.5 for my M6 - it is super cheap and small. I think for film it will do a great job. I owned some Summicron or older Summilux versions before upgrading to the new ones. And you make nothing wrong to save money and go with 1990's versions or 2010's. I like to have the close focus for my style, but it is not necessary for all. Thank you for great videos.

[@davidherring]

Thanks for sharing!

[@vanandpillai9424]

Thank you so much for this very detailed video. My first Leica Lens that I still own for my M6, is a 35mm Summaron f2.8. I absolutely love this lens and the vintage rendering and glow. There’s something very organic and magical. Now I need to find a similar rendering for a 28mm. ❤

[@davidherring]

That’s an awesome lens!

[@toomanynegatives]

The elmarit maybe? Love that lens.

[@jkfshdfjsh]

I have a Leica X-Vario, it was super criticized for its Vario-Elmar 3.5 to 6.4 lens. But the quality of this lens is superb. I just love it.

[@davidherring]

That's awesome! Thanks for sharing!

[@sergeymartynov6001]

Dave, thank you very much for detailed and simple explanation of the topic! Now, I finally have an understanding about all these Leica's names 🙏

[@davidherring]

Awesome, glad it helped!

[@richa2495]

Hi Dave. Excellent. My favorite is the close focus 35mm 1f.4 Summilux. The rendering at f1.4 is so exceptional with the quick falloff of focus. Thanks again.

[@davidherring]

I don’t have the close focus, but the 35mm FLE summilux is on my camera basically 90% of the time.

[@ThoughtFission]

Really usefulk, thanks. Have a feeling I'll come back to thius video a few times.

[@davidherring]

Glad to hear!

[@vickey59]

Cool video! Also worth mentioning that some of the names make sense when considering Latin and Greek. Like Noctilux is referring to night light and Summilux is supreme light. Summicron is said to either mean supreme time (Cronus) or supreme crown (corona, because Leica bought Crown glass from an English company at the time).

[@davidherring]

Definitely worth mentioning. Thanks for sharing!

[@sesenticinco]

Really enjoying your videos. I even clicked on this one although I'm a long time Leica shooter. I'll say my old 35 Summicron, made in Canada, is one of my favorites (I thinks it's from 1977), but I do have a couple with some of the juicier terms ;) like a 90 APO Summicron ASPH! Thanks!

[@davidherring]

Thank you!

[@donjagoe]

Outstanding Dave-wish I had had this five years ago!

[@davidherring]

Thanks! Hoping it’s helpful to the future Leica photographers.

[@wilfredshum3703]

The oldest Leica lens I have is the Xenon made in 1939. It is the predecessor of my Summarit f/1.5 with improved optics. As for my 50 mm lenses, the one I have been using most on my M9 is the Summilux ASPH in black chrome which gives images I am always happy with, especially on portraits. As for the 35 mm lenses, I think the vintage Summaron f/2.8 has good value. Not only it looks like the Summicron 8 element, it performs well on my M9.

[@davidherring]

Great kit!

[@dirkc4612]

Great intro to Leica lenses! Just for completeness... Summar is the name for Leica's first very fast lens. It was the Leica 1:2.0/50 mm lens introduced in 1933 and produced until 1940. So it goes back 90+ years! At the time with only lenses between F3.5 and F4.0 this was as advanced as the Summilux or even Noctilux is now. The rendering is still relevant today if you are looking for a cheap alternative to a Summilux or even Noctilux dreamy look wide open. They can be used on modern M and mirrorless camera's with a simple M39 (thread mount) adapter.

[@davidherring]

Thanks for sharing! Love this info!

[@benkuzaaa]

this is super helpful!!! Thank you so much!!

[@davidherring]

Glad it was helpful!

[@RadovanFaltus]

Hi Dave, there is one strange exception, Elmar-M 50mm, which is f/2.8 collapsable, produced until 2007. I own one.

[@davidherring]

For sure! I don’t mention the Summaron f/5.6 either. Definitely missed some exceptions while trying to keep this video brief and general as possible haha.

[@BastiFFM84]

Wish I had this, when I started. But didnt you forget FLE?

[@davidherring]

I didn’t mention it because it only applies to the 35mm Summilux, not across any line of lenses.

[@BrandonTalbot]

Got to shoot the 75 Noctilux yesterday at my camera shop. My god that’s a hefty lens. Not my cup of tea - but kinda cool to operate a $15,000 lens. More of a Summilux/Summicron fan. Hoping to one day pick up the 50 1.2. Even these bigger lenses are so tiny -

[@davidherring]

I tried the Noctilux a few years ago at a camera show, and I didn’t like it. That f/0.95 look isn’t for me.

[@kidnoble]

That 35 summilux close focus is on my list!

[@davidherring]

I have the prior version of the 35, but I have the 50 close focus. Really love it!

[@veryjr2966]

Can you link the video you mention at 06:20mins re Q2 Summilux vs M Summilux. Th.

[@davidherring]

Was it not there? I did link it. I’ll check!

[@Norcal_KT]

I have a 35mm summarit f2.5. It’s my favorite lens.

[@davidherring]

I love my 90!

[@kennethsteward155]

Dave I need your help!!! I have an M11 and I’m having an issue with my camera since the 2.1.1 update. It seems to be stuck in a flash sync mode. I have no image in my live view and if I shoot in any type of A mode it only allows for long exposures as if it’s only reading light for a flash. If that makes sense. I have gone through all the menus and can’t see where to correct the issue. Feel free to reach out with any advice. LOL. I am the only Leica shooter in my area.

[@davidherring]

Shoot me a DM @daveherring on IG

[@kennethsteward155]

@@davidherring message sent

[@exalbino]

Thanks for the video Dave! In your opinion what’s the advantage of using Leica lens over third party lenses? Now that there are some excellent lenses that cost a fraction and produce very good images.

[@davidherring]

Great question! I’ve owned some third party and the only lens I didn’t love was the Biogon. Ultimately, Leica lenses, if bought used, retain 100% of their value over many years. This allows more exploration without much financial consequence. Also, classic Leica lenses paired with a Leica body create a very intentional look that is not replicated by a third party. A 50 Summilux just has a special look compared to a 50 Nokton. Now, does an end user see that? Probably not. But I do, and that matters to me and my style.

[@exalbino]

@@davidherring Thanks, that makes total sense.

[@JenHamon]

Summicron seems like the sweet spot to me on price vs quality vs weight. Even if I had the cash for a noctilux, I wouldn't want to drag one around. My eyes aren't good enough to focus a lens that fast anyway.

[@davidherring]

For sure. The Summicron is a great lens no matter the focal length.

[@zteefzeefje]

Thanks for making this clear, although I’m missing FLE 😂

[@davidherring]

Yeah I probably should have added that phrase too, but it’s not super common. I think it’s just the 35, right?

[@kamatmilind]

loved it

[@davidherring]

Thanks!

[@SourPlanet]

Don't forget the legendary "slowest" Leica lens-- the 28/5.6 Summaron. Outside of Leica users, that lens absolutely baffles photographers. Anyone who's used it is like "OH, I get it." Everyone else is like "Oh, I'd never get that." 😅

[@davidherring]

Oh man I would love to find one but they are spendy! Fantastic lens, though.

[@SourPlanet]

@@davidherring Out of my league too. I took one for a walk borrowed from the Leica store in NYC. Bucket list lens, but not getting it before I kick that bucket.

[@qashouri]

I have that lens and it's really nice... It's great for street photography... Actually for me it's all I need for day Street photography... It's so tiny and light. Set it at f8 and you make the the M camera, a point and shot camera.

[@JonathanCWard]

Don’t worry, you can borrow my 50 .95 noctilux I rarely use. 😭

[@davidherring]

I’ll dm you my address 😅😂

[@ericmorales1934]

I never noticed that I wasn’t subscribed, I always thought I was… I am ashamed…

[@davidherring]

Haha but you always showed up!

[@ericmorales1934]

@@davidherring responsible and a fan of your work and basically a student hahaha