I am using M6ttl with Summicron 50/2, and using Konica Hexar Silver (35mm f2) for wide and back up camera. However, I have heard so many praise about Leica 35/2 ASPH, I want to know the truth... Is Summi35/2 ASPH really better than Konica Hexar Silver(35mm/f2)? Also, I am looking for wide angle lens like 21mm or 24mm for M6, is there any recommendation? I am thinking about to get Bessa Skopar 21mm/4 or 28mm/1.9 Ultron Aspherical because of Leica M's high price... What do you think about this? I am wondering how different between Leica M lens and Cosina Bessa lens... Please give me an experienced expert's advice... Thanks. http://www.i.am/naki

-- NAKI (sn4396@pacbell.net), April 15, 2001

Answers

NAKI, you seem to be trying to make choices about four different focal lengths all at once! Now, since you already have a 35mm, and are interested in lenses as wide as 21mm, you would probably get more versatility if you were to add an additional focal length, 21, 24, or 28, before you bother to upgrade your present 35mm. Which one you should add depends on just how wide a lens you need. Adding a 24 next might be a good move, since a 28 is pretty close to the 35 you already have. Yet the 24 is not so extremely wide as to be rarely useful. Personally I do carry a 28 Elmarit even though I also use 35, because I like being able to use it with the built-in frame lines, and I don't have to bother with an auxiliary finder. From there I go to a 21mm/3.4 SA. But if I had a 24mm instead of both the 21 and 28, I could manage with one less lens, and less lens changing. So I think you might consider the 24mm ASPH, provided that it's sufficiently useful for you needs.

-- Bob Fleischman (RFXMAIL@prodigy.net), April 15, 2001.

I tend to agree with Bob. If you don't mind carrying the second body I'd stick with the Hexar for 35mm. I've owned one (and currently own the 35 Asph), and though I'm sure it doesn't test out as well as the Leica, I found it to be a very good lens indeed.

-- Bob Todrick (bobtodrick@yahoo.com), April 16, 2001.

I owned a 35/2 ASPH, it was a superb lens. Weight and size-wise it was not much smaller than the 35/1.4 ASPH, so when I found one of those in mint condition at a reasonable price I switched. I don't know of anyone who has any experience yet with the Cosina 21/4. I've got a 21/3.4 S/A (no metering with the M6) and 21/ASPH (quite large). As 21 is a focal length I don't use very often, I'm also interested in the Cosina lens. If it turns out to be at least as good as the 21 S/A but permits metering on the M6, I'd sell the 21 ASPH in a heartbeat. I also owned a 28 Elmarit, but sold it after finding the Tri-Elmar relegated it to the closet. A lot depends on your major shooting style and type of photography. For me the Tri- Elmar has taken over a substantial part from the fixed lenses.

-- Jay (infinitydt@aol.com), April 16, 2001.

NAKI:

I don't think there is one "perfect" combo for everyone -- different styles may require different tools... But, for me, the ideal lenses, in the order I would purchase them in, are: 35 asph 'lux, 24 asph, 90 APO asph, 50 noctilux/summicron/summilux, 15 Heliar.

-- Jack Flesher (jbflesher@msn.com), April 16, 2001.

picture yourself on a river with tangerine trees and marmalade skies, a 28 īcron, the last summilux and all at once.............I consider me a leica user, but owning twelve of this lenses makes me doubt of it, specialy when only use one of those, and four at the most, 35/2 when one only, add 28/2.8 and 50/2 when working seriously, and 21/3.4,35/1.4(non asph),35/2.8 and 90/2 when donīt mind the weigth, so 50/3.5,21/4,,50/2 D.R.,90/4,and 135/4.5 stay in the closet, some times I wander to take them all and try to use their qualities, would be too much, will be the first leica mad man in a hospital, living in Mexico I have never had the chance to decide wich lens to buy, but find them by oportunities, except 35,50 and 90 īcrons, that were planed and exchanged for a īblad 38 biogon.So donīt have an idea on what to sugest to you.But wish you make the best of choices.Good luck.

-- R Watson (al1231234@hotmail.com), April 16, 2001.