p.2 #3 · The ultimate 35mm one-and-done lens in M mount
Another "Other" vote for the Summaron 35/2.8 for peak Leitz build, usable DOF scale, the old font for labelling, satin chrome finish, metal tab with infinity lock, the superb milled-edge aperture ring with whole-stop detents. A lens that works perfectly in the hand, oh, and renders beautifully: call it a slower, cheaper Summicron v1.
p.2 #8 · The ultimate 35mm one-and-done lens in M mount
Desmolicious wrote:
Is that M mount?
It's a PL mount, adapting to Leica M is easy, many brands including Leitz available. However, I discover to my dismay the T1.4 only covers Super35, so I'll amend my choice to:
p.2 #9 · The ultimate 35mm one-and-done lens in M mount
Keeping it real, small size wins out over perfection for me, so today the 35mm Summilux SRR is the one In carry most often with film. It adjusts nicely from glow to sharp, and is free of distortion. Before getting that lens the pre-FLE Summilux ASPH dominated, and on digital probably still does.
p.2 #10 · The ultimate 35mm one-and-done lens in M mount
And yes, sorry not being able to add more choices the poll - the software failed each time I try to go over 5 choices, so that is what I ended up going with (hence 5: Others).
p.2 #11 · The ultimate 35mm one-and-done lens in M mount
Interestingly no one going for Lecia Steel Rim, or few for the LLL 11873, or a simple Summicron 35/2 ASPH. Or the discontinued V Ultron 35/2 (value winner, I would assume)
May 21, 2026 at 03:47 AM
Steve Spencer Offline • • • • • • • Upload & Sell: On
p.2 #12 · The ultimate 35mm one-and-done lens in M mount
Of the ones I have used I would pick the Zeiss ZM 35 f/1.4 with the Leica M 35 f/1.4 Asph FLE a close second even though they are vey different lenses, but I suspect if I could ever afford it my choice would be the Leica M 35 f/2 APO which to my eyes appears to be a great combination of size, performance, and rendering.
p.2 #13 · The ultimate 35mm one-and-done lens in M mount
rico wrote:
Another "Other" vote for the Summaron 35/2.8 for peak Leitz build, usable DOF scale, the old font for labelling, satin chrome finish, metal tab with infinity lock, the superb milled-edge aperture ring with whole-stop detents.
I had that lens and liked it; I sold it only because I had the version with goggles; it came with my Leica M2-R and the previous owner wore glasses and found it impossible to see the 35mm framelines, so he got the Summaron with goggles (which calls up the 50mm framelines). They made the camera awkward and front-heavy, although the googles had a little-known benefit of giving you a slightly closer minimum focus distance. I might pick up another one someday, without the goggles.
p.2 #15 · The ultimate 35mm one-and-done lens in M mount
bjhurley wrote:
They made the camera awkward and front-heavy, ...
Yeah, it undermines the point of using Leica. At least the DR served a specialized need for that weight. Rather than goggles on a 35mm, I would much prefer an external VF—an actual requirement on my IIIb. A VF with integrated RF is kind of an abject luxury: might as well go all the way to digital! Ha, ha, Barnack humor.
p.2 #16 · The ultimate 35mm one-and-done lens in M mount
rico wrote:
Yeah, it undermines the point of using Leica. At least the DR served a specialized need for that weight.
I sold my DR too, in part for the same reason. I tried to love it, shot a lot of film with it and used it on digital, but in the end I just didn't connect with that lens or its rendering. I have smaller, lighter 50mm lenses that I like more.
p.2 #20 · The ultimate 35mm one-and-done lens in M mount
Less popular lens, but my choice for "the one and only 35 mm M lens": Leica 35/2.4 Summarit M lens. My preferred walk-around lens, well corrected, excellent center sharpness wide open and beautiful bokeh.
