There are many 35mm lenses to chose from when you’re the lucky owner of a rangefinder camera. Leica, Zeiss, Voigtländer; they all have at least a few 35mm lenses. So which one is the best? Well, that depends on what kind of 35 you’re in for. A fast one (1.4 or faster), a normal one […]
Category Archives: Lenses
The Leica 24/3.8 Elmar-M ASPH review
The 24mm focal length is a bit of an odd one for Leica cameras. The reason is very simple: this is the first wide angle which you’ll need an extra viewfinder for, since the built in viewfinder only works with 28mm and longer lenses. Of course, some people just use the very outer edges of […]
The Zeiss ZM Distagon 35/1.4 review
Recently I had the opportunity to shoot with the brand new new Zeiss ZM Distagon 35/1.4. It was kindly loaned to me by Transcontinenta in the Netherlands and of course, I couldn’t resist the temptation to accept the offer. A fast 35 is a very useful piece of equipment for the rangefinder photographer. It allows […]
The Leica Summicron-M 90 pre-ASPH review
The Leica Store in Lisse is like a toy store for photographers: tons of lovely cameras and lenses that are for sale (or not). They were kind enough to let me try this Leica Summicron-M 90 for a few days and although I didn’t have much time on my hands, I decided to give it […]
The Leica 50 Summilux V2 review
The 50 Summilux was first introduced by Leica in 1959 and back then, this lens was basically a redesigned version of the previous 50 Summarit. Only two years later, it was replaced with the second version, but after that, it’s formula wasn’t redesigned until 2004. This one must have been built in ’65. Like many […]
The Leica 75 Summicron review
After having shot a couple of years with the Leica 75 2.5 Summarit I came across a mint 75 Summicron for a good price. I always wanted the 75 Cron, but never bought it, because I was more or less satisfied with my Summarit. I didn’t think too long and traded the ‘old’ 75 for […]
The Leica 50 summicron review
If I were to take one lens only to a random place, it would probably be this lens. The Leica 50 Summicron is all you could ever want as a documentary, portrait, wedding and street photographer. I could end my review with that, but I think you might like to know why I love the […]
The Voigtländer 50/1.5 Nokton review
Long before I took the jump and invested 10K in my Noctilux, I was searching for a perfect fast 50mm that was more affordable than the Noctilux. First, let me explain why I need a fast 50. First, my main lenses, a 35 and 50, are always backed up by a second lens on my […]
The Leica 90 tele-elmarit review. A fine vintage for a good price.
With all the releases of new Leica lenses at this Photokina, you’d almost forget that Leica is also THE brand for vintage lens lovers. Newer is not always better and ‘better’ is relative anyhow. Is sharper better? Or faster, is that better? I get emails from readers asking which 35mm lens is the sharpest you […]
Six Reasons to buy a 21mm lens for your Leica M
Last week, you could read my review of the Voigtländer color-skopar 21/4. I explained that I use this lens for group shots in tight spaces, when my 28mm is too long. However, there are more and better reasons to buy a 21mm for your rangefinder camera. During the time that I was a writer and […]