[Leica] which lens?

[kt66@cyberhighway.net (ckk)]

There have been a number of inquiries regarding which leica M lens to buy
from newbie and experienced users.  I am nearly new to Leica M (by LUG
standards) but not to camera gear in general. May I offer an approach to
this subject.Think about your style and what you prefer to use regardless of
system. You already have an extablished style/technique...

I have had a number of SLR,RF, MF, LF lenses and cameras. Lenses from 21mm
to 300mm in 35 mm equivalents.  When I switched to Leica it was for the
technique this camera system allows. My focal length preference is a
different issue.

When a Nikon user, I had many prime and zoom lenses. My fave prime  lenses
were 35 and 85mm. My fave zooms were the 25-50 f4.0 and 75-150 series E.
But I started to check where the focal length was during the majority of
shots I preferred to take. And the 25-50 was almost always at 35mm, and the
75-150 was almost always near 85-90mm. I did not really need a big clunky
zoom lens.    Also, My LF lenses of choice were the 135mm and 210mm (4x5") .
Same equivalents  for MF (I never cared for the 80mm 6x6cm length).
 
  I got an f 2.0 35mm  Summicron, because my photo style does not require
wide open, super fast lenses ( I shoot 95 % of 35mm lens shots  between f
5.6 and f 11.0). A 90 mm was also a must for portraits. I did buy a 50, but
do not use it ( although I consider it an excellent short portrait length).
I didn't take my own advice and will sell it.  I did save  money by not
looking to buy the latest Aspheric, superfast lenses. I really  will not
need them. In fact,  the money saved will allow me to get that M2 extra body
that I want and will use.

Just ask, "what do I use , and do I really need a heavy, expensive, and
imposing- looking, superfast  Aspheric lens?"  If you are an experienced
shooter, you already know what you need. That may include high speed or not.
You either use fast film or fast lenses, this is obvious. If you've got the
bucks,  buy em all. I'll still  bet only 2 focal lengths will be frequently
used, or carried for that matter. 

Kevin