Since I don't have my Eastland book on me (locked up in storage) I could use some suggestions.

Your candidates for a lightweight M system with two lenses. The idea is to minimize weight (possibly sacrificing a little versatility).

e.g. Leica CL, Summicron 35 pre-asph black, Thin Elmarit 90.

All systems proposed should include individual component weights.

I'm limiting this to post war configurations. Ideally, I'd like to end up with minimum weight and most recent optics. Non-Leica components such as Cosina/Voigtlander/Konica/Minolta OK as long as they fit or can be adapted to an M mount.

Your candidates, please :-)

-- Mani Sitaraman (bindumani@pacific.net.sg), March 30, 2001

Answers

Alright, if had that book with me, I might have figured out the summi 35 does not quite fit in a CL ;-)

-- Mani Sitaraman (bindumani@pacific.net.sg), March 30, 2001.

Leica AF-C1. 40mm/f:2.8+80mm/f:5.6. Autofocus. Built-in flash. High eyepoint finder. Push button instant lens change. Total weight, 13.5oz (including battery). Perfect -- the best Leica for street photography ever made, used:$150. Same camera: Minolta Freedom-Tele, used $30.

-- Bill Mitchell (bmitch@home.com), March 30, 2001.

Mani

Why not stick with the 40mm Summicron-C that came with the CL - at least the fram lines match and it is probably on a par with the pre-Asph 35. My 40mm Rokkor certainly is.

-- Robin Smith (smith_robin@hotmail.com), March 30, 2001.

I had been in the same boat- searching for lightweight M system for long. Base on my experience, better save time looking for something special if you haven't had any Leica M system. Just buy a M6(classic is fine) and 2 'cron lenses- 35mm and 50mm. I think these are the best value and good performer for the compact outfit.

If you do choose something else, I believe later on you'll still go back and buy these 2 lenses with at least M6 body. It's the most common gears Leica users have, no matter they own M4, M3, CL... 90mm, 75mm etc., the basic setup still includes what I've listed.

-- Fred O. (yo5454@yahoo.com), March 30, 2001.

I would choose lenses based upon performance and focal length. With the exception of the 75/1.4 and 50/1, most Leica lenses are fairly compact and don't vary in weight by more than a few ounces.

-- Jay (infinitydt@aol.com), March 30, 2001.

Why doesn't the 35 cron fit the CL?

-- mark (mramra@qwest.net), March 30, 2001.

M6 TTL 0.72x; Summicron-M 35mm ASPH (black anodized finish), Elmarit-M 90mm (black anodized finish).

-- Chris Henry (henryjc@concentric.net), March 30, 2001.

M6-TTL .72x, Summicron 35/2 (pre-ASPH),Elmarit 90/2.8

-- David Cunningham (dcunningham@attglobal.net), March 31, 2001.

M6 TTL .72 (black), 35f2 ASPH (black), 50f2 (black)

-- kpp (www.pragerproperties@worldnet.att.net), March 31, 2001.

My answer above should have read: M6 TTL .72x, Summicrom 35f2 ASPH (black), Summicron 50f2 (black)

-- KL Prager (www.pragerproperties@worldnet.att.net), March 31, 2001.

a few two lens kits that I'd think about:

M6 plus Summicron 35 and Heliar 15 great if you like working at the wider end of the spectrum.

M6 plus Summicron 35 and Elmarit 90 a little more versatile if you need reach

M6 plus Elmarit 24 and Summicron 50 splitting the difference, but heavier than the 35/15 kit.

-- Godfrey DiGiorgi (ramarren@bayarea.net), April 02, 2001.

M6TTL .58, with 28 and 50 Summicrons...

-- Paul Chefurka (chefurka@home.com), April 02, 2001.

Mani, to stick as close as possible to your original intention, I think I would go with Robin's suggestion: the 40mm Summicron (it always gets rave reviews) on the CL; and the thin 90, as you said. If you are only going to carry two lenses, there needs to be enough distance between them to give you some versatility. From 40 to 90 is a bit of a stretch, but still within reason. There shouldn't be much you couldn't handle (except maybe cramped interiors, or an overall establishing shot of the Taj Mahal, or a closeup of a Bengal tiger's whiskers) with that setup. Do be mindful of the potential meter problems with the CL, and of Robin's advice in an earlier thread, to have the meter set right by Leica, not the corner repair guy.

Good luck with your choice!

-- Bob Fleischman (RFXMAIL@prodigy.net), April 02, 2001.

if going to donīt know where, and probably by car 35/90

if photographing people at close 28/35, if closer 24/35, if closer 21/35, if further 35/50.

If birds 90/135.

If portrais 50/90

If undercover 21/28

If forever 35/35

-- R Watson (al1231234@hotmail.com), April 03, 2001.

Forever is to long, but a combo of 35/1.4 and 35/2 can be very inspiring, also if posible would include a summaron 35/2.8, three palets for the same frame.(understand "palets" as the piece of wood that painters use to put and mix their colors)

-- R Watson (al1231234@hotmail.com), April 04, 2001.

Watson, have you found that the 35 Summaron has some imaging properties not shared by the Summicron? I traded my Summaron for a Summicron about 32 years ago, and sometimes wonder if I should have kept it.

-- Bob Fleischman (RFXMAIL@prodigy.net), April 05, 2001.

Bob,

Several years ago, I traveled all over the southern coast of Spain with only a single M3 and a "bug-eye" Summaron 35mm f/2.8. I have since acquired the Summicron, but when I put those slides taken in that terrific Mediterranean light on my light table, I wonder if I actually improved my arsenal.

I hate to speak in those vague terms like, "Leica glow" or "Leica look", but this lens had it. As usual in my life, I didn't know what I had until it was gone. The Summicron is great, but the "look" of those shots taken with that old Summaron have yet to be replicated with it.

-- Al Smith (smith58@msn.com), April 05, 2001.

Yes for sure Bob it has those imaging properties, if you look at the design of this Summaron 2.8, you can see the trace of the latest summicron non asph, I aggree with you it is a very special lens, until 1999 it was my only 35 now I own a f/2 and a f/1.4, every one diferent from the other, is interesting Al what you tell us about those pictures of Spain, may be could be some more fellows to share experiences and coments on this lens.

-- R Watson (al1231234@hotmail.com), April 05, 2001.