Leica lenses

This page is part of my digital garden. It is more like a notebook entry than a polished blog post. It's a space where I document learnings primarily for my own reference, yet share them in case they benefit others. Unlike my blog posts, these pages are works-in-progress and updated over time. Like tending to a real garden, I periodically refine its content. I welcome suggestions for improvements at dries@buytaert.net.

I've been shooting with Leica M cameras for a few years. This page lists the lenses I use today and vintage lenses I would love to try.

Lenses I currently own

Lens	Years	Notes
Leica Summilux-M 35 mm f/1.4 ASPH FLE	2010 – 2022	Sharp, fast, and versatile. My everyday lens.
Leica Summilux-M 50 mm f/1.4 ASPH	2023 – Present	Sharp, fast, and balanced with beautiful color and contrast.
Leica Noctilux-M 50 mm f/0.95	2008 – Present	Dreamy and full of depth, but not always sharp.

Vintage lenses I'd love to try or buy

Lately, I've become more interested in vintage lenses than new ones. Their way of handling light and color is softer and has more character than modern glass. My Noctilux showed me how much beauty there is in imperfection. These older lenses can be hard to find and often confusing to identify, so I'm keeping track of them here.

Lens	Years	Notes
Leica Elmarit-M 28 mm f/2.8 v4	1992 – 2006	Compact and sharp with minimal distortion. A clean, classic wide-angle.
Leica Summicron-M 35 mm f/2 v4, German-made ("Bokeh King")	1979 – 1999	Famous for its smooth bokeh and gentle rendering. Avoid Canadian version.
Leica Summilux-M 35 mm f/1.4 AA (Double Aspherical)	1990 – 1994	Rare and collectible. Produces warm tones and painterly backgrounds.
Leica Summitar 50 mm f/2	1939 – 1955	Soft and nostalgic, with the kind of glow only old glass gives.
Leica Summicron 50 mm f/2 Rigid v2	1956 – 1968	A crisp, confident lens that defined Leica's look for years.