Perhaps Brian agrees with Groucho Marx: I refuse to join any club that would have me as a member.

Hi Brian, sorry to break this to you but you are probably never going to be accepted in the Leica Society now… 🙁

I have the Spectacular Voigtlander 35/2 apo. I must say that the Voigtlander 35/2 apo and 50/2 apo and 5/1.0 are spectacular lenses. I sold my 50/2 apo because it was redundant to the 50/1. These lenses are second to none. However, the Leica 35/2 apo is smaller than the Voigtlander equivalent with virtual identical performance in general. Leica is the master of magnificent smaller glass if that is important to you but at a breathtaking price premium. It is a challenge to make exquisite tiny lenses but the price dramatically increases. Also Leica lenses are 6 bit coded if that is critical. For me, 6 bit coding is not critical. Manual 6 bit coding is possible but I only succeeded once on an old Leica 75/1.4. I eventually sold that lens because I did not like its swirly bokeh.

My m kit now only has one Leica lens: the breathtaking gorgeous 90/1.5. It is so much smaller than my bokeh master Sigma 105/1.4 but it does have autofocus. I used to own m Leica 21/3.4, Leica 24/3.8, Leica 18/3.8, leica 35/1.4, Leica 50/1.4, Leica 90/2 APO, Leica 135 APO. I think Voigtlander is chipping on Leicas once secure glass sales. There was a time when Leica glass was a no brainer if you could afford it. I believe the Voigtlander has ended that with their relatively recent releases. I am picky about my glass rendering and have mostly switched to Voigtlander. I have done this because of rendering; not cost.

Dear Keith, glad to read that the article was useful for you. The 75/1.5 seems to be a bit controversial indeed. I would opt for the Summicron or Summarit, but other users are pretty convinced of the Nokton. Dirk Säger commented on Messsucherwelt that he owned an sold the Nokton because he wanted more sharpness. Others swear by it. Maybe you find someone in California who could give it to you as a loan? JP

Keith, the 75mm Apo-Summicron is also an excellent lens that is worth considering.

Dear Röd, a wonderful setup. As I replied above, the 50/1.0 is in the works right now. Seems to be an outstanding lens from what I have seen so far. The Heliar 40 is another wonderful lens for sure, I have already covered it The M Files. The 35/1.4 is another kettle of fish. It is really special with it swirly bokeh wide open. If you like it, it is fine. JP

Thanks, YutakaKunu, for pointing out the filter issue. This is a further annoyance with this otherwise wonderful lens. Voigtländer should design a new version of the lens hood with a viable front cap solution. Can’t be all that difficult. As for UV filters, I am a bit reluctant generally. They certainly do offer some mechanical protection but then again it is a glass-air-surface that no design is calculating in. I personally resorted to the following solution: UV filter for the lenses I am taking to critical places (dirty, sandy, seawater spray) and no filter for the more relaxed work. But everyone’s mileage may very. JP

Congrats, Brian, I think you will not be be sorry for your purchase. 21 and 50 are a wonderful kit. JP