Reader Comment: Leica M11 “compelling samples not helping my resolution to stay strong and not buy any new gear in 2022”
Eeraj Q writes:
Your compelling samples on the M11 with my two favorite M lenses, the Voigtlander VM 50mm f/2 APO-Lanthar, and Zeiss ZM 35mm f/1.4 Distagon, are not helping my resolution to stay strong and not buy any new gear in 2022!
I bought both of these lenses based on your recommendation and am beyond impressed. I would say that the ZM 35 while (perhaps) falling a bit short wide open on the 60 MP as you demonstrate, has the best "feel" to the images. Hard to quantify but visible to my eyes. The subject matter is great too - the mysterious forest with greens makes for painting like imagery.
Always like how you find interesting subjects. Much better than charts or brick walls.
ny chance of M11 + Elmar 24 samples?
DIGLLOYD: I too am lusting over an M11, especially since its monochrome potential looks to be possibly the best ever in any 35mm-format camera—but I need more subject matter variety to confirm it. Cost puts it out of reach for me but maybe I can borrow it again.
View:
and andThe Zeiss ZM 35mm f/1.4 Distagon is good at f/1.4 and f/2, better than what Leica offers at f/1.4 (Leica 35/1.4 Summilux-M ASPH), but yeah it shows limits that f/2.8 cleans up nicely—but beautiful rendering. Stopped down it’s outstanding, fully capable on the 60MP sensor. And once you see the wider lenses, you’ll understand just how impressive it is—wide angles are a weak point for Leica M, and have been since the M240.
Regrettably the limited time with the M11 (48 hours) meant no time ad-hoc shots to cover all these lenses below, but I have some aperture series to show which are definitive as to their capabilities. Coming soon: