Best Leica M Lenses

Best for

Low light, portraits and photographers who prefer a normal field of view

Skip it if

You want the smallest lens or need more environmental context

My verdict

Choose the 50mm Summilux when speed and separation justify the extra size and price.

The current Summilux-M 50mm f/1.4 ASPH. version has 11 aperture blades, an integrated lens hood and a close-focus limit of 0.45m. Optical rangefinder focusing ends at 0.7m; the closer range requires Live View or an electronic viewfinder. Its f/1.4 aperture is useful for low light and subject separation, but careful focusing still matters.

Best for

Wide street scenes, travel, architecture and environmental portraits

Skip it if

You dislike working close or prefer a calmer, tighter frame

My verdict

The 28mm Summicron is the M lens for photographers who want the environment to remain part of the photograph.

The current Summicron-M 28mm f/2 ASPH. version adds an integrated hood and focusing down to 0.4m. The optical rangefinder couples only down to 0.7m, so closer photographs require Live View or an electronic viewfinder. Choose 28mm for scenes where the surroundings are a deliberate part of the picture.

Best for

Travel, details and occasional portraits with a compact telephoto

Skip it if

Low light or very shallow depth of field is the main reason you want 90mm

My verdict

The 90mm makes sense as a specialist addition after you already own a normal or wide M lens.

The collapsible Macro-Elmar-M 90mm f/4 adds a compact telephoto view. Its close-up capability needs the optional Macro-Adapter-M and a suitable Live View or electronic-viewfinder setup. It is not a one-to-one macro lens on its own, and focusing a 90mm lens accurately is less forgiving than using a wider M lens.

Best for

Photographers who specifically want the rendering of the compact f/1.2 Noctilux reissue

Skip it if

You value compact handling, easy focusing or sensible value

My verdict

This is a distinctive luxury lens, not the practical Leica M recommendation.

The Noctilux-M 50mm f/1.2 ASPH. is a current reissue of a distinctive lens design, with a 1m minimum focus distance. Its appeal is its rendering rather than versatility or value. The Summilux 50mm is the more practical low-light starting point for most photographers.