Leica Forum - Forum

Top recommended protective filters for Summilux and Summicron lenses?

HectorDaw — Tue, 12 May 2026 15:25:56 +0000

I finally pulled the trigger on a used M10 and a couple of lenses - a 50mm Summilux and a 35mm Summicron - and honestly Im terrified of actually using them outside. I was out doing some street shots yesterday near the construction site by my apartment in Phoenix and the amount of dust blowing around was insane. I almost had a heart attack when I saw a smudge on the front element. I know people say filters degrade the image quality but I cant afford to repair these things if they get scratched up.

Ive been looking at the B+W Master Clear (the 007 one) because everyone says the brass mount is better but then I see the official Leica UVa II filters and they cost a fortune but maybe they match the glass better? Im also seeing some people swear by the Hoya HD3 series for being super tough but I dont want to put cheap glass on a Summilux. Im already way over budget after the camera purchase so I dont want to spend $150 per filter if the $80 B+W is actually better.

The glare is what really worries me though because I do a lot of night shooting and I dont want ghosting ruining my shots. Should I just stick with the Leica ones to be safe or is the B+W Master actually the way to go for the best coatings? My head is spinning with all these different series names...

What are the essential accessories for a new Leica M11?

Frederick Whitmore — Sun, 10 May 2026 15:25:37 +0000

I finally pulled the trigger on a silver M11 and honestly Im a bit annoyed that for nearly nine thousand dollars this thing feels so slippery in the hand. Im terrified Im gonna drop it while walking around Seattle and the thought of it hitting the pavement is actually making me lose sleep lol. I need to get this sorted before I take it out for real street work next week because right now it just feels like an expensive paperweight I cant grip properly.

Basically I need stuff that makes it feel secure and keeps it from getting beat up immediately. Here is what Im looking for:

a thumb grip or a regular grip that doesnt make it look like a chunky dslr

a strap that is actually comfortable but doesnt have metal rings that scratch the finish

some kind of screen protector because I already see a tiny smudge and its driving me crazy

maybe a spare battery but god they are like 170 bucks now?

Im not trying to spend another two grand on leather cases and fancy brass bits but I want the basics that actually work. Is the official Leica handgrip worth it or should I look at the third party stuff like Match Technical? I really want something that feels solid. What are you guys actually using on yours everyday?

Which prime lens is best for street photography with Leica?

OrdinaryPierre — Sat, 09 May 2026 03:25:29 +0000

Seriously what prime lens should I actually get for street stuff because I am just so done with my 50mm Summicron right now. I thought it would be the perfect all-rounder but every time I am out in the crowds in London I feel like I am constantly backing into walls or tripping over people just to get everything in the frame. Its driving me crazy and I feel like I am missing all the organic moments because I am too busy wrestling with the focal length.

I need something wider but I am terrified of that distorted look you get with some lenses and I just dont know if 35mm is enough of a jump or if I should go straight to 28mm. I have about 2500 dollars to spend which I know isnt a ton in Leica world so maybe something used or even a Zeiss or Voigtlander if the glass is actually good enough because honestly I am just frustrated with the results I am getting lately. I have this big trip to Tokyo coming up in three weeks and I dont want to spend the whole time annoyed at my gear instead of actually enjoying the photography. Is the 35mm Summicron really the holy grail everyone says it is or am I just gonna run into the same cramped feeling I have now...

What are the best lens hoods for vintage Leica glass?

istochniki_zsSa — Tue, 05 May 2026 15:25:48 +0000

I just picked up a vintage 35mm Summicron and I'm honestly so nervous about shooting without a hood because the glass is so pristine and I'm heading to NYC for a street project in like five days. I'm torn between hunting down an original 12585 hood or just getting one of those Haoge square ones from Amazon. The Leica ones are pushing $180 right now which feels like a total rip off for a bit of metal but then I'm worried the Haoge won't fit right or it'll block too much of my M6 viewfinder. My logic was that a vented one from Heavystar might be the best compromise but I dont know if they actually stay on well? I dont have much of a budget left after buying the lens so maybe keeping it under $60 is best... what do you guys think?

What are the best leather half-cases for the Leica Q3?

Iris Sommer — Sun, 03 May 2026 03:25:27 +0000

Does anyone have a recommendation for a leather half-case for the Leica Q3 that actually feels like real leather and doesnt block the battery door? I spent way too much on the official Leica brand one and honestly im just so fed up with how flimsy it feels for the price they charge its kind of insulting. Like I spent nearly 6 grand on this camera and the case feels like plastic which makes no sense to me. Im taking the Q3 on a trip to Japan next month and I really want something that adds a bit of grip and protection while Im walking around Tokyo all day but it has to be functional. I looked at the Arte di Mano stuff which looks gorgeous but the wait times are insane and Im not sure if I can get it to Seattle in time. I just want something that has that nice tactile feel and maybe a built-in grip? Some of these cases make you take the whole thing off just to swap the battery or SD card and thats just a dealbreaker for me. Does Oberwerth or maybe Lims have something better? Im willing to spend up to like 300 bucks if its actually worth it and durable enough to last. Just really disappointed with the first-party options right now...

Which thumb grip is best for Leica M series cameras?

JunoJigsaw — Thu, 30 Apr 2026 03:25:21 +0000

So I finally pulled the trigger on a used M10 last week and I'm loving the rangefinder life but man this thing is a bar of soap. I'm taking it on a trip to Tokyo next month so I need to get it sorted soon. I've been looking at the official Leica thumb support which is like $200 which feels insane and the Match Technical Thumbs Up but I'm seeing mixed reviews. Some folks say the official one has the best finish match but others swear the Match Technical grip is more comfortable for long days. Then there's those cheap Haoge ones on Amazon that are like twenty bucks but I'm worried they might mess up the hot shoe tension. Which one actually feels the most secure without being a total rip off?

Which Leica M-mount lenses are best for street photography?

PetitPierre — Sun, 26 Apr 2026 21:26:05 +0000

So I have been obsessing over my packing list for this Tokyo trip in three weeks and I am totally stuck on the glass situation. I am bringing my M10 and I have got about 3500 dollars to spend on a single do-it-all street lens but I keep going back and forth between two very different setups.

On one hand, I am looking at a used 35mm Summicron-M ASPH. My logic was that 35mm is the classic focal length for street and it is so tiny that I could basically walk around Shinjuku all night without my neck killing me. It is easy to zone focus which is huge for me because I am still a bit slow with the rangefinder patch when things are moving fast. But then I see these incredible night shots and I wonder if f2 is going to be fast enough when the sun goes down in those narrow alleys.

That leads me to the second option which is the 50mm Summilux ASPH. I found a decent deal on a pre-owned one that fits my budget perfectly. The look you get with a 50mm Lux is just so cinematic and I love that extra stop for low light. But I am worried it might be too tight? Like if I am in a crowded market will I just be getting headshots instead of the whole scene? I have heard people say the 50mm is better for more deliberate portraits but maybe it is too restrictive for general street stuff where you want that environmental context.

I also briefly thought about just grabbing a Voigtlander 35mm f1.5 and saving like 2000 bucks to spend on actual travel and food but I keep telling myself that if I have the Leica body I should probably stick with the Leica glass. It is a weird mental block I have.

Basically I am torn between the portability and ease of the 35mm Cron versus the rendering and low-light power of the 50mm Lux. Since I am going to be on my feet for like 12 hours a day which one would you actually want to have glued to your camera...

What are the must-have lens filters for Leica M-mount glass?

AllenMup — Thu, 23 Apr 2026 21:25:48 +0000

Finally snagged a 35mm Cron for my Tokyo trip next month. I keep reading that UV filters are essential for protection but then some purists say they wreck the micro-contrast on M glass which sounds kinda crazy. Is the $150 Leica brand one actually better than a B+W or should I just go naked?

Which Leica M-mount lens is best for street photography?

Storm Hunter — Mon, 20 Apr 2026 15:26:45 +0000

Finally got an M10 after saving forever but now Im broke and need one lens for a Tokyo trip next month. Im stuck between two very different vibes. Im looking at a used 35mm Summicron v4 and the 28mm Elmarit ASPH.

The 28mm is way more portable which is huge for walking 10 miles a day but then again the 35mm is just... well its a cron. My budgets capped at around $2100 so its tight for the Leica glass. Is the 28mm too wide for general street stuff in a crowded city or should I just stretch the budget for the 35? Cant decide which way to go honestly...

What are the must-have accessories for a new Leica M11?

xhnhwfguyv — Sat, 18 Apr 2026 09:25:45 +0000

Just got an M11 and Im terrified of dropping it. People swear by the thumb grip but I read it blocks the dials? My logic was a half case for protection before my Italy trip next month but they're so pricey.

Im totally tapped out now so whats the one accessory I actually need?