• The Leica 28mm f/2.8 Elmarit-M ASPH is amazing cuz its a 180g pancake with an E39 filter size that wont block your viewfinder, making it way more discreet than the cron!

Ok so i saw this and i totally feel u on the portability struggle... honestly if ur main goal is staying low-key while getting high technical performance i would suggest looking at the actual specs here. The Leica 28mm f/2.8 Elmarit-M ASPH is the clear winner for weight at only 180g and it basically disappears on the camera body. It uses an E39 filter which is standard and cheap but be careful with the price tag because new ones are over 2 grand. Since youre looking for value and technical efficiency here are my recommendations:

• Leica 28mm f/2.8 Elmarit-M ASPH is the best Leica-native pancake but very pricey.
• Voigtlander 28mm f/2.8 Color-Skopar Vintage Line VM is arguably better value and even shorter... seriously it only sticks out 23.5mm from the mount.
• Leica 35mm f/2 Summicron-M ASPH is a legend but technically heavier at 255g and definitely draws more attention.
• Voigtlander 35mm f/2.5 Color-Skopar PII VM is the budget king for size and weight. Basically if u wanna be invisible stay away from the larger f2 or f1.4 designs because they have more glass elements which adds weight and bulk. Plus f2.8 is plenty for street if youre zone focusing anyway. Tbh i think the skopar is the smart move if u dont wanna blow the bank. Just make sure to check if u actually like the 28mm frame lines on ur body cuz some find them too wide. which focal length do u usually prefer for ur candid shots?

i think the 28mm is probably safer for street work... i always worry about being a target so staying low profile is best for security. not 100% sure but it seems more reliable!!!

@Reply #3 - good point! Security and staying under the radar is honestly half the battle when youre out in the city all day. I have been shooting street for years and found that keeping things small makes people ignore you. If you want something that rivals the Elmarit for reliability but gives you that 35mm look, check out the Leica 35mm f/2.4 Summarit-M ASPH. It is often overlooked but it is tiny and the build quality is rock solid. I have used it in various environments and it never lets me down. Another one i am super happy with is the Zeiss 35mm f/2.8 C Biogon T* ZM. Its one of the sharpest lenses i own and basically impossible to flare. It is very slim and doesnt draw any eyes. The focus tab is also super tactile which helps for those quick candid shots when you dont have time to look at the lens. Both are great reliable options if you want to avoid the bulk of the faster glass.