It's been a while since I reported my first Leica experience and this is the second report. Why did it take so long? It's because the Photo Yodobashi editorial crew members suddenly took away the Elmar 5cm F3.5 that I borrowed. They said, "You're not a true Leica user if you keep using a lens that doesn't belong to you." You're absolutely right. But without a lens, I'm just a samurai with only a sheath. Now, what should I do? My installments have just started. If I buy a new lens, the commissioner of finance in my home won't remain silent. Should I search for an used lens?

"How about the Summaron? Thirty thousand yen will buy it."
"It must be the Summicron."
"How about a Russian lens?"
"Look for the Hologon."
"Go for the Noctilux. I mean the f1.2."
"You can take photos if you make a hole on a cap."

They know they are not the one who is buying, so they say whatever they want to say and they seem to enjoy it. But, the real problem is that I don't know what to choose. I have no such sense. Even if I could choose one, I don't think I can judge the condition of used lenses. The old lens world is too deep for a beginner, so I inclined to choose a brand new lens.

So, I went to the Leica boutique in Yodobashi Akiba. What are these crazy prices? The Summilux? Impossible. The Summarit relatively seems to be reasonable, but still it's 150,000 yen! Oh, now I remember the Photo Yodobashi crew is using the Summarit as a unit for counting the price for equipment (e.g. One Noctilux costs about 7 Summarit). So, this is that Summarit! Anyway, I didn't understand the price of the Summicron is different from the Summarit. I called a crew member. I see. The Summilux means f1.4 and the Summicron is f2. The Summarit is f2.5 and I gather it's an entry model. But, it's compact and good-looking.

I had been looking at the sample shots in the RANGEFINDER website for so many times. So, I also thought about lenses by other brands. For example, I was interested in the Planar and the C Sonnar by Carl Zeiss. They should be the best choices because they are more affordable than the Summarit and they are highly rated by my crew, too. However, I must get a Leica lens if I want to know what Leica is. I spend days trying to decide on one lens and finally I made my decision.

It's an expensive lens in a general sense for money, but this is the only lens for a true Leica beginner. The Summarit 50mm F2.5. This is my first Leica lens.

The next difficulty that I need to get over is to persuade the commissioner of finance. But, because I already bought it before consulting with her, things are more awkward. If I spend money without consulting, I know things won't be settled easily. No good idea came out while I was walking home hanging the Leica M-E (with the Summarit) round my neck as usual. All I should do is to arrive home as if nothing had happened and let the awkward time go past.

And then, what happened? Quite unexpectedly, the commissioner of finance never noticed that the silver Elmar had been replaced with the black Summarit! My Load! This must be the Leica god who helped this miserable lamb. Or, this incident tells us how people are indifferent to the things they are not interested in. And this is why I wonder why people buy many similar lenses..., but this is another topic.

So, I've finally become a true Leica user with a body and a lens. Next time I will post some photos that I shot with the Summarit, and share just one with you for now.