Best Lenses under $500 for landscape

Best Pick

Brightin Star 28mm F2.8 28mm

33.1 Landscape Score
28mmf/16Leica MIS
Why we recommend this

The 9.9mm ultra-slim brass construction and 125g weight make this lens a standout for unobtrusive shooting on Leica M bodies. Its optical design uses high-refractive-index and ultra-low dispersion glass to control aberrations, while the black-painted finish and rangefinder coupling add functional, retro appeal. This lens is best for street photographers who prioritize a compact, full-frame 28mm field of view and manual focus experience.

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Best Lenses under $1,000 for landscape

Best Pick

Zeiss Biogon T ZM 1486-394-L 35mm

47.2 Landscape Score
35mmf/2.8Leica MWeather Sealed
Why we recommend this

The 9-element optical design with T* anti-reflective coating delivers exceptional contrast and sharpness across the full-frame image, rivaling Leica's own pre-asph Summicron. Its 200g all-metal build and compact profile make it a discreet, durable walkaround lens that handles beautifully with precise 1/3-stop aperture detents. This lens is best for street and travel photographers using Leica M-mount rangefinders who prioritize a lightweight kit without sacrificing optical performance.

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Price $849
Zeiss Biogon T ZM 1486-394-L 35mm lens

Great Alternatives

These options also score highly and may better suit your specific needs

Thypoch Simera TP-S75M-BLK 75mm

42.6 Landscape Score
75mmf/1.4Leica MIS
Why we recommend this ▼

Its f/1.4 aperture and 16-blade diaphragm produce exceptionally smooth bokeh and subject isolation, aided by a 1:2 maximum magnification for detailed close-ups. The all-metal, 372g build is remarkably compact for a fast 75mm prime, offering a classic manual focus experience with modern optics including one aspherical and two ED elements. This lens is best for Leica M-mount portrait photographers who prioritize a lightweight, character-rich rendering and precise mechanical control over autofocus.

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Thypoch Simera TP-S75M-BLK 75mm lens
Price $849

Thypoch Simera-C 28mm T1.5 16-75mm

41.3 Landscape Score
28mmf/16Leica MISWeather Sealed
Why we recommend this ▼

The T1.5 maximum aperture and 16-blade iris deliver strong low-light performance with circular bokeh, aided by aspherical and ED elements with multilayer coating to suppress flare. Its ultracompact, lightweight build with a 2.64" front diameter and consistent design across the series suits rigged setups. This lens is best for cinematographers using Leica M-mount cameras who prioritize a compact manual focus prime for controlled narrative work.

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Thypoch Simera-C 28mm T1.5 16-75mm lens
Price $959

Thypoch Ksana 21mm f/3.5 21mm

37.3 Landscape Score
21mmf/3.5Leica M
Why we recommend this ▼

Its 131-gram weight and compact 21mm focal length with aspherical and ED elements deliver sharp, full-frame coverage in an ultra-portable Leica M-mount package. The 9-blade diaphragm and Epoch Coating produce smooth bokeh and controlled flare, while the precise manual focus ring enables critical control down to 0.5 meters. This lens is best for street and landscape photographers who prioritize a lightweight, wide-angle prime with a deliberate, hands-on shooting experience.

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Thypoch Ksana 21mm f/3.5 21mm lens
Price $549

Best Lenses under $1,500 for landscape

Best Pick

Zeiss Biogon T* ZM 1365-652-L 25mm

38.8 Landscape Score
25mmf/2.8Leica M
Why we recommend this

The symmetric 9-element Biogon design delivers virtually zero geometric distortion and high resolution across the full-frame image circle, aided by T* anti-reflective coatings. Its compact 260g all-metal build and precise manual focus ring make it an unobtrusive, durable tool for Leica M shooters. This lens is best for architectural and landscape photographers who demand edge-to-edge sharpness and distortion-free lines in a lightweight prime.

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Price $1,159
Zeiss Biogon T* ZM 1365-652-L 25mm lens

No Lenses under $2,500 yet. See our top picks

Premium Lenses for landscape

Best Pick

Leica Summilux-M 50mm f/1.4

47 Landscape Score
50mmf/1.4Leica MWeather Sealed
Why we recommend this

Its classic optical formula, updated with modern coatings, delivers sharp subject isolation and the signature soft bokeh at f/1.4 that defines this lens. The all-brass, chrome-plated body is handmade in Germany, offering a precise manual focus feel and a robust build that contrasts with modern autofocus lenses. This lens is best for portrait photographers and detail-oriented shooters who prioritize a tactile, deliberate shooting experience and a unique, vintage rendering over speed or versatility.

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Great Alternatives

These options also score highly and may better suit your specific needs

Leica Summicron-M 28mm f/2

33.9 Landscape Score
28mmf/2Leica M
Why we recommend this ▼

The f/2 aperture and single aspherical element deliver high contrast and edge-to-edge sharpness across full-frame Leica M sensors, with a 0.4m minimum focus enabling detailed close-up compositions. Its 275g all-metal brass build and dual-curve manual focus mechanism provide a durable, precise tactile experience despite the absence of weather sealing. Environmental portrait and street photographers seeking a fast wide-angle lens with 10-blade diaphragm bokeh will find it most valuable, though its landscape performance scores lowest.

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Leica Summicron-M 28mm f/2 Summicron-M 28mm lens
Price $5,944

Leica Noctilux-M leicanoctilux50095sil 50mm

32 Landscape Score
50mmf/0.95Leica M
Why we recommend this ▼

The f/0.95 maximum aperture and an optical design with 2 aspherical and 5 partial dispersion elements deliver extreme subject isolation and control over color defects. Its 700g all-metal build and precise manual focus mechanism provide a tactile, durable shooting experience that digital corrections via 6-bit coding further refine. This lens is best for portrait photographers and low-light specialists who prioritize a distinct, painterly bokeh over autofocus convenience.

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Leica Noctilux-M leicanoctilux50095sil 50mm lens
Price $14,043

Leica APO-Summicron-M 75mm f/2 ASPH. 75mm

30.6 Landscape Score
75mmf/2Leica M-MountWeather Sealed
Why we recommend this ▼

Apochromatic correction and a floating element deliver outstanding clarity and contrast from its 0.7m close focus to infinity, with virtually zero distortion. Its compact 431g build, integrated lens hood, and f/2.0 aperture produce natural, three-dimensional portraits with beautiful subject isolation. This lens is best for portrait photographers using the Leica M system who demand precise manual focus and true-to-life rendering.

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