Best Lenses under $500 for landscape

Best Pick

TTArtisan 50mm f/1.4

41 Landscape Score
50mm f/1.4 Leica M-Mount IS
Why we recommend this

Its fast f/1.4 aperture and 12-blade diaphragm provide excellent low-light capability and smooth bokeh for subject isolation. The lens offers a robust, all-metal build and a smooth, precise manual focus ring with a long throw for fine control. This lens is best for Leica M-mount shooters seeking an affordable, characterful manual-focus prime for portraiture and still-life photography.

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Price $369
TTArtisan 50mm f/1.4 lens

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Fujifilm THYPOCH Eureka 28mm f/2.8 Aspherical

38.5 Landscape Score
28mm f/2.8 Leica M/Fujifilm X IS
Why we recommend this

Its 28mm focal length and bright f/2.8 aperture make it a versatile prime for expansive scenes and low-light work. The aspherical design ensures sharp image quality with minimal aberrations, while its lightweight 137g build and swift autofocus enhance handling. This lens is best for street photographers and travel shooters who need a compact, fast prime for candid moments and environmental portraits.

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Thypoch Eureka 28mm f/2.8 Aspherical

38.5 Landscape Score
28mm f/2.8 Leica M IS
Why we recommend this

Its 28mm focal length and f/2.8 aperture provide excellent low-light performance and background blur for wide-angle work, aided by built-in stabilization. The lens stands out for its remarkably compact 137g design and fast autofocus, making it highly portable for active use. This lens is best for street photographers and travel videographers who need a reliable, lightweight wide-angle option for their Leica M system.

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Mitakon Zhongyi Speedmaster 50mm f/0.95 III

36.3 Landscape Score
50mm f/0.95 Leica M
Why we recommend this

Its ultra-fast f/0.95 maximum aperture provides exceptional low-light capability and extremely shallow depth of field. The robust metal construction and 11-blade diaphragm contribute to a durable build and smooth bokeh quality. This lens is best for portrait photographers and cinematographers seeking a distinctive, manual-focus look for controlled studio or low-light environments.

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Laowa 15mm f/5 Cookie Pancake

25.6 Landscape Score
15mm f/5 Leica M IS
Why we recommend this

Its standout feature is its remarkably compact 15mm f/5 design paired with built-in image stabilization, a rare combination for an ultra-wide manual-focus lens. This makes it an exceptionally portable and discreet option for rangefinder shooters who prioritize size. It's best for Leica M photographers seeking a stabilized, pocketable lens for street and travel photography where minimal gear is essential.

AstrHori 10mm f/8

14.6 Landscape Score
10mm f/8 Leica M
Why we recommend this

Its 10mm focal length and compact metal construction make it a uniquely portable ultra-wide prime for the Leica M system. The manual f/8 aperture provides consistent exposure control, ideal for expansive landscape and architectural photography. This lens is best suited for travel and street photographers who prioritize a lightweight, durable setup for capturing wide scenes in bright light.

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AstrHori 10mm f/8 lens
Price $89

Best Lenses under $1,000 for landscape

Best Pick

Laowa Zero-D 15mm f/2

56.6 Landscape Score
15mm f/2 Leica M IS
Why we recommend this

Its standout feature is an ultra-wide 15mm focal length with a fast f/2 aperture, enabling both expansive landscapes and creative low-light astrophotography. The lens offers exceptional manual build quality and optical performance with aspherical and ED elements to minimize distortion. It is best for Leica M photographers specializing in architecture, travel landscapes, or night sky photography where precise manual control is valued.

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Zeiss 35mm f/2.8 C Biogon T ZM

52 Landscape Score
35mm f/2.8 Leica M
Why we recommend this

Its 35mm f/2.8 Biogon optical formula delivers exceptional sharpness and contrast, rivaling more expensive Leica lenses in a compact, 200g body. The lens is distinguished by its robust, all-metal construction and smooth, precise manual focus action ideal for rangefinder use. This lens is best for street and travel photographers using Leica M-mount cameras who prioritize optical performance and portability over a faster aperture.

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Zeiss 35mm f/2.8 C Biogon T ZM lens
Price $722

Mitakon Zhongyi Speedmaster 90mm f/1.5

38.5 Landscape Score
90mm f/1.5 Leica M IS
Why we recommend this

Its standout f/1.5 aperture and 90mm focal length deliver exceptional subject separation and low-light capability for portraits. The robust, all-metal build and manual focus design offer precise control ideal for rangefinder systems. This lens is best for portrait photographers seeking a unique, character-rich medium telephoto with very shallow depth of field for their Leica M cameras.

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Thypoch Simera 28mm f/1.4 Focus Tab Version Aspherical

37.6 Landscape Score
28mm f/1.4 Leica M IS
Why we recommend this

Its f/1.4 aperture and integrated image stabilization are rare for a compact 28mm prime, enabling sharp handheld shots in low light. The physical focus tab provides intuitive manual control, a hallmark of classic rangefinder lenses. This lens is best for portrait photographers seeking a unique, slightly wide perspective with beautiful subject separation.

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Thypoch Simera 28mm f/1.4 Focus Tab Version Aspherical lens
Price $649

Laowa 12-24mm f/5.6

50.4 Landscape Score
12-24mm f/5.6 Leica M
Why we recommend this

Its 12-24mm zoom range with a constant f/5.6 aperture and a remarkably short 15cm minimum focusing distance offers great versatility for an ultra-wide lens. The compact 497g build and durable construction make it a practical choice for on-the-go shooting. This lens is best for landscape and travel photographers using Leica M cameras who prioritize manual control and unique close-up perspectives in an ultra-wide zoom.

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Best Lenses under $1,500 for landscape

No lenses found Under $1,500 for this category.

Best Lenses under $2,500 for landscape

No lenses found Under $2,500 for this category.

Premium Lenses for landscape

Best Pick

Leica Summilux-M 21mm f/1.4 Summilux-M Aspherical

43.8 Landscape Score
21mm f/1.4 Leica M IS
Why we recommend this

Its f/1.4 aperture is exceptionally fast for a 21mm rangefinder lens, enabling shallow depth-of-field effects and excellent low-light performance in a wide-angle format. The lens combines this speed with a robust metal build and a sophisticated 10-element optical design that minimizes distortion. This makes it a specialized tool for architectural or landscape photographers who require both extreme sharpness and creative control over focus with a Leica M camera.

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Mitakon Zhongyi Speedmaster 90mm f/1.5

31 Landscape Score
90mm f/1.5 Leica M IS
Why we recommend this

Its f/1.5 maximum aperture provides exceptional subject isolation and low-light capability for a 90mm telephoto prime. The lens also features built-in optical image stabilization, a rarity for manual-focus rangefinder optics. This lens is best for portrait photographers seeking a unique, shallow-depth-of-field look on their Leica M cameras.

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Thypoch RF DZOFilm Simera-C 5

17.1 Landscape Score
135mm Interchangeable Mount with Included Canon RF/Leica M
Why we recommend this

This kit stands out for its versatile T1.5 aperture across five compact primes and a T2.9 70-135mm RF zoom, offering a full-frame cine lens set with interchangeable Canon RF and Leica M mounts. Its secondary strength is the ultra-compact, lightweight design of the prime lenses, which facilitates handheld and gimbal work. This lens kit is best for filmmakers and cinematographers building a portable, full-frame cinema camera rig who require both fast primes and a telephoto zoom.

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Leica 28mm f/2 Summicron-M Aspherical

43.8 Landscape Score
28mm f/2 Leica M
Why we recommend this

Its 28mm f/2 aspherical design delivers exceptional edge-to-edge sharpness and a compact 275g build. The robust, all-metal construction and 0.4m minimum focus distance offer unique versatility for a rangefinder lens. It's best for street photographers and reportage shooters who require a discreet, high-performance wide-angle for their Leica M system.

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Thypoch DZOFilm Simera-C 5

17.1 Landscape Score
135mm Interchangeable Mount with Included Leica M/Nikon Z
Why we recommend this

This kit's standout is its combination of a T1.5 aperture across five compact primes and a matching 70-135mm T2.9 zoom, all covering full-frame sensors. The interchangeable mount system provides native compatibility with both Leica M and Nikon Z camera bodies, offering exceptional flexibility. It's best for cinematographers and portrait photographers who need a consistent, fast-aperture look across a versatile focal range for narrative or commercial work.

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