I'd go for the 35mm f/1.4 Summilux. This, together with the 50mm f/1.4 Lux and the 90mm f/2 Cron are the ideal three lens combo for an M. If you can pick up a good condition Tri-Elmar (28-35-50mm f/4) then you have a great walk-around combo as well. (The Tri-Elmar has been out of production for a couple of years but there's discussion of a new version).
Michael
Here here!
'cept my kit was a 35 1.4 that lived on the M3s and 4s I used for 30+ years, a 50 2.0, and 90 2.0.
Been fighting a series Of DSLRs, latest being a 5D II, for the last few years. Picking the thing up just doesn't feel right, but have been happy enough with the images. However...as mentioned by someone else, there is a combination of low contrast and sharpness(especially the 35/1.4) with the Leitz optics that is very hard to describe verbally.
In fact, I just got a deal on a series 2 35/1.4 and anticipate picking up an M9 when they start showing up on the used market. Like with my first M's, will have to rely on being at the right place at the right time to afford the thing. It's still pretty damn funny to see the amount of rancor the name Leica stirs up. Heck, I was on unemployment when I got my first M3. How come the MF and LF folks don't engender the same responses? Their stuff is even more expensive.
PS - Michael : how is the finder accuracy with the M9? They used to have parallax compensation. From what I've read here, it's either eliminated or inaccurate.
PPS - If you're going to go on about absolute image quality, use an 8X10 and drum scan or go home.