One-lens outfit?

[Stephen S. Mack]

I have a Bessa R with the 35mm 2.5 Color Skopar lens, which I'm having a ton of fun with, both with B&W and color. At the moment, I'm cash-strapped, so, perforce, I have a one-lens outfit. I suppose I would be better off if I had several different focal lengths, but then, again, maybe not. I have read of other photogs kits, which include a number of lenses, and then I think, "Gee, I should get a couple of those too." And then I remember I'm cash-strapped and anyway I tend to leave one lens on the camera all the time anyway, and just work with the one lens that I own, :bang:, moving back and forth, up and down, to get the best view. I am somewhat conservative in my equipment needs, but sometimes I think that I should get something else, like a 90mm, just to see what it looks like from that angle, but then I have trouble hand-holding a longer lens, so there you have it.:bang:

So, how many of you out there work crazy like I do? BTW, the 35mm seems to be a natural for a rangefinder, just like they said it was.

Regards.

Steve Mack

 

[kshapero]

I have come to consider the 35 as the "standard" lens and the 50mm as a short short tele.

 

[sirius]

I think there is joy in simplicity. You'll get to know your kit very well and using it will become quick and second nature. You'll be able to visualize the frame before you even raise your camera. A 35 is probably the most versatile lens for the photography rangefinders excels at. It will help you to focus more on making good pictures than on worrying about which lens to use, or which is best for that matter. Even though you are making the choice out of necessity, I think you are making a good one. I'm glad you can still afford film!

 

[tripod]

21mm is a fun focal length, not for all of your photos, but it gives you a different option to 35.

So does 50mm.

So does every different focal length, if you think about it.

But if you're happy and fulfilled with a 35mm though, don't second guess yourself.

Everyone is different.

 

[back alley]

I think there is joy in simplicity. You'll get to know your kit very well and using it will become quick and second nature. You'll be able to visualize the frame before you even raise your camera. A 35 is probably the most versatile lens for the photography rangefinders excels at. It will help you to focus more on making good pictures than on worrying about which lens to use, or which is best for that matter. Even though you are making the choice out of necessity, I think you are making a good one. I'm glad you can still afford film!

very well put and i agree, especially about there being joy in simplicity.
joe

 

[Avotius]

I would go for the 35 for you probably, most people find that to be the nicest balance. I am more of a 50 man but its a mater of taste, by gf the photographer dislikes 50's favoring wide angle 24's instead.

 

[Keith]

A rangefinder with a 35mm has to be nearly the ultimate kit surely ... I think my Ikon with 35mm Hexanon has to be the best combo I have! I'd like to say the 1.2 Nokton but that seems to double the weight of the kit! 😛

 

[shadowfox]

Stephen, FWIW, please consider viewing 1-body-1-lens as something that will push you forward, not as a detriment. If you find another lens that you like better, by all means switch, don't add (permanently).

Without wasting time on deciding which lens to use, you will face different photo opportunities with the same, familiar, equipment. And more importantly, guess what will need to improve to increase your ace shot count?

You.

Something to think about 🙂

 

[silverliner]

I have come to consider the 35 as the "standard" lens and the 50mm as a short short tele.

I cannot agree more. To me 21 is like my own eyes.

50 is already a tele!!! If I can choose again, my outfit will

consist of only an R4A with 21 and an R2A with 35.

 

[Dave Wilkinson]

Stephen, FWIW, please consider viewing 1-body-1-lens as something that will push you forward, not as a detriment. If you find another lens that you like better, by all means switch, don't add (permanently).

Without wasting time on deciding which lens to use, you will face different photo opportunities with the same, familiar, equipment. And more importantly, guess what will need to improve to increase your ace shot count?

You.

Something to think about 🙂

More and more I'm going out with just the Fed 2 and collapsible f3.5 Fed 50mm attached, - here's a couple from Sunday.

Dave 🙂

 

[projectbluebird]

I have come to consider the 35 as the "standard" lens and the 50mm as a short short tele.

For me, 50mm is fine, and 35 isn't wide enough. Lately I've even been moving longer 85, 90, 105 and up. Given time, I'll move the other direction too. But I'll never give up my 50's. It was the FL I first learned with, and the first lens I buy for any new camera.

That said, I've been eying a few of the 35's on offer in SM. 😉

 

[payasam]

A 75 would go admirably with the 35 you have.

 

[shadowfox]

More and more I'm going out with just the Fed 2 and collapsible f3.5 Fed 50mm attached, - here's a couple from Sunday.

Dave 🙂

Dave you don't need more, you have a good eye. I like the first picture very much. That guy must be strong hauling a piano on the street... 😱

 

[Dave Wilkinson]

Dave you don't need more, you have a good eye. I like the first picture very much. That guy must be strong hauling a piano on the street... 😱

It was on wheels, Will,- but I still hope he did'nt have far to go home! 😀 his friend around the corner was a little better off! ( see below )
Dave

 

[cigrainger]

Dave, where was that pianist in York? I was there about a year ago and he was set up outside York Minster. I'd share the shot I have of him, but my Flickr Pro account just expired and I haven't renewed it yet.

 

[oscroft]

Hi Steve,

When I read the title of your message, I immediately thought "It would be hard to beat a Bessa-R with a 35/2.5" 🙂. It's a great combination that I have used myself.

If you're really having fun with it, I see no reason why you shouldn't just carry on as you are. But if you have some money to spend on a new lens some time in the future, a CV 75/2.5 would make a great companion for your 35.

 

[oscroft]

...his friend around the corner was a little better off! ( see below )

That's Ed Alleyne-Johnson, that is - the guy who composed and recorded the excellent "Purple Electric Violin Concerto".

 

[John Elder]

When I first got my Leica, I shot i lens for almost 2 years, a 35mm cron. I still take 75% of my pictures with a 35mm lens.

 

[Dave Wilkinson]

Dave, where was that pianist in York? I was there about a year ago and he was set up outside York Minster. I'd share the shot I have of him, but my Flickr Pro account just expired and I haven't renewed it yet.

He was outside 'Betty's', - but does move around a bit, each weekend, - I was hoping to see the one-man-band, with 'singing' collie dogs! 😀 .....he is good!! maybe you have a shot of him?

Dave.

 

[januaryman]

I grow stale using just one of anything. Right now the 35/1.7 Ultron is opening new worlds and I love it. But I have a few 50mm's and a Jupiter 9 (80mm - f/2) that I use when trying for portraits. The Jupiter lenses work very well, are inexpensive and can give you a few options. I have an Industar 26M and an Industar 61 L/D that are excellent 50mm lenses that I got cheap - one was given to me along with a camera body I purchased on this forum's classifieds.