thinking out loud...

back alley

back alley

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...again.

owning the x100 has me thinking about my lens line up...and wondering if i should specialize in the lenses i use more.

first big change might be to sell the 15, the 28 and the 50 and buy a nokton 50/1.1... i had the lens before and had to sell for $$ reasons. i liked that lens mucho and could use it as a regular 50 without worry...not worried about size or weight.

that would give me a sharp 35 with the x100 and a versatile 50 (75pov on the rd1)...i could live with just the 2 lenses...i'd keep the little 75 for a bit more reach when wanted and keep the my 40 sonnar as well for a nice general purpose lens on the rd1 when i wanted to stroll about and do more of the work. and keep the 21 as well...for something wide.

can you think of other combinations that might better?
 
It's hard to relate for me personally. I know I couldn't be without something in the 20-24mm range (equiv. fov), and having both a 40 and 50 drove me nuts when I had them. I could never decide which would be 'best' for the situation.

It seems to me the 15 (23mm equiv) would be a better keeper than the 21 (32mm equiv). You have the X100 for the 35 needs. That would give you 23, 35 (X100), 60, 77, 115

an 18 would get you a 28mm fov. not cheap or small, though.
 
the reality is that i am perfectly content with my current rd1 kit...but i do want to get a 50/1.1...lacking the funds for an outright purchase i always move to selling something...i think, this time, i will keep things as is and just save for the 50...patience is not a personal virtue for me...
 
back alley said:
...................... and wondering if i should specialize in the lenses i use more. .........................
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Joe: like you, I have gravitated to those lenses in the middle and use them all the time. I sold my 15mm when it's new excitement wore off. I don't think I have used my 21mm in two years. I bought a 75mm and found it is really not much use for me.

I normally carry only a 28mm and 35mm but occasionally throw the 50mm in the bag for special occasions. But then I am one that leaves the bag in the car or in my room and utilize the lens on the camera.

Now I realize there are many who use a full compliment of lenses spanning from very wide to really tight. But my style provides photo ops that absolutely disappear in the time needed to change lenses. So I use what is on the camera. That means only a few lenses, all in the mid range, work for me. It sounds like you may be similar.
 
I only use 35 and 50mm lenses... and while some say they are too similar, I find it to be a myth. Sure, it seems like the right thing to do...to cover all your bases with a wide range of focal lengths. However, one needs to think of their personal photography and what focal lengths benefit your REAL style of photography than hypothetical photography that you might do. Now, if you are making a living with your gear, then you are probably better off having a wide range just in case. Most people I know who use rangefinder rarely use anything outside of 28mm-75mm.
 
More and more I realize that 90% of the time I can live with 24, 35, or 135 mm focal lengths.

How's that for indecision? 🙂
 
I liked my 15mm, but it was too wide to be used frequently, on an R-D1, it may be perfect however. I didn't care much for the Nokton 1.1, just to too big, and even if you need the speed, you've got to be OK with the razor thin DOF too. Currently I have a 35mm and a 21mm for the R4A and a 50mm on my M3. I feel entirely happy with that line up, but maybe if I was going to a wedding or something, I may pick up a cheap 90mm for the M3.

I think if you loved the 1.1, then get it. It's not for everyone, but for those it suits, it's the bargain of the century compared to the Noctilux.
 
I also use my 15mm very infrequently, but it's a very nice lens on the Epson. If nothing else, it doesn't take up a lot of space🙂 The 15mm shots with the Epson by Tommy Oshima were an influence in my getting the R-D1.

I can understand your regret about selling the 1.1, but I think your two lens kit idea would work better with a smaller lens like the Zeiss 50 1.5.
 
organizing kit and keeping it simple seems not so simple for me.

a 2 lens kit consisting of 28 and 50 works pretty well...using the x100 plus a 50 on the rd1 also seems to work well.

not sure if i should involve the x100 in a mix with the rd1 or keep them seperate.
if separate the i lean towards a 3 lens kit using only the framelines in the rd1, so just a 28/40/50...the 40 being my substitute for a 35. also a 3 lens kit would fit very nicely into my new retro 5 bag and the x100 would fit nicely into my 5xa bag. the x100 would also fit into the retro 5 even with the full rd1 kit.

but then not having the 15 seems silly as it is so small and handy at times...and the 75 is also small, sharp and nice for the occasional reach...

as for the zm 50...i am happy with the tiny cv 50/2.5...fast enough for me, sharp and small as well.

i could do this all night...
 
back alley said:
........................... i could do this all night...
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Simple: do something. Do anything. I suggest minimalist but it does not matter that much so long as you act rather than analyze.

If what you have done does not work, then change it. If you really miss some lens that you no longer carry, then start carrying it. If you find you are carrying lenses that you really don't use, leave them at home. When lenses start gathering dust because they stay on the shelf, sell them.

In the words of those famous Nike ads "just do it!"
 
back alley said:
organizing kit and keeping it simple seems not so simple for me.

a 2 lens kit consisting of 28 and 50 works pretty well...using the x100 plus a 50 on the rd1 also seems to work well.

not sure if i should involve the x100 in a mix with the rd1 or keep them seperate.
...
Click to expand...
I think I would give the two camera kit a try. I think you're more likely to use both focal lengths if you don't have to give a thought to changing lenses. Plus having the Fuji with you might be advantageous in low light situations (based on what I've been reading anyway)
 
Funny, the older I get, I find myself using the 35/50 more for family stuff. I used to hate those focal lengths. I could never live without a 28 and even the 21.
 
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