75 or 90?

[ZdenekP]

Dear all,

Decision is always difficult when one tries to find the most universal gear.

So, I want to get a telephoto faster lens. I think about 90 or 75 mm focal length. Occasionally it will be used for portraiture but mostly for taking pics from distance. My present equipment is 50 cron.

I welcome your recommendations.

Thanks,

ZP

 

[Fred]

Personally, I'd make the decision on what lenses you curently have. As you have the 50, I'd go for the 90. If however you had a 35 I'd go for the 75. Just my two cents.

Two lens setup I use 37 and 37.
Three lens setup, 35, 50 and 90.

 

[Spyderman]

Agree with Fred.

If 2 lenses, then 35 + 75.
If 3 lenses then 35 + 50 + 85/90.

85/90 is pretty good companion to 50.

 

[Ronald M]

Another vote for Fred`s answer. 35/70 or 35/50/90

I would use the frame selector and see how things would work on the next few shoots.

 

[BillBingham2]

Just to keep the streak going. If you trade the 50 in on a 35, go 35/75. If not, the 90 is a GREAT lens.

B2 (;->

 

[Magus]

Post deleted by posters request

 

[Alex Krasotkin]

I would stick to just 50mm

 

[Spyderman]

I would definitely consider also the shape of framelines. For example on my Bessa R I just couldn't use the 75 framelines. They are just on sides, but not in corners and IMHO it's much easier to interpolate line between corners than a corner from 2 lines. But that's just one of aspects you should consider...

BTW: I also wanted to advise you to use the frameline selector lever and see what works best for you...

 

[venchka]

Get both

Get both

I use 75 & 90 a lot. Actually, I have a ton of SLR zoom lenses that cover 70+ mm. I use them a lot too. I say, "Both of them!"

 

[markinlondon]

I carry 35 + 90 when travelling, but mostly use just a 50 all other times. 50 + 90 would be quite usable if you tend to the longer view. How many lenses you're prepared to carry is a big factor here.

 

[Nick R.]

Don't discount the 75 just because you have a 50. I have a 50/90 combo and I rarely use the 90 and many times thought a 75 would be a better match for certain shots. I think that if you're already shooting a 50 your mindset may already be keyed to the 75.

 

[BillBingham2]

ZP,

I think you will find as many answers as you will find people here in RFF-land. I started photography with a 24/85/200 kit, moved to a 21/35/90 on a Leica RF, switched to a 35/85 and now I use a 15/40/105 and sometimes add a 25.

I would find the 50/70 too close for me, I like to see a difference in my lenses. I do a 2.6 multiple between lenses. But there are times when you can not move closer and want just a bit more reach.

A lot depends upon what and how you shoot. How you see and how you think about your pictures. Things we can not answer for you.

B2 (;->

 

[MikeL]

I've been happy with 35 and 90. Maybe it's my imagination but a few steps forward or a few steps back seem to take care of these differences between the 35 and 50, and the 75 and 90. So I wouldn't sweat it too much. Of course, I'm ignoring slight differences in perspective and specific lens characteristics. From my experience, the bang for your buck with the 90 Elmarit (recent) is high.

 

[ZdenekP]

Thank you for your insights. Of course it's me who has to decide the way to go. But it is not amiss to hear the opinion of experienced users as well. We learn by hearing and looking.
Thanks again for your valuable contributions.
Z.

 

[jgeenen]

For "Telephoto" - get far things closer - the 90mm is the only choice. The 75 is too close to a standard lens.

However, the 75 has advantages for portraiture and - this is my very personal opinion - due to the tiny little frame in the viewfinder the use of a 90mm lens is not real fun when trying to "compose" an image.

 

[x-ray]

Alex Krasotkin:
Your B&W work is superb!