photo_trev
Member
ha should have read all the posts first
denmark.yuzon
Streetographer
value for money is my main factor.. it could be a fixed lens, interchangeable, etc.. but regarding lenses, i like it sharp, fast and a preferred focal length (no too wide, not too long)..
i just saw my konica auto s2 test rolls. its enough for me not to want a leica or any other RF. i tend to stick with something i like and can afford. right now this is the best that i can afford.
i just saw my konica auto s2 test rolls. its enough for me not to want a leica or any other RF. i tend to stick with something i like and can afford. right now this is the best that i can afford.
semilog
curmudgeonly optimist
How the lens feels on the camera -- ergonomics.
besk
Well-known
For 35mm photography, I consider size and weight the most.
So long as the optics are "good enough" for small enlargements I am happy. All of my LTM lenses are small and light - not the fastest (except for a J-3 just added to the arsenal. But of course that J-3 is the lightest of the 50 1.5's I am sure.)
So long as the optics are "good enough" for small enlargements I am happy. All of my LTM lenses are small and light - not the fastest (except for a J-3 just added to the arsenal. But of course that J-3 is the lightest of the 50 1.5's I am sure.)
fotomeow
name under my name
this poll is difficult only b/c it forces me/us to choose one single factor, when I would comfortably say that 95% of us use multiple factors to choose one lens.
1) Manufacturer is not important by itself, but I do choose brand based on resale value
2) Price is not the most important b/c I can afford a $200 CV lens or a used Lux (to my dismay)
3) Wt: not so much, only if all other factors are equal
4) Size: Bingo!!! I chose this b/c, as much as I want an f1.1 or 1.2 Nokton, the size is too damn big-> defeats the purpose of RF fotog for me
5) How lens draws light : Of course this is important, but again, I will not go the route of the beastly f1.1/1.2 Noktons! I would rather shell out a little more for a used Lux.
Honestly, I was surprised how many have chosen "How lens draws light" as the primary factor. As said, dont care how big the lens is, still wont use it, b/c I wont want to lug it around outside the house.
1) Manufacturer is not important by itself, but I do choose brand based on resale value
2) Price is not the most important b/c I can afford a $200 CV lens or a used Lux (to my dismay)
3) Wt: not so much, only if all other factors are equal
4) Size: Bingo!!! I chose this b/c, as much as I want an f1.1 or 1.2 Nokton, the size is too damn big-> defeats the purpose of RF fotog for me
5) How lens draws light : Of course this is important, but again, I will not go the route of the beastly f1.1/1.2 Noktons! I would rather shell out a little more for a used Lux.
Honestly, I was surprised how many have chosen "How lens draws light" as the primary factor. As said, dont care how big the lens is, still wont use it, b/c I wont want to lug it around outside the house.
raid
Dad Photographer
Gary,
They may have meant bokeh, OOF, rendering of images ... as how a lens draws (with)light.
They may have meant bokeh, OOF, rendering of images ... as how a lens draws (with)light.
historicist
Well-known
How the lens draws, sharpness etc are obviously the most important things, but size is a major factor in a buying decision for me. I would never buy a large lens, no matter how good it was (luckily the availablity of good small lenses in my preferred focal length of 50mm means this is not so onerous).
raid
Dad Photographer
The thought of having to carry a 50/1.1 or 35/1.2 or similar ultra fast lenses makes me shiver. It would be only workable for me as In-house lenses, but the cost would be too high for a lens that is only used at home.
In the past, I used to haul many pounds of SLR gear, but I will not do it again.
In the past, I used to haul many pounds of SLR gear, but I will not do it again.
Finder
Veteran
The single most important factor for me (and everyone else I suspect) is that it can be mounted on the camera. I am sure Leica makes nice lenses, but they do not fit my Mamiya, Horseman, nor Wista. I think I could not get anything better than the 35mm f/2 lens that is on my Hexar Silver--even if I wanted to.
raid
Dad Photographer
This is a point well taken. I miss my Hexar Silver.
al1966
Feed Your Head
I want different things from different lenses, some are sharp and some have major faults. I have since getting my first one enjoyed Jupiter 8's, its not a perfect lens by a long shot. But there is something I really love about the way it sings when shooting a portrait. The copy I have seems to give a gentle colour rendition that feels somewhat romantic. I also use her on a micro 4/3 camera that makes it a perfect portrait lens. I look for cheep older glass as I have a couple of ok sharp lenses, there is something just wonderful about imperfect glass
Bill58
Native Texan
I have tried to collect/ use as many of the old Canon RF lenses as economically possible ('cause I got 2 Canon bodies), except for the $$$$ 19mm, and overly redundant ones in the same focal length, plus the best Russkie lenses in 50mm. I also got a Sweeney/ Sonnar 50 in a J-8 chassis, and a Summar and Summitar for that Leica "glow". I also got a CV 15 and 21 for WA.
I'm gonna keep what I got and not buying any more.
I guess the Canon brand was my 1st consideration.
I'm gonna keep what I got and not buying any more.
I guess the Canon brand was my 1st consideration.
Wallo
Member
Long answer:
First there is a problem, something I feel I can't quite achieve with current gear. Then it's time to look for a solution. The first real step in lens selection is typically defining the focal length. Then some other aspects of the lens, typically speed and size. Then I look at the money I have and the options available, which is usually followed by disappointment (not enough money!).
In the end the most important thing is usually the optical performance. What are the characteristics of the lens being considered; what am I currently missing? If I have several options at this step and they are more or less equal, I look at the ergonomics. Price is a factor but only to the extent of defining the initial options. I'm willing to pay a premium for a fairly small difference when I can afford it. Say, buying a Zeiss lens instead of a comparable CV, if the Zeiss lens seems slightly nicer/better/not-just-more-expensive. It's difficult to say what sort of role the brand plays. If I feel I'm getting a good product, I don't care what colour box it comes in, but there is certainly some sort of quality expectation for each brand and it's pretty much impossible for me to say how that affects my decisions.
Short answer:
How the lens draws with light. (With price and lens size limiting the options.)
First there is a problem, something I feel I can't quite achieve with current gear. Then it's time to look for a solution. The first real step in lens selection is typically defining the focal length. Then some other aspects of the lens, typically speed and size. Then I look at the money I have and the options available, which is usually followed by disappointment (not enough money!).
In the end the most important thing is usually the optical performance. What are the characteristics of the lens being considered; what am I currently missing? If I have several options at this step and they are more or less equal, I look at the ergonomics. Price is a factor but only to the extent of defining the initial options. I'm willing to pay a premium for a fairly small difference when I can afford it. Say, buying a Zeiss lens instead of a comparable CV, if the Zeiss lens seems slightly nicer/better/not-just-more-expensive. It's difficult to say what sort of role the brand plays. If I feel I'm getting a good product, I don't care what colour box it comes in, but there is certainly some sort of quality expectation for each brand and it's pretty much impossible for me to say how that affects my decisions.
Short answer:
How the lens draws with light. (With price and lens size limiting the options.)
januaryman
"Flim? You want flim?"
Ain't that the truth! A 50/1.4 is more than enough speed for me, and cost maybe 1/10 of a Noctilux or similar.
januaryman
"Flim? You want flim?"
I have a Sweeney, too, but it's in a J3 "chassis.
raid
Dad Photographer
I a happy "Canon 1.5 Set Dude", as they say.
The 35mm/1.5 and the 50/1.5 are great for everyday use, and the 85/1.is useful when my mood is suitable for such a lens.
The 35mm/1.5 and the 50/1.5 are great for everyday use, and the 85/1.is useful when my mood is suitable for such a lens.