Does it make sense to replace single 35 with 28 + 50?

[abumac]

For my way to take pics, yes it makes a lot of sense. For a long time I had a 50 and a 35. When I at last bought a 28 the 35 mostly stays a t home. I use it only on days I like to go super-light (hiking for example). On the street and at work I use mostly the 28 and some times the 50 for portrait.

 

[Range-rover]

Hi,
I used a 35mm all the time, now I have a 25mm and 35mm, I just never had use for a 50mm maybe just once in awhile. I would
keep the 35mm and get a 25mm or 21mm for that wider range or 90mm for a little
tight portrait work if need be.

Range

 

[Tim Gray]

About 4-5 years ago, I sold my ZM 35 and bought a 28 to pair with my 50. Never looked back. Granted, I had the 28+50 combo on my other camera (SLR) so I knew I got along with 28. The choice is totally personal, but if you feel 35 and 50 are too close, pick up a 28 and use it for a bit. If the 35 ends up not being used, then sell it.

 

[Dirk]

If it is street photography the OP is doing, the 50mm backed up by the occasional 28mm would be my choice. There's little the 50 can't do, but sometimes you can back up only so much in the street. At that point, the 28 comes in handy. In either case, for my taste, the 50 and 28 give you more exciting shot possibilities than a single 35.

 

[FrozenInTime]

The only way to know if it works for you is to try it ! I don't think there is a right or wrong answer.
But the golden rule is not to sell lenses - later you will probably regret the decision and buy exactly the same lens back ( normally at a higher price ).

21/35/50 works best for me as a all round set up - especially with two bodies.
Sometimes even just 35/2.8 and 35/1.4 ( compact plus fast ) with one body.
Rarely just a 50mm by it's self.
Occasionally I take save weight and take a 28 and 50 but end up wishing I'd taken the 21/35/50 combo.

 

[Fred R.]

Kenny,
From where you stand, in the places you photograph with your 35, toggle to the other fls to see which, if any, provide a better view. If it's regularly one fl then that's the one to replace/add to what you have.
Fred

 

[sanmich]

First, only you can know what suits you better.

I like all three FL's for different reasons.
But my 2c are the following:
It seems to me that adding a 50 is the most serious step here (not saying if you will like it or not, just the most substantial step). a good part of what can be done with a 35 can be done with a 28 and vice versa. The important difference is for me that:
- You have a 35 frame in all leicas, not so for the 28 (or it's impossible to use with glasses)
- in the 35mm FL, you get excellent lenses at f/2 without selling a kidney. Not so for the 28 (in your case, already owning the c-biogon, this is a moot point)

It took me some time to tame the 28mm FL (still very much learning) but I now like it. I tried the 25 but couldn't produce anything interesting...

 

[Spanik]

Each focal length has its own points. I don't see the point of limiting to certain focal lengths. Maybe 35 isn't wide enough, but sometimes 28 isn't wide enough. Likewise isn't 50 much of a tele and 200 can be not enough either. Why would you want to do with less?

 

[xdayv]

Just don't fall into the wide angle trap that a lot of people fall into. Remember, you need to be very close with wides generally. Many people try to cram way too much into a wide angle from far away and the lens perspective pushes everything back and makes it even smaller. Generally (note I say generally) this does not work.

Really helpful post. Thanks.

--
A lot of very helpful insights in here. As for me, I would like also to consider the 28 + 50 combination in the future. But as of now, I'm sticking with the 50, and has tend to embrace the idea of not having any other FL option in my bag. Not for long somehow if I keep reading threads like these! 😀

 

[Sylvester]

With an SLR I do like 28mm... But on a Leica the 0.7m limit for focusing makes it useless for me... Prefer the 35-50 combo...

 

[ramosa]

Such differing recommendations--as I would expect because lens choice and vision are so personal. For me, a 28mm doesn't offer much, while a 35mm is my prime lens of choice. I don't want to have lots of lenses. Give me a 35mm and 1-2 longer ones.

 

[FrankS]

Cameras and lenses are like tools. There is usually a particular tool that is best for a particular job. I have a collection of different camera types and lens focal lengths from which I can select whatever works best for a particular application, or my mood at the time if there is no defined job.

RF: 20, 28, 35, 50, 90, 135
SLR: 21, 28, 35, 50, 80-200, 500

Then there is MF and LF.

 

[danielsterno]

regarding the topic this is worth a read:

http://the.me/the-focal-length-closest-to-the-human-eye-if-you-had-to-take-just-one-lens/