Downsizing M9 lenses

[Fraser]

But of a silly questions that only I can really answer but anyway here goes-
At the moment for my M9 I've got (all summicrons) 28,50 and 90 but I'm thinking of downsizing to a one lens setup as I'm not really using the lenses very much. My first thought was to get a 35mm summilux asph (not the newest version) but then I started thinking about focus shift issues all my current lenses focus spot on since my camera has been calibrated at Solms or just go for a 35mm Summicron.

What do you think ?

 

[ChrisN]

Pick one of the above. Put the others in the bottom drawer. The experiment costs nothing and there's no shame in changing your mind.

I'd try it with the 28 first.

 

[JSU]

So you have, and I presume use, the 28, 50 & 90 Summicrons and you want to dispose of all and go with only a 35mm FL?

Do you have much experience with the 35mm FL?

Consider keeping your current compliment of Summicrons and adding an inexpensive 35mm lens. Perhaps the CV 35/1.7 or even the 35/2.5. If you bond with it then sell all and find a 35mm of your dreams, if not, sell the try-out 35mm and love the Summicron kit you originally put together.

Be very sure you are ready to move on from a specific lens before selling.

 

[Fraser]

I forgot to say I still also have a pre asph Summilux so as ChrisN says 'Put the others in the bottom drawer'. Shoot with just the 35mm for a while and see what happens!

 

[JSU]

. . . and see what happens! 😉

I forgot to say I still also have a pre asph Summilux so as ChrisN says 'Put the others in the bottom drawer'. Shoot with just the 35mm for a while and see what happens!

 

[seakayaker1]

Not sure I could just go with one lens.

. . . . . I would most likely keep two.

It would be the the 28 & 50.

. . . . . if I had to keep just one it would be a hard choice, but most likely would compromise and choose the 50. . . . . . . hmmmmm ..... maybe it would be the 28 . . . . . hhhmmmmmmmm ............ perhaps I should stick with the 50 . . . . . . . . . . shoot, never mind I meant the 28.


Good luck with your decision.

 

[Godfrey]

Why buy anything at all? Stick one on the camera, put the others away. Shoot until you want a change. Then change.

Unless you need the money, no reason to sell anything either.

G

 

[Roger Hicks]

Look at your favourite pictures. Which lens has given you your highest percentage of them? Maybe it's trying to tell you something...

Cheers,

R.

 

[lawrence]

just go for a 35mm Summicron.

What do you think ?

I think you either need to keep the 28mm & 50mm or you need just a 35mm. Personally I find I very rarely use a tele and maybe you don't either, so why not ditch that, get the 35mm and see how you get on with it?

 

[thompsonks]

Before doing anything else, get the old 35 Lux out of the drawer and shoot with that for a while to see if it's your favored focal length. It's certainly mine.

Your 35 pre-A Lux is both beautiful and cranky. At its largest apertures it's famous for its Leica Glow (aka spherical aberration), which can be quite lovely. But it's also susceptible to flare from light sources just outside the frame. This can produce big 'new-moon' light streaks, and you can miss some shots that way.

Play with this 35 til you decide how you like it? It might be the right lens for you, or it might be the right focal length, even if it's not the right version.

My own favorites are the older 35 and 40 Summicrons. I have the FLE but don't use it unless I have to, for low light – IMO too bulky and rather 'clinical' in its rendering. But no focus shift problem.

 

[didjiman]

No reason to sell. If you can only AFFORD one lens on the Leica, I'd recommend the 35/1.4 ASPH. First gen without FLE is fine.

You can put the 28 on the camera and put the 50 in your SMALL pocket. Or just use the 28.

If you don't use the 90 much, just sell it.

 

[peterm1]

To be honest I think its your call as it depends entirely on which focal length you feel most comfortable with. Should I be in that boat I would probably use a 50mm lens as I find thats probably the best all round lens on a Leica M (for me). If you enjoy shooting with a 35mm then that what I would say you should go with. The issue you raise is probably not one of focus shift as such. Focus shift affects many lenses as you stop them down. Having your lens / camera combo callibrated by Leitz wont change that specific problem as its an issue of optical design. This is not to say that you may not need to have your camera and any new lens calibrated - just that if that lens is succeptible to focus shift the calibration wont entirely fix it, as typically Leica calibrates the lens to be optimal at your preferred aperture. At other apertures you will still get some focus shift - particualrly when focusing closer and at wider apertures.

 

[Monochrom]

i´ve downsized a bit...only left the 5cm elmar on my m9...

i´m so happy about doing it!!!

i´m about to buy an orion 15 or a vc 25mm f4...in order to complete my downsizing.

😉

 

[Ben Z]

Just because you own 3 lenses (or 10 or 20 😛) doesn't mean you have to carry all of them or shoot with all of them all of the time. The only reason I can see to "downsize" is to liberate funds. Interchangeable lenses is one of the prime reasons I paid obnoxious money for an M9 and put up with its idiosynracies and the nagging fear the sensor will choose to crack right when I'm on a vacation. If I was content with just one lens I'd chuck the whole Leica shebang and get the Sony FF that has a fixed lens.

 

[35mmdelux]

start by losing the 90.

 

[Fraser]

I decided just to keep everything I'm in no rush and the lenses in a years time will be worth the same as they are today so can always sell/swap then.
Cheers for the suggestions.

 

[swoop]

It's not just focus shift you have to worry about it's focus throw as well. I was once in the "Give me f1.4 or give me death!" club. But truthfully I'm often so close to my subjects that f1.4 is just too shallow of a dof to even be usable. Then there's the whole focus shift thing with some lenses. So I decided to save myself some money and traded down to Summicrons, and not only are they cheaper but the focus throw is a lot shorter, meaning the distance you have to turn the focus ring is shorter paired with there being less glass, it's also quicker to move. So I actually focus faster, about just as fast as a modern DSLR. And that's worth quite a bit.