Going to Europe in November need a wide

[Gregm61]

If I were travelling anywhere in Europe with my M outfit today I'd be taking all three of my wide "M" lenses, the 18mm f3.8, 21mm f3.4 Super Elmars and 24mm f3.8 Elmar. I would imagine the most used of those would be the 24mm f3.8 as I'm constantly shooting at the wide end of my 24-xxx zooms on my other cameras.

Been to Paris three times and have always needed wider rather than longer.

The 35/75 combination (Summarits or Summicrons....I'd have to ponder that) would round out my outfit.

 

[nickthetasmaniac]

Alas... the M2 has no framelines for 28mm glass.

I know (check my sig). I didn't say the M2 *has* 28mm framelines, I said you don't need an external VF for 28mm on an M2.

The Voigtlander 28/f2 is by far my most used lens on the M2 and if you use the full viewfinder it gives a decent approximation of framing.

I do actually have the Voigtlander 28mm brightline finder, and just never find it necessary 🙂

 

[steveyork]

Some of the classic combinations are --

21-35-50
35-50-90

Less is more is generally best when it comes to a rangefinder. I travelled in Europe with just a 50 and it worked fine.

 

[Geo Toreno]

50mm and 21mm are excellent combos.


M2. SA 21mm F3.4

M3-DS. SA 21mm F3.4

 

[leicapixie]

Travel light as possible, November may be cool, rain?
Use only what YOU are familiar with..
Super wides are distorted, 28mm is a wonderful viewpoint,
but best used in SLR or live view, 35mm almost perfect..
Biggest problems are "people density".
Carry a small point and shoot digital for wides..
Again take the M2 and 50mm..

 

[Mute-on]

On my M2, I prefer a 35 for a wide angle solution. I only started using a 28 with my 0.58 MP since it has clearly visible 28 framelines. Your proposed combination of 35 and 50 would be perfect for most European cities. Yes, I think the 35 would be a must.

As an aside, a 35mm lens on a Leica M2 is one of the most perfect photographic combinations, and experiences, available IMHO.

Have a great trip!

 

[Tin]

In my film days, I carried a VC 25mm/f4 lens on my Bessa, as well as a 35mm and a 90mm. Then the 90mm got dropped first as I only used it only twice on that first trip. On subsequent trips, I even dropped the 35mm, and brought a small P&S digital camera to cover the longer focal lengths. Mind you, I don't do people street photography, but I do a lot of streetscape photography. So that 25mm fitted my bill.

Nowadays on a digital Fuji, I bring a 27-85mm (equiv.) zoom to cover all my needs, although I do bring a 42mm/f2.8 (equiv.) as a backup lens.

 

[ktmrider]

What do you shoot here? Your style of photography will not change much in a different geographic location. I waffle between the 35 and 50 depending on the phase of the moon and I find 21 too wide. I recently acquired a 25 Zeiss for the M240/M5 and it is a great lens. Having said that my favorite camera is a recently acquired FujiX100F and it has a fixed 35 FOV.

For less or about the cost and size of another lens, a Ricoh GR2 can be had with the 28 FOV and you would have an excellent backup camera.

And remember, the full frame on the M2 makes a great viewfinder for a 28. Check out where the 28mm frame lines lie in another .72 viewfinder and they are essentially the full frame of whichever camera sports them. Do not need an aux finder.