How many lenses do you own? Do you carry and do you double up?

[BNF]

I'm curious to know how many M/LTM lenses people own, how many they then carry typically and which focal lengths you like to doube or triple up.

I've got 7 lenses currently.

I've doubled my 90mm and 135mm lenses to provide modern rendition and handling versus 1950s. (2.8/90mm Elmarit current mated with 4/90 Elmar c'55, 4/135mm TE mated with 4.5/135 Hektor) I doubled these becaue they were relatively inexpensive and have shown markedly different fingerprints.

My 21 and 28 I see no need to double.

50mm are a good focal length to play around with, so I see a C Sonnar in my future, and maybe a Summitar.

Lately, I've been carrying 21,50 and a 90. When it's all said and done, with that combination, I think a 35 would round that out nicely.

What about you?

 

[Peter_Jones]

In LTM, a 35mm (J12) , a 135mm (J11) and three 50mm lenses - (J8, I62LD, Summitar). When out & about I will usually only take one lens.

 

[jbf]

When I am out and about usually I carry only one lens and body at a time. Granted there are exceptions where I might carry my Yashica-mat as well. But generally I dont carry more than one lens. It just gunks things up. You'll spend more time switching lenses than just shooting.

 

[kipkeston]

2, a 35 and 50. I'd like a wide wide but I'm skeptical of its use.

 

[KM-25]

A the moment, I have a 50 aspheric LHSA on my M3 in a cafe.

In addition to a 50 collapsable for my M3, I have a 28 cron, 35 lux and 50 lux aspheric lenses and that is it. I usually carry either just a 50 or just a 35 or a 50 and the 28 together.

I have no interest in any other Leica lenses for if the camera does not have frame lines for it or they are the size of a postage stamp, it's of no use to me.

So I am pretty well set...

 

[HSI]

Three lenses, and I only carry one at a time:
- Summicron 35/2 Version 4
- Summicron 50/2 Dual Range
- Elmarit-M 90/2.8 Version
I want to ditch the newer lenses for some old 50's:
(Nikkor 50/1.4, Summarit 50/1.5, Summitar 50/2)

 

[tbarker13]

I think I am looking at a 10 lens kit.
15 CV
28 elmarit asph
35 UC hexanon
35/3.5 elmarit
35/1.4 nokton
50/2 cv heliar (this one is on the way)
50 nikon 1.4 (searching for one now)
75 cv heliar
90 summicron (last pre-asph)
135 elmarit

The number that would travel with me would vary depending on what I was doing.

Ultra light: either the 28 asph or one of the 35s.

Travel: CV15, 28 elmarit, 50/2 heliar and CV75. To really travel light, I'd cut it to two of those.

Documentary work: 35 hex, 50 nikkor, 90 summicron (perhaps the 15 or 28 would go as well)

I recently added the 135. Not entirely sure where that fits.

 

[ali_baba]

21, 28, 35, 50, 90.
im after a 75, a super wide, and a 24.
maybe a 35 f 2

 

[Spyderman]

focal lengths I own: 35, 50, 90

I usually carry just 35 and 50

I do have multiple lenses in one f.l. especially 50: I'm obsessed with collecting all FSU 50s and all variants 😀 (3 J-8, 2 I-26m, I-61 & LD, I-22, I-50 coll & rigid, but only one J-3)

PS: I've got a 28 in the post...

 

[Nick De Marco]

In the past I mainly relied on two: my Leica Summicron 35mm f2 pre-asph (old favourite) and Leica 50mm SMmmicron f2 pre asph.


I now have 11 (the maths shoked me):


1. CV 12mm f5.6 (in the post)
2. CV 15mm f4.5 (was in a drawer but has seen new life following purchase of M8)
3. Zeiss 18mm f4 ZM (bought used with M8 - lovely lense)
4. Zeiss 25mm f2.8 ZM (now the nearest thing to a 35mm on my M8)
5. CV 35mm f1.2 (a new favourite given its speed)
6. CV 35mm f1.7 (which I will now sell)
7. Summicron 35 f2
8. CV 40 f1.4 (maybe will sell)
9. Summicron 50mm f2
10. Canon 50mm f1.4 (screw lens with convertor, bought second hand works well at f1.4)
11. Elmar 90mm f2.8 (Don't use often)


It depends what I do, but I expect to take the following 5 with me for holiday's etc most often:


CV 12mm f5.6
Zeiss 18mm f4 ZM
CV 35mm f1.2 (a new favourite given its speed)
Summicron 35 f2
Canon 50mm f1.4

 

[Roger Hicks]

1x 15, 1x 18 (loan), 2x21, 28, 4x 35 (one on loan), 8x 50 (4 on loan), 2x 75 (one on loan), 5x 90 (3 on loan), 1x 135. That's about a couple of dozen, including 10 loaners but not including Viso-fit. Many are historical accidents. I never carry two of the same focal length at a time (e.g. I choose 21/4 or 21/2.8) and seldom carry more than 3 or 4 unless I am on a long trip; then maybe 5 or 6.

Cheers,

Roger

 

[jack palmer]

I use a 50mm tabbed Summicron and a 90m Elmarit-M with my MP. I'd like to eventually get a 35mm Summicron and a 24mm Elmarit

 

[BillP]

Lens, mount and logic:

1xCV15mm f4.5 LTM Unique, small, ultrawide
1xCV 28mm f3.5 LTM Not used much, not worth buying Leica
1xLeica 3.5cm f3.5 Elmar LTM Matches my IID, tiny
1xLeica 35mm f3.5 Summaron LTM Matches my IIIc (and M2 with adaptor)
1xVC 35mm f2.5 LTM Always used on M2 and M7 with adaptor
1xVC 40mm f1.4 M Until recently, my fastest lens. Replaces 35mm and 50mm when carried
1x Leica 5cm f3.5 Elmar LTM Matches my IID and IIIc
1x Leica 50mm f2.0 DR Summicron M Came with my M2. Beautiful
1x Leica 50mm f2.8 Elmar-M M - My all time favourite lens
1x VC 50mm f2.5 LTM Faster standard lens for my IID and IIIc
1x Canon 50mm f1.2 LTM Fastest lens
1x VC 75mm f2.5 LTM Sweet-spot focal length - may replace with Leica when budget allows
1x Leica 90mm f4 Elmar LTM - Matches IIIc
1x Leica 90mm f4.0 Collapsible Elmar M Matches M2
1x Leica 90mm f2.8 Elmarit-M M Faster tele
1x Canon 135mm f3.5 LTM Longest, faster than Leica equiv.

Bodies: IID, IIIc, M2, M7

Don't take the word "matches" too seriously in this context.

What I carry varies on where I'm going and for how long. More often than not it's one body and one lens - 40 or 50mm. If 2 lenses, it would be 40 and 75 or 35 and 50. If 3, 35, 50, 90. Others are carried as the need arises.

The only reason I would double up on focal lengths carried is if there is a big difference between two lenses. This weekend, for instance, I am going to Seville. I shall most likely take the 15, 35 2.5, 50 Elmar-M & 50 Canon 1.2, 90 2.8 and 135 together with the M7 and the M2. The M7 will be loaded with ISO 100 colour, the M2 with 400 B&W. The 50s are sufficiently different to justify carrying both; the Leica is so small I can fit it on the M7 and put both on my belt. The 1.2 means that I don't have to carry the flash (that I do not have 😀 )

Hope this ramble makes sense!

Regards,

Bill

 

[Vincenzo Maielli]

I own:
CV Heliar Aspherical 15/4.5 LTM.
CV Ultron Aspherical 35/1.7 LTM.
CV Apo Lanthar 90/3.5 LTM.
Leitz Summitar 50/2.
Leitz Summaron M 35/2.8.
Leitz Summicron M 50/2 DR.
Leitz Summicron C 40/2.
Jupiter 9 85/2 black LTM.
Nikkor 85/2 chrome LTM.
Nikkor 135/3.5 chrome LTM.
Canon 135/3.5 chrome LTM.

My brother own also:
VC Color Skopar 21/4 LTM.
Jupiter 12 35/2.8 LTM.
Leitz Summicron M 50/2 Rigid.
Minolta M Rokkor 90/4.
Ciao.
Vincenzo

 

[oscroft]

How many lenses? Hmm, I'm scared to add them up ;-)

1x15 - CV
1x21 - CV
(1x25 - CV, will be ordered very soon)
1x28 - CV/3.5
3x35 - CV/2.5, Summaron/2.8, J-12
1x40 - Summicron-C
8x50 - CV/2.5, Elmar-M, Summitar, J-8(x2), I-26, I-61LD, I-50
1x75 - CV
1x85 - J-9

Hmm, 17, if you include all the FSU 50s, with a new 25 to come soon (I sold my uncoupled CV 25 not so long ago, with the intention of getting a coupled one). I have all the FSU 50s because they came attached to cameras (but I've used them all and like them all).

I do like to double up on my most used focal lengths, because I like matching different characteristics to different styles and moods - and also I just like experimenting (aka "playing") with different kit. I'd quite like to have an alternative 28 (even though I love the CV/3.5) - maybe something with an older look, perhaps that FSU one whose name escapes me now (Orion?). I really have no need for another 21 (even though I use it quite a lot), but I'd love to have a play with a Kobalux if I had a chance.

I rarely actually take any duplicates out with me (except if I'm out deliberately comparing lenses) - instead I'll decide which 50 or which 35 to take before I go, depending on the subject matter, the lighting, my mood, etc.

 

[oscroft]

Oh yes, I've got a FED 50/3.5 too - so make that 9x50s

 

[migtex]

1- Cv 21 Skopar S mount
2 - CV 28 Skopar mount S
3 - Industar J12 25 S/C mount
4 - W-Nikor 35 S mount
5 - Nikkor 5cm 1.4 Brass S Mount
6-7 -2 x Nikkor 5cm 1.4 chromes S mount
8 - Nikkor 5cm 1.4 Black
9 - CV 50 mm Heliar S mount
10 - Nikkor 8.5 2.0 S mount
11 - Nikkor 10.5cm PC 2.5 S mount
12 -Nikkor 1.35cm 3.5 Chrome S mount
13 - Nikkor 1.35cm 3.5 Black S mount

14 - CV Ultron 35 1.7 LTM
15 - Nikkor 5cm F2 LTM
16 - Nikkor 8.5cm f2 LTM

I'm in Choma! 😱😱

Well, in F mount is much much worst :bang: 😀

 

[Tom A]

As for how many lenses I have - please don't ask as I would have to count them and feel foolish at the end of the exercise!
We are heading to Japan on Sunday and I am the throes of deciding what to take.

Cameras are set, 2 M2's with Rapidwinders and a R4M. Lenses are tricky, but as we are going to be moving around quite a bit, light weight is more important.

The R4M will have the 21mm 4.5 Biogon on it for most of the time. The 18f4 is tempting, but it is big and requires a finder.
One M2 will have the 35mm f1,4 Voigtlander SC on it and probably be the primary camera. The second M2 will have the ZM 50mm f1,5 C Sonnar on it and I will probably bring along a 90 (either the VC Apo Lanthar 90f3,5 or a collapsible 90f4 Elmar - heavy bit wonderfully retro).

If I cant get what I want with that kit, I should take up macremee' or collecting per rocks instead!

Film: I discovered a bag with 10 rolls of Adox 25 in a cabinet and to ensure grey flat weather I am taking it along! The rest will be Tri X and I will stock up on some Fuji Presto 400 while in Tokyo. I expect to shoot about 50 rolls over 10 days.

 

[drewbarb]

My current RF lens line-up is: 15mm CV; 21mm CV; 25mm CV; 35mm 'cron (w/goggles); 50mm DR; 50 Canon (f1.2); 90mm Elmarit-M; 135 Elmar

I use these on 2 M3's, a Bessa T, and a Bessa L. About the only time I carry all of these is when shooting weddings- and then I let an assistant carry some of the weight. Normally, I only carry one or two lenses at a time- occasionally three, if I think I'll be shooting a lot in varied circumstances. My standard travel kit for non- photo specific travel is one body with the CV 21 and 50 DR, and an Olympus XA for a pocket cam/35mm lens. After much shooting and trimming of my kit, I find 21/35/50/90 to be the best M lens kit- but I would never carry four lenses with me under normal circumstances. For a once-in-a-lifetime trip, maybe. The 15 and 135 get little use- they really only come along for big jobs, or when I have specific ideas for them in mind.

As my main focal length, the 50mm lenses see the most camera time. It's the only length I have multiples of, though I never carry both at the same time. I'd like to get a few more, for various reasons. I inherited the DR, and would never sell it for sentimental reasons- as well as for the fact that I love the results from it- but sometimes I wish I had a lighter weight 50mm Summicron. I like my f1.2 Canon for low light work and wide open shooting. I'm interested in getting a collapsible 50, probably an older Elmar, to make the M a more portable camera for shooting in good light. I once used an LTM Nikkor f1.4, and really liked it's close-up/wide open characteristics; I'd love to have one of these if a good deal comes along. There are plenty of other 50's I'd love to try, (especially after seeing some of Raid's lens tests- curse you! 😀 ) but finances and a desire for simplicity keep GAS in check.

 

[arnulf]

I use only a 35 and a 50. I might consider a 90 at some point, but I'd probably wouldn't use it very much. For me, the small size is one of the best thing about the RF, and too many and too big lenses wouldn't be so good. If I need a tele, I use my Nikon D80. For every day use, two lenses is more than enough for me. What a lovely life... ;-)