Is using of two identical lens silly?

[bucs]

I don't change lenses because I get funky light leaks when I do.

I usually carry two M bodies each with 35mm lenses. If I had lots of cash I'd slap a 35mm cron on both. Right now I use a cron and a summaron.

1 for color and 1 for bw

 

[Rob-F]

Pick up a 40mm summicron instead, it's far less expensive and will give you slightly different shot over the 35mm.

But I will say that the 35mm f2 summicron asph is the bomb

I wouldn't have two of the same exact lens... but two of the same focal length? Sure (even though I don't).

Everyone makes their own choice.

My choice is two different lenses. For different effects.

This is how I think. I will use a 35mm version 1 Summicron on the M9, and the 35/2.8 Summaron on the M6 (for example). Or the 50mm black Summicron together with the 50 DRS. I might use a 21mm on one, and a 24mm on the other. But it would not occur to me to buy two of the same lens; I'd rather make the money go farther by having different lenses that complement each other.

 

[Chris101]

When I only shoot with a 35, I often want to go a bit tighter, so I switch to a 50, but I need just a bit more of the scene, so I switch to a 35, but then I need to move closer so I switch to a 50, but ...

I don't like to have a 50 and a 35 available at the same time because I get stuck.

 

[Ranchu]

Do any of you get the feeling some 50's are wider than others? Not that the focal length is different, but that the 'wider at infinity, more zoomed in close up' effect is biased more toward wide? Maybe something is going on with the rendering of perspective distortion?

I get this feeling. I don't think it makes any sense at all.

 

[Mute-on]

Two 35 Leica lenses? Absolutely!
But I'd have two different 35s, just for the variety. A 35 Summicron ASPH, or even a 35 Summaron, would be a great compliment to your Summarit.


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[Peter Jennings]

if this works for you, then you should do it.

This thread's made it to two pages already! I think Rob gave the perfect answer on the first reply.

 

[Ronald M]

Nah. I have many Leica 50`s. 50 2.8 Elmar M, one chrome one black. One 50 2.8 original Elmar that could pass for new in box. Same for 50 Rigid. Don`t forget the 50 3.5 Red Scale.

More I don`t want to list. So I say 2 is not enough

You are correct because if you do portraiture the moment is too easily lost if you are changing lenses. Even for landscape, sometimes the light is only good for a few seconds.

 

[music_healing]

if you have the exact reasoning .. why ... just do it

I use same lens ... Hexanon UC 35mm f2 for color and Hexanon LTM chrome 35mm f2 with yellow filter ...
both together on my last trip

deliberating


Sincerely
William Jusuf

 

[jsrockit]

Do any of you get the feeling some 50's are wider than others? Not that the focal length is different, but that the 'wider at infinity, more zoomed in close up' effect is biased more toward wide? Maybe something is going on with the rendering of perspective distortion?

I get this feeling. I don't think it makes any sense at all.

Yes, I think it is true... of course within a few mm. Like one could be a 49mm, but another could be a 51mm.

 

[tuanvinh2000]

Do what works for you. Selling a Leica mount lens is easy enough. What I find with all this gear buy n sell is usually a negative effect on my photos. When I take photos, I focus all energy on one lens and one camera. Secondary is for backup. Either shoot digital only or film only. I hate mixing shooting both because I end up shooting more digital (faster and easier to share).

 

[raid]

I will use this summer a 50mm lens (only) during a trip. No need to worry about lens changing.

 

[Doug]

I think having two identical lenses can make sense when there are two cameras, and other factors vary... Black&white + color, or film + digital, say. Some might combine these options and go with digital color and film B&W... Not my style, though, as I don't "see" B&W at the same time as seeing color photo opportunities, it's one or the other.

On a trip to Cuba in February I took only a full-frame digital Leica and shot only with a 28mm lens. In looking over the photos now there were good occasions for using the 50mm I also had along - but I was seeing in "28mm mode". Rather than changing lenses in the field, a better answer for me would have been a second body with a different focal length. But for this trip I packed as light as possible, minimal everything... should have left the 50 at home!

 

[Peter Jennings]

I have 2 Nikkor-H.C 5cm lenses - one LTM and one S mount. I also have an S-LTM Amadeo adapter, so I guess the LTM lens isn't necessary. But then they are rather inexpensive, and the LTM does have built-in close focus ability. So, optically identical lenses in different mounts and with uniquely different mechanics.

 

[narsuitus]

Is owning of two identical lenses silly?

The only two identical lenses I own are:
Nikon 75-150mm f/3.5 AIS Series E
Nikon 18-55mm f/3.5 to 5.6 G AF VR

I bought them because they were inexpensive and produced images that were above their budget price. I use the two but keep the identical set in storage just in case I lose or damage the original.

 

[David Hughes]

Hmmm, I would have said one set of lenses and two identical bodies. It's bodies that you usually need as back-ups and then you can have two types of film , one in each, and two lenses ready.

And I'd say film only or digital only.

OTOH, you also need a small, pocketable P&S and some of them are good enough to do the back-up bit of the theory...

OTOH(2), if it's a hobby, what does it matter? Hobbies are for enjoyment by doing whatever you want to do.

Regards, David

 

[jaapv]

Do any of you get the feeling some 50's are wider than others? Not that the focal length is different, but that the 'wider at infinity, more zoomed in close up' effect is biased more toward wide? Maybe something is going on with the rendering of perspective distortion?

I get this feeling. I don't think it makes any sense at all.

It does indeed not make too much sense, however, some "50mm" lenses may in reality be 45 mm, others 55. If you use two extremes side by side you might notice a small difference. OTOH the change in focal length when focusing is in the same order.

 

[coogee]

I'd consider keeping two film bodies over two identical lenses. There will be times you have half a roll of something in one and want to use a different film, like you say 36 frames can be a lot to get through sometimes.

Like everyone else here(!) I do have more than one 35mm and 50mm lens - but not multiples of the same type.

 

[pyeh]

I understand, I think, where Ko.fe is coming from in wanting two of the same lens, to put on his (soon to be) two cameras. If you have found a lens that you just adore, and regard it above all other lenses, then it makes sense to me to get more than one of them. I have two of a number of lenses. I know of someone who seemed to have a dozen or more of one particular lens. I haven't done it yet myself, but I can see the usefulness of putting the same lens type on different bodies at the same time.
When it comes to camera bodies I am sure I am not alone in having three or four or five of the one model.

 

[willie_901]

If you can afford a a second lens, just buy one.

It never hurts to have a backup for critical gear. I never had owned two identical lenses. But I always had a back up lens or two, lighting gear and of course camera bodies.

 

[Ko.Fe.]

Second page is as good as the first one! Thank you all for your comments.

My most current situation after I called yesterday to ask about M4-2, which is in service since March is... It wasn't even looked at, yet. Due to this I have time to think more.

I spend plenty of time reading and looking at pictures of another 35 mm lenses... Nokton 35 1.4 is real bargain, Leica like construction, but I'm finding its rendering not attractive for me. The only lens I wanted, but chickened out and went with safe all-rounder Summarit-M 35 was Summilux 35 1.4 II ELC. But they say it might not works on M9/E without modification. It looks like fairly simple for DIY, I just can't find if someone did it. And how will I know if lens needs it? Will it simply not mount on M-E?

Summarit-M is less expensive and just works on film and digital M. But nothing else renders like Lux 35 II. Especially on BW film, IMO.

I checked examples on rangefinder RU and this lens pictures from different photographers received my comments about quality of the rendering most:

by gash. 2013:

by Beaumarchais. 2012:

by dantist. 2013: