Lens Kit

[3dit0r]

Apologies for another lens choice thread. I'm coming back to M-series from a couple of years with digital SLR. I bought an M6 classic body and now need lenses to go with. I used to have a 35mm cron iv (which I really liked and used a lot), 50mm cron (pre-asph) and 90mm Elmarit-M (latest version). I used the 35mm most, the 50mm least.

I do a lot of landscape work, so I'm wondering whether to go for a wider lens this time. I do use 35mm a lot so that's a no-brainer, but I was wondering about something like 28-35-90, or even 24 (or 25)-35-90. Any thoughts?

I'd thought maybe if I get a 24/25 it can crop with not too much loss to 28, and 35 can crop OK to 50ish?

As the widest frameline is 28mm, can I assume a 24/25mm would be about the edge of the viewfinder?

At the long end, I used the 90 quite a bit, but what about a 75?

Once I decide this, I'll look at lenses. It appears the 35 cron iv is impossible to find now and is silly money. I'd consider ZM or CV lenses also, keep hearing good things about them...

TIA

 

[mfogiel]

I think an obvious question arises: do you shoot B&W only, colour only or both?
In the first case, you might look for lower contrast, classic look lenses, like the 35 Summaron, 50 Rigid/DR Summicron, 90 Elmarit v1, and perhaps a SA 21/3.4.
In the second case it would be a no brainer for Zeiss glass like 21/4,5 C Biogon, 35/2 Biogon, 50/2 Planar and 85/4 Tele Tessar, in the third case you might want to consider various options according to preferences, including modern Leica and CV glass as well as the popular Hexanons. I would stay away from a 75mm, as it is neither fish or meat for landscape, a 21,35,50,90 or 28,50,90 set is more useful.
An "old" look DR Summicron 50

A "new" look Planar 50

 

[maddoc]

For landscape (135 film), I use mostly the combination 21 (Super-Angulon-M) + 90mm (Summicron-M) and sometimes a 35mm. 50mm is the least important focal length for me for this kind of photography.

From some recent trips:

21mm Super-Angulon-M:

90mm Summicron-M

 

[payasam]

A negative 36mm by 24mm does not have much room for cropping. How about a 2-lens kit: 28 and 75?

 

[3dit0r]

Thanks guys that's all useful. It's a fair question about whether I shoot black and white, or colour. The answer is both. I was going to post a couple of samples but my photo hard drive seems to be on the blink, which is pretty scary as the digital shots (as opposed to slides) have no backup. Anyway...

I was looking through some of my older Leica photos last night and remembered I tended to use my 35mm as my standard lens. I was quite comfortable with it for 'people in their environment' shots as well as getting some rather nice landscapes. I do remember wanting something wider occasionally. As I say, I didn't use the 50 that much, although I'm sure it'd grow on me if I made myself take only that around for a while.

I'm currently thinking that the 24/25-35-90 would be a good combo for me. I'll probably get the 35 first because I use it most. I have quite a few options there it would seem these days, so I think it's probably wise to start a new thread on 35mm lens choice.

Thanks for your help!

 

[Benjamin]

...so I think it's probably wise to start a new thread on 35mm lens choice.

Noooooooooooooooo!

 

[3dit0r]

Haha, oh yes!