My lens choice, please give me some advice. Thank you.

[haotong]

After years of saving, I finally got enough for a Leica MP, a 50mm f1 Noctilux (for extreme low light shooting, but sometimes using it as a standard lens for daylight photos), a 21mm f2.8 Elmarit (for landscape and architecture). After playing around for a while, I realised that both lenses are not as practical as a everyday-carrying-out lens (50 is bulky and 21mm requires an extra finder and too wide in most street shooting circumstances..). I very rarely use tele lens such as 90mm.

Therefore I am considering a relatively compact, fast, sharp and contrasty lens in between the 21mm and 50mm. 24mm, 28mm, 35mm (both Cron Asph' and Lux Asph) etc....Also by taking the f2.8(on 21mm) and f1 (on 50mm notc) into account, which lens would you reckon I should finally to go with?

Any comments will be appreciated, I really need some serious advices. thanks a million in advance

James

 

[harmsr]

If you don't want to deal with an external VF the 24 is still out. Assuming that you have a .72 VF then the MP has framelines for both the 28 and 35.

The 28 2.0 ASPH, 35 1.4 ASPH, and 35 2.0 ASPH are all great lenses. Both of the 'crons are slighly smaller than the 1.4 Lux. Do you need the extra stop?

Do you like shooting in 28 or 35 better?

The 28 cron ASPH is a really GREAT lens for architecture and landscapes. If you are looking for a more general use lens, the 35 is better.

You need to decide. If I were getting a lens between a 50 and 21 (while keeping the others), then I would choose the 35 cron ASPH.

Just my $.02.

Best,

Ray

 

[terrafirmanada]

Welcome to the forum!
In terms of focal length, I think that 35mm would be a great addition. Are you only considering Leica glass? In that focal length there are many good options. The first two which spring to mind are the Canon (I have only used the 2.8 and think it fits your needs) and the Cosina PII (which I have heard great things about- but not used). I am getting a J-12, which might also fit your description.
I think that you need to think about what you want to use this lens for. Once you know that, then you can look at others images, which might help you decide which is the best match for you.
Lots of good imformation here on these topics. Start saving. You will soon want them all.

 

[FPjohn]

35/75

35/75

Hello:

Many consider a 35mm the normal lens for a M. The 35/75 combo would keep most bases covered without the stress of too many choices.

IMHO and in practice I find a 50mm to be my "normal" So, a recent Summicron 50mm?

yours
Frank Johnston

 

[ray_g]

Welcome to RFF James. I would start with one lens first, and decide which other focal lengths you need from there. As others have mentioned, the 35mm is an excellent match for the Leica M. Others prefer the 50. YMMV.

You may enjoy this read: http://www.luminous-landscape.com/columns/sm-dec-04.shtml

 

[eric mac]

My favorite setup is a 21, 35 and a 90 for vacation shooting. For everyday I use a 35 summicron and this takes of most of my wants.

Eric

 

[Honus]

... I am considering a relatively compact, fast, sharp and contrasty lens in between the 21mm and 50mm. ...

It sounds like you just described the 35mm Summicron ASPH. Add that to your 21 and your Nocti and you've got a versatile kit.

Robert

 

[Biggles]

In my opinion, you can't go wrong with a 35mm f/2 or a 50mm f/2 Summicron as a daily beater lens. I happen to like 50s more than 35s, but this is taste, not science. Both designs are stellar general-purpose optics for day-to-day picture taking.

If in doubt, my gut always says go toward a "normal" focal length, rather than toward a wide one. I would rather my pictures of opportunity have a neutral or slightly tight point of view, rather than being saddled with wide-angle distortion and exaggerated field depth all the time, whether I need it or not.

Many people might disagree with my views on this topic. Well, that's okay.

Whatever you do, though, *don't* sell the specialised lenses you already have to raise funds to buy more general-purpose glass, at least not yet. When in doubt, wait, save, and *add*. Don't *replace*.

Welcome to the forum.

 

[spysmart]

21mm and 50mm is a good 2 lens travel combination, but a second ( hand ) body ( any ) to keep the 21mm and VF on, would cut down lens changes an make life a lot sweeter.

As others also say, you NEED a 35mm .

 

[ClaremontPhoto]

A 40mm Voigtlander Nokton may suit you.

 

[haotong]

Thank you all for the great informative suggestions, I really enjoy this forum, I think I would end up with a used 35 cron asph, hope it will be a right choice for me. 😀

 

[peter_n]

James welcome to the forum! 🙂 I would agree with the others and lean toward the 35mm irrespective of your VF magnification. The 35 seems like a normal lens on a Leica M, and if you use it a lot you will come to look on your 50mm as a mild telephoto lens!

If you want an ASPH version then your choice is down to an f1.4 vs an f2.0. The trade-off is speed vs size/weight. The fact that you bought an f1.0 50mm lens says to me that you shoot in low light quite a bit. There will be plenty of occasions when your "everyday lens" is on your camera and you wished you had the f1.0 50. So my suggestion is to consider the 35 Summilux ASPH for that reason, you never know when you might need that extra stop over the f2. Yes its a bit heavier than the f2, but nowhere near as heavy or as bulky as the Noctilux. And it is a beautiful lens.

And I second Biggles advice up above, don't sell your 21 or 50!

 

[jaapv]

If you are not into high speed, the Tri-Elmar, 28-35-50 would solve all your problems.(and it IS asph) And welcome to the forum!


HEY This is # 1000!! 😀 :angel: 😀

 

[rockstores]

Elmarit 28 is not ASPH, but does big work, besides, small size. think that summicron is cool if it is 35. If you are interested in an old lens, 8 elements are the best, but high price...

 

[taffy]

After years of saving, I finally got enough for a Leica MP, a 50mm f1 Noctilux (for extreme low light shooting, but sometimes using it as a standard lens for daylight photos), a 21mm f2.8 Elmarit (for landscape and architecture). After playing around for a while, I realised that both lenses are not as practical as a everyday-carrying-out lens (50 is bulky and 21mm requires an extra finder and too wide in most street shooting circumstances..). I very rarely use tele lens such as 90mm.

Therefore I am considering a relatively compact, fast, sharp and contrasty lens in between the 21mm and 50mm. 24mm, 28mm, 35mm (both Cron Asph' and Lux Asph) etc....Also by taking the f2.8(on 21mm) and f1 (on 50mm notc) into account, which lens would you reckon I should finally to go with?

Any comments will be appreciated, I really need some serious advices. thanks a million in advance

James

Hi James! I got bitten by the RF bug about a year ago and that's when I bought my first Leica. I didn't have much cash on me so I ended up with a the VC 35mm PII. I've been shooting with that lens exclusively for a whole year now and I must say that the lens is a great "everyday-carrying-out lens". It is compact in size and quite light, it allows me to take portraits, and it is wide enough to include a lot of things (especially if you take a step of two back). I find the 35mm focal length every versatile for my shooting needs. Unless I need significant telephoto, I find this lens very able (I just come up close if I need to since the min focus distance is 0.7m). I've seen the summicron 35 and its not that much bigger and IMO it still qualifies as a "everyday-carrying-out lens". I value compact-ness and the 35mm was perfect. If I had the money back then I'd have bought the 35 'cron 🙂

I used to shoot with an SLR (i used to shoot with a 50mm prime or a 28-105 zoom) and I never really had a lot of experience with the 35mm focal length until I shot with a rangefinder and I must say that I'm glad to have discovered it.

This is all from the point of view of an RF beginner 🙂 Hope it helps.

Taffy

PS
The mike johnston article above helped me a lot back then 🙂 Still dreaming of the day I can own a 35 'cron!