Old European Cities: 25mm/50mm or 35mm?

[kxl]

You're traveling to old european cities - old structures, narrow alleys, cobblestone streets.

You're shooting 400 ISO B&W film with a 35mm film RF.

Which lens/lens combo would you have with you?

- ZM 25mm/2.8 and ZM 50mm/2.0

OR

- ZM 35/2.0 ONLY

OR

- CV 35/1.2 ONLY

 

[slidesandthecity]

I have lived in cities, that consisted mostly of old structures, narrow alleys, cobblestone streets, mywhole life and the times in which I owned a lens, that was wider than 35mm, were definetly less frustrating than those without one.

 

[mbisc]

If you have them, take all three ZM lenses -- they're small!

You will want wide angle lenses without distortions, so Zeiss is the name of the game. A 25mm lens will sometimes be too wide (creating "strange" perspectives), but many times it will be just perfect...

 

[kossi008]

If you have them, take all three ZM lenses -- they're small!

+1. In fact, that's exactly what I'm taking to Leipzig on Thursday.

 

[Bingley]

I have found that a 50/28 combo works perfectly for me for old European cities with narrow windy streets. 28 is also my go-to focal length for interiors. I'm less comfortable w/ a 25mm focal length, but if that works for you I'd certainly take the 50/25 kit.

 

[leica M2 fan]

Normal and wide and very wide lenses.

Normal and wide and very wide lenses.

I found upon returning to the states from Europe not too long ago that my pictures with the 28 were so excellent IMO that it became my go to FL.
I then tried the 24 and I was enthralled! My recent venture to Boston and DC also benefitted from the 24, my new go to lens. Hope you decide
and are happy with your choice.

 

[mfogiel]

28 and 50, the 25 is a bit wide, but it can do if necessary.

Zeiss 25


TANGO by mfogiel, on Flickr


RESTAURANT by mfogiel, on Flickr


CARTOLERIA by mfogiel, on Flickr

 

[tunalegs]

I would say 25 and 50. 35 is good for taking pictures of big things that are out in the open without having to be too far away (like for instance a ship at a dock, or a large fountain in a town square) - 25 is better suited for getting a lot of coverage of enclosed spaces or where you have even less room to back away.

I would also take medium long lens like 100 to 135mm. At some point there is going to be something interesting that you just can't get close enough to for a 50 to do.

 

[umcelinho]

i did tuscany with a 35mm v4 summicron and an M4, fuji superia 800. used a 50, a 21 and a 12 very very sparely. but the 21 became quite handy in some cities and situations, so i'd take the 50 for general use and the 25 for tighter cities or scenes.

 

[Frida]

I'd just take one lens, whether the 25 or the 35. I'd go with the 35, as that's my fav. focal length.

 

[FrozenInTime]

By day the 25/50 combo sounds great.
But by the evening, you are going to wish for the 35/1.2

Perhaps just the 35/2 is the best compromise

 

[kxl]

I do have all 4 lenses in the poll, but would really like to make things very simple - one lens if possible. More often than not, I shoot with one lens 80% of the time when traveling -- I'm comfortable with either th 35 or 50. I don't change lenses too much. So, in this case, my go to lens would be the 35 or 50 for at least 80% of the time.

I've never been comfortable with the AOV from a 28mm, but love the AOV from a 25mm.

 

[ferider]

My favorite is 28, but if you don't like it, 35 works for most everything - and you have frame-lines. This is with 35:

It's very liberating to just use 35 and long enough for portraits, too.

 

[giulio stucchi]

my vote goes to the 35 f2, one lens, one body and enjoy the trip!

@mfogiel, I recognized Milano, piazza Sant´Alessandro in the 3rd pic. I see you took this few years ago. In the background you can see some ruins from the 2nd war world but I´m not sure they are still there now...

 

[f16sunshine]

When streets are tight it's nice to have wide and normal along.
Sometimes a normal is not wide enough. Other times a wide causes too much perspective distortion (sometimes just right).
I would take the 25 for it's wicked sharpness and rendering plus wide filed of view. Add the 50mm for subject separation, reach, and more natural perspective.
They give a different look outside of simply a wider FOV

M8 w/40mm Nokton (Relaxed and natural)

5Dii w/28mm OM Zuiko (comically animated)

 

[Godfrey]

50, 35, 90 in order of frequency of use. That's what woks for me ...
One lens? 40mm.

G

 

[bobkonos]

No need for a 1.2 lens if shooting a rangefinder camera with 400. So take the 25, the 35f2.0, and the 50. They're small enough to take all three, and you'll find that if you want one and do not have it, it's a long way home to go get it.

 

[Roger Hicks]

No need for a 1.2 lens if shooting a rangefinder camera with 400. So take the 25, the 35f2.0, and the 50. They're small enough to take all three, and you'll find that if you want one and do not have it, it's a long way home to go get it.

?
I often need more speed with Delta 3200...

Cheers,

R.

 

[02Pilot]

50, 35, 90 in order of frequency of use. That's what woks for me ...
One lens? 40mm.

G

We have similar tastes. That's exactly the combo I'm taking to Europe for use on my Canon P this summer: Jupiter-12 35, Jupiter-8 50, and Elmar 90. Last trip I had my Rollei 35 (40 Tessar) and did just fine.

 

[kossi008]

?
I often need more speed with Delta 3200...

Well, everyone's different. During the recent RFF Euromeet in Prague, I used the Delta 3200 only for night shots. Interiors in the daytime worked just fine with 400 Film and the ZM 35/2 or 25/2.8...