Orphan Lenses

[Rafael]

This is a thread for those who usually or always use lenses in combination. With the exception of my 35-50-90 set of Summicrons, I use lenses always in pairs. I almost never leave the house with one lens alone and I never take more than three with me. I also don't ever seem to mix and match lenses. With the exception of the Summicron set, I seem to use my lenses always in the same pairings. Each is appropriate for a particular type of subject or lighting condition, and is determined primarily by the rendering, speed, and size of the two lenses (I never use filters, so filter size is a non-isssue for me. However, for some, this is an important factor in pairing lenses).

For some lenses, finding a good partner has proven very easy (even if paying for it wasn't so easy!). However, other lenses can be very difficult to pair. For me, the most difficult to pair so far has been the 50/1.5 C-Sonnar. I love how this lens renders and happily put up with its quirks. However, in going through my photo libraries over the last little while, I realised that, though I bought the C-Sonnar a couple of years ago, I have used it extremely rarely because, being my orphan lens, it simply never found its way into my camera bag.

For those who worry about matching lenses as I do, I thought it would be interesting to have a thread for discussing orphan lenses. For which lenses have you had difficulty finding a good match? What did you ultimately settle on? Are you seeking advice on a good match for a lens that is currently an orphan in your camera bag?

I have decided to try the 28/1.9 Ultron as a match for the C-Sonnar. From what I have been able to gather, there really is no perfect match for the 50/1.5. But, for my purposes, I think the Ultron may work very well. We shall see.

 

[Brian Legge]

I use contrast filter and hoods. My ideal lens combos would all use the same filters (or easily step to match). I also have a few which I keep for special uses were they help get the results I want (Summar, VC 50mm 1.1). For the most part though, I'm in the 'carry 2 or 3 lenses' camp depending on the outing and how well I'll be able to anticipate the focal length I'll use the most.

My most paired lens is the VC 35mm 1.4. I always try to carry at least one faster lens as it extends my shooting time. This lens is compact making it easy to take out with other gear. I also have framelines for it on all bodies. I already had 43mm filters to go with a Yashinon 5cm 1.8 (along with stepups for other lenes to match 43mm).

I do have a few orphan lenses by this threads definition. I'm trying to those lenses posted for sale here in the near future so I'll refrain from mentioning them in this thread. 🙂

 

[Doug]

Marc, I may not be as sensitive as you to "incompatible" lens character. But on one trip I took along a Voigtlander 50mm f/2 Heliar and a Zeiss 25mm Biogon-ZM... and they really didn't get along very well. The 25 Biogon would have paired better with a 50mm Planar I think, rather than the Heliar.

Fortunately, I almost always use just one lens for an outing. And adjust myself to see subjects suitable for that lens.

I do like the Heliar by itself, as well as the Sonnar-ZM, but I don't have mount-compatible wide-angle companions for them. Maybe you could check out an older 35mm Biogon to see if it pairs well with your Sonnar?

 

[Rafael]

Maybe you could check out an older 35mm Biogon to see if it pairs well with your Sonnar?

Thanks for the suggestion Doug. This is a lens with which I have no experience at all.

 

[Rafael]

My orphan is the Canon 50/0.95, I haven't found anything that comes close to it in rendering or handling

Interesting that you bring up the Canon. My sense is that very fast 50mm lenses may be some of the most difficult to match with other lenses. A while back, I went through a phase of thinking very seriously about buying a Noctilux. But, once I looked more carefully at my shooting style, I came to realise that I would likely get far more use out of a 75mm Summilux (my favourite M-mount lens) than I would out of a Noctilux. Of course, I never acquired a Noctilux, and so was never able to test out this theory. But I do have a feeling that I would be one of those people on whom a Noctilux would likely be wasted.