Bill Pierce
Well-known
Truth is, while rangefinder lenses from 12mm to 135mm are easily available, folks often travel light with a rangefinder - one lens on the camera, just maybe another in a pocket.
I wondered what lens is that number one lens - and more important, WHY #1 - for various folks here on the forum.
When I first started shooting professionally, like many journalists I stuck to the 35mm lens. Then one day Burk Uzzle and I switched cameras to take pictures of each other. That way we each ended up with pictures of ourselves on our own film (not too egocentric). I picked up Burk's camera and yelled, "What is this lens?" It was, compared to what I was use to, a modest telephoto. It might take a little more effort to compose an image compared to the "get it all in" 35, but that very effort could make for a better, stronger picture. Burk said, "It's a normal; it's a 50." From that day on, I was a 50 user. Now, with the M8, I use the 35 as a normal. But someone (and please check in a give yourself credit) pointed out that the safety margin in the bright line finder of the first M8 actually made a 40mm lens (which brings up the 50mm frame) frame line a good choice and more accurate at normal distances. It works out to the equivalent of a 52mm lens on the 1.3 frame M8. I've ordered one from Cameraquest. And I hope it will be my new "normal" on the M8.
Once again, what's THE lens on your camera when you head out the door and WHY?
Bill
I wondered what lens is that number one lens - and more important, WHY #1 - for various folks here on the forum.
When I first started shooting professionally, like many journalists I stuck to the 35mm lens. Then one day Burk Uzzle and I switched cameras to take pictures of each other. That way we each ended up with pictures of ourselves on our own film (not too egocentric). I picked up Burk's camera and yelled, "What is this lens?" It was, compared to what I was use to, a modest telephoto. It might take a little more effort to compose an image compared to the "get it all in" 35, but that very effort could make for a better, stronger picture. Burk said, "It's a normal; it's a 50." From that day on, I was a 50 user. Now, with the M8, I use the 35 as a normal. But someone (and please check in a give yourself credit) pointed out that the safety margin in the bright line finder of the first M8 actually made a 40mm lens (which brings up the 50mm frame) frame line a good choice and more accurate at normal distances. It works out to the equivalent of a 52mm lens on the 1.3 frame M8. I've ordered one from Cameraquest. And I hope it will be my new "normal" on the M8.
Once again, what's THE lens on your camera when you head out the door and WHY?
Bill
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OldNick
Well-known
Bill, I use both a 35mm and a 50mm on my Leica IIIf, for different reasons. Some of my favorite subjects are airplanes, often displayed at airshows. I find that, if I back up enough to frame the plane with a 50mm, people will invariably walk between me and my subject. For that reason, I choose a 35mm which works fine, but closer to the subject.
For digital photos, I can't afford an M8. I have an Oly E-510 which I bought with a good quality Zuiko 14-54 lens. The combination works fine, but is a little cumbersome for walk-around shooting, looking for quick shots. For that, I acquired a Leitz Elmarit-R 28/2.8 to serve as a prime, manual lens. At an effective 56mm equivalent on the E-510, it serves me well.
Jim N.
For digital photos, I can't afford an M8. I have an Oly E-510 which I bought with a good quality Zuiko 14-54 lens. The combination works fine, but is a little cumbersome for walk-around shooting, looking for quick shots. For that, I acquired a Leitz Elmarit-R 28/2.8 to serve as a prime, manual lens. At an effective 56mm equivalent on the E-510, it serves me well.
Jim N.
Don Parsons
Well-known
Depends upon what I'm shooting.
Depends upon what I'm shooting.
If I'm just going out, nothing special to shoot, I'll take a 35. I like that focal length better than a 40 or 50mm.
If I'm going out to do air-to-air, which is a paying gig, I'll take my 28-135 which on my Canon digital is a 45-210. Covers all my bases for me.
Depends upon what I'm shooting.
If I'm just going out, nothing special to shoot, I'll take a 35. I like that focal length better than a 40 or 50mm.
If I'm going out to do air-to-air, which is a paying gig, I'll take my 28-135 which on my Canon digital is a 45-210. Covers all my bases for me.
FrankS
Registered User
50mm for me at home. It helps exclude extraneous visual elements.
35mm on vacation, because things are more interesting there than here.
35mm on vacation, because things are more interesting there than here.
sojournerphoto
Veteran
A bit modd dependent. Recently I've used my 35 Biogon exclusively, but I spend an awful lot of time with a 50 on either my rf or dslr
Mike
Mike
Bassism
Well-known
For me it's always been a 50. I've tried to get on with other focal lengths but it never happens for me.
Usually when I see something of interest, it'll fit in a 50mm frame, perhaps with a few steps back.
Wide angles don't work for me because I tend to do a fair bit of candid portraiture and don't like wide angle portraits very much. I also tend to struggle to find stuff to fit into a wide frame.
Longer lenses don't work for me either. They're too tight for most of my shooting, and for portraiture I find I have to move too far back from my subject.
Usually when I see something of interest, it'll fit in a 50mm frame, perhaps with a few steps back.
Wide angles don't work for me because I tend to do a fair bit of candid portraiture and don't like wide angle portraits very much. I also tend to struggle to find stuff to fit into a wide frame.
Longer lenses don't work for me either. They're too tight for most of my shooting, and for portraiture I find I have to move too far back from my subject.
capitalK
Warrior Poet :P
I only own one lens right now, a 35mm f/2 Biogon. With a 50mm I often found myself taking a step back. With the 35mm it usually forces me to take a step forward.
Maybe a 40mm would be perfect, but for now I'm really just trying to master the 35mm focal length.
Maybe a 40mm would be perfect, but for now I'm really just trying to master the 35mm focal length.
xayraa33
rangefinder user and fancier
I like the 50mm lens, as it is the lens that I always had on the 35mm camera and I feel very comfortable with it.
I make it work and there is
no surprises, and that is fine with me.
I make it work and there is
no surprises, and that is fine with me.
Pickett Wilson
Veteran
A 50. Otherwise, stuff leaks out of the frame.
back alley
IMAGES
never been a fan of the 50, much prefer a 35...but lately the 21 is 'it' for me.
emraphoto
Veteran
really fallen into the 28mm way of seeing things lately. gets me into the thick of things.
R
rpsawin
Guest
As of late the 40mm CV Nokton SC....
Bob
Bob
Steve Litt
Well-known
40mm summicron fits the framelines for 35mm on the RD-1.Great ergonomics and fast enough for me.The bargain leica lens.(gives 60mm crop)
Regards
Steve
Regards
Steve
John Bragg
Well-known
50mm is my normal lens but I really like the 28mm for street use, preset on hyperfocal distance. Makes the M6 a rapid point and shoot.
BillBingham2
Registered User
Before recently it was a CV 25/4, now it seems to be a Nikkor 35/1.8. The 35 allows me to get close without distortion. While the 25 is pretty good distortion-wise, it's not the lens you want to put a persons head in the corner of the frame. 35mm just allows me to get close, SCUFI (Shoot Close Up For Impact). I try to fill frames with the image, partly because I used to shoot slides, partly just to me format is an important part of the process.
B2 (;->
B2 (;->
helen.HH
To Light & Love ...
at first it was a 28...Pure Street magic
then I moved to a 35 PURRfect really
but for some reason NOW.... its the Intimacy of the 50
All the Best- H
then I moved to a 35 PURRfect really
but for some reason NOW.... its the Intimacy of the 50
All the Best- H
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jwhitley
Established
With my rangefinder, this is often my CV 21mm. Yes that's right, a 21. When using it, I shoot with the mindset of apprehending space, whether that space is large or small.
With my Nikon F3, my favorite lens is my CV 58mm SL-II. I love the slightly longer than normal perspective... I think for all the reasons that Bill states he took up shooting with a 50mm.
With my Nikon F3, my favorite lens is my CV 58mm SL-II. I love the slightly longer than normal perspective... I think for all the reasons that Bill states he took up shooting with a 50mm.
Steve Bellayr
Veteran
If you know where you are going and under what conditions you will be photographing you should plan ahead with the appropriate lens(es) and film(s). If on the other hand you are going out to have a good time and photography is secondary take whatever camera you want.