THE lens

[FifthLeaf]

28mm. I'm not sure if this is sloppy or just "loose", but I tend to get in close, line up two or three elements where I'd like them and then let everything else fall where it may. The 28mm fits this style very well (and I can't stand the distortion you get with ultrawides).

 

[johannielscom]

The M-Hex 50mm f1.2

Fast, great color rendering, sharp, even wide open. Pretty bokeh. Balances perfectly well on the M5 and does fine on the M3 and M8 too.


What, want smaller?

My other is a Kyoei W.Acall 35mm f3.5. Its so small, I have to remind myself not to grip the lens near the front ring while shooting, or my fingers will end up in the frame. Built like a tank, all brass and steel. Sharp, not a sixties lens at all at that!

 

[wlewisiii]

1) 50 on 35
2) 80 on 6x6
3) 105 on 6x7/6x9
4) 127 on 4x5

William

 

[F456]

Instinctively, 35mm.

BUT when DX came in at the start of Nikon digital, I started to find that I was getting better shots with my usual range of lenses in a DX crop because the pictures were more selective.

It goes a bit against the grain after first learning to compose pictures with the 40mm fixed lens on an Olympus Trip 35, but I suspect that 85/1.4 or 105/1.8 is THE lens for me, and I always love the results from 135 or 180mm.

However, gut reaction and experience with direct vision viewfinders (sublime - M system; ridiculous - OM Trip) still tip me towards 35mm!

I'm not mad about wider than 24mm or longer than 200 or 300mm.

Tom

 

[rickp]

mostly a 50mm (= 67mm on the M8), but more and more often the 21mm SA (= 28mm on the M8). either offers a nice useful view of the world, and one of them fits in my pocket 🙂.

it's interesting to see how the M8 users frequently choose 35mm or wider for their nr. 1 lens.

greetings from hamburg

rick

 

[F456]

I don't mean to hijack your thread Mr. Pierce, but along with your question, I would be interested if those who prefer 35, could they say if it is really that focal length, or are they like me, lusting after something wider, but not ready to lay down the bucks yet?

I like 35 because it gets the information in WITHOUT looking wide. To me it just looks natural. HCB reckoned even the 35 ultimately felt like flexing your muscles; so presumably it felt a bit wide to him. Hope the digression is in order!

Tom

 

[Sonnar Brian]

I typically shoot 50mm, but also typically pack a 35mm lens.

I have a 28mm in RF mount, almost never use it. For SLR's, I have 20, 21 (mirror up for the Nikon F), 24, and 28. Quite a few 28's, including the Konica 28/1.8 which is tack-sharp. They get use for scenic shots and indoor group pictures.

I find it easier to frame a wide-angle lens on an SLR. Typically use a screen with grid lines on it to keep an "even keel". I have a more difficult time with the framelines of the RF in keeping the camera level. I've rotated the images in photoshop by 1degree to straighten them out. It's amazing what a difference it makes in the final composition. I should use the Nikon "Bubble" level that I picked up.

 

[kshapero]

I have a CV 40mm/f1.4 for my ZI and a CV 40mm/f2 for my Nikon FM3A. Love them both.

 

[chingwa]

I settle with a Leica 50mm f/1.4 for both its image quality and the useful f/1.4 aperture. I hope it is smaller in size though.

 

[Kent]

Anything between 35 and 50mm. I just love the 38, 40 or 42mm lenses of fixed lens cams.

 

[Rob-F]

Often it's a 35. In France I carried two Leicas (IIIc) most days, one with a 35, the other with a 25. One day I just carried one IIIc with a 28. I had a 50 along but didn't use it (OK 3 shots). Some days I just took an M7 with a 40mm. The latter is a really good choice for a single walk-around lens.

 

[Juan Valdenebro]

Mr. P, first allow me to quickly thank you for your comments here in RFForum, they are so very clear... I remember when I read your thread on exposure, when you stated how usual it is taking the incident reading just as a guide to WAY more exposition... And some more real advices that can be named treasures for younger or less experienced people, as me in RF world, as not often shared even in forums: I just wanted to tell you that several times when reading you, my perception is that you have naturally the soul of a master, you believe in giving... A very clever mind and a good heart mix is unusual these days. Thanks!


Back to this thread, the question of the lens or the two lenses, is the one I had in mind every day and night for the last three months when trying to decide my first RF purchase. The final decission, after intense posting and researching was: I ordered a bessa r4m and a bessa t for the 15mm Heliar and the 40mm Nokton. Reasons, regarding this thread and appart from these camera/lenses combinations advantages and abilities:


I see two kinds of visions concerning optics and angle, one is looking at (more passive and distant, “thinking of the subject”) and the other one is being at (more active and close, “being with the subject”), cases of a normal lens and a wide angle lens... I mean, we learn to make a fast normal useful for a landscape at f/8 AND for a portrait at f/2, but two small lenses are more comfortable, and for sure not “too much” for any ocassion in my opinion.


I really want to go shooting with my new RF cameras and lenses soon (they must arrive this week!) to see if I made a good choice... Never before have I held a RF, not even looked through one! (I own and shoot in all other formats) I am so curious to see if the cameras are really smaller than my FE2, that I haven't gone -never- to a local store to check bessas size: I want to enjoy them ONLY when I'm sure they'll sleep with me that night. I mean forever if possible...


My actual “the only lens” light packing, is a very very small shoulder bag, vertical shape, leather, old and non photographic look, with a mechanical Nikon SLR with the 50mm f/1.4 Ai, AND, the 20 2.8 and 105 2.5, and for no bag, pockets.


Have no idea if I will ever feel the need for a portrait RF lens...

 

[wijayane]

28 most of the time but a 35 is never far from reach.

 

[shayallen]

I keep going back and forth with the 35mm and 50mm and like them both. On different days one or the other is my favorite. I am liking that with the 50mm I don't have to get so close when doing street stuff... I am still trying to get comfortable there.

 

[35mmdelux]

Perhaps its the subject-to-photographer distance but I prefer 35mm focal length. I work equally well with it outside or indoors without having to change lenses.

EDIT: On a trip the 21/35 would go for sure.

 

[kbg32]

28mm for film, 21mm for the M8. It is just the way I see the world. I can remember the day I first looked at the world through a friend's 28. That was it. I was hooked.

 

[scott kirkpatrick]

On the M2, 35mm -- it just fits. On the M8, I use the 28/2.0 most often, with some use of the 35 and 21. On days when I am crazy enough to try to shoot sports (kids basketball at courtside) with the M8, I use a 50/1.5 and 35/2.0.

scott

 

[kermaier]

When I was shooting 35mm film SLRs, it was a Canon F-1 with:
70% 50mm
20% 85mm
10% wider (24mm, 28mm or 35mm)

Now that I'm shooting digital RF, it's an Epson R-D1 with:
50% 35mm (Summaron f/2.8 or UC-Hex f/2)
40% 50mm (too many to list - depends on mood and lighting)
10% wider (25mm or 28mm)

So I guess that's mostly equivalent in terms of effective FoV.

::Ari

 

[eleskin]

50mm Noctilux and 15mm super wide Heliar

50mm Noctilux and 15mm super wide Heliar

Until this year, 80% of my shooting was done with the 35mm Summicron v4 Canadian (M6 then as of 2 years ago, M8). Now I am using a Noctilux that I bought recently as well as the new Voigtlander Super Wide Heliar. One thing strikes me here. I am now using two extreme lenses that behave quite differently. The 15mm Heliar can be used by shooting at the hip if you will, and the Noctilux requires very precise focus and framing. What amazes me is when you use these two lenses together with the same subject, the photos complement each other in spite of being so vastly different. I also keep my 35 with me as well, but the Noctilux and 15mm Heliar are being used much much more, and I am blown away by the combo!!!

 

[Wes Medlin]

It's always a 50mm. The second lens in the pocket changes from time to time. When I was younger, it was almost always a telephoto. Now it's more likely to be a wide angle. But the #1 lens on the camera is always a 50. Several of the cameras I own I don't have any lens for them but the 50.