Usefulness of 21 in Europe

If I were in your shoes (esp on the Camino), I'd be bringing the 21 and 35. The 50 would probably be left behind.
 
I have the Zeiss 21mm f4.5 c-biogon and it's a great match with the 35mm f2,8 c-biogon for lots of purposes.
 
Awaiting the delivery of a 35f2.8 Biogon from PopFlash. I figure with the weight saved I could actually take a few more lenses but why would I want to to that to myself.

So, I will be carrying an M9 with 21/35/90 with a couple SD cards and an extra battery. The laptop is staying in the states as I will wait until getting home to work on photos. No film camera or other digital as backup. It the M9 goes tango uniform I think they sell cameras in Europe.
 
ktmrider said:
....

So, I will be carrying an M9 with 21/35/90 with a couple SD cards and an extra battery. The laptop is staying in the states as I will wait until getting home to work on photos. No film camera or other digital as backup. It the M9 goes tango uniform I think they sell cameras in Europe.
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Sounds like a fine plan! You might consider having your M9 output JPEG as well as DNG... I find this useful in travel, as it's so much easier to look at the JPEGs while away from home resources, to evaluate the take and detect any problems. Hmmm... of course you'd need something with which to view the pics... Have a great time!

Doug
 
21 and 90 and ?

21 and 90 and ?

KT, I recommend the 21 and 90 for sure.

Then, pick either the 35 or the 50 based on which of the two is normally your favorite. Whichever one you choose, this is the lens which will probably account for 75% of your pics.
 
thegman said:
I think if the Leica lens is the only one which will scratch your itch, then go for it, but I find it hard to believe that many of us could tell the difference between photos taken with a CV or a Leica lens. Some lenses you could tell, I had a Summarit f/1.5, and wide open, it was very soft, low saturation, all the rest, so I could easily tell photos taken with that. Two modern lenses, one from CV, one from Leica, I'd seriously doubt any meaningful difference in the results.
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I like the analogy with itching. You're right, but is also true that preaspherical 35 summilux has a character that modern lenses don't have.
 
C Biogon Completes 21/35/90

C Biogon Completes 21/35/90

I took delivery of the 35f2.8 C Biogon and hood yesterday. Beautiful lens feel and finish. Am running a roll through the M2 as we speak.

Sent the hood back. From what I have read, the lens is very resistant to flare so will keep a filter on the lens for protection. And $84 for a piece of plastic. Zeiss must be taking lessons from Leitz.

So, M9 with 21f4 Skopar, 35f2.8 C Biogon, and 90f2.8 Tele Elmarit M, several SD cards, and an extra battery.
 
I'm about to take a very short trip to the Isle of Man (with only two whole days). Reading this thread, I am now deciding to pack simple (just a 35 'Cron), less simple (28 Biogon + 50 Elmar-M), or not simple (25 Skopar + 35 'Cron + 50 Elmar-M).

If I gave myself advise, I'd say to stick with the 28 + 50, but it's really hard to take your own advise sometimes!
 
ktmrider said:
I took delivery of the 35f2.8 C Biogon and hood yesterday. Beautiful lens feel and finish. Am running a roll through the M2 as we speak.

Sent the hood back. From what I have read, the lens is very resistant to flare so will keep a filter on the lens for protection. And $84 for a piece of plastic. Zeiss must be taking lessons from Leitz.

So, M9 with 21f4 Skopar, 35f2.8 C Biogon, and 90f2.8 Tele Elmarit M, several SD cards, and an extra battery.
Click to expand...

A great combination - and I don't bother with the hood for the 35mm for the same reasons.
 
Own Advice Hard to Follow

Own Advice Hard to Follow

As you say, it is sometimes difficult to follow our own advice. As much as I enjoy photography, it is certainly secondary to traveling through Europe for 90 days with my daughter.

Most of my recent trips involved only one camera with a fixed lens (Fuji X100). At no time do I remember feeling limited with the X100.

Honestly, if I had not bought the M9 in January, I would be traveling with just the X100. But having spent thousands for an interchangeable digital rangefinder, it is not being left behind nor being taken without being able to switch lenses.
 
Useful, very useful especially on narrow European streets.

Florence, Italy Contax G2 and Biogon 21mm
10078446933_c38a2bb324_b.jpg
 
ktmrider said:
I took delivery of the 35f2.8 C Biogon and hood yesterday. ...
Sent the hood back. From what I have read, the lens is very resistant to flare so will keep a filter on the lens for protection. And $84 for a piece of plastic. Zeiss must be taking lessons from Leitz.
Click to expand...

When did they start selling plastic hoods ? All my Zeiss ZM hoods are metal ... and thanks to the Zeiss bayonet design 10x better than any Leica hood .
 
M2?

M2?

OK, my daughter and I leave for 90 days in Europe and North Africa in four days. The bags are packed and include the M9 with 21f4 Skopar, 35f2.8 C Biogon and 90f2.8 Tele Elmarit M. All in all a nice small kit.

I have decided to leave the new MacBook Pro at home and just take the tablet. Have lots of SD cards. My daughter refuses to carry the X100 (claims it is too big).

So, if I want a back up, it comes down to the M2 or X100. I really like the M2 as it is one of the smoothest Leicas I have ever handled. Am tempted to take it and start the trip with ten rolls of TriX or HP5. The X100 is a fine camera but am leaning toward the M2 or just traveling with the M9.
 
Have a great time, observe the cultures, and make some memorable photos!

(Also, I would either go all-digital or all-film, not mix B&W with color... but going all-Leica has its attractions too!)

Doug
 
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