What to do? Too many 85mm & 90mm lenses.

venchka said:
Chris,

You are making too much sense. Go to your room! Grinning.

If I were making any sense at all I would rid myself of everything except a 35mm, 50mm and 90mm lens. Big problem! Which ones to keep? Which ones to sell?

So many lenses. So little time.
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Save time. Make sure you have one body per lens. ;)
 
I can do that.

I can do that.

ruby.monkey said:
Save time. Make sure you have one body per lens. ;)
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35-50-90 on their own body.

That was quick. Delivered to my office at noon. The serial number places the lens in 2001. Judging by the appearance, it could have left a dealers shelf this morning. No sign that the lens has ever been used. Original caps, case & B+W UV MRC filter. Very nice indeed.

Now. The task in what's left of 2009: Put my 3 medium teles in a 3 way shoot off.

Thanks again everyone. Black lenses for Bigfoot & Bubba. Oh my! :cool:
 
venchka said:
Chris,

You are making too much sense. Go to your room! Grinning.

If I were making any sense at all I would rid myself of everything except a 35mm, 50mm and 90mm lens. Big problem! Which ones to keep? Which ones to sell?

So many lenses. So little time.
Click to expand...


Well, you'd also need 21 or 24 and a 135. For the 35, 50 and 90, you need slow and fast versions. So that gives you at least 8 lenses. Then there are the lenses that may have a special purpose or look, like a Summar.

Now for 35mm cameras:
  • M Leica is a must. It's classic, easy focusing, and durable.
  • Screwmount Leica: more pocketable, another classic, and easier double exposures. A second body is great for switching different film.
  • Bessa R2/3A or possibly R2/3M: When you don't want to bring your baby (Leica M) traveling, the Bessa is a great substitute. It's also a bit easier when going through a lot of rolls. TTL metering is a plus if you only have an M2/3/4. Having an aperture priority camera could be beneficial.
You also need at least one medium format camera. You also need a digital camera to take pictures of your film cameras and lenses.


This basically describes stuff I have, except I only have a Bessa R and am toying with "upgrading" to a R2A or R2M (I can't decide!) . Each lens or camera has "purpose" in my portfolio and I try not to allow too much overlap.
 
"Put my 3 medium teles in a 3 way shoot off."

When that's done, I shall offer you ten prints for whichever you consider the worst of the lot.
 
The elmarit of which you are considering purchasing has a reputation of being extremely sharp. This is good. I am not familiar with the other two lenses. If either of them is soft, keep the one with the soft image. A good rule of thumb when taking portraits is to have both a soft (women) and sharp (men) lens. Not too long ago I had this discussion with a young photographer and one more experienced than myself.
 
Thank you!

Thank you!

Steve Bellayr said:
The elmarit of which you are considering purchasing has a reputation of being extremely sharp. This is good. I am not familiar with the other two lenses. If either of them is soft, keep the one with the soft image. A good rule of thumb when taking portraits is to have both a soft (women) and sharp (men) lens. Not too long ago I had this discussion with a young photographer and one more experienced than myself.
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EDIT: Take out Probably

The best advice yet.
 
My advice - never sell or dispose of a lens. Murphy's law applies here. The moment it is gone you start berating yourself for having done it! I have 2 Summicron 90's - both v II, an Elmarit 90f2.8 vI, collapsible 90f4, Apo-Lanthar 90f3.5 and a 105f2.5LTM ( and that is only in M/LTM system) - and I am not even that big a user of 90 mm lenses!!! Only 90 that I did get rid off was a 90f2 AA as i did not like it, and I did have an Elmarit-M 90f2.8. Did not use it much and lent it to a friend as a long term "loan" - If I get the urge, I can get it back - though that has not happened for the last 5 years!
Oh, forgot the Canon 85f1.9 and a Jupiter 85f2!
 
I'll tell SWMBO

I'll tell SWMBO

Thanks Tom! You are a lot of help! :D ;)

I know all about seller's remorse. I may have to be brave and weed out a few underused lenses.
 
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