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

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! 😎
 
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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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.
 
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! 😀 😉

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