FrankS
Registered User
I'm pondering which 50mm lens to choose to take with me for a vacation to Europe this summer, beginning in 11 days.
I had all along intended to take the CV50f2.5 because of its compactness, ready to shoot rigidness, and flare resistance (no need for a bulky hood.)
It does not however match up with the Canon 28mmf3.5 and Summaron 35f3.5 lenses I'm taking, with the CV50 being more modern and contrasty.
I have at my disposal, several more vintage 50mm lenses that would give matching results to the 2 wider lenses. The drawback however, is the need for a lens hood, greatly increasing their bulk and wiping out the collapsable compact nature of most of these lenses.
Add'n info: The lens will be used for 400 B+W film. For speed, I'm taking a CV40f1.4. I'll also have a medium format camera when finely detailed results are desired.
So, just for fun, please tell me which 50mm lens YOU'D take.
Elmar f3.5 uncoated
FED f3.5
Summar f2 uncoated
Summitar f2
CZJ Sonnar f2 (ltm) uncoated (thanks Brian!)
CV50 f2.5
I had all along intended to take the CV50f2.5 because of its compactness, ready to shoot rigidness, and flare resistance (no need for a bulky hood.)
It does not however match up with the Canon 28mmf3.5 and Summaron 35f3.5 lenses I'm taking, with the CV50 being more modern and contrasty.
I have at my disposal, several more vintage 50mm lenses that would give matching results to the 2 wider lenses. The drawback however, is the need for a lens hood, greatly increasing their bulk and wiping out the collapsable compact nature of most of these lenses.
Add'n info: The lens will be used for 400 B+W film. For speed, I'm taking a CV40f1.4. I'll also have a medium format camera when finely detailed results are desired.
So, just for fun, please tell me which 50mm lens YOU'D take.
Elmar f3.5 uncoated
FED f3.5
Summar f2 uncoated
Summitar f2
CZJ Sonnar f2 (ltm) uncoated (thanks Brian!)
CV50 f2.5
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like2fiddle
Curious
Hey there Frank.
Easy for me as I only own one of those, and I happen to like it very much --the Summitar. I shoot mine without a hood most of the time and haven't really had major problems with flare.
Easy for me as I only own one of those, and I happen to like it very much --the Summitar. I shoot mine without a hood most of the time and haven't really had major problems with flare.
FrankS
Registered User
Thanks Roger! Good to know your Summitar doesn' t flare too badly.
RFOBD
Established
Are you certain you don't want a lens that offers a more modern character for certain situations?
L
lkgroup
Guest
I have both the Summitar which I really like but I voted for the Skopar 2.5 as the lens to take. It has a hood and is a very sold lens. I have been using mine for the last 6 months and my Summitar has been getting duty attached to my IIIf and on a shelf most of the time.
Both take very nice pictures, take the one that preforms best for you.
Leo
Both take very nice pictures, take the one that preforms best for you.
Leo
Nando
Well-known
On my trip to Portugal last summer, I took a lot of gear. Two M-bodies with a 21, a 35, a 75, a 90 and two 50's; a J-3 and a Summitar. In addition, I took a Pentax MX with a 28, a 50, 70-210 zoom. I thought that I would use my 35 Ultron the most but it got damaged early into the trip when a teenager tried to rob me. Despite all the gear I took, I ended up using my M3 with a 50 Summitar almost exclusively. The ability of the Summitar to collapse into the body was really handy as it made for a very compact camera to carry around. I carried the M3 and Summitar in a jacket pocket at night or a very small "European Handbag" during the day. F/2 was fast enough for most indoor situations and I love the rendering this lens gives. Just have to be careful with flare.
Here are some photos I took with it:
link
Here are some photos I took with it:
link
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raid
Dad Photographer
Hi Frank,
Keep it simple and basic.
Option 1: Canon 28mm/3.5 + CV 40mm/1.4.
The 40mm focal length messes everything up. The 35mm is too close to 40mm and the 50mm is too close too. Since one fast lens is needed for dark churches and so on, you need at least a 2.0 lens.
Option 2: 28mm/3.5 + 35mm/3.5 for daytime photos, plus the CZJ 50mm/2.0.
Option 3: 40mm/1.4
Most importantly: enjoy the trip and eat well those bakery products.
That's it.
You will feel great to walk around with only one or two lenses. You will "focus" on life around you without fumbling with the camera bag to choose a lens. When I was traveling recently, I had one lens in my pants pocket while the other was on the camera. I never felt that I was missing any lenses.
Keep it simple and basic.
Option 1: Canon 28mm/3.5 + CV 40mm/1.4.
The 40mm focal length messes everything up. The 35mm is too close to 40mm and the 50mm is too close too. Since one fast lens is needed for dark churches and so on, you need at least a 2.0 lens.
Option 2: 28mm/3.5 + 35mm/3.5 for daytime photos, plus the CZJ 50mm/2.0.
Option 3: 40mm/1.4
Most importantly: enjoy the trip and eat well those bakery products.
That's it.
You will feel great to walk around with only one or two lenses. You will "focus" on life around you without fumbling with the camera bag to choose a lens. When I was traveling recently, I had one lens in my pants pocket while the other was on the camera. I never felt that I was missing any lenses.
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Rob-F
Likes Leicas
I think I would sell all those and get a Summicron. Outside of that, I would take the Summitar, as it is fairly close to a Summicron; or else take the Sonnar. I have not used the latter, but I have heard some good things about it.
FrankS
Registered User
Lovely shots Fernando! The Summitar looks good. No hood?
back alley
IMAGES
i would go with either one 35mm lens or a 25 and 50 combo.
for you, i would take the 28 and 40 and one camera. leave the mf home as this is a family holiday and not a photo holiday. bring less and enjoy it more.
at home, i would pack in a mailing box, another body with a 35mm attached and enough money to overnight it to you in europe in case you get robbed.
for you, i would take the 28 and 40 and one camera. leave the mf home as this is a family holiday and not a photo holiday. bring less and enjoy it more.
at home, i would pack in a mailing box, another body with a 35mm attached and enough money to overnight it to you in europe in case you get robbed.
FrankS
Registered User
Hi Joe. This IS a photo holiday for me. My family understands. I could not do this without a MF camera.
...or 2. One for B+W, one for colour and backup.
...or 2. One for B+W, one for colour and backup.
Nando
Well-known
Thanks. I used the 12585H hood most of the time along with a yellow filter.
back alley
IMAGES
i hope it works out that way for you frank, it never did for me.
take a small digital for the colour.
raid
Dad Photographer
The photos look great, Nando. I need to return to Portugal to take more and better photos.
Jamie Pillers
Skeptic
Nando,
I really like the wonderful pictures you posted here... really nice composition in all of them! I wondering if you ever used the Summitar lens with color film and, if so, how you think it performed.
Jamie
I really like the wonderful pictures you posted here... really nice composition in all of them! I wondering if you ever used the Summitar lens with color film and, if so, how you think it performed.
Jamie
maddoc
... likes film again.
I would take the Elmar 3.5 (and ONLY this lens to have a compact 35mm camera) and a MF (TLR). My recent vacations (mostly photo-trips) were with a film M-Leica and one 50mm lens and a TLR. Never missed any other FL. The Elmar 3.5 should give some nice results in BW 
Nando
Well-known
Thanks Raid and Jamie.
Jamie,
I have used the Summitar with colour film but not often. I have one with perfect glass and I get really paranoid when I remove the yellow filter. Normally it gives low-saturated, pastel-like colours but I like using it with Kodak 400UC, a film which normally gives very highly saturated colours. The 400UC and Summitar kind of balance each other out, I think. I attached a picture taken with the Summitar and 400UC. These two lovely women are co-workers of mine. Hopefully they won't kill me for posting it.
In regards to the Elmar, I think it is also a good choice for travelling and I like the lens a lot. I have two of them! However, I think that the smaller aperture would really be pose a problem when shooting interiors. Interiors of cathedrals and other historical buildings in Europe are a real pleasure to photograph but I find that they are usually dimly lit. The extra speed of a Summitar really makes a difference to me. I found f/2 sufficient for the vast majority of low-light situations but there were a few times that I wished it could do f/1.4.
Jamie,
I have used the Summitar with colour film but not often. I have one with perfect glass and I get really paranoid when I remove the yellow filter. Normally it gives low-saturated, pastel-like colours but I like using it with Kodak 400UC, a film which normally gives very highly saturated colours. The 400UC and Summitar kind of balance each other out, I think. I attached a picture taken with the Summitar and 400UC. These two lovely women are co-workers of mine. Hopefully they won't kill me for posting it.
In regards to the Elmar, I think it is also a good choice for travelling and I like the lens a lot. I have two of them! However, I think that the smaller aperture would really be pose a problem when shooting interiors. Interiors of cathedrals and other historical buildings in Europe are a real pleasure to photograph but I find that they are usually dimly lit. The extra speed of a Summitar really makes a difference to me. I found f/2 sufficient for the vast majority of low-light situations but there were a few times that I wished it could do f/1.4.
Attachments
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raid
Dad Photographer
I recently used the Canon 28mm/3.5 with Kodak UC 400 for the same reason.
Diomedes
Vjekoslav Bobić
Hi Frank,
Since you'll take a modern CV40f1.4, I would take one with more "classic look".
Vjeko
Since you'll take a modern CV40f1.4, I would take one with more "classic look".
Vjeko
edodo
Well-known
Said like that, i would take my tabbed summicron, as it is the best balance for compact (toy look alike) lens and fast enough for evrything, and not contrasty but sharp! Discreet and candid photo machine like all leica should be, it would be just perfect for a vacation light system. In your case, the summitar would be the best bet but absolutely use the hood, the 12585 is the best one, because I have the plastic one and it is a pain in the arse!