Which lens to take along?

[tuanvinh2000]

Sound like swc and m9 + zeiss combo for you raid. I dont like change lenses when on vacation and usually one lens is fine for me. on a family trip i usually bring one digital camera plus one lens. On a trip that is just myself its usually one film camera and i shoot what i want (m6 or rolleiflex). We all have the best equipment we can concentrate on picture taking and enjoy the vacation. I dont mind missing a photo because my lens is not long enough.

 

[marcr1230]

if all we had were 3 lenses - 24,25,26mm , we would find reasons to discuss the pluses and minuses of traveling w either/or/and

travel light, use what you bring.

I'd lean toward fast lenses for film - gives you extra hours of shooting

instead of the 45 on M43, I'd go with an 85/90 prime M mount and either go with the M9 only or take a second M body.

so basically the classic 35,50,85 and one or 2 bodies
drop the 2nd body first, maybe the 50 if you want real light travel, and done!

 

[BillBingham2]

I'd say the 35/1.4 as your main and pick up a third version of the CV 15/4.5. Larger than version one but made for digital cameras and M-mount.

B2 (;->

 

[pechelman]

Do I really still need both lenses here? Maybe I need to replace the 35/1.4 Lux with a wider lens? I don't have any wider lenses that are excellent and that work well on the M9, though. Maybe the Rokkor 28/2.8M or the Kobalux 28/3.5?

Do you need both 35 and 45? No, but I think you should keep both.
If I were to get rid of one, I dont think I could help choose. Both are worth having, the 35 as a "bring only one" lens and the 45 as an indispensable part of a duo when paired with a wide lens. Plus you're a 50 guy and that 45 contax planar is one of the best "50's" ever made.

You could never "replace" that 35 of yours with any lens really. Maybe you could get close, suppliment it, or mimic it with another 35, but that one is so unique and also a piece of history.

However, I would say that I think it would be worthwhile of you to at least consider adding a wide angle lens to go with the 45/50 when you want something wider than 35. 28 is the logical choice. With the new releases of the 28 elmarit and summicron, prices on those have started to drop. I would consider those first. Or you could seek out a Contax 28mm and get it converted. Would be a fun combo on an M9.

As a semi-wildcard, you could also look for a 21 instead of a 28. While it is a big jump between 50 and 21, it isnt unreasonable if you really are a 50 shooter. It will require you get close to what youre shooting, but for travel and pictures of buildings, landscapes, museums, etc, that usually isnt a problem, and can be a big benefit. The closer you are to the point of interest, the fewer other tourists there are between you and it. Also a little easier to handhold at slower speeds and zone focus than 28.

Also, when paired with a 35 a 21 makes a great duo.

For me personally, 35 is a bit of an odd duck. Most of the time I find it too tight and too wide, especially when traveling in European cities. 28/50 is perfect for me in those locations. On my last Euro trip I brought 21/35/50 and found that most of my 21 shots needed a lot of cropping and the 35 didnt get as much use as I was expecting because it felt too tight when walking the streets.

 

[Godfrey]

Last trip (NYC for a weekend): Leica SL body, Summicron-R 35mm, Summicron-R 90mm, and Tri-Elmar-M 16-18-21mm.

(Set the SL to square format, fit the WATE @ 16mm, and you have the same field of view as the Hasselblad SWC. Set the lens opening to f/5.6, and you have the SWC's DoF at f/11-16.)

Leica SL + Tri-Elmar-M 16-18-21mm f/4
ISO 400 @ f/5.6 @ 1/60 @ 16mm​

enjoy!
G

 

[back alley]

i always take 2 of the same bodies, i prefer not to change lenses much...and i take 3 lenses...the 16 (25), a 23 (35) and the 56 (85)...if i want less gear i leave the 23 home.

 

[Spanik]

Can't help it but I stay with my 35/55/80/150 setup for the ProTl. Maybe adding the G617, depending on the destination. I don't see any reason to change as long as I can bear it, not collapse on the way and have time to recuperate afterwards 😀 Most of the times I'll never visit those places again.

 

[raid]

I do own a CV 25/4 ltm, so I have a 25mm lens. In fact, this is a sharp little lens. If I take the M9 and the SWC as my set, with a 35/1.4 and a 25/4, it is manageable. I could throw in an Olympus M 4/3 camera that is very small and light. Then my 25/35 become 50/70, as needed. Or, I use the 25/45 set for 50/90 on the M4/3.

 

[raid]

Hi Raid - in the past, I rather liked complementing the 50 with a 25 (ZM) or 28 (M-Hex), but on a trip last year, I went with a wider combo (21/35), and found that I used the 35 almost all the time on that trip. If push came to shove, I'd probably go with my old reliable combo (25/50). You may want to consider the ZM 25 (or 28 M-Hex) to complement one of your 50's. Cheers!

Hi Keith,
Using what we are used to is the best. My CV 21 in Nikon mount does not fit on my M8 or M9 cameras. I did not see many possibilities for a tele lens during past summer vacations.

 

[raid]

When I was young 28/50 was my combo on the SLRs...but this was many decades ago...than thing changed...
Than changed again lately when shooting SLR the combo was 50/1,4 and 20/2,8 these are what available and I adapted my style to this quite well but recently just bough a 28....getting old I go back to my roots 🙂

But if shooting RF I usually select or 35 or 50 try my best with these...I also have the CV 12 almost never used and the CV 75/2,5 which I rarely use...so it really is 35 or 50...

When traveling (more days) I bring all of them but usually only one on the camera the other in the safe of the hotel, next day a different one...

robert

We are all getting back to our roots, Robert.
The CV 12mm lens sounds very interesting!

 

[ferider]

Tough to help you Raid. I'm just now planning a 2 week camping trip in the Sierras and am also undecided what gear to take. I will need a 500mm (eagles and river otters), and intermediate lenses down to 28 or 21 for landscapes and such. So it will be a big bag. I mention it to show how dependent the gear choice is on what it will be used for.

When I fly, I limit myself to a single camera with 2-3 lenses, with at least one fast lens for the late evenings. The 21/50, 28/50, and 35/75 pairs all work great for environmental portraits and "city-scapes". I have once had a camera stolen, but never had a camera break, so a single body usually is OK.

Bottom line is: it's very personal. If I were you, visiting Wetzlar, Leica, with family and friends, I would take a fast moderate or normal (your 35/1.4?), something for the city & architecture (a 21 ?), and something for Leica/gear close ups (the 75 lux or DR Summicron ?).

Roland.

 

[raid]

Thank you for the well defined tips. I am taking into account what we will be doing on the trip, in addition to the Wetzlar Leica visit. I may use the SWC for "architecture/city", and the 35/1.4 for general photography, plus the tiny 25/4 CV for landscape photography (or the SWC), and 75 Lux, as you have suggested. My back-up camera will be my iPhone 6. My DR does not work on the M9, but I could use the Summicron 50 instead if I wanted to.

 

[charjohncarter]

Maybe the best question is: is your wife and family going to be on this trip? Everything changes when the family is with you. I remember I learned NOT to take my fly rod on a fishing trip when my wife was going.

 

[raid]

Yes, they are with me. I just "accompany them" while they are in charge.
On second thought, maybe I should stick to my usual set M8/M9 and two small lenses, and leave the SWC behind.

 

[Bingley]

On recent travels to Europe, I've found that a simple two lens kit of 50 and 35 works fine for the kind of street and landscape shots I take. I also take a 28 equivalent on an m4/3 body for indoors and those rare occasions when 35 isn't wide enough. I may bring along other lenses to try in a particular setting, but 50 and 35 usually cover about 90% of what I like to photograph. The more difficult choice for me is which 50!

 

[robert blu]

Reading again this thread and all the suggestions I think the 28 on the M8/M9 and the 45 (90 eq.) on the m 4/3 camera should be more than enough. A good idea would be to take with you the Land Camera but the pack films take a lot of place specially if you fly and have to bring them with you in the carry on luggage! So no Land, no sec and it will be an enjoyable journey!
robert
PS: maybe you should leave a little "spare" free place just in case you find something interesting in Wetzlar 😀

 

[raid]

Yes, Robert, I need to leave some space in my camera bag! Hearts can weaken in Wetzlar, and wallets get thinner ...

Last plan:? M9+35 Summilux/ SWC/M 4/3+ Zeiss 45/2. Ssame as what I did in Italy three years ago. It worked well for me then. iPhone is in my pocket too.

 

[raid]

Helen: My SWC "has a 21mm lens"!

M9 is sufficient for Leica. 35/1.4 is an overall multi-purpose lens for most situations. It is small and fast too.
M 4/3 is small and very light and is my tele lens, so to speak. Using a small lens such as 45/2 on it gives me a 90mm view. If needed, the 45/2 can be used on the M9. This lens is just superb, in my opinion, and I have tried out many lenses that RFF have sent me lover the years. The SWC will slow me down, which is good. We may visit old castles at the Rhein River, such as Drachenfels close to Bonn, and the old part of Nuremberg. The SWC will shine there.

My on-the-go camera of course is in my iPhone 6. I use it for AF quick shots of people.

 

[user237428934]

We may visit old castles at the Rhein River, such as Drachenfels close to Bonn........

Not only the view from Drachenfels is nice. Just took that photo a week ago of the Drachenfels in the background.

 

[user237428934]

21/35/90 sounds like a nice combination for the trip