Which lens to take along?

[raid]

It is a discussion that we encounter quite often here, and while it has little to do with artistic photography, it is part of being at RFF. Which lens or lenses do photographers prefer, considering the options available to them?

I am making my travel set each year lighter and smaller in size, but I try to keep some lenses or cameras involved even if it is at the cost of a "few extra ounces" ...

I love using 50mm lenses, but in a trip in which I want to minimize what I carry with me, I have been choosing 35mm lenses instead. In particular, the pre-asph Summilux with its 1.4 max aperture. I can use it as a wide angle lens (not very wide) and also as a normal lens (not tight). It is not super sharp when used wide open. but it provides lovely color images with the Leica M9.

I have also been using the Zeiss Planar 45/2 G. First, I used the G lens on a M 4/3 camera with an adapter (I got a 90mm view), and it was my travel tele lens, so to speak. The M9 has then the 35/1.4 for the normal look. Now, I have the Zeiss G lens in M mount, so I could use the lens also on the M9 as a normal lens. 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? They are relatively slow, but the Planar 45/2 is fast enough to compensate.

It is "necessary" to take along the SWC for some MF photography.

As you see, I have such type of worries .....😀

 

[Out to Lunch]

Have a look at the Zeiss ZM 2.8/28 and the CV Super Heliar III 4.5/15. Both are relatively affordable and produce excellent results with the Leica M9.

 

[raid]

Thank you for this tip. Peter. I will look ....

 

[charjohncarter]

Everybody has different tastes and wants. But when I travel, I take two bodies (film: one color, one B&W) they are both the same SLR with a focus screen that I like; split image in center and a fresnel circle around the split. Then I have two lenses; 50mm and 28mm.

 

[mfogiel]

From what I see, your photos are mainly portraits of your family, sometimes with a broader context. For a one lens choice 35mm is certainly the most versatile, for 2 lenses I would go 28/50, but on 2 bodies, because swapping lenses in busy streets can lead to disasters. 28/45 would work equally well.

 

[KM-25]

The logic behind the question of "what lens should I buy?" always seems much easier for me to understand than "what lens should I bring".

If you already own the gear and know your vision, you should be able to answer that question readily, I do. And really, for travel?....simple is always better.

I just don't get this kind of question....at all, seems a no brainer to me.

 

[raid]

What is a no-brainer to some could be a "brainer" to others.
Thank you for the input.

 

[giganova]

... in a trip in which I want to minimize what I carry with me, I have been choosing 35mm lenses instead.

Same here, but I always throw a CV 21/4 into my bag because it is so tiny and gives me options.

 

[jsrockit]

Narrow streets, bring wide angles. Wide street, use what you always use. Myself, 28 / 50mm ... anything outside of the norm, like ultra wides and extreme teles, probably should stay home unless you routinely use those types of lenses in your day to day.

 

[Bill Clark]

It depends.

My photography still revolves around making photographs of people.

For little kids photos I use a 50 either f1.4 or f2.0. I stand back to have a fairly wide view because of constant movement! Then crop during process! If they simmer down I use a telephoto lens. My favorite is the 24-70 f2.8 Canon lens.

Working on grand children, the oldest is 2, photos and I do have a Barnack with a 35 f3.5 lens.

Smiles!

 

[raid]

Narrow streets, bring wide angles. Wide street, use what you always use. Myself, 28 / 50mm ... anything outside of the norm, like ultra wides and extreme teles, probably should stay home unless you routinely use those types of lenses in your day to day.

You are correct about the narrow lanes and streets in some cities.

 

[raid]

It depends.

My photography still revolves around making photographs of people.

For little kids photos I use a 50 either f1.4 or f2.0. I stand back to have a fairly wide view because of constant movement! Then crop during process! If they simmer down I use a telephoto lens. My favorite is the 24-70 f2.8 Canon lens.

Working on grand children, the oldest is 2, photos and I do have a Barnack with a 35 f3.5 lens.

Smiles!

Thanks, Bill. Kids move around a lot!

 

[raid]

Everybody has different tastes and wants. But when I travel, I take two bodies (film: one color, one B&W) they are both the same SLR with a focus screen that I like; split image in center and a fresnel circle around the split. Then I have two lenses; 50mm and 28mm.

SLR photography would be an easier case for me as I have almost any focal length lens that I could ever need.

 

[raid]

From what I see, your photos are mainly portraits of your family, sometimes with a broader context. For a one lens choice 35mm is certainly the most versatile, for 2 lenses I would go 28/50, but on 2 bodies, because swapping lenses in busy streets can lead to disasters. 28/45 would work equally well.

Thank you Marek. I may take along a wider lens than 35 and that must work on my digital camera somehow. I stopped changing lenses unless it was indoors at a hotel maybe. Digital cameras get dust on the sensors.

 

[wjlapier]

I considered this during my recent trip to the Oregon coast. Took one of two at the time 35mm lens--Nikkor S 35/2.5 with the amedeo adapter. No other FL mainly because I see more in 35mm since using the iPhone for several years. I did bring my Fuji GS645s and wished I'd taken more photos with it. Ektar through the Fuji 60mm lens is so nice.

The SWC sounds like a nice camera but is it bulky and heavy? What about your polaroid 😉

 

[BillBingham2]

Not sure ho tight customs folks are about lenses on the return trip. You might have the opportunity to pick up a Class-B lens while at Leica. Years ago a Kodak, class-B was new product that functioned perfectly but might have a slight scratch or blemish stopping it from being sold as new. So perhaps carry an FSU lens that is not working but could be replaced if the count glass.

Just a thought....

B2 (;->

 

[raid]

I considered this during my recent trip to the Oregon coast. Took one of two at the time 35mm lens--Nikkor S 35/2.5 with the amedeo adapter. No other FL mainly because I see more in 35mm since using the iPhone for several years. I did bring my Fuji GS645s and wished I'd taken more photos with it. Ektar through the Fuji 60mm lens is so nice.

The SWC sounds like a nice camera but is it bulky and heavy? What about your polaroid 😉

I carried the SWC with me three years ago, and I took only a few rolls with it, but they came out very nice, i think. Yes, I could use my Land 250 Polaroid camera, but I am still unfamiliar with using it.

 

[raid]

Not sure ho tight customs folks are about lenses on the return trip. You might have the opportunity to pick up a Class-B lens while at Leica. Years ago a Kodak, class-B was new product that functioned perfectly but might have a slight scratch or blemish stopping it from being sold as new. So perhaps carry an FSU lens that is not working but could be replaced if the count glass.

Just a thought....

B2 (;->

We have no customs problems when bringing in a lens or two. Thanks for the tip to look for Class B lenses at Leica, even though I suspect that a Class B 50/1.0 Nokton still will cost a ton or two ..

 

[kxl]

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!

 

[robert blu]

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