Which lens to take along?

As I am tending to see 40mm as "normal" right now, I'd take along 25-40-75 (or in your case 25-45-75, that Contax G is a nice lens) for the two digital cameras. 21 is very wide for a rangefinder without an accessory finder, and the SWC will do that focal length better anyway.
 
I agree with you that leaving the 21mm view to the SWC works out well as I don't have an M mount 21mm lens that works with M8 or M9. The 45mm Planar is awesome, but I am trying to be "politically correct" for a Wetzlar visit where a Leica lens may be more suitable, but maybe not. Having a Zeiss lens modified to fit my M9 shows devotion to Leica. 🙂
 
I agree with you that leaving the 21mm view to the SWC works out well as I don't have an M mount 21mm lens that works with M8 or M9. The 45mm Planar is awesome, but I am trying to be "politically correct" for a Wetzlar visit where a Leica lens may be more suitable, but maybe not. Having a Zeiss lens modified to fit my M9 shows devotion to Leica. 🙂

Oh, then you should take along a noctilux. 😉
 
Raid, keep it simple, 35 on M9 and the SWC can take care of the wide. No need for a 25 for the M9, no lens changes, two cameras with specific purpose, no overlap, no worries. And of course it leaves some room in the bag for a 'souvenir'!
I wouldn't take the mft at all.
 
My minimalist is either 28 or 35 and either 75 or 90, at the moment.

28 cron is wide without distortion concerns.


L1047680 by unoh7, on Flickr

anything below and some shots are good but not as predictable. SEM 21 has little angular distortion, but there is inherent distortion of objects at the edges UWA which can be distracting.

I've been using the 75 summarit lately and really enjoying it, here past F/11:


Canyonland by unoh7, on Flickr
 
The only negative thing about a 75mm Summilux on a trip could be the weight. Still, a 35 and a 75 combo may do it.
 
SWC+M9+35+75 is the best next thing that I could use. The second option is M8+M9+35+75. Actually, on the M8, a 50mm lens becomes a 66mm lens.
 
My advice would be 50/28mm and might I suggest the lovely mandler designed Elmarit-M 28/2.8, 3rd version, Canada, E49, 12536 hood. It is not exorbitantly priced and is just an excellent optic. These 2 focal lengths cover most every thing I need, my 50 is either my summicron or pre-aspherical summilux. A one lens choice would undoubtedly be the 35 pre aspherical you already have.
 
I will not now buy additional lenses. I do have an excellent Rokkor 28/2.8 that I could use with a 50mm Summicron, say.
 
The Hasselblad SWC is bulky, slow to use,
only shoots 12 images per roll.
A format so different from the rectangle.
Why bring it?
I am sure like me and others,
medium format has the most keepers.
Even when I used cameras I did not like.
It has to go with.
 
If this is an important or expensive trip then I'd take two bodies and 2 or 3 lenses. If some don't work too well with digital then why not a film body for the back up?

IMO, the real problem with digital is the small odds and ends we have to carry and organise. Things like spare batteries, extra media cards (and a system to show the used ones) and the charger with adapter plugs, to name a few.

Luckily at my age I am doing more relaxed repeat visits to places I know and a P&S (film or digital) works well for me. There's enough of them about with good lenses on them to enable me to carry a pair that can approach my serious cameras' performance. Or there's the little phone...

Regards, David
 
Like quite a few of the other members on this thread, i've been moving towards juggling a 28 and 50mm over using solely 35mm. I really appreciate the extra bit of coverage you get from a 28mm, and when I want something tighter for things like portraits then the 50mm does right by me most of the time. My only problem is that I have the same setup on both M and R, and i'm not quite sure yet which one I prefer...
 
It is only a challenge for me when we take a long trip and I want to avoid hauling heavy stuff with me. Locally, I can use multiple lenses and carry my camera bag(s) in the car.
 
Back in the day kit for myself. I like a set of primes. 20, 35, 50, 85, 105, 135. I know not exactly light weight. Traveling is an important once in a lifetime like deal for me.

OTOH I find myself using Pentax lenses on micro four thirds a lot nowadays...easy to lug around and cheap to replace. Awesome looking snaps.
 
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