wide-angle lens line-up

[John Camp]

I'm accumulating lenses while waiting for the M-digital. There are strong suggestions that Leica will produce a 15mm to provide a 21-equivalent for the 1.33 sensor. So that's there for superwides. The question is, given the 1.33 factor, do you buy both the 21 and 28 (giving you 28 and 37 equivalents) or go with a single 24, giving you a 32 equivalent? With the fifteen and the 35 to go with the 24, you'd then have a lineup that would have the equivalent of 21-32-47. Assuming you're doing a lot of street shooting, is 32 wide enough? Or would it be really critical to have (the equivalents of) 21-28-37-47? That gives you a nice even spacing, but it also might give you a case of bankruptcy. Does it all just come down to cash, "buy the closer spacing if you can?" or are there serious shooting reasons for having the close spacing? I've been using a short zoom all these last few years, so I really don't know -- if I needed a 26 1/3, I'd just zoom it to that...

JC

 

[Doug]

It's fun to ponder, isn't it John? 🙂 Since I'm so fond of both 28 and 35mm, I've thought a 31 or 32 might be just right as a single-lens alternative, if it is otherwise desirable. Small, fast, lovely optical quality, etc, as these are also worthy considerations. With the 21 and 24, until Leica produces fast digital-only models, you're stuck at f/2.8 maximum, whereas you can gain one more stop at the 28mm stage.

I think closely-spaced alternatives are not particularly important, as it's amazing how broadly one can apply any single focal length. While I don't think 28 and 35 are "too close", nor 50 and 75 either, I do think 28 / 40 / 75 is a great spread. And I guess add 21 at the wide end too, though I haven't much experience that short. I'm not much of a fan of 90 and longer, but you may think different. Anyway, that lineup, considering the 1.33 factor, would come out to 16 / 21 / 30/ 56 for digital...

 

[Magus]

Post deleted by posters request

 

[back alley]

it's a rangefinder forum.
the rd1 is a rangefinder and i imagine the new m camera will also be a rangefinder.

 

[Doug]

I thought this was a film forum...
If mistaken, sorry.

It's "non-denominational" I think... A camera can be a rangefinder type whether it uses film or a digital sensor. And in addition I'm pretty liberal on what constitutes a "rangefinder type" camera too... 🙂

 

[Magus]

Post deleted by posters request

 

[Flyfisher Tom]

John,

I hate to break it to you, but you will end up eventually owning them all. Best to realize this upfront, as I have, and just start saving for it ;-)

FWIW, I find the 21-28-50 combination takes care of my needs. I'm cheating of course, since I have the 40-cron/rokkor as well (which is pretty much a 35mm).

cheers