your 35/50 preferences

[michaelwj]

Currently fast 50 (f/2), slow 35 (f/2.5), ideally I'd like fast both.

I wonder economics play (significant) role, with 35's being more expensive than 50's at any given speed?

 

[raid]

It used to be that it was more difficult to build sharp wide angle lenses that are fast. With computer designed lenses, this problem seems to have been overcome. It easier to design fast 50mm lenses.

 

[B.Toews]

I'm currently using a fast 50 (Canon 50/1.4 LTM) and a slow 35 (CV 35/2.5) with my Ms. My OM setup is the same, with a 50/1.4 and a 35/2.8. I don't have a 35 prime for my DSLRs right now, but my Canon 17-40 covers a slow 35, and I also use a 50/1.8 II.

 

[Ko.Fe.]

Old thread, OP was asking about RF glass, I guess.
Taking it mostly on B/W film I'm not so dependent on the speed of RF glass.
I have fast J3, but it isn't my primary 50 prime for now.
I have slow 35 2.5 as many.

 

[Richard G]

I have Summicrons. But mostly use f2.8 lenses lately. My old f3.5 screw mounts get more and more use too....

 

[njos]

i love my 35mm at RF , and 50mm on my SLR
idk but for me 35mm more eye-point lens than my 50mm.

 

[AndersG]

Slow 35 (Jupiter-12) and fast 50 (Canon f/1.4) for me as that is what I have.
I have glasses and cannot see the entire 35mm frame line on my Canon 7 at once (though, I can possibly see most of it by looking around but that is inconvenient in practice). Consequently, my Jupiter-12 lives on a FSU camera where the turret finder does show the entire 35mm view plus some (but very small) despite using glasses.

On DSLR it is slow "35" (EF 20mm f/2.8) and slow "50" (EF 28mm f/2.8).

 

[Filzkoeter]

Fast 35, I simply need the speed as I somehow always end up shooting in available darkness (Nokton 35/1.4)

It's rare that I use a 50 (too tight), so it doesn't really matter if fast or slow, I like both and use either a coated Elmar or a Jupiter-3 as my 50.

 

[splash_fr]

C-Biogon 35/2,8 mostly used between f/4-8
C-Sonnar 50/1.5

 

[Emile de Leon]

Noct f1
35 f1.4 asph
Done deal..

 

[narsuitus]

I have a question towards RF users who use both 35 and 50 - what is your preferred combination - both lenses "fast", both lenses "slow" or somewhere in between?

I am a rangefinder user.

I use 35mm focal length lenses.

I use 50mm focal length lenses.

All of my 35 and 50mm lenses are fast (f/1.4 to f/2).

Unless I am shooting theatre, I prefer the 35mm over the 50mm.

Rarely do I carry a 35mm lens and a 50mm lens at the same time.

Even though my preference for my rangefinder is a fast 40mm, I voted for Fast/Fast.

 

[pirx70]

One more vote for C-Sonnar and C-Biogon. When on the Kiev platform, it's 53 mm Helios-103 - coz I can

 

[semilog]

For M-mount:
50/1.4 Pentax SMC FA (converted and rangefinder-coupled)
35/1.4 Summilux ASPH

I used the gen IV 50/2 Summicron for a long time (10+ years). I like the pictures I get with the Pentax lens a LOT more. I should have ditched that Summicron years earlier. It had convinced me that I don't like the 50mm focal length. Wrong. I just didn't like the Summicron.

The best 35 I've ever used — bar none — is the 35/2.8 Biogon-C. And it's almost always fast enough. But every so often the extra two stops of the Summilux comes in handy.

The Biogon-C/Sonnar combo that a couple of you are using… that looks goooood.

 

[raid]

The Pentax 50/1.4 is superb overall. I should use mine more often on the M9.

 

[DNG]

I voted fast/fast.....
Does a Fuji X-E2 count as partial RF in looks and handling?

 

[coelacanth]

I voted slow 35, fast 50 before really reading the op. Since I'm sticking with Summicron 35 IV and Summilix 50 ASPH, I guess it's fast/fast, but as far as the speed preference goes, I still prefer faster 50.

I've considered myself a 50 guy, but I'm getting more comfortable with 35. I like small 35 for travel, and often faster than F2 35mm lenses are quite large/long. As far as the speed goes, I feel F2 is fast enough for what I do for the most part, and I'm kind of treating the fast 50 to be a short portrait lens where more control of DOF could be handy.

Ideally, having both fast and slow (small) 50s would be perfect, but I can get by with just a pair of said 35 and 50.

 

[albertospa]

I use the 35 Summicron IV and 50 Summilux. I think the longest lens should be faster because it requires a higher shutter speed.

 

[wilonstott]

Well, I myself live an exciting and unpredictable life.

I like fast cars, fast women, and fast lenses.

1.4 or bust.

 

[kossi008]

Biogon 35/2
Planar 50/2

(I do own a 35/2.5 Skopar, but that's for compactness. If I only got to keep one 35 and one 50, those above would be it)

 

[moreorless]

I think, Nick was just joking and making a point that some people actually prefer using the 50mm lens over the 35mm lens.

Beyond "working distance" I do think there's something to be said for the normal perspective when it comes to composing more complex shots without looking though the viewfinder.