Help me simplify by...addition...

[mdg1371]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

Getting back into Leica with the purchase of a new M240 and a like new M4 ( in box essentially unused!)

 

I'm also feeling the desire to simplify.

 

My current lens lineup is as follows:

CV 12mm f5.6

W.A.T.E

CV 21mm f1.8

CV 35mm f1.2

35mm Summicron v.3

CV 40mm f1.4

50mm Noctilux f1 v.4

50mm Summilux ASPH

75mm Summilux

90mm Elmarit M

135mm tele elmar

 

I shoot primarily portrait and ultra wide urban landscapes, and generally prefer thin DOF

I think I have a pretty good balance of character lenses and sharp lenses.

 

I'd like to simplify, and improve my lineup-- and have no qualms divesting myself of some gear. The only lenses I absolutely will not part with are the W.A.T.E., the Noctilux, the 50mm Summilux, and the 75mm Summilux.

 

One thought is to eliminate both 35's and the 40mm--and pick up a 35mm Summilux FLE-- but 35mm is probably my least used focal length.

 

Any thoughts are appreciated!

[Numbers]

Congratulations on your new cameras!

 

You have have a wonderful lineup of lenses. The summilux FLE 35 was my first leica lens and is still my favorite, but if it is your least used focal length, that is an expensive addititon when you are well covered in this area and dont use it much. So the question is, I guess, if it is worth it to you? I think you will find the 35 FLE very different to the ones you already have. Perhaps you need to test it first, to see how it matches with your other lenses?

Edited September 7, 2014 by Numbers

[Advertisement]

The Leica Q3 is available for pre-order at B&H Photo Video and Adorama

[NJH]

No 28s, do you not like 28mm then? Getting rid of 35 leaves a very big gap between 21 and 50.

[jaapv]

Well, if you have decided which lenses you like and use, you could sell the rest and keep those four.

[Malvolio]

28 Cron. Essential with those 50's

[Peter H]

Regarding 28mm, it can be either an awkward focal length or the perfect one, and really does depend on your style of photography and how ell you understand your own photographic impulse.

 

I'm falling out of love with 28mm as a focal length, finding that where I used to use it with my 50 to the exclusion of almost everything else, I'm drifting wider so that I now rely more on a 35 and 21, with a 50 or 75 as my long lens.

 

I also think a photographer can have too many lenses and become prey to a sort of technical-flavoured indecision, or pedantry perhaps, which results in a restriction of vision and creative imagination. Obviously this doesn't apply to everyone by any means, but it is a risk.

[JohnJWhite]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

 

I also think a photographer can have too many lenses and become prey to a sort of technical-flavoured indecision

 

Indeed. You might spend a week or two shooting with the 35mm lens only. That might help you decide.

[Guest]

All great! Don't sell any imo. But only put three of them in your bag at a time. The LEICA Billingham is the key: perfect size.

[mdg1371]

Thanks for the suggestions.

 

Re: 28mm-- I've never taken to that focal length, generally what I want wide, I want WIDE, and 28 just feels to me like a stretched 35.

 

Re: Too many lenses, I've thought of this lineup as several small line ups-- or at least

that was my intention when assembling it--

 

low light: 21 f1.8, 35 f1.2, noctilux and 75 summilux

Urban landscape: WATE, 12mm, 50 summilux, 90mm, and 135mm

Portrait: 35 f1.2, noctilux, 75 summilux,

Travel: WATE, 35 cron, 50 summilux, 90 or 135mm

 

That's how I usually carry them, 3/4 at a time, or often go out just with the 50 summilux, or the 50 summilux and the WATE.

[thighslapper]

All great! Don't sell any imo. But only put three of them in your bag at a time. The LEICA Billingham is the key: perfect size.

 

I agree ...... buy loads more .... you can never have too many lenses.

 

Just ration yourself to a few at a time when you go out.

 

If you rotate round you will find that all have their uses.

 

Imelda Marcos had the right idea ...... it's just we're talking camera gear, not footwear ....

[CheshireCat]

I would replace the Elmarit 90 with a lens with better colors such as the Summicron 75.

It is great at all distances (unlike the 90 APO) and very compact.

If you love the Summilux 50, then this lens has a very similar character (derived design).

 

The 35 FLE is a fantastic lens, but it has a different, more clinical character than the CV/1.2. Try it before you sell the latter (you may want to keep both). Note that Zeiss is releasing a 35/1.4 at Photokina.

[billo101]

WATE Nocti and Madler's son.

 

b

[Herr Barnack]

All great! Don't sell any imo. But only put three of them in your bag at a time. The LEICA Billingham is the key: perfect size.

I can agree 100% with that. how many you lenses you own is not so much the issue to think about; the goal is to not carry all of the with you all of the time.

 

My core lenses are my 28/2 and my 50/1.4; these two along with my M240 are light and easily carry-able on day long walkabouts. They cover 90% or more of my lens needs.

 

Other lenses are added to the bag on an as needed basis.

[IWC Doppel]

I would want a 24 Elmarit f2.8 and a 28 Summicron for their focal length and the way they render. I'd lose the 40 and 35 VC's and the 135 and possibly 90

 

The 24 is expansive in a walk in kindof way and is the perfect length to get a lot in without pushing things too far into the distance and it has 3D in spades. Everyone needs a 28 Summicron.......

[IWC Doppel]

PS why not swap the WATE for an 18 SEM, this will help fund the 28

[Stealth3kpl]

CV 12mm f5.6

W.A.T.E

CV 21mm f1.8

CV 35mm f1.2

35mm Summicron v.3

CV 40mm f1.4

50mm Noctilux f1 v.4

50mm Summilux ASPH

75mm Summilux

90mm Elmarit M

135mm tele elmar

 

I shoot primarily portrait and ultra wide urban landscapes, and generally prefer thin DOF

I think I have a pretty good balance of character lenses and sharp lenses.

 

I'd like to simplify, and improve my lineup-- and have no qualms divesting myself of some gear. The only lenses I absolutely will not part with are the W.A.T.E., the Noctilux, the 50mm Summilux, and the 75mm Summilux.

 

One thought is to eliminate both 35's and the 40mm--and pick up a 35mm Summilux FLE-- but 35mm is probably my least used focal length.

 

Any thoughts are appreciated!

WATE

35 FLE

75 Summilux

 

I really ought to reduce my collection to 21SEM, 35FLE, and 50 Lux Asph. I'm too weak.

 

Pete

Edited September 7, 2014 by Stealth3kpl

[semi-ambivalent]

All great! Don't sell any imo. But only put three of them in your bag at a time. The LEICA Billingham is the key: perfect size.

 

I just knew the solution would involve buying something.

 

s-a

[mdg1371]

Thanks for all the input- after some consideration ( and purchasing), this is where I've settled:

 

CV 12mm

WATE

28mm Summicron

35mm Summilux FLE

50mm Summilux ASPH

50mm Noctilux f1 v4

75mm Summilux

90mm Elmarit M

135mm Elmarit M

 

So, at least a slight simplification, reducing the total number of lenses by 2.

 

Sold the 21mm f1.8, the 35mm f1.2, 40mm f1.4, and 35mm Summicron v3 going up for sale.

Edited October 8, 2014 by mdg1371

[Stein K S]

All great! Don't sell any imo. But only put three of them in your bag at a time. The LEICA Billingham is the key: perfect size.

 

Hi

Just received the Dothebag Mono 07... Just fabulous... and built for a three lens kit!

 

Regards,

 

Stein

[Advertisement]

Hallo,

Look here: Leica M

[Stein K S]

All great! Don't sell any imo. But only put three of them in your bag at a time. The LEICA Billingham is the key: perfect size.

 

Hi

 

I just received the Dothebag Mono 07 and I am extremely happy about it. It is made for a three lens kit... And quality, feel and look I think is really fabulous!

 

Regards,

 

Stein