jyrkialanen Posted October 18, 2009 Share #1 Posted October 18, 2009 Advertisement (gone after registration) Hello to you all and greetings from Finland. I'm a newbie with rangefinders and with this forum and I'd need some help because I can't seem to make up my mind. I have ordered M9 and now I'm trying to decide what lens/lenses to buy. At the moment I have two alternatives. Either buy just the 50 lux asph or buy the fourth version of the cron 35 and the 75 lux. That's all the money I can spend at this time, so even if I wanted, I cant get more. I know the differences of those FL:s and been shooting for along time with 35, 50 and 90 Leica R glasses with my Canon. I like them all, maybe I've used 50mm more than 35, but then again, a medium telephoto for portraits would also be nice... I'm just wondering, is the 50 lux asph so much better than the other two mentioned earlier to justify the price? I'd also have to face the fact that it would be the only lens that I would have for some time. I would appreciate any advice and comments from you all, who have used all or even some of these lenses? Of course you can also recommend some other combinations. Thanks in advance, Jyrki Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted October 18, 2009 Posted October 18, 2009 Hi jyrkialanen, Take a look here Help! Which lens(es) to choose?. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
Mokkacream Posted October 18, 2009 Share #2 Posted October 18, 2009 Let's see ... M9 with 50 summilux 1.4, ISO 360, Auto WB, handhold, ALR 2.5, Chromasoft M9 profile, left untouched [ATTACH]168175[/ATTACH] [ATTACH]168176[/ATTACH] You could also have a look at the other photos taken with the 50 summilux, I posted here, if you like. This lens would be my first choice. And then the decent 35 f/2. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jager Posted October 18, 2009 Share #3 Posted October 18, 2009 Welcome to the forum, Jyrki. There can be many advantages to shooting with a single lens for awhile. You'll come to know it with great intimacy. For decades, the two focal lengths most used on Leica film rangefinders were 35 and 50. I expect that will once again be the case on the M9. Were it me, the 50 Lux ASPH would be the easy choice. A moderate telephoto can be a wonderful thing - and certainly something you'll eventually want in your bag. But for all around shooting it's hard to beat a good 50. And the 50 Lux ASPH is on the short list of the very best lenses ever created, by any manufacturer. And congratulations on your soon-to-be M9! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
markgay Posted October 18, 2009 Share #4 Posted October 18, 2009 Hello Jyrki, You've identified two excellent alternatives, one of which gives you two well-matched focal lengths instead of one. I would toss a coin except that I like to carry an alternative focal length and you already know them well. You'll find same advice on this site, time and again: 35mm and 75mm is a good combo and as for angle of view, 50mm and 75mm are but a pace apart. For one body, one lens, the 50mm would provide restrictive discipline - but that's much the same as having to decide, in advance, that the image requires 35 or 75. The 50mm ASPH is said to be very sharp, (though some have concerns close up: "The close up performance of the Summicron is definitely better than that of the new Summilux and if you do not need the high speed, it still has its virtues." ) I can't say because for 50mm I alternate the f/1.0 Noctilux and Summicron. As for the 75 Lux, it's the most excitement I've had on buying a new lens. I have to use it on an M8. Paired with an M9, I can only dream. Regards, Mark Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mokkacream Posted October 18, 2009 Share #5 Posted October 18, 2009 For one body, one lens, the 50mm would provide restrictive discipline ... As for any single lens ... ??? As for the 75 Lux, it's the most excitement I've had on buying a new lens. I have to use it on an M8. So that would be about 90 then on a M9 ?! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevem7 Posted October 19, 2009 Share #6 Posted October 19, 2009 I have probably tried almost every current lens on the M9 already. I settled with the following for my 3 lens M9 kit. 35 Summicron - Beautiful on the M9 and plenty wide for me 50 Summilux Pr-Asph - Gorgeous on the M9, as is the 50 Lux ASPH 90 Elmarit - I sold off my 90 Cron to go smaller and the Elmarit is my choice! I have shot with other lenses on the M9 like 24 lux, 24 elmarit, 35 lux, 75 summarit, 75 cron, 90 summarit, 90 cron and 135 Telyt. I did not yet try the WATE,21 Lux, 28 Cron, 35 or 50 Summarit, 50 Cron or 75 Lux. But I found my three and the 35, 50 and 90 seems like a perfect set for me. One day I will either get the WATE or the Leica 18 to fill in the UW end. You mileage may vary. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
James R Posted October 19, 2009 Share #7 Posted October 19, 2009 Advertisement (gone after registration) I'm in a similar situation. Ordered the camera and now what? I purchased a 35 Summicron. I'm probably getting the 50 Summilux. The last lens is more difficult. I'm thinking of a 75 Summicron or Summarit. I'll probably go with the cron. However, after a few months I might long for a wider lens, which will throw my plans out the window. All the glass will be new. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wthurman Posted October 19, 2009 Share #8 Posted October 19, 2009 While waiting on the camera body, I have purchased a 50 'lux. It's the lens I really wanted as a "starter" (I like Nikkor's 50/1.4 on my D700). The 35 'cron will probably be my next lens, followed by a 75 or 90 of a yet-to-be-determined flavor. I'm interested in street photography so this trio on the M9 will work for me, I am sure. When I will actually get the camera is the unknown variable! Wendy Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
twittle Posted October 19, 2009 Share #9 Posted October 19, 2009 So that would be about 90 then on a M9 ?! Actually, the 75 Lux on an M8 would be the equivalent of a 100 on an M9, but focal length is really only part of the equation with the 75 Lux. The other important factor is the beautiful rendering of the lens itself. It is a legendary lens, and paired with an excellent 35, it is half of a perfect pair on a FF 35mm format camera. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
vikasmg Posted October 19, 2009 Share #10 Posted October 19, 2009 Either buy just the 50 lux asph or buy the fourth version of the cron 35 and the 75 lux. I read somewhere once that if the 35mm camera had been invented a little later when lens design had moved on a bit, the 35mm would have been the standard lens for it. I have to say that I find the 35 a very versatile lens - more so than a 50mm. I spent most of a two week holiday recently with an M9 using nothing but the 35mm Summicron although I had taken a 21mm Biogon and 90mm Summicron with me as well. Most of the time I felt the need for nothing else though a few times I did use the 90 (the 21 was a shade too wide). I think if I was buying just two lenses a 35 and 75 sounds perfect. - Vikas Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jyrkialanen Posted October 19, 2009 Author Share #11 Posted October 19, 2009 Thank you very much for your opinions and advice. My head tells me to get the 50mm lux asph, the best normal lens built, but my heart tells me to get the 35&75 combo. I have really liked my summicron 35 R, and the pictures I've seen taken with the 75 lux are just stunning. I've read somewhere, that the 75 lux is a difficult lens to focus, I wonder if that is true. BR, Jyrki Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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