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Best M9 3-Lens Kit


rcoles

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Which Leica kit would be best for general photography.

35 f/2, 50 f/2 and 90 f/2.8 or

28 f/2.8 50 f/2 and 90 f/2.8

 

There really is no ideal lens kit. It depends on personal taste and style.

 

My main three for the Leica MP:

 

28mm Cron ASPH - use about 60% of the time (a fantastic lens - my favorite)

35mm Cron ASPH - 30%

50mm Cron - 10%

 

I bought a 90mm Elmarit in a GAS attack three years ago and have not used it once.

 

I don't really care for the flattening effects above 50mm and I find that using a separate viewfinder for below 28mm is a pain.

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Jaap,

 

I have a 50 ('Lux) and 75 ('Cron). The cron is much more tight, focuses at 0.7 m (as the Lux) , and, to me, is the quintessential portrait lens of the Leica M system, particularly on the M9.

 

To me, the differences are there, such that I have a 35/50/75 kit (but could live with only the 35/75, if forced to).

 

Horea

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Great thread - and as expected after reading the heading not much help in making a decision ;)

 

What is surprising that although I expected that a lot of people shoot landscape and architecture not many go below 28, which apparently has to do with the requirement of an extra viewfinder. I am just considering to (in addition to my DSLR) get an M9. To select the lenses (which is quite difficult if you are used to zoom lenses :o) I looked at my favourite shots. I liked the 50/1,4 a lot, which would be 80 on the M9. Then I love ultra wide angle and use 10 = 16 mm a lot.

 

Therefore I plan 15 (CV) or 18 (Zeiss) or 21 (but I think it is not wide enough for me) + 35/2 (as this is in between and I think good if you just want to walk around with one lens) + 75/2,5 (Leica). Does this make sense to anybody?

 

Kr Andreas

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I use

elmarit-M 21mm asph

summicron-M 50mm

elmarit-M 90mm

tele-elmar 135mm

 

I don't feel the need for the clip on viewfinder for 21. I can guess pretty well, most things I shooting at that width aren't moving and I can use the image preview to see if I goofed things up.

 

The lenses are all from my dad, who recently sold his M2 and M6 (and his Alpa 9D). So I'm new to this rangefinder thing. Sold all my Nikon VR lenses and D80. I'm actually using the 90 mm the most. Keeps me less intrusive with the two cats and my dog I've been stalking in the house. Always been a fan of the mid-length tele and I have to say compared to the huge Nikon lenses, this elmarit-M is a treat.

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Hmm. Just to ring the changes (I usually take 4 lenses, and I could do lots of variants).

 

WATE (16-18-21 tri-elmar)

 

28 'cron

 

50 1.4 'lux asph (or the 75 f2 'cron if one is feeling a little more portraity).

 

The WATE because it makes a great and versatile compact landscape lens (with the frankenfinder)

 

the 28 'cron because it's a lovely conservative and beautiful lens, and it's as wide as it goes without a viewfinder.

 

the 50 'lux because it might just be the best lens ever made

 

the 75 'cron because it's as good as the 50, and represents almost the best magnification on an M lens.

 

. . . . if you would like another set of arguments for another set of lenses it would be easily done!

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To a.j.z.,

 

The M9 is FF. A 50mm lens is 50mm on it.

 

______________

 

 

Since so many on this Forum -who collectively are very experienced- have sung the praises of the 50 lux ASPH, any newbie to digital Ms should think long and hard before not buying this lens.

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To a.j.z.,

 

The M9 is FF. A 50mm lens is 50mm on it.

 

 

 

I know this - but on my Canon (crop 1,6) it is like 80 mm compared to FF. Therefore, if I want the same "lenght" on FF I would need an 80 mm lens, as a 50 on FF might be to wide for my taste as far as portraits are concerned.

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To Andreas (AJ).

Why do you like the 50mm on your Canon. Is it because it's the only fast prime you have, and therefore has a very different look and feel to the zooms? Or is it because you particularly like that 80mm effective field of view?

 

Big difference if you are basing your lens purchasing on that 50mm experience.

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Don't the 75 users feel it is a bit close in FOV to the 50?

 

Jaapv,

 

I think they are too close.

I use the 35 cron asph as a main lens and sold the 50 lux asph (someone on the LUF told me it was illegal:D) to get the 75 cron AA.

It is one of the most fantastic lens I ever had.

 

My best combination for 3 lenses would be 21/2.8, 35/2 asph and 75/2AA.

BTW I got a recent 50 Elmar (thanks to Brett's beautiful wedding pictures with this lens) and am very happy with this kit.

 

90% of the time I use a 2 lens kit 35 and 75.

 

All the best,

Jean-Luc

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