RFC - Initial Leica setup

[5156246]

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Hi,

 

I'd like to hear some of your comments concerning an initial setup I will be buying in the next months, since there are experienced Leica users around here - and I am new.

 

What I learned from my current setup, Nikon D2x, 12-24, 50, 55MF Macro, 70-200, SB800, is that

1. it is too much load for me, I want to travel lighter

2. it is too big, I want to travel smaller

3. I often focus manually with my 55

 

This, and only this, was the reason for me to look for alternatives. I learned about Leica, and here I am...

 

I'd like to buy

- M9

- Summilux 21mm

- Summilux 50mm

- Summicron 90mm

- 3 filter for each lens

- 2 additional batteries

- Lowepro Inverse 100 bag

 

This will result in about 3kg of weigth, which I think is very good..?

 

I will keep my DSLR setup for the times I want to shoot macro, long tele or where Autofocus is needed.

 

What do you think? Are the lenses good choices compared to their price, weight, performance? Is there a too wide gap from 21 to 50 mm? Am I missing something important?

 

Thanks for any comments!

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[dpattinson]

You could usefully add a 28mm lens, it's the widest you can see in the viewfinder and fills the gap between 21 and 50 nicely. The 28 Elmarit 2.8 asph is a very small lens and wouldn't add much bulk or weight to your kit.

 

The 90 summicron is a heavy lens, you might take a look at the 90 summarit instead - you get a much more compact lens and only lose 1/2 a stop of speed. I owned a 90 cron for many years and rarely used it due to its bulk and weight. I traded mine for a 90 macro-elmar, but for general purpose I'd say the 90 summarit would be a better buy.

 

YMMV, David.

[andybarton]

Welcome to the forum.

 

You will probably need a viewfinder for the 21mm

 

Have you used a rangefinder before?

[Overgaard]

My pesonal choice of weapon would be

 

21 Summilux ASPH

50 Summilux ASPH

75/2 Summicron ASPH

 

I also use 35mm but the 50mm range is my preferred. Many may think 21mm is a special lens and would only get used for special things. But it's actually a lens you can use for a lot of storytelling by moving in close on the center of attention, yet maintain a view of what the context is. And the 21mm Summilux with it's DOF just makes the opportunities that much more interesting.

Also, the 90 degree angle of view is very easy to think with when planning shots. One tend to move a lot around with a wide angle, so being able to easily forecast where a 90 degree angle would work best from speed things up.

 

75/2 because my preferred angle has always been the 80/1.4 on the R system. 90mm is nice too, very elegant and good looking. But the 75/2 has a special look and a bit more space for including action and portraits. So that's the one - and then perhaps a 135mm later with a 1,4x eyepiece for moving in close.

 

It's a compact gear and that is more important than one should think. It brings you back to taking pictures. Currently I use a small Billingham bag for lenses, lightmeter, greycard and extra batteries. If you swing the Bllingham over your left shoulder and let it rest to your right side it's comfortable and stays there. The camera I usually has the same way (Billingham beind me, camera on front). But just as often (when wearing winter jacket) I only bring one lens in a pocket and the camera over the shoulder.

 

As for battery, I have two and rarely use the second. I can fill a 16GB card on one battery. But depends where you go. I usually go from assignment back to the office or some other power outlet.

 

On SD-cards, go for Sandisk 16GB Extreme III and get a couple of those. Just works.

[giordano]

For me, the gap between 21mm and 50mm is a bit too wide. I'd rather have 21 - 35 - 90.

[bill]

Welcome, er, 5...

 

This may help; albeit somewhat out of date:

 

[ATTACH]177026[/ATTACH]

 

Regards,

 

Bill

 

p.s. Where does "RFC" come in...? I can see no other mention of rugby in your post

[viramati]

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I use a elmarit-M 90 f2.8 and it is a great little lens. I had thought of the summarit but this is a little sharper wide open and has an integral lens hood. you can pick them up used in the UK for around £600 and it's a great buy. 50 summilux is just brilliant. 21 summilux is just a bit wide for me for general use (and a bit large and expensive) though I do use the WATE but for every day carry around I take the Zeiss biagon f2.8 which I can still frame pretty well using the viewfinder

[5156246]

RFC - Request for Comments

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Request_for_Comments

[JMK]

I do mostly nature photography, and in particular, wetland imaging, with the Nikon D2x and same lens as you use, including the 200-400 VR. As wonderful a tool as the M9 is, it is not meant for the rigors of serious nature photography. The D2X is far superior in this aspect. Also, your flash photography options are dramatically reduced. The first time you need to use a remote shutter release or polarizer/ graduated ND filter to capture dynamic light, you will be disappointed. The Leica M's are unique tools, and nothing can beat them if, like any tool, it is used appropriately. There is nothing like an M to sharpen ones compositional skills. Want the best of both worlds? The only way is carry them all, like I do in a Lowepro Back pack! Crazy, Yes, but I like having it all when I venture into elements. I keep the Leica in a waterproof bag, in the center of the backpack.

[bill]

I see...

 

Not being a "computer network engineer", that one has passed me by. Rugby union - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia makes much more sense.

 

Regards,

 

Bill

[5156246]

Thank you already for those comments so far.

I admit that I only tried rangefinder (a M9) for about 2 hours so far. This is not enough, I am aware of that.

But I am also aware of the principal disadvantages / advantages of rangefinder photography.

 

I do not know if it is a good idea to buy Summarit lenses, because I fear the loss in value could be high. And while a M9 body will be replaced maybe someday, a good lens will stay, and I think I should not try to save in the wrong place (is this the wrong place?). This is by the way the reason why I did not list any other brands like Voigtlaender or Zeiss, although there are some tempting lenses there, too.

 

One more thing I am unsure about is sensor dust. I am pretty annoyed by the amount of dust I always find on my D2x sensor after a trip. If I knew there would be a dust removal system on a M10, I would wait for it!!!

 

The 75 Summicron is veeery tempting. On the other hand I think that the 50 summilux is too close to a 75 summicron. Additionally I presume that Leica will be developing a 90 summicron with floating elements, well, maybe.. The last lense I am going to buy, will be the tele. I do not use them so often.

 

And, while the M9 certainly is not as weather proof as a D2x, I am sure that it is no problem to shoot nature photography with it. Mostly because this is a camera I am always willing to carry...

 

These are just my thoughts. Maybe I am wrong.

[5156246]

Does anyone think that the Elmar 90 could be seen as a replacement to the Summicron 90 due to its smaller size, weight and the "macro" capabilities?

[dpattinson]

Does anyone think that the Elmar 90 could be seen as a replacement to the Summicron 90 due to its smaller size, weight and the "macro" capabilities?

 

That's what I did, however I almost never used the 90 cron and I expect to rarely use the 90 macro-elmar. On balance I am more likely to use the elmar because it's more portable (and I have macro). If you regularly use the 90 focal length - then I think the faster summarit is possibly a better buy, or the 90 2.8 which is only slightly larger.