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First post and it's 50 vs 35!


komatsu1000

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I just got my M9 on Monday and, as a novice to both rangefinders and Leica, well what can I say? You're all extremely fortunate!

 

My lens choice was mostly influenced by the opinion of Steve Huff and Ken Rockwell. So I went for a used 35mm Cron and a new 50 Lux. But I'm surprised now many advise against this on this forum, preferring a 28 alongside a 50 (not that I see anything wrong in this). Me, I'm enjoying the combo immensely: 35 just feels "right" and it's scope allows you to tell a story or convey intimacy - It feels like you're placing the viewer in your shoes. Yes the fifty's focal length is not so different, but IMO it feels completely diverse, as though it's more detached, producing contemplative studies rather than documenting events. In this respect the low-light ability is perfect on the Lux as it allows for those candle lit portraits than merit prolonged scrutiny. I know it's not wise to generalize but this is how I'm using these lenses.

 

I think this is all the glass I'll ever need. Anyone else had the same experience? ... or disagree completely! ;)

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I have the 35 now and thinking of picking up a 50.

I know I also want something wider like a 24 or 28 so I will see if I decide to keep the 35 or replace it with the wider lens.

 

btw, here's a shot with the 35 from when i visited your fine city for just a few hours one evening on my way back to the states. :D

 

4265447342_ee1b3eb70b_o.jpg

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Both are superb lenses -- don't have the 50 'lux ASPH, just an old 50 'cron and the 35 'cron ASPH. 35 has proven to be excellent for travel and for environmental portraits; 50 works very well for closer-up portraits and all sorts of subjects including landscapes.

 

But be warned! It is extremely unlikely you will want to stick with just these two, as delectable as they are. For example, try out the 24 ASPH. Please. I don't think you will regret it. It has become one of my most used lenses.

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Hi Peter, that's what I mean: read most lens advice and you get the impression these two focal lengths are mutually exclusive.

 

@d2mini: this is a great town for low-light and low-life photography! (Sometimes both at the same time...)

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Komatsu, I agree with you to a certain extent. 35mm and 50mm seem ideal for my rangefinder photography. I don't wish to have anything else and recently sold my 90mm rangefinder lens which did not get much use at all . When I need to use different focal lengths I resort to my slr s for which I have lenses from 24 - 180.

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Any number of photographers have done quite well with only one of these. If you have the

mental discipline to master the focal length you may well not need any more. Particularly at these focal lengths, and slightly wider or slightly longer, a little walking will more than

compensate for the missing lenses.

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35 and 50 are a significant difference to those who have used fixed lenses long enough to understand the difference. The perspective is more significant than the field of view difference.

 

These are my favourite 2, combined with a 28mm for when I need more or comfortable enough to get closer to my subjects.

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