Beyder28 Posted June 14, 2011 Share #1 Posted June 14, 2011 Advertisement (gone after registration) So I have an M9 with a cron 50mm. Looking to get another lens and am stuck between 28mm cron and 35mm. What you guys think? I would mostly be looking to shoot some street, landscapes and architecture with this lens and am just not sure which one to go for. What you guys think and why? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted June 14, 2011 Posted June 14, 2011 Hi Beyder28, Take a look here Help with picking between 28mm and 35mm. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
delander † Posted June 14, 2011 Share #2 Posted June 14, 2011 I would go for the 28mm but it depends on your overall strategy for lens purchases. If at some time in the future you were thinking about adding a 24mm then I would go for the 35mm instead. I bought a 50 and a 28mm with my first M8 but then under the influence of other members of this forum fell victim to LeGAS (Leica gear acqisition syndrome) and also purchased a 35 plus various other focal lengths over the following two years. Now I have lots of lenses but am loathe to sell any of them although I have largely recovered from LeGAS. Jeff Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beyder28 Posted June 15, 2011 Author Share #3 Posted June 15, 2011 But for architecture, landscapes, and street, what lens would have the more advantages over the other? I understand that all the purists will say 35mm for street but would the 35mm be preferable in the other categories? The easy answer for me (just thinking out loud) is that the wider one must be better for landscapes and architecture just because it's wider. There got to me more to it for some of you guys?! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lars_bergquist Posted June 15, 2011 Share #4 Posted June 15, 2011 (1) As I have stated before, to my mind and eye at least, 35mm amd 50mm are different enough to make it worthwhile to have and use both. 50mm is my 'great outdoors standard lens' while 35mm is my 'urban environment lens'. So 35mm isn't 'too close to 50mm'. (2) As I have also stated before, there is a funny little lever on the front of the camera that you can use to see the field of view of different lenses, including 35mm and 28mm. Use it. You can find out what focal length suits you best, just by looking. For, frankly, nobody can tell you that but you yourself, in person. All gear decisions are to some exent subjective, because you are to use the gear, but focal lengths are the most subjective of all. So I won't even tell you what lengths I prefer! The old man from the Age of the Brilliant Finder Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
250swb Posted June 15, 2011 Share #5 Posted June 15, 2011 Beyder28, I know what you are trying to get at but I'm loath to agree that a 28mm lens is a 'landscape' lens just because it is wide. Just look at all the boring wide angle landscape photographs posted! But it is better for architecture, and it does adhere to the 'jump one focal length' rule for lenses to take out with you, say where a 50mm and a 28mm are in the bag and you use your feet to zoom in or out for the 35mm shot. But as you have no big plan for the look you want I would suggest go with what is likely to be most fun, and that is the 28mm, and it most closely fulfills the aim of the points above. But the 35mm is a lens you should plan for one day, in many ways it is a more useful standard lens for an M camera than a 50mm. Steve Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted June 15, 2011 Share #6 Posted June 15, 2011 28mm imo. Since the M9 files are big enough to allow some gentle cropping. Or would it be an alternative for you to trade in your 50 for a 35mm and make do with one lens, as some of the finest? Flickr Emanuel Smague for example. Most of us having a different choice of subjects and while many are using colour, almost all are impressed by the emotional impact and the wonderful composition, specially of his early work. Anyway, you got a clear warning early on in this thread: too much gear can stand in the way of photographing. Many suggest the "one body - one lens approach" for one year to train your vision and the luxury to have a lot of time to practice. So maybe carry on with the 50mm untill next summer and no more thoughts about new gear untill you evaluate your results in June 2012? Cheers, Simon Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Xmas Posted June 15, 2011 Share #7 Posted June 15, 2011 Advertisement (gone after registration) Hi Sell the 5cm get a 35 and 28mm, the CV f/2.5 and CV LTM f/3.5 wont break the bank. Used them for a while, decide is mistake or not. I normally pack a 24, 28 and 35mm or a 28, 35 and 50mm, YMMV. Noel Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tietje Posted June 15, 2011 Share #8 Posted June 15, 2011 (1) As I have stated before, to my mind and eye at least, 35mm amd 50mm are different enough to make it worthwhile to have and use both. 50mm is my 'great outdoors standard lens' while 35mm is my 'urban environment lens'. So 35mm isn't 'too close to 50mm'. (2) As I have also stated before, there is a funny little lever on the front of the camera that you can use to see the field of view of different lenses, including 35mm and 28mm. Use it. You can find out what focal length suits you best, just by looking. For, frankly, nobody can tell you that but you yourself, in person. All gear decisions are to some exent subjective, because you are to use the gear, but focal lengths are the most subjective of all. So I won't even tell you what lengths I prefer! The old man from the Age of the Brilliant Finder I think this is great advice. In my experience the 28mm seems gets about everything in but with a bit of the converging verticals. The 35mm is probably more natural looking. There's also nearly £1000 price difference between the two at Red Dot (for instance). If it was me I'd spend the difference on a 90mm and take nice portraits too ! Then there's the glasses factor. I have great difficulty seeing the entire 35mm frame with my glasses on. A 28mm may be more problematic on that score. Off to frame, on to focus, one day I'll get a dioptre ! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Xmas Posted June 15, 2011 Share #9 Posted June 15, 2011 In my experience the 28mm seems gets about everything in but with a bit of the converging verticals. Tilt You cannot tilt even a 35mm, the modern 28mm lenses will have all real low distorsion, even an Orion-15 f/6. Noel Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tietje Posted June 15, 2011 Share #10 Posted June 15, 2011 Must just be me then Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkP Posted June 15, 2011 Share #11 Posted June 15, 2011 Dear Beyder, you are so unfair berating me before for suggesting you consider a 28 in your last thread;) Glad you got the M9 and 50 Summicron:) Seriously, although Lars is quite right stating that the 35 and 50's are quite different, I think the 28 is worth serious consideration for your 2nd lens (but didn't you want one of your lenses to be an f1.4?) 35mm was always my standard lens in my Nikon days, and although I had 50mm lenses I rarely used them. For the Leica I have both the 35 and 50 Summiluxes (current versions) and an old Noctilux 1.0 (on indefinate loan:D), and find I'm using the 50s more and more. Have subsequently acquired a 28 Elmarit and just upgraded it to the glorious 28 Summicron I find I'm also using this lens more and more. The 28 a very refreshing focal length, wide and inclusive without distortion. Having said that there is no way I would part with my 35 which I often use if I'm only taking one lens. I completely agree with Tri that the M9 IQ is more than adequate to allow some cropping of a 28mm to 35mm aspect if you compose and shoot accordingly (I do this with my 21mm when I want 24mm). In other words a 28 will allow more versatility with only two lenses. As LeGAS (thanks Jeff) takes hold you will surely buy one and then the other despite your best attempts to control yourself. Again though you could consider 3rd party lenses such as CV (before you commit to a substantial outlay for Leica glass) which would allow you to acquire both focal lengths for little outlay. Off the topic a bit, have you looked at Reid Reviews for detailed comparisons of M-mount lenses where non-Leica glass performs very well. I hope I've addressed your question. Mark Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Xmas Posted June 15, 2011 Share #12 Posted June 15, 2011 Must just be me then Even without Guiness in heel tank I need a shoe (mounted) spirit level. Noel Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tietje Posted June 15, 2011 Share #13 Posted June 15, 2011 Just looked at some recent pictures I've taken and the converging verticals are actually diverging........ still me probably, low level, hand held Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
peter_n Posted June 15, 2011 Share #14 Posted June 15, 2011 I also think that the 35 is quite different than the 50, but but the 28 is a better partner with a 50 as a pair to shoot together. The 35 matches well with a 75 as a pair. I'd get the 28. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sm23221 Posted June 15, 2011 Share #15 Posted June 15, 2011 It doesn't really matter which one you purchase because you will eventually buy both anyway. If you buy the 28 you will miss the 35 and vice versa. I'd flip a coin on this one. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter H Posted June 15, 2011 Share #16 Posted June 15, 2011 It doesn't really matter which one you purchase because you will eventually buy both anyway. If you buy the 28 you will miss the 35 and vice versa. I'd flip a coin on this one. This is extraordinarily wise advice. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beyder28 Posted June 15, 2011 Author Share #17 Posted June 15, 2011 Dear Beyder, you are so unfair berating me before for suggesting you consider a 28 in your last thread;) Glad you got the M9 and 50 Summicron:) Seriously, although Lars is quite right stating that the 35 and 50's are quite different, I think the 28 is worth serious consideration for your 2nd lens (but didn't you want one of your lenses to be an f1.4?) 35mm was always my standard lens in my Nikon days, and although I had 50mm lenses I rarely used them. For the Leica I have both the 35 and 50 Summiluxes (current versions) and an old Noctilux 1.0 (on indefinate loan:D), and find I'm using the 50s more and more. Have subsequently acquired a 28 Elmarit and just upgraded it to the glorious 28 Summicron I find I'm also using this lens more and more. The 28 a very refreshing focal length, wide and inclusive without distortion. Having said that there is no way I would part with my 35 which I often use if I'm only taking one lens. I completely agree with Tri that the M9 IQ is more than adequate to allow some cropping of a 28mm to 35mm aspect if you compose and shoot accordingly (I do this with my 21mm when I want 24mm). In other words a 28 will allow more versatility with only two lenses. As LeGAS (thanks Jeff) takes hold you will surely buy one and then the other despite your best attempts to control yourself. Again though you could consider 3rd party lenses such as CV (before you commit to a substantial outlay for Leica glass) which would allow you to acquire both focal lengths for little outlay. Off the topic a bit, have you looked at Reid Reviews for detailed comparisons of M-mount lenses where non-Leica glass performs very well. I hope I've addressed your question. Mark I did want one of my lenses to be 1.4 but after more careful due dilligence, I have decided to go with the sharper, smaller Summicron 50mm and now am stuck between 39mm and 28mm. Just wondering since you have both the 28mm and 35mm, in what situations do you find yourself using one over the other? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beyder28 Posted June 15, 2011 Author Share #18 Posted June 15, 2011 Even without Guiness in heel tank I need a shoe (mounted) spirit level. Noel Do you recommend the rectangular one or the smaller square one (both are double axis)? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
stunsworth Posted June 15, 2011 Share #19 Posted June 15, 2011 For, frankly, nobody can tell you that but you yourself, in person. All gear decisions are to some exent subjective, because you are to use the gear, but focal lengths are the most subjective of all Agreed, and like yourself I've never bought the '35mm is too close to 50mm' thing. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff S Posted June 15, 2011 Share #20 Posted June 15, 2011 Lars has the best advice...that I also frequently provide here...use your preview lever. Only you know how you like to frame. Go out with your camera, frame subjects you find interesting, and see what frame lines suit your needs and preferences. And, remember to use your feet in the process. My preferences (or others') shouldn't matter. Terms like landscape, street, portrait, etc. have no universal meaning in terms of FOV. But, FWIW (not much), the only M focal lengths I own (by choice, not by financial constraint), are 28,35 and 50. And this is after several decades of using film and digital Ms, on both cropped and uncropped cameras. Works for me. Wouldn't work for many. Jeff Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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