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M9 35mm vs 28mm when you are 50mm shooter


vk2109

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for general use & flexibility 28/50/90 or perhaps 24/50/135, personally I find 24 "too wide" and 135 a bit too long.

 

Assuming 28/50/90 then the next in line would be a 35 as the prime choice for "general single lens minimalistic set-up", "street", "classic Leica" type of work. On my M8 the 28/2 ASPH is by far the most used lens, on M2 the 35/2.8 summaron, effectively the same focal length, "35" is the best choice if you want to leave your bag at home.

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I have a range of lenses, including 12, 21, 25, 28, 35, 50 and 75.

 

I use 28 the most. The rest splits fairly evenly between 35 and 50 depending on what I want to shoot. I find that 50 is too short for close quarters shooting, as I prefer to see the subjects in their contexts in most circumstances. But if I am doing close portrait work, 50 is perfect for me.

 

If I'm walking around on the street, 50 can be too close to capture context, and 35 can be perfect. If I want the 'whole' scene then 28 or wider, preferably 21, is best for me.

 

As I am used to using 28 the majority of the time, 50 feels very intimate, and I can spend a lot of time with a 50. I never used 50mm that much until I got the M9 and 50mm Summicron, and now I am hooked.

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Vadim,

 

You've gotten the predictable range of answers from people who shoot different subjects and therefore have differing lens needs. Personally, while I almost never go anywhere without the 35 and 50, there are situations where a 28mm is a better option. I own both focal lengths,.

 

For me, the advantage of the 35mm over the 28mm is that it produces images that are largely distortion-free. I also find that there is sufficient difference between the two focal lengths to justify carrying both.

 

But, honestly, there is no way for us to answer the question you asked except in the way we all have answered it -- from personal experience. My advice is to borrow both focal lengths from a dealer or lens rental or a friend and try them out. You still won't know what it's like to shoot with one or the other over a long period of time, but, at least, you'll have some personal experience to help you decide. No substitute for that!

 

Good luck,

 

--Gib

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I use 18/28/50/90. Normally I have only 3 lenses in my bag. On travels 28/50/90, in my own town 18/28/50. If I would have to restrict myself to one lens, it would be the 28 - only under available light conditions I would choose my 50/1,4. Cropping is always possible to some extent, stitching might be a problem.

 

Regards

Heinz

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just recently i bought 28cron used from a friend and it's my fav lens now.

Before that i have 35 and 50, yes they have different feel. I can say that i used both equally 50/50. i used 35 when i'm traveling and 50 for portrait and family events.

After i have 28cron honestly i barely use the 35.

28 + 50 combo is a better choice.

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Guest stanjan0

A very interesting group of answers and I'm surprised that no real mention was made of the Tri-Elmer 28-35-50MM or the wider Tri-Elmar. I guess the reason is that there are only about 8500 or so larger Tri-Elmers and that their no longer in production. :)

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The discussion in this thread is mainly about the fov aspect of the decision to be made.

Personally I own the 50/1.4, 35/1.4 and 28/2. Every time when I compare these lenses I’m amazed how different these lenses are. All of them more or less excel in certain situations or type of image I use them for. These all are choices based on personal preference.

For instance:

50 mm - standard all-purpose lens; street; “bokeh”

35 mm – 1 lens kit walk around; “environmental” portraits; street

28 mm – travel; event reportage

As for every “wich lens to buy decision” you have to answer these questions

Why/what for do I need/want this lens?!

Which available option complies best my style of photography?

Then don’t make your decision until you are really able to answer these questions!

This simple method can save you a lot of money and stuff to carry around.

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According to some people the view angles of the 35mm and 50mm should be to close to each other. I don't agree with that opinion

because 35mm covers twice the area of a 50mm lens and the 28mm covers three times the area of the 50mm.

 

It’s a matter of personal taste and depends on how much lenses you are willing to buy in the near future. If you want only two lenses

buy the 28mm Summicron or Elmarit, the 28-50mm is the classic combo.

 

If you like WIDE and have plans to buy a 21 or 24mm later, buy the 35mm Summicron or Summilux.

____________

FrankR

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Guest stanjan0

Luuk, I want to thank you for increasing the size of your type face as this old man really appreciates it and your point is well said.

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50 mm - standard all-purpose lens; street; “bokeh”

35 mm – 1 lens kit walk around; “environmental” portraits; street

28 mm – travel; event reportage

 

Thanks Luuk...As for now, the 50mm is my 1 lens kit ! that makes it too a nice 1lens kit.

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...........I want to thank you for increasing the size of your type face as this old man really appreciates it ............

 

I don't like it if people make the fonts different from the standard fonts for this website. It's very easy to make fonts bigger in your browser.

Just look in the preferences of the browser and choose a bigger font and all your websites will have bigger fonts.

You can also change fontsize in your Windows/Mac OS/Linux operating system. If you don't know how to do it, just ask.

___________

FrankR

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In my humble opinion 35mm and 50mm are very different lens.

50 composition and discipline

35 action and motion

50 is more static, 35 is more dynamic

With a 50mm 2 steps back, with 35 mm you are part of a story.

In conclusion: 2 fantastic lens for your Leica.

 

Ps: Sorry for my broken English.

 

Sergius beautifully put and dead accurate, nothing broken at all.

If I fall on hard times, the 35 'Lux would be the last to go, it fits what the M is for exactly.

Saying that I got an 18mm in Cyprus a year ago and I cannot believe how often it is used - but that is a landscape and graphic architecture thing, not street people.

For three years I didn't have a 50mm, and gradually as I got used to the range finder, I started to realise the number of times it would suit. There are now times I go out with just the M6 and a 50 collapsible (modern one, now discontinued) just for the discipline, and it is a good set up. Mind, Bresson I am not!!!

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In my humble opinion 35mm and 50mm are very different lens.

50 composition and discipline

35 action and motion

50 is more static, 35 is more dynamic

With a 50mm 2 steps back, with 35 mm you are part of a story.

In conclusion: 2 fantastic lens for your Leica.

 

Ps: Sorry for my broken English.

 

No need to apologize. Well said and very informative.

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