Cheekyguille Posted October 27, 2011 Share #1 Posted October 27, 2011 Advertisement (gone after registration) Thanks for indulging me with may be an obvious question. So I am going on a two week vacation, taking the M9 and want to bring one lens only. I've owned and shot with my newer 50mm summicron with great results and can think that its only drawback is its size. On the other hand I just acquired a 40mm summicron that I haven't used at all and am very attracted to it because of its small size. So the question is, is the 40 cron that much of an inferior lens that I should overlook its size advantage? I know about the framelines and honestly I am not worried much about that. I'd like to know if anyone that has experience with both lenses can tell me whether there is a big difference in iq. Also, I have a 35mm summicron that is small, but I've always felt more comfortable with the 50mm, just suits me, for now :-) Thanks for your feedback Guillermo Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted October 27, 2011 Posted October 27, 2011 Hi Cheekyguille, Take a look here Vacation lens 40mm or 50mm please push me in the right direction. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
TomB_tx Posted October 27, 2011 Share #2 Posted October 27, 2011 I've used the 40 on a CL for years as a small travel camera, and have had good results with it. Nice compromise between 35 & 40. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dougg Posted October 27, 2011 Share #3 Posted October 27, 2011 Gear taken on a trip involving photography should be "reliable old friends" that you can count on to do well. Not so good to take a new and untested lens as your only lens on that trip. You don't want to be in a bind with broken gear. Since 35 and 40 are not much different, I'd suggest you take your 35 instead, that you presumably know is reliable. I like both focal lengths equally well; maybe with forced use you'll "learn to love" the 35! I too am preparing for a long flight over water to a two-week stay, considering what to pack. Probably just one lens, maybe two... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ezc203 Posted October 27, 2011 Share #4 Posted October 27, 2011 I think you've answered your own question if the 50mm is the lens you're most comfortable with, then I don't see why you would opt for something else on a vacation? 40mm Summcrion-C is a great lens, but not on a camera that does not have 40mm framelines. I used it exclusively on my Minolta CLE. What a dream. But on my M8 or MP? Forget about it. If you want to go wider, take the 35mm as a back up. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
250swb Posted October 27, 2011 Share #5 Posted October 27, 2011 Take your 35mm, if you want a 50mm view you can always compose an image with the intent of cropping it later. Steve Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
viramati Posted October 27, 2011 Share #6 Posted October 27, 2011 I would definitely take the 50 and the the 35. In reality the 35 cron is not a big lens and won't take up a lot of space and can easily be carried in a pocket in a small pouch or wrapped in a cloth.. why limit yourself!! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erik Gunst Lund Posted October 27, 2011 Share #7 Posted October 27, 2011 Advertisement (gone after registration) The 40mm f/2.0 Summicron is very popular on the M8, since it is about the focal length of a 50mm due to the crop factor. I suggest you have a look in those treads. It's really a very nice and sharp little compact lens with very nice bokeh. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ezc203 Posted October 27, 2011 Share #8 Posted October 27, 2011 Erik - the post is in the M9 Forum, I assume he has a FF M9. But you're right, the 40mm is wildly popular on the M8. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Helmut R Posted October 27, 2011 Share #9 Posted October 27, 2011 When travelling, I mostely use my M9 with a Minolta Rokkor 2/40 mm. I modified the lense so that the frame for 35 mm is visible in the view finder (Sometimes in addition I take an Elmarit 2,8/28mm and a Macro-Elmar 4/90mm to my luggage. These 3 lenses are not so heavy. Originally I got used to the combination when I had a Minolta CLE). I guess, the Summicron 2/40 mm is not much different from the Rokkor 2/40, perhaps slightly better concerning optical and mechanical properties. The 40 mm lens fits almost perfect to the inside of the 35 mm frameline in the view finder. The weight of the lense is much less than the Summicron 2/35 and the Summicron 2/50 which I use at home. Helmut Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cheekyguille Posted October 28, 2011 Author Share #10 Posted October 28, 2011 Thanks for the advice, made me think about it, so I will not compromise and will bring both the 35 and the 50. Throwing compactness out the window I am also bringing a my Rolleiflex and a bunch of 120 film. Why not Cheers Guille Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
red_dot Posted October 29, 2011 Share #11 Posted October 29, 2011 If I may add my own experience. I went this year on a three weeks vacation in Italy with an M9 and my only lens, a 35 Summicron. Yes, at times ( a couple of times actually) I felt I needed longer focal length for a tighter composition, or a wider (a 21mm) for a couple of interior shots. But that was all. The 35 served me exceptionally well and I will do it once more. If you're going to shoot inside, then a 35 is the way to go. If most of your shots will be outside, then a 50 is a good choice. However, like others have said before, even if you're going with the 35, you can always crop on your computer (if you remember to compose your shots with this in mind). But, why don't you take both, 35 and 50? Whichever way you choose, have fun and be safe. Cheers, Seb Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
exile Posted November 2, 2011 Share #12 Posted November 2, 2011 I agree. Take both the 35 and 50 summicrons for your holiday. One small lens on the camera and one small lens in a pocket should be fine. These two focal lengths are not too distant in coverage, but they are both PERFECT for so many situations. When you want to try out your new 40mm take it alone on a day shoot. However, I am struggling to understand why you bought a 40/2 lens when you already have a 35/2 lens. I have a 40/2 CLE that I shaved to bring up the 35mm framelines, and have never had a problem with unexpected compositional cropping. I view 35mm and 40mm as identical focal lengths for all practical purposes. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnwolf Posted November 2, 2011 Share #13 Posted November 2, 2011 Take all three! What will the 40 add to your load? Vacation is the perfect time to play around with a new lens. John Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bocaburger Posted November 2, 2011 Share #14 Posted November 2, 2011 Take all three! What will the 40 add to your load? Vacation is the perfect time to play around with a new lens. John I'll add: as long as you make sure ahead of time that it's focusing correctly on the M9. Especially if it's a new old lens like a 40 Summicron-C. I agree one of the advantages (for me, the main one by far) of the M system over a dSLR is how little space a small bevy of lenses takes up. But to bring a 35, 40, and 50, and all w/max f/2, is something I probably wouldn't do. Myself, I'd definitely go with the 35 if it's to be the only lens I take. One can always crop. OTOH, longer lenses (even a 50) can be restrictive in terms of composition in places like Italy where village streets are narrow. It depends a lot on what your photographic goals are. Mine are to have the greatest compositional flexibility with the least # of lenses. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
d2mini Posted November 2, 2011 Share #15 Posted November 2, 2011 If restricted to one, I would take the 35 for sightseeing. Zoom with your feet if you need to get closer. I got the M9 and 35 'cron just days before leaving for a week vacation in europe and it was a great combo. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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