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Is 28, 35 and 50mm too much?


lmmo

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Hi,

 

I've bought a M9-P and 28 Elmarit. The 50 Summilux ASPH is ordered and should arrive within the next few weeks. However I got an opportunity to buy a 35 Summicron ASPH for a very good price (around 1.000€).

 

Should I move forward and get it or will it be redundant with the 28/50?

 

Thanks!

 

 

Luciano Oliveira

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Redundant for what? Sorry, but I had to ask.

 

Each is different, and might be useful for different purposes. For example, if you're in the habit of wandering about with 1 lens, then the 35 is fantastic. If you prefer two, you would probably carry the 50 & the 28. But, you might prefer the two wides (35 & 28), or the 50 & 35.

 

At the moment, I'm lugging about a 75, 35 & 15 (for use on a NEX-5N, which gives a full frame equivalent of 105, 52 and 22). When I get my M9 back, I will probably change that to 50, 35 & 21.

 

I like the 35 Summicron ASPH; I'm only selling mine as I don't see the need to double up lenses of the same focal length. If it doesn't sell, I won't be disappointed - it's a nice lens.

 

Cheers

John

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Hi,

 

I've bought a M9-P and 28 Elmarit. The 50 Summilux ASPH is ordered and should arrive within the next few weeks. However I got an opportunity to buy a 35 Summicron ASPH for a very good price (around 1.000€).

 

Should I move forward and get it or will it be redundant with the 28/50?

 

Thanks!

 

 

Luciano Oliveira

 

In my experience, 28 and 35 actually work out very similarly in practical use. YMMV.

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Hi,

 

I've bought a M9-P and 28 Elmarit. The 50 Summilux ASPH is ordered and should arrive within the next few weeks. However I got an opportunity to buy a 35 Summicron ASPH for a very good price (around 1.000€).

 

Should I move forward and get it or will it be redundant with the 28/50?

 

Thanks!

 

 

Luciano Oliveira

 

I'm going to assume that you have never owned a Leica M before. Otherwise please ignore the following...

 

Luciano,

IF, the M9-P is your first Leica AND...

you already have a 28 Elmarit that you are still learning AND...

you will soon receive a 50 Summilux THEN...

my advice is to learn how to use what you already have. People rush too quickly to buy new lenses, but it takes at least 6 months of heavy use to learn the nuances of a specific Leica lens.

 

Money is obviously not an issue for you. Instead of buying a 35 Summicron ASPH that you're not ready for I would suggest that you order a 35 Summilux ASPH FLE. When it arrives in 6,8, or 10 months you will be ready for it, and you will not have to sell the 35 Summicron ASPH at a loss.

 

Please do not take offense with my suggestion, but you need to STOP, then choose one lens, either the 28 Elmarit or the 50 Summilux, then master that lens. Shoot hundreds or preferably thousands of images with only that lens. If you do this it will be a seminal event that will forever change the way you approach photography.

 

Ciao,

Stephen

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If you like the price, try the lens. It's a very good lens.

 

Personally, I own all three of the lenses you have or are considering. They plus the 75 are the lenses I use most often. I have no intention of giving up any of those focal lengths. If I am just carrying two, they are likely to be the 35mm and 50mm, but I certainly understand those who like a wider spread.

 

--Gib

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For me yes. I usually never feel the need for a lens in between 28 and 50. But many people do. If it's a good price and you have the money to spare, you can always sell it later.

 

On the other hand, to echo the comment above, if you don't know if 28, 35, and 50 are too much, then maybe it would be beneficial to spend some time with the two lenses you have and figure out how they work for you before you get another lens.

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There's a frame line preview lever on your camera for a reason. Moving your feet is also free, and good exercise. Use both methods to full advantage as part of your evaluation process before emptying your wallet. Each person has different needs and preferences.

 

Jeff

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Assuming you have owned a camera before, and therefore have an inkling of understanding of what your eye and brain like regarding composition and field of view just buy as many lenses as you feel comfortable with. The only thing you may need to learn is the trick of fast and accurate rangefinder focusing. And the best way to learn which lenses you prefer is to use them. You can't learn anything by having one lens and imagining what the world would look like with another. Its like running around at training camp going 'bang' with a wooden rifle. Life is too short for six month's worth of dithering about and earning your spurs. What will people tell you next, only use B&W for the first six months because colour will confuse you? But of course, only buy more lenses responsibly and if you can afford them :)

 

Steve

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Hi,

 

I've bought a M9-P and 28 Elmarit. The 50 Summilux ASPH is ordered and should arrive within the next few weeks. However I got an opportunity to buy a 35 Summicron ASPH for a very good price (around 1.000€).

 

Should I move forward and get it or will it be redundant with the 28/50?

 

Thanks!

 

 

Luciano Oliveira

 

35 Summicron is a fantastic lens and 1,000 Euros is a very good price for a well maintained copy. If it is a nice copy you should buy it, try it, then decide.

 

Cheers, Knut

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Hi,

 

I've bought a M9-P and 28 Elmarit. The 50 Summilux ASPH is ordered and should arrive within the next few weeks. However I got an opportunity to buy a 35 Summicron ASPH for a very good price (around 1.000€).

 

Should I move forward and get it or will it be redundant with the 28/50?

 

Thanks!

 

 

Luciano Oliveira

 

Buy it and try it. 35mm is great as a one lens solution but also in combination with the 50mm (yes, they are different enough). And since the price seems to be attractive, you will always be able to sell it at no loss later. Particularly as you seem to be in Euroland and I'd rather trust a Leica lens keeping its value than that currency.:)

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All excellent advice but I would second Stephen's and add that using only one lens will greatly enhance your photographic skills. It will force you to see and compose better.

 

For 9 years I shot exclusively with a Mamiya 7 and a 65 mm lens. It was the best class I ever attended, and it was free.

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All excellent advice but I would second Stephen's and add that using only one lens will greatly enhance your photographic skills. It will force you to see and compose better.

For 9 years I shot exclusively with a Mamiya 7 and a 65 mm lens. It was the best class I ever attended, and it was free.

 

I would say the same. I got my m9 in April and the only i have been using since then is the 50lux it's a gem !!! 1 lens make things so easy...no need to worry about changing lens...nothing is impossible (except extreme case) ...you just need to find the right composition ! I bought in augsut an 90 elmarit because it was a bargain...happens that it stayed in the drawer...still prefer the 50 and like to have only 1 lens !!! maybe my next one would be a 35 (cron or elmarit) for wider one...but the 50 is THE lens for me.

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At €1000 you will most likely not take a hit if you decide to sell the lens after a while, on the contrary you might just sell it at a higher price in a year or two. It is a great lens, very capable and very compact...

+1

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At €1000 if the 35mm summicron is in good condition you could sell it the next day for a good profit if you don't like it.

 

Seems strange to me that some people here like to advise against buying lenses, if you can afford them then go for it, what have you got to lose. In my experience the only way to find out if a lens is suited to your needs is to try it out, asking other people's opinion is just delaying the inevitable.

 

Try them all, old and new, Leica lenses are fantastic.

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