shibistars Posted December 26, 2011 Share #1 Posted December 26, 2011 Advertisement (gone after registration) I recently purchased the Leica R6.2 and relatively new to film SLR photography. Which lens will be a good choice to start off with? Thanks in advance! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted December 26, 2011 Posted December 26, 2011 Hi shibistars, Take a look here Purchasing a lens for the Leica R6.2. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
k_g_wolf ✝ Posted December 26, 2011 Share #2 Posted December 26, 2011 Welcome within the LEICA-world ! A SUMMICRON-R 50 mm, the one with the built-in hood. As an an alternative: the 60 mm MACCRO-Elmar-R, this is a 2.8 lens whereas the SUMMICRON is 2.0 It all depends how your photographic needs are developed .. Best GEORG Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
masjah Posted December 26, 2011 Share #3 Posted December 26, 2011 You could also consider a zoom lens, perhaps the 35-70/4. Not as big a maximum aperture, but the f/4 latest version is an economically priced lens of very good quality indeed. (The 28-90 is also really excellent, but not easy to come by and rather expensive; the 28-70 attracts very mixed opinions, and the 35-70/2.8 is a scarce collector's item, commanding a ridiculous price for a lens bought to be used.) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
shibistars Posted December 26, 2011 Author Share #4 Posted December 26, 2011 Welcome within the LEICA-world ! A SUMMICRON-R 50 mm, the one with the built-in hood. As an an alternative: the 60 mm MACCRO-Elmar-R, this is a 2.8 lens whereas the SUMMICRON is 2.0 It all depends how your photographic needs are developed .. Best GEORG I was looking at the Summicron-R 50mm and the 35mm one.. Hmmm! Decisions! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
gvaliquette Posted December 26, 2011 Share #5 Posted December 26, 2011 Most people would agree that the 50mm f2.0 Summicron-R is the obvious starter lens. But I would argue that the 60mm f2.8 Macro-Elmarit-R is a better choice: about the same price, sharper but slightly slower, and able to go down to 1:2 (1/2 lifesize) reproduction ratio. Or get the 50mm f1.4 Summilux-R, if you can afford it. You can always get the Macro-Elmarit-R later and never miss the Summicron! (full disclosure: I have both the Summilux and the Macro-Elmarit, both used and purchased at a good price) Guy Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
earleygallery Posted December 26, 2011 Share #6 Posted December 26, 2011 I was looking at the Summicron-R 50mm and the 35mm one.. Hmmm! Decisions! Get both! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luskentyre Posted December 26, 2011 Share #7 Posted December 26, 2011 Advertisement (gone after registration) The 60mm f2.8 Macro-Elmarit-R is a fantastic lens, incredibly sharp, but I don't think I would recommend it as a first lens. The 35-70mm f4 is very sharp, easier to focus than you might think and would give you more bang for your buck. I use mine a lot. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
gvaliquette Posted December 26, 2011 Share #8 Posted December 26, 2011 ... The 35-70mm f4 is very sharp, easier to focus than you might think and would give you more bang for your buck. I use mine a lot. ...true, but more $$$ (or €€€ or £££ or XXX) than a fixed focal length lens. Remember, shibistars said he is "relatively new to film SLR photography". There is someting to be said for starting off with a single fixed focal lenght lens. Guy Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Geschlecht Posted December 26, 2011 Share #9 Posted December 26, 2011 Hello shibistars, Welcome to the Forum. I am going to suggest something a little different than what some others might. Altho there is no shortage of very good 35mm to 60mm lenses as well as zooms in that range, quite good & quite versatile, I think you might also consider a 90mm for a first lens. 35mm to 60mm or so lenses are relatively easy to master & give you a lot of flexibility in approach. Something which has a lot to be said for it. 60mm allows you easy close-up. Also quite interesting. All are fine lenses. 90mm offers you something else. A 90 mm is a lens which is traditionally used to help reach thru unwanted fore-ground, top & sides & abstract the essence of what you are looking @. It allows you to effectively be a litttle closer w/o actually having to do so. A 90mm helps you to learn composition, perspective, balance, etc by compelling you to make choices that are not always necessary w/ a shorter lens. It is the more or less 27 degree perspective you often see in the paintings by many Masters throughout the ages from Rembrant to Renoir whether for lanscapes, portraits or whatever. But to do this you have to think. You have purposely limited yourself from the broader scene your eye sees as a whole to more or less that portion you would concentrate your interest on. In photography this means you must more purposfully construct your image because you don't have the tangential other to compensate for what your picture might otherwise lack. Having said that a 90mm does not abstract so little of a scene that you must concentrate overly intently to have the picture you want the way a 250mm lens or longer might have you do. Rather it requires you pick & choose what is important to create a picture but does so within reasonably wide parameters. Sort of the same thing people do when they look @ a whole scene w/ their eyes & no camera & pick out what is important. A further point: This is done @ the cost of 1 or 2 stops of handholdability. There is also a reduced depth of field @ a given distance. Because of this I would suggest a small sturdy table tripod w/ soft, non-marking slippers w/ a large ballhead & cable release which is usable under many circumstances. Against a wall or in a doorway. Against a rock or tree. Against or on a car w/ the engine turned off, etc. Even on a table. There is no end to places you can find to use it. The paragraph directly above will be disagreed w/ by some people who will say 1 reason for using a reflex or range/viewfinder 35mm sized camera is the portability & flexibility inherent in it's design not encumbered w/ a table tripod, etc altho some other people might disagree w/ that perspective because they might think the above table tripod, etc adds flexibility. 1 further note: Using a lens hood helps protect your lens from inadvertant damage due to unexpected impact, etc. That is its main job. It also reduces flare. Best Regards, Michael Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bill Posted December 26, 2011 Share #10 Posted December 26, 2011 Another vote for the 60mm as a good starter lens. It is remarkably flexible and one of the reasons why I have stuck with Leica glass on my Nikon film and Ricoh digital bodies. I certainly wouldn't counsel starting wth a 90. Regards, Bill Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
andybarton Posted December 26, 2011 Share #11 Posted December 26, 2011 My most-used R lens is the 28 Elmarit-R. An outstanding lens. The 60 Macro-Elmarit-R is in a class of its own, and a 90 Summicron-R is an incredible lens at a bargain price. The 1970s versions are incredible lenses. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
tobey bilek Posted December 27, 2011 Share #12 Posted December 27, 2011 Buy a focal length you have been successful with on other cameras unless you wish to change subject matter or wish to relegate the camera to a specialized task. There are excellent lenses available for the R series. Some are bitting critically sharp, some older and more traditional in rendering. 100 2.8 is one super sharp lens, world class. Only do portraits with it if you want that look or you understand photoshop and will use it with scanned film. Nature and flowers shorts are the best ever made in this focal length. 50 mm 2.0 Summicron if you do not know were to start or 35/70 4.0 zoom. In any case, buy something that has a third can so it meters correctly on the 6.2. Knowing what you wish to photograph would be helpful as all lenses are made for specific uses. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dave.gt Posted December 27, 2011 Share #13 Posted December 27, 2011 Great suggestions above. It has always been my belief that starting out with a prime (in the case, the world-class Cron 50) and then a good zoom (35-70) is a good way to go as you begin to see things in a 50mm frame before even raising the camera. Then, when you are reasonably used to it, the flexibility of the zoom is liberating. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobSkeoch Posted December 28, 2011 Share #14 Posted December 28, 2011 You now own one of the nicest cameras ever made. You're going to love it. I used the 35mm f2 for years and thought it was wonderful although if I had it to do again would have ponied up for the 35mm f1.4. Although it would be hard to have a 90mm as your only lens, I thought the 90 f2 I owned was one of the greatest lenses on the market and would easily suggest it. -Rob Skeoch Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
shibistars Posted December 30, 2011 Author Share #15 Posted December 30, 2011 Thank you so much for everyones recommendation! I'm still looking into which lens to purchase as I don't want to splurge on anything expensive as I am new to all of this and would like to purchase a lens that I can photograph most things on. I currently have a budget of about £400 so I hope to find a really decent lens for under the price margin. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff S Posted December 31, 2011 Share #16 Posted December 31, 2011 I'm not on your side of the pond, but here is a somewhat recent thread on UK shops. Red Dot seems to have a fairly good selection in your price range, as shown in this link. Perhaps they will let you try some out. Jeff Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
daveolson Posted January 1, 2012 Share #17 Posted January 1, 2012 Having all three of the lenses mention: 50 f 1.4, 60 f2.8 Macro and the 35-70 f 4. I have two R 6.2s. Fabulous camera, you made a good choice there. Starting out, keep it simple, as you see how different things change your image. The 50 is the bedrock standard lens. You can do amazing things with it as you learn. I would suggest a small notebook to record your film speed, aperture and shutter speed. That way you can review your shots as you get them back, good or otherwise and learn. Don't get hung up on the "speed" thing of a lens. The 50 f will teach you to move around and not stand in one spot shooting a whole roll of film. Good Luck. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
AbbeyFoto Posted January 1, 2012 Share #18 Posted January 1, 2012 My favourite is the 60mm Macro, but the 50mm f2 and 35 f2 may better suit your angle of view. If you can, take your camera to a dealer with alternatives and see which feels best. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
gvaliquette Posted January 2, 2012 Share #19 Posted January 2, 2012 shibistars, There is one thing that you have not told us, and that nobody has asked of you yet: what is your previous photographic experience and with what camera/lens(es) have you been working so far? You also have not told us what type of photography you like to do. Guy Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
garygsandhu Posted January 3, 2012 Share #20 Posted January 3, 2012 I ended up with the latest 35/2.8. Versatile and small. And made in Germany. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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