satureyes Posted March 29, 2012 Share #1 Â Posted March 29, 2012 Advertisement (gone after registration) I tend to find myself testing the focal length of a lens before I buy it by using my DSLR and lens set to the focal length of the lens I'm considering. For a few months now I've been setting my lens at 35mm on my 5DII and shooting as much as possible and checking f stops etx to make sure I will enjoy owning a 35 lux and it will suit my shooting style and work. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted March 29, 2012 Posted March 29, 2012 Hi satureyes, Take a look here Does anyone else do this before buying a new lens?. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
M. Valdemar Posted March 29, 2012 Share #2  Posted March 29, 2012 No, never. I have about 90 lenses and never try out anything.  My best lens is a 1949 ZK 50mm f1.5 Russian Sonnar for Contax which was put in a newer LTM Jupiter-3 mount and calibrated for my M9. What a lens. The whole thing cost me about $170 or so.  I just go and take pictures. I like the ZK much better than my various 50mm Summicrons. I don't have any shooting style that I'm aware of. Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/175926-does-anyone-else-do-this-before-buying-a-new-lens/?do=findComment&comment=1967577'>More sharing options...
bill Posted March 29, 2012 Share #3 Â Posted March 29, 2012 Life's too short and I'm too confident to bother with anything like that. Â Regards. Â Bill Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wail Posted March 29, 2012 Share #4  Posted March 29, 2012 90 lenses, and I thought I was suffering from GAS!  No, never. I have about 90 lenses and never try out anything. My best lens is a 1949 ZK 50mm f1.5 Russian Sonnar for Contax which was put in a newer LTM Jupiter-3 mount and calibrated for my M9. What a lens. The whole thing cost me about $170 or so.  I just go and take pictures. I like the ZK much better than my various 50mm Summicrons. I don't have any shooting style that I'm aware of.  I guess with that kind of lens library, you've got almost every focal length covered.  Personally, having been shooting for close to 35 years, I know what kind of focal length and apertures I like for the different types of shoots I do:  Landscapes, 35~45mm f/5.6 ~ 8 Street, 30-35mm f/1.4 ~ 2.8 Architectural, 24mm f/5.6 ~8 Wildlife, mm really depends on the distance with f/2.8 ~ 4  So, when the time came for me to get the M9, it was a given that I'd go with a 35mm. I so badly wanted the Summilux, but as usual it's out of stock. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
M. Valdemar Posted March 29, 2012 Share #5 Â Posted March 29, 2012 I just have them in boxes all over. I've been buying lenses my whole life, I like to buy and sell them. Â I put one on the camera and play with it. (oh, 90 Leica mount lenses.....pleeenty more) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mustafasoleiman Posted March 29, 2012 Share #6 Â Posted March 29, 2012 I just use a cv12mm and crop as needed... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
satureyes Posted March 29, 2012 Author Share #7  Posted March 29, 2012 Advertisement (gone after registration) Right. Well I am sensing some sarcasm and a little arrogance. Perhaps because I need to make sure my work earns me a living.  To shell out £3500 for a lens means I need to ensure that I will use it for shots that I get paid for rather than being for a bit of fun.  I have to consider my purchases and ROI perhaps a little more than some. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
JPizzzle Posted March 29, 2012 Share #8 Â Posted March 29, 2012 Rick, I don't necessarily use your strategy since I no longer own an SLR or any zoom lenses, but deff would consider it if I did! Â JP Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
tobey bilek Posted March 29, 2012 Share #9 Â Posted March 29, 2012 No. I have bought around 100 lenses in 50 years for 35,2 1/4, 4x5, & I know what I will get. Â If you have a M9, set the preview lever for wide lenses and crop your 50 to see how a 90 images. Be sure to change the distance so you get some idea how backgrounds will appear if that is important to you. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
satureyes Posted March 29, 2012 Author Share #10 Â Posted March 29, 2012 Yes. I do this now. My ultimate aim is to sell all my slr gear and replace it with another m body and some more glass. I want tools that will ensure I can deliver to my clients- so each purchase is carefully considered with a view to my ultimate aim. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wattsy Posted March 29, 2012 Share #11 Â Posted March 29, 2012 I tend to find myself testing the focal length of a lens before I buy it by using my DSLR and lens set to the focal length of the lens I'm considering. Â I haven't owned an SLR for a number of years but I've never done what you describe. Whilst focal lengths may be equivalent I've never personally found working with a reflex camera directly comparable with an RF so wouldn't want to make judgements about the suitability of a focal length for an RF based on what I shot using that same focal length on an SLR. Besides which, I already pretty much know what to expect from the focal lengths available for the Leica M. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wda Posted March 29, 2012 Share #12  Posted March 29, 2012 Right. Well I am sensing some sarcasm and a little arrogance. Perhaps because I need to make sure my work earns me a living.  To shell out £3500 for a lens means I need to ensure that I will use it for shots that I get paid for rather than being for a bit of fun.  I have to consider my purchases and ROI perhaps a little more than some. This is a pity, Rick. What you describe makes a lot of sense and for those considering a switch from DSLR to rangefinder camera systems, I make a similar suggestion.  I am also an advocate of metadata analysis when lens focal length issues arise. Although zoom lenses do return some odd-ball figures, one can discern trends from past work.  The zoom on my D-Lux 5 can be set to adjust to recognized focal length settings so that metadata records realistic focal lengths. It doesn't take many moments in Lightroom to see spread of settings used. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
satureyes Posted March 29, 2012 Author Share #13  Posted March 29, 2012 This is a pity, Rick. What you describe makes a lot of sense and for those considering a switch from DSLR to rangefinder camera systems, I make a similar suggestion. I am also an advocate of metadata analysis when lens focal length issues arise. Although zoom lenses do return some odd-ball figures, one can discern trends from past work.  The zoom on my D-Lux 5 can be set to adjust to recognized focal length settings so that metadata records realistic focal lengths. It doesn't take many moments in Lightroom to see spread of settings used.  This is an excellent idea- I may well set up a smart folder in aperture and just set it for the 3 leica lenses I own or about to buy and see what images I shoot with what.  I always thought I shoot lots at the 70-200 range and when I look at my work more and more is at the wide end. The 35 lix will be the missing piece I think and complete my trinity of 21, 35 and 75. I may well end up with a 50 at some point in the future. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff S Posted March 29, 2012 Share #14 Â Posted March 29, 2012 If you don't want to purchase right away, I think you'd learn a lot more about any particular M lens by renting one (or borrowing one from a friendly dealer) in advance. There's obviously much more to lens choice than focal length. Â Jeff Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
darylgo Posted March 30, 2012 Share #15 Â Posted March 30, 2012 As the price of good/excellent lenses are pricey and getting more so, your method makes very practical sense. My livelihood is not dependent on photography so my choices are determined by image IQ. MTF, aberrations, and other factors are evaluated. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
kdriceman Posted March 30, 2012 Share #16 Â Posted March 30, 2012 I don't try the focal length out on a DSLR as I'm pretty comfortable with the different focal lengths, but I often rent the lens before I buy so I get a feel for how the specific design performs. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peyton Hoge Posted March 30, 2012 Share #17 Â Posted March 30, 2012 I tend to find myself testing the focal length of a lens before I buy it by using my DSLR and lens set to the focal length of the lens I'm considering. For a few months now I've been setting my lens at 35mm on my 5DII and shooting as much as possible and checking f stops etx to make sure I will enjoy owning a 35 lux and it will suit my shooting style and work. Â No...seems like a waste of time. After shooting for a living for 30 years, I know what works for me. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
FlashGordonPhotography Posted March 30, 2012 Share #18 Â Posted March 30, 2012 Another thing to remember is that you may shoot somewhat different focal lengths on an SLR than a rangefinder. Longer lenses handle better on a DSLR and wides handle better on the M9 (IMHO), so I tend to find that I shoot a bit wider on the RF. Whereas I would always lean toward a 85L on my Canon system, I tend to shoot more with a 50 on my M9. I use a 90 when I would have used a 135 on a DSLR and a 21 when I would have pulled out a 24 on the Canon. Â You wouldn't drive a convertible sports car the same way you drive a SUV, would you? Â Gordon Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
vladik Posted March 30, 2012 Share #19 Â Posted March 30, 2012 Hello Rick, what you are doing in regards to get a feel for 35 mm lens is logical. I am somewhat surprise by some comments to your post. Good luck. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
davidbaddley Posted March 30, 2012 Share #20 Â Posted March 30, 2012 No. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.