quest for 1 lens kit turns to many.

[IkarusJohn]

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Yes yes yes. All too familiar. Somehow I have ended up with all options from 21 to 135 covered. Ridiculous since, no matter which combo I take with me for a trip, it turns out that 70% of my photos are made with 35 and 50mm.

 

Dependent on the trip I pack one lens (50), two (35/75), three (28/50/90), four (24/35/50/90 or 28/50/75/135), or even five (24/35/50/75/135).

 

As you can maybe guess I almost never use the 21mm but am scared of selling it because of the risk that I would need to repurchase. At least the fact it gets so little use keeps me from buying anything wider

 

+1

[algrove]

In my quest for less glass I just bought more-an old 40mm Summicron. Will it help replace my 35's and 50's? Maybe for those short trips. But since I have not used it, that baby will stay home for now.

 

I never seem to take the same lenses even to the same countries. I leave soon for 3 weeks including Photokina. What lenses will I take? I don't know, but I will take 2 camera bodies. One for color and one for B&W.

 

Sure, I will take a fast 50 and a fast 35. I like to have a 90 so I will take one, maybe a light weight one like the latest 90/4.0. I might just try the WATE (16-18-21) on this trip for those wide day light shot opportunities that arise.

 

So that is my one kit for many lenses-for this trip.

[philipus]

My turn to confess here at All-Too-Many-Lenses Anonymous

 

It took only a few months after getting an M3 and a 50 - which I honestly thought I would be content with - to realise that I wanted to try more lenses. This has led to a fairly motley mix of glass:

 

2,8cm Hektor

Summitar

9cm Elmar

13,5 Hektor

50 Summilux pre-asph LTM

50 Summilux asph

35 Summilux FLE

90 Elmarit-M

Nikkor 8,5cm/2

Canon 135/3.5

 

I'm in the process of deciding which lenses to sell but a thought has arisen recently: perhaps I should buy an M8 (all current worries about serviceability notwithstanding) because of the different focal length it would give.

[farnz]

...

I'm in the process of deciding which lenses to sell but a thought has arisen recently: perhaps I should buy an M8 (all current worries about serviceability notwithstanding) because of the different focal length it would give.

If you already have an M9 then its sensor will let you crop to the same image an M8 would give you. It's essentially the same sensor as the M8's but extended in 4 directions to provide full frame so you can save yourself some money by cropping and seeing if you like what you get before committing to an M8. The other thing to consider is the view through the viewfinder and you could replicate that with finders 1.3 times the focal length of the lens on your M9. And if you were really dedicated you could mask off your M9's LCD to get an M8 view.

 

Personally, after having used my M8 for 4 or 5 years using the M9 seemed 'spacious' somehow and using the M8 seemed 'cramped' in a way I have difficulty explaining in rational terms.

 

Pete.

[philipus]

Those are good pointers Pete, thank you. I only use film, though (TTL, M4, II) so an M8 would be my first digital M experience. It would result in interesting focal lengths though.

 

Philip

[farnz]

Ah, my apologies then In the back of my mind I thought you were an M9 convert but I see that I was confused.

 

Pete.

[uaqpau]

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My 1 lens kit hasn't turned into a bunch of lenses yet.. after almost 6 months with it. But truth be told, my lens magically turned from a 50mm summicron into a 50mm lux ..my kit is actually kind of weird, because i have 2 cameras and 1 lens. Started with the M9 but 2 moths ago I got my first film camera, a 2nd hand MP.. which I really enjoy

I'll probably get a 28mm in some months though, as I think it couples well with the 50... but for me, so far, it's been really good to use only one focal length and try to learn it and get used to it.

[Printmaker]

In 1968 I bought my M4 with a 90 (fat) Tele-Elmarit, as I had used one before and loved the lens. After college added 50 and then 35 Summicrons - and that was my M kit for 40 years. I didn't use the 90 much, as I noticed it became fuzzy and low contrast, so I was happy with just 35 and 50 most of the time. A few years back sent the 90 to Gus Lazzari who said a rear element was out of position, and it has been stellar since his repair.

I use a 35 most of the time since I got an M9, partly because I can crop in quite a bit an maintain quality. A 50 now feels too narrow. I've since added a CV 21, and then a CV 75 to force myself to a more intimate view.

But most of the time I'll just put on a 35 and be happy.

 

Sounds like my 40 + year life with Leica. Only my fuzzy old 90 Tele-Elmarit sits in a drawer next to a reasonably sharp but heavy 135 Elmarit. The retired 90 Tele-Ele was replaced by a 90 Elmarit M for every day use. My M4 is gone as it was replaced with a M9. And the 35 Summicron (I'm on my fourth) spends 90% of its life on my M9 while my 50 Summicron (my third) is in the bag next to the 90. I could live happily with just my 35 Summicron but it sure is nice to have a few other lenses in the Hadley for the other 10% of the time they are needed.

[Michael Geschlecht]

Hello Phillip,

 

Why don't you try using ALL of your lenses & seeing which you use & which you don't. Consider keeping those you use. Then, of those you are not using, see which 1's you like having around, no special reason. Keep them. Then, you might consider doing something else w/ those that are left.

 

Except: I would hang onto the LTM 50mm Summilux regardless.

 

I would also keep the other 50/1.4, the 35 FLE & the 90 Elmarit-M because these will be good lenses for whatever you are doing for many years to come.

 

btw: That was my thought about the versions 1 & 2 of the 1965 design 135mm Tele-Elmar when it was a reasonably new design - still not a slouch today. It's also a good macro lens by today's standards.

 

Best Regards,

 

Michael

[Mr. Thompson]

anyone else's quest for a one lens kit turn into a collection?

 

LOL, it's the GAS journey. We all go through it and sort out our favorites. Enjoy!

[ralphmconger]

i have a canon digital camera to whom i take with me in my jeans pocket when it was still powered on. During this its lens was moving because its button was accidentally pressed in my pocket. Because of this its lens zoom was damaged. The moral is this that camera was to much sensitive as well as expensive..

[philipus]

Hi Michael

 

Very good points. I do try to use all lenses more or less regularly, though I tend to gravitate in my everyday shooting to some of them. Incidentally the 50, 35 and 90 you mention. Those are my staple lenses.

 

The 50 LTM is a bit of an unusual lens, though perhaps not very so optically as compared to other pre-asphs. That one I probably won't sell any time soon because I like it on my Leica II. And I love the Summitar. What a great lens for characterful images! f2 in a small collapsible mount is just great, esp for a 50 which is my fave focal length.

 

Then we have the odd ones, the 135/13,5cm, the 9cm and the 8,5cm. I do use them. For instance the 13,5 Hektor took most of my surfers photos and I was pretty pleased with the results. Not the sharpest tool in the shed (lol) but a capable performer at longer distances, stopped down and on film.

 

The 135 Tele-Elmar, esp. with the tapered barrel, is a lens I will eventually buy. I've heard many good things about it. Then I might consider selling the Hektor and the Canon.

 

So in terms of a one-lens kit, I may be a lost cause. Still, I often bring only one lens when I travel, even for longer trips. So that, perhaps, redeems me slightly.

 

Cheers

Philip

 

Hello Phillip,

 

Why don't you try using ALL of your lenses & seeing which you use & which you don't. Consider keeping those you use. Then, of those you are not using, see which 1's you like having around, no special reason. Keep them. Then, you might consider doing something else w/ those that are left.

 

Except: I would hang onto the LTM 50mm Summilux regardless.

 

I would also keep the other 50/1.4, the 35 FLE & the 90 Elmarit-M because these will be good lenses for whatever you are doing for many years to come.

 

btw: That was my thought about the versions 1 & 2 of the 1965 design 135mm Tele-Elmar when it was a reasonably new design - still not a slouch today. It's also a good macro lens by today's standards.

 

Best Regards,

 

Michael

[colonel]

I certainly try many lenses

One of the joys of an interchangeable lens system

 

all of Leica lenses are unique and beautiful

 

What I like about RF cameras with only primes, is that you can take time to really get to know a lens. e.g. an intimate feeling for the focal length, DOF, vignetting, sharpness, draw of the lens and light etc. It even becomes possible after a time to anticipate speed and aperture in many circumstances (i.e. guessing the metering).

A really exciting and lovely journey

 

Saying all that I use 35mm and 50mm 95% of the time.

So most of the other focal lengths are bought and sold for fun.

I do find it useful to always keep a long one around, either 90mm or 135mm

 

rgds

[IWC Doppel]

I certainly try many lenses

One of the joys of an interchangeable lens system

 

all of Leica lenses are unique and beautiful

 

What I like about RF cameras with only primes, is that you can take time to really get to know a lens. e.g. an intimate feeling for the focal length, DOF, vignetting, sharpness, draw of the lens and light etc. It even becomes possible after a time to anticipate speed and aperture in many circumstances (i.e. guessing the metering).

A really exciting and lovely journey

 

Saying all that I use 35mm and 50mm 95% of the time.

So most of the other focal lengths are bought and sold for fun.

I do find it useful to always keep a long one around, either 90mm or 135mm

 

rgds

 

I couldn't agree more

[bruniroquai]

I'm good with my M9 and the 35 & 50 lux asph. No need more, maybe a 90 elmarit.

 

 

Bruno Gracia

[philipus]

+1. It is really nice to be able to try out lenses because prices tend to have settled, at least on older lenses. This is much less possible with, say, Nikon and Canon, also because they've changed their mounts of course.

 

And it is also fascinating to discover older M and LTM lenses. That also brings real value to one's photography.

[Larcomb]

when i started with the m9 i wanted a one lens kit, a 50mm and i wanted to keep it that way. one normal lens and no cluttered digital slr controls.

 

but then, the 50mm cron turned into the 50mm lux, then i picked up the .95 and kinda wanted to get rid of the lux but couldnt even though i rarely use it. then i picked up a 90mm, then a 21mm, then 35mm, then a 75mm, now the latest a 24mm. even though some of these lenses are close in range ex. 21mm to 24mm each one is different. 24mm is wide but not too wide and sometimes 21mm is better (close quarters). from wanting the simplicity of a 1 lens kit it my kit has turned into a complete lineup of m lenses. when i go out shooting i still only carry (2) lenses but it is really a nice to choose which 2 to bring depending on what i envision i am going to find in my environment. (usually a 50mm and a wide 24 or 35)

 

anyone else's quest for a one lens kit turn into a collection?

 

when I first got a leicaflex sl i could afford only a 90 elmerit. i loved using it and took so many terrific shots. now i have gobs of lenses and several bodies and my least used lens is my 90 summercron

[Peter H]

+1. It is really nice to be able to try out lenses because prices tend to have settled, at least on older lenses. This is much less possible with, say, Nikon and Canon, also because they've changed their mounts of course.

 

...............

 

Canon have changed their mount but Nikon still use the original F mount don't they?

[philipus]

Canon have changed their mount but Nikon still use the original F mount don't they?

 

You may very well be right, I use Canon. My apologies in case I gave the wrong impression. I'm happy to be corrected but isn't it true that newer Nikon bodies cannot use the older Nikon AF lenses that require in-body motor?

 

As regards Canon it is of course possible to use (with some limitations in practicality) FD lenses on the new EF mount using adapter rings.

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[Peter H]

I think that may apply to some of the less expensive bodies but as far as I'm aware what they call the pro- and semi-pro bodies can use virtually all F-mount lenses ever made, AF as well as manual focus.