andrew00 Posted February 10, 2013 Share #1 Posted February 10, 2013 Advertisement (gone after registration) Hey, I've been saving for a while and will be buying an M9 soon. I will probably buy only one lens to start with, learn everything before making further decisions, but I don't know which to buy. I like shooting people but I don't necessarily feel the need to go too close, I like fashion type framing, typically full body or half body. Therefore I'm drawn to a 35mm lens, prob a Summicron. However, as that lens won't do closer portraits too well, I was pondering to get a Summicron 50mm instead, and for wider shots perhaps adding the 28mm f/2.8 in time. What do y'all feel? 35 or 50? My concern with the 50 is it'll be too 'close', my concern with the 35 is distortion if I get even moderately close. Thanks! Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted February 10, 2013 Posted February 10, 2013 Hi andrew00, Take a look here Recommend a lens. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
iedei Posted February 10, 2013 Share #2 Posted February 10, 2013 you really can't go wrong with a 35mm IMO.....like a 35mm Summicron. If you are on a tighter budget, you should consider the 35mm Summarit OR 40mm Summicron....both of which offer very similar performance for considerably less money. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
earleygallery Posted February 10, 2013 Share #3 Posted February 10, 2013 Buy whichever secondhand, try it, if you don't like it you can sell it for pretty much the same price and buy the other. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rramesh Posted February 11, 2013 Share #4 Posted February 11, 2013 (edited) The M9 is a great camera and a wonderful choice. A primary focal length is very personal and while some prefer 35 on a full frame, others prefer the 50. Why, there are many that use a 28 most of the time. You need to try lenses out first in various situations and then decide what suits you best. You can rent or borrow first. If you can't then try getting a used lens or even start with cheaper lenses like Voigtlander or Zeiss that make very good lenses (of course not at the price of a Leica but a useful starting point.) Try the CV 35 or the Zeiss 50 Planar. You can always upgrade to a Leica after some time. Alternately you can get some rather good Summicrons in the used market. Do take care here, check for warranties and buy from a reputed dealer. Edited February 11, 2013 by rramesh Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkP Posted February 11, 2013 Share #5 Posted February 11, 2013 (edited) The perennial 'first lens' question. Might I suggest that you look back over your previous photographs - do you primarily see the world through 35mm or 50mm. Start there, but it really doesn't matter too much as you will almost certainly end up with both focal lengths - they are very different. I should add that 28/50 is a really nice combination. You may want to consider the Summarits (on balance, other than the 1/2 stop, they are as good as the corresponding Summicrons) - at the price you can almost have a 35 and 50. Mark Edited February 11, 2013 by MarkP Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tonki-M Posted February 11, 2013 Share #6 Posted February 11, 2013 35 is always a good start if you're new into the rangefinder world. distortion is not a concern with Leica 35mm, it may be there for some model of 35 but hardly, hardly noticeable. i, myself, am a 50 shooter, but also have a 35cron ASPH. had i been a 35 shooter, i would have chosen FLE in a heart beat but choose according to budget. if you have limited budget, check out older 35 lens like the 35 cron version 4 or the 8-element cron (but this one is a bit expensive) Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
efreed2754 Posted February 11, 2013 Share #7 Posted February 11, 2013 Advertisement (gone after registration) Agree with Mark's advice to see what you have used in he past. That said I went many years before acquiring the 50 Asph last year and am now using more than my 35 Summicron which was always first choice. You will take good pictures with whatever lens you have attached at that decisive moment. Typical lens systems can be: One: 35 or 50 Two lenses: 35 and 75 or 90 Three lenses: 24 or 28, 35 or 50 and 75 or 90 Four lenses: 18, 24, 28 or 35 or 50, 75 or 90, and 135 makes five Other criteria are speed in case you shoot concerts like I do or often are in low light. Some of us are fortunate to own more than five; then we carry 3 to 5 based on circumstances. So planning ahead is about a system is good thinking on your part. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
marknorton Posted February 11, 2013 Share #8 Posted February 11, 2013 As James says, I would buy a good secondhand 35mm Summicron which will always fetch close to what you paid for it and learn with that. You can have too many lenses and with the M9, my favourite 3 are the 28mm Summicron ASPH, the 50mm Summilux ASPH and the APO 90mm Summicron ASPH. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
andrew00 Posted February 12, 2013 Author Share #9 Posted February 12, 2013 Thanks for the replies, The M is on its way, now for the lens! I've taken lately with Venetia Scotts photography, who takes really nice full body/half body portraits. I've posted some examples below. Looking at these, what focal length do y'all feel will be most suited to achieving the below, I think she uses a Contax G2 and I'm presuming the 35mm or 45mm lens, so I'm thinking probably looking at a 35mm or 50mm? However I'd appreciate some guidance of which as will the 35mm be unsuited for the half bodies (distortion), will the 50mm not be able to get far enough back for a good full body etc? Also, if y'all can recommend any specifically suited lenses that'd be great, thanks a lot! Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
firstlight Posted February 12, 2013 Share #10 Posted February 12, 2013 I guess you don't feel and disturbing distortion with 35mm.. even 28mm is fine for half/full body pictures (but 28mm is really the limit). Therefore you should be fine with 35mm. I'll also go for a 35mm only setup as I like the slightly wide-angle. 50mm is to "tele" for my perception. will the 50mm not be able to get far enough back for a good full body etc?Full body with 50mm needs some distance:In the forest: no problem In a city: watch out that you're not getting hit by a car while stepping back indoor: forget it.. Also, if y'all can recommend any specifically suited lenses that'd be great, thanks a lot! I'll get the Summilux 35 FLE tomorrow, I'll update you how it performs Cheers! Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill W Posted February 12, 2013 Share #11 Posted February 12, 2013 FWIW 35 Summicron would be my first choice. I think it will give you more shooting opportunities than a 50 as your first and only lens. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
algrove Posted February 12, 2013 Share #12 Posted February 12, 2013 We all have our favorites. My suggestion would be to take a Leica Akademie where you can try just about every M lens Leica makes. It will also help you better understand yor M9 and how to improve your techniques. They often give a coupon for a new Leica numbered lens or body worth around $150. The class could save you money in the end by preventing purchasing what you will not enjoy or use. Tom Smith who runs the US Akademies is very good and patient with all students. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
kivis Posted June 28, 2022 Share #13 Posted June 28, 2022 On 2/10/2013 at 11:47 PM, efreed2754 said: Agree with Mark's advice to see what you have used in he past. That said I went many years before acquiring the 50 Asph last year and am now using more than my 35 Summicron which was always first choice. You will take good pictures with whatever lens you have attached at that decisive moment. Typical lens systems can be: One: 35 or 50 Two lenses: 35 and 75 or 90 Three lenses: 24 or 28, 35 or 50 and 75 or 90 Four lenses: 18, 24, 28 or 35 or 50, 75 or 90, and 135 makes five Other criteria are speed in case you shoot concerts like I do or often are in low light. Some of us are fortunate to own more than five; then we carry 3 to 5 based on circumstances. So planning ahead is about a system is good thinking on your part. 21-35-50-90 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
M11 for me Posted June 28, 2022 Share #14 Posted June 28, 2022 (edited) 21 Super Elmar - 28 Summicron - 50 Summicron - 75 Summicron 28mm as main lens Why 28 and not 35? They are quite near together but 28 is more versatile with no distortion. You always can crop a bit in post. Edited June 28, 2022 by M11 for me Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaeger Posted June 28, 2022 Share #15 Posted June 28, 2022 (edited) if you can recommend me what to have for lunch, I will recommend you a lens. Edited June 28, 2022 by jaeger 1 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff S Posted June 28, 2022 Share #16 Posted June 28, 2022 47 minutes ago, kivis said: 21-35-50-90 Let's hope the OP figured it out since posting 9 years ago. Jeff 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RexGig0 Posted June 28, 2022 Share #17 Posted June 28, 2022 3 hours ago, Jeff S said: Let's hope the OP figured it out since posting 9 years ago. Jeff Yes, indeed, he did settle upon an unspecified 28mm, mentioned in a post from 2021. 🙂 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff S Posted June 28, 2022 Share #18 Posted June 28, 2022 14 minutes ago, RexGig0 said: Yes, indeed, he did settle upon an unspecified 28mm, mentioned in a post from 2021. 🙂 Good catch… his only post since 2013…. Jeff 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jakontil Posted June 29, 2022 Share #19 Posted June 29, 2022 For a single lens, for my case its gonna be 50mm.. summicron is a good starting point but if you need lowlight since M9 not really excels with, a lux can be the way… or voigtlander’s Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Herr Barnack Posted June 30, 2022 Share #20 Posted June 30, 2022 On 6/28/2022 at 4:28 PM, Jeff S said: Let's hope the OP figured it out since posting 9 years ago. Jeff There's something to be said for not rushing into an poorly thought through lens purchase... 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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