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I have just taken delivery of my Leica M9-P, 35 Summilux FLE and 50 Summilux ASPH and am now looking forward to the trips I have planned this year and the photography opportunities.

 

Now that I have the kit I find myself toying with the idea of adding a 15mm Voigtlander or similar wide angle to my kit to add some versatility without breaking the bank even further than I already have.

 

I've invested a significant amount of money on the 35 and 50 brand new and expect to cover most of my shots with these lenses.

 

Does anyone think I might be occasionally frustrated in Hong Kong or Venice without something a bit wider than a 35?

 

On one hand I think I should focus on using the two lenses I have but on the other I worry that there might be shots I see that I can't take without something wide.

 

All opinions welcomed!

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For photography in urban areas I would advise adding a wideangle like a 21 or 24 for contextual shots and narrow streets - the 15 is fun but too much of a specialist lens for general use- and a 90 mm for details. The 35 and 50 are a bit close to get enough variety in your shots imo.

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For photography in urban areas I would advise adding a wideangle like a 21 or 24 for contextual shots and narrow streets - the 15 is fun but too much of a specialist lens for general use

 

Are there any known issues with using a Voigtlander 24 without coding on an M9-P? Should I just stump up for a Leica 21 or 24 to complete my kit?

 

- and a 90 mm for details. The 35 and 50 are a bit close to get enough variety in your shots imo.

 

I don't really like using long lenses on my M camera - I never enjoyed my 90 APO Summicron on my M8 so was thinking of sticking to a 50 as my longest lens at least for the timebeing. I'd consider the 75 Summarit though but I really don't want to end up with 4 lenses for the trip and will definitely want my 35 and 50 with me.

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I would advise getting a relatively small and light vintage Leica 90 - they are all excellent and not expensive-, dropping it in your bag and forgetting about it - until you need it.

I think Zeiss 21/2.8 is the best quality for money wide-angle lens.

Edited by jaapv
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I'd advise using exactly the same lens or lenses that you do at home. Physics and optics work the same all over the world.

 

I would particularly advise you not to buy a new lens just before a trip; learn to use it - and get it out of your system - before you go.

 

Regards,

 

Bill

 

Sent from another Galaxy

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I would particularly advise you not to buy a new lens just before a trip; learn to use it - and get it out of your system - before you go.

 

 

I've used wide angle lenses before, I was really asking if people thought a wide angle was essential/useful/useless for the places I am planning to visit and, if so, which lens they would recommend.

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The last time I went to Venice (on the One Challenge) I shot it all with my 50mm Sonnar. Everyone shoots Venice with a wideangle. That's great if you want your photos to look like everybody else's.

 

It's not the view that matters, it's your vision.

 

Regards

 

Bill

 

Sent from another Galaxy

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Suggest a three lens kit. A wide like a 21 or 24 would work well in tight spaces which you wind lots of in the places you plan to visit. Also for street scenes and will come in handy in the wider shots of scenary. A long one for close ups. Here a 75 or 90 will work well. An all purpose low light like a 50 lux for the night shots and you will get ample opportunity for this in Hong Kong.

 

Of course with any lens you can still take great shots.

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Are you talking about the f/4 lenses - I'd consider doing this if it was relatively inexpensive.

 

Daniel

Yes - you cannot go wrong there. Even the oldest 90/4.0 is still capable of taking excellent images.

 

 

Here is a rather nice (exc+) LTM Elmar 90/ 4.0 for 99 GBP, for instance. Very small and light.

.

And here an exc Elmarit 90/2.8 M mount for 299 GBP

 

If you search the net, there is quite a lot around.

Edited by jaapv
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The last time I went to Venice (on the One Challenge) I shot it all with my 50mm Sonnar. Everyone shoots Venice with a wideangle. That's great if you want your photos to look like everybody else's.

 

It's not the view that matters, it's your vision.

 

Regards

 

Bill

 

Sent from another Galaxy

If it is your vision, your photographs should not look like anybody else's, irrespective of the lens you are using.

However, there is no vision that can move walls out of the way.

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I'm not into shooting walls. I leave that to the lens testers... Honestly, if you want to buy a new lens, just buy it. Don't use a trip to justify.

Regards,

 

Bill

 

Sent from another Galaxy

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Guest borge
I have just taken delivery of my Leica M9-P, 35 Summilux FLE and 50 Summilux ASPH and am now looking forward to the trips I have planned this year and the photography opportunities.

 

Now that I have the kit I find myself toying with the idea of adding a 15mm Voigtlander or similar wide angle to my kit to add some versatility without breaking the bank even further than I already have.

 

I've invested a significant amount of money on the 35 and 50 brand new and expect to cover most of my shots with these lenses.

 

Does anyone think I might be occasionally frustrated in Hong Kong or Venice without something a bit wider than a 35?

 

On one hand I think I should focus on using the two lenses I have but on the other I worry that there might be shots I see that I can't take without something wide.

 

All opinions welcomed!

 

I visited Venice last fall and had a 28mm, 50mm and 90mm with me.

 

The 90mm was worthless there. Never used it.

The 28mm was cool for some shots, but I always felt that it was a bit too wide.

The 50mm was a bit narrow but worked OK.

 

A 35mm would have been perfect there, I think. At least for the type of photography I did there (mostly street of people).

 

There are so many details in Venice so using a super wide there could be a bit difficult even though the streets and buildings are very narrow. With a 15mm you would simply end up with too much in the frame most of the time. In a super crowded place with details all over the place the pictures tend to end up very "messy" with an ultra wide in my opinion.

 

Remember: The streets are packed with people as well. So ultra wides is very challenging to use in this city since it will be very difficult to isolate a subject unless you plan on shooting after 2am.

 

I actually preferred my 50mm there compared to the 28mm, although, as I said, a 35mm would be perfect I think.

Edited by borge
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Guest borge
So from your POV I am well covered with my existing 35 and 50 Summiluxes. :D

 

Yup! Those are the lenses I currently use myself. Don't see the need for anything else.

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