Lens choices for Hong Kong, Venice and Italy

[bill]

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Actually, have a look at two things - the photos of Rickleica on Flickr, and the entries for the Venice One Challenge.

 

Then do what YOU want to do that matches YOUR vision.

 

Regards,

 

Bill

 

Sent from another Galaxy

[jaapv]

Quite agree. It makes the OP rather superfluous though...

[bill]

:D:D

 

Regards,

 

Bill

[IWC Doppel]

I took three lenses to venice and found it a perfect combination, 24,28 and 35. Wide is good in venice

 

I could have happily used my 50, 75 or 21. If I went again I might swap the 24 for the 21, but probably not. I would probably also bring a 50. If you don't take something wider than a 35 I think you'll miss out

[IkarusJohn]

I would take Jaap's recommendation, and get the Zeiss 21, or the SEM 21.

 

For such trips, I would take 21-28-50-90. I would expect the 28 to live on my camera, with the 50 in my pocket. I would hate not to have a wide and short tele available. Venice can be tight, and a wide increases your options. If you only want 3 lenses, and you're a wide kind of person, drop the 90.

 

It's also worth considering character - you Summiluxes have similar rendering. Would you want to add a Mandler lens, or older?

[wattsy]

Your 35mm will be absolutely fine. I've been to Venice many times and I can't think of an occasion when I wanted anything wider than 35mm. The Grand Canal is not the Grand Canyon.

 

If you are not convinced, have a look at the Leica brochure for the M9-P which contains quite a few photographs from Venice with captions showing the lens used. I seem to recall that most of the photos were shot with either a 35mm or 50mm lens.

[onaujee]

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Try the CV 21mm f/1.8 is it a decent lens for a 1/5 price of a Summilux.

[Ecar]

Your 35mm will be absolutely fine. I've been to Venice many times and I can't think of an occasion when I wanted anything wider than 35mm. The Grand Canal is not the Grand Canyon.

 

+1.

The last time I went to Venice, I had a Summilux 21, a MATE and a Noctilux. The 21 and 28 focal lengths accounted for no more than 20% of the pictures.

This is possibly counter-intuitive, but I realized that unless you are a very early bird (or are very patient), it's quite difficult to find uncluttered angles and perspectives that would justify using wide lenses more often. However, if you are an adept of street photography with a dramatic twist (and an interest in tourists from all over the world...), then a wide is perfectly justified. YMMV.

[algrove]

ecar- So are you saying that the Noctilux was the most used or the MATE? If MATE was it 35 or 50 that won out? Thanks.

[Les_Sismore]

I suggest that rather than purchasing another lens and then travelling with one camera body and three (or more) lenses you would be better off by getting a second camera body (film for a completely different character and image quality??) and leaving one lens fixed to each camera and ready for immediate use (in your carrying bag if you use one).

 

Then:

. you just pick your camera ready to fire for the picture that appears - you don't lose that fascinating scene or vista dithering about which lens to use, changing the lens (and filter?) and wondering about whether you have got the composition "just right"

. you are less likely to be a "PITA photographer" to those you are travelling with and all those around you

. if you want postcard scenes, you can buy the postcard

 

Cheers - enjoy your trip!!

[erl]

Just another POV.

There is not a single lens in my armory that I could not use in Venice, or anywhere. Until I get there I have no idea what I will see, except that as far as possible it will differ (geographically) as much as possible from the 'tourist push'. So, take whatever you are prepared to carry, tempered by what you know as your own style.

 

Your pictures will differ from others largely by where you "place your feet", not which lens you use.

 

As for shooting walls, I love it.

Venice 2010

 

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[Guest Duane Pandorf]

I think there's a place in the bag for a wider than 28mm lens, say maybe the 21mm. But I don't know if I'd be willing to have to worry about an external view finder too. My travel bag has the 28 Elmarit, 50 Lux pre-ASPH, and the latest 90 Elmarit-M.

 

However, I'd think I'd be very happy just carrying the 35 and 50 luxes to Venice.

[IkarusJohn]

A couple of comments - first, the OP was asking about Venice, Hong Kong &, more generally, Italy; and second, wide angle lenses are not just for enclosed spaces and bigs expansive skies.

 

I would take whatever lenses I normally feel comfortable having here, but I would allow for the narrow alleyways of Venice, dim interiors, narrow streets of some of the older parts of Hong Kong, and landscapes of Italy. On the last one, I like the option of longer lenses for landscapes as the Italians do have a habit of stringing power lines and ski lift lines across some of their more beautiful vistas.

 

Furthermore, in crowded environments, I like to get in close with a wide angle as it helps to manage crowds better.

 

Granted, your mileage may vary.

 

So, for me (I was planning to go on a trip to Germany, France and Italy this year (since called off), and my plan was to take 21-28-50-90 with two bodies - M9-P & Monochrom. THis is the combination I plan to take to the US in April (next year) for a motorbike holiday as well as it covers most options. I might not use them all that much, but I would rather have them (they're not that big) and not use them than not have them and need them ...

[algrove]

I like for an all round kit, not knowing what I will come across. So matter where I go is:

 

a very wide either 18, 21 or 24

then a 28 or 35 (usually the 35 as I seem to use it 80% of the time)

a 50 (fast or slow is the decision)

a 90 (fast or slower)

sometimes a 135 (fast or slower)

and always my MM and a color digital body all packed in my ONA backpack for long trips (here I often pack 6 lenses) or on a daily basis my ONA Union Street Bag (ideally 4 lenses).

 

So 5 lenses, 21, 35, 50, 90, 135 or 18, 24, 35, 50, 90.

 

4 lenses=21,35,50,90-always at least one fast lens for low light situations

 

3 lenses=21, 35, 90 or 35, 50, 90

 

2 lenses=28,35 or 35,50 or 35,90 or 50,90

 

1 lens=35 FLE

[NZDavid]

This discussion always makes me think how useful a zoom would be, but how dull to just have one lens and none of these choices!

 

I have found the 24 focal length really useful for landscapes, interiors and even environmental portraits. But the 35 is also a superb compact all-round travel lens. And the 21 is ideal for tight spaces. I might take all three to Japan.

[leicafan!]

Thank you everyone for your opinions so far. I think my ultimate aim will be to own:

- 21 SEM

- 35 'lux FLE (I already have)

- 50 'lux ASPH (I already have)

- 90 (tbc but a smaller lens)

 

I'm the type of person who will end up spending entire days on one lens (hence my 35 and 50 choices) but also will want a wide I think for landscape shots if I'm doing a dawn/dusk special outing on some days (which I'm known to do). I'm thinking of HK cityscape shots specifically here.

[IWC Doppel]

24 and 35 form a similar point. in fact the backdrop would be significantly further away if I wasnt up close to the boats with the 24 shot

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[leicafan!]

What about this as a 90? Leica Elmarit-M 90mm f/2.8 http://www.reddotcameras.co.uk/product_info.php?cPath=34_36&products_id=6094

[IWC Doppel]

What about this as a 90? Leica Elmarit-M 90mm f/2.8 http://www.reddotcameras.co.uk/product_info.php?cPath=34_36&products_id=6094

 

A lovely lens, I thought the rendering was wonderful, but I never got on with 90mm

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[StephenPatterson]

I agree with others who have recommended not buying a lens just before going on holiday. A new lens requires time to get to know. Dance with the one who brung ya...

 

Hong Kong is renowned as having the same number of people as New York in 1/4 the space, and walking the narrow streets in Kowloon or on the Island one can feel like a salmon swimming upstream. But this doesn't mean that an ultra wide lens is absolutely necessary to shoot the city. In fact many iconic HK images are shot with longer lenses up and down the streets, capturing the signs, buildings, taxis and people. Also shooting across Victoria harbour or from the peak is often best done with a mid to long lens.

 

But that said I absolutely love the 21mm focal length, and always have it in my bag. It's a great lens for any location, including HK and Venice. You can get in close in the small shops and capture the feeling of the city and people. I have the CV 15/4.5 Heliar, but it's a very specialized tool and I don't think you would end up using it much compared to a 21, 24 or 28.

 

Everyone has their own lens recipe, and mine is 21-35-50. I can happily shoot HK, from The Peak to Yau Ma Tei to Lamma Island, with this setup. I do at times expand the range with the 15/4.5 and 90/2.8, but not every day and for specific shots.

 

Have fun and enjoy the dim sum.