Simon Bee Posted May 5, 2013 Share #1 Posted May 5, 2013 Advertisement (gone after registration) I will be very grateful for any advice that can be given regarding which lens to purchase next. Yes lens choice is subjective and a matter of personal choice but a little guidance is always helpful. I recently purchased a late example of an M7 (29+++++) which is at Solms having the DX reader upgraded as part of the sale. The VF is the MP version but the reader is not the optical one. I currently have one lens and yes its not a "logical" choice as a first lens but the "price was right" and it would have been my second lens anyway ...... the 75mm APO. I am having difficulty decided what sort of 'standard' to get, should I go for a 35 of 50 ? If 35 it will be a Cron Asph and as a 'two lens kit' I would think this would be the logical step. If I end up expanding to three lenses then possibly the 50 will be better with say a 28 added later. Of course I could do as Leica suggest and add the 28 Cron next, then fill-in the gap with a 50 later. And what of the 50's ..... if it is to be the next lens of choice then will the 1.4 Asph be worth the extra cost over a 50 Cron, especially as I can currently obtain a mint example of the latest Cron for £1000 GBP. OK I'm kind of getting confused by options, so all I ask is what would be you choice if it were you, it will be interesting to see what 'combo' comes out on top if nothing else, however I am sure any advice given will be helpful and will be much appreciated. I will not look to go longer than the 75 I currently have so on that basis ...... a) Most versatile 2 lens kit with 75 being longest .... 28 & 75 ? which 28, 2.8 or 2.0 ? or perhaps 35 & 75, if so then it will be a Cron not Lux Most versatile 3 lens kit, 28 - 50 -75 , if so then Lux Aph or Cron for the 50 or would I likely be better served by going .... 21/24 - 35 - 75 ? As already said I will be most grateful of any advice given for even though I alone have to decide I is always helpful to hear the thoughts of others more experienced than ones self. Thank you Simon Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted May 5, 2013 Posted May 5, 2013 Hi Simon Bee, Take a look here Which lens next ?. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
iedei Posted May 5, 2013 Share #2 Posted May 5, 2013 congrats on getting an M7. all i can really say is that make sure you get a wide angle lens, as they are VERY satisfying to use, IMO! 21mm or 24mm is ideal, IMO. some great options: 21mm Elmarit 24mm Elmarit 21mm Super Elmar Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest malland Posted May 5, 2013 Share #3 Posted May 5, 2013 Simon, as you say the choice is subjective; but the main thing is what sort of photography do you do? My ideal et would be 21, 28 and 40, as I like to go to the wide end. But I don't have a 40 now and use a Summilux-50 pre-ASPH, which I prefer to the ASPH. The lens I use the most is the 28, although some 10 years ago, my favorite focal length was 50. In general, I would think that the choice is between a 28 and a 35. Most people. I would think, prefer the 35, since a 28 gets a more into the frame than most people want. On the other hand, in Japan the 28 is probably more popular than the 35 — now, you're in Wales... —Mitch/Paris Bangkok Hysteria (download link for book project) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
philipus Posted May 5, 2013 Share #4 Posted May 5, 2013 (edited) Simon, is this your first foray into photography or, if you photographed before, which focal lengths did you use then? Your "standard" as you put it will depend on experience and preference more than anything else. Now, if you didn't photograph before then I advise you to use the frameline preview lever on your camera and visualise scenes that way. Take a stroll, zoom with your feet and see which focal length you prefer. Then let that be the guide to follow for the next lens. If that turns out to be a bad choice then sell the lens. The beauty of Leica is that you can usually sell, esp. lenses, without much loss. Some photographers like to be up close - and with 28 (but even 35, I would argue) one often needs to be really close to fill the frame when shooting street or people generally. Some are not comfortable with this and therefore go for a 50. A 75 and a 28 is a reasonable spread for a two-lens kit, imho. But I have a feeling you'll want something longer than a 75 eventually. I only shoot film and for me having the 50 Summilux Asph has often meant getting a sharp shot where a slower lens would have been insufficient. It is larger than the Summicron but that's not a bit problem for me (I shot EOS before). Yes, the Asph is expensive and a steep "entry ticket", but it is staggeringly good; I've never seen anything like it before. I also have a 35 and a 90 and these three lenses cover virtually all my needs. I have toyed with the idea of going wider - 28 is interesting but imho too close to 35, regardless of the praise the 28 Summicron receives. Strangely enough, 35 and 50 are not too close for my style of photography. To my lens kit, 21mm would seem a useful addition. But the 21 Summilux is simply too big and too expensive. Which is why I am seriously considering the 21 Ultron 1.8. Good luck Philip Edited May 5, 2013 by philipus Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stealth3kpl Posted May 5, 2013 Share #5 Posted May 5, 2013 I shoot film only. I have a number of lenses of all focal lengths but I'm gradually gravitating to a 3 lens back packing travel kit of 21super elmar 35 cron asph 50 cron (insert your 70 here) a 3 lens luxury kit of 21super elmar 35 Lux FLE 50 Lux and a 2 lens street photography kit of 28 cron 50 lux a one lens kit of 35 Lux I think the 35 cron asph would be a nice companion to your 75 cron. Pete Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simon Bee Posted May 5, 2013 Author Share #6 Posted May 5, 2013 Thank you to everyone who has so far responded, your input in genuinely appreciated and you have provided sensible suggestions too. I recently sold an Olympus OM3 Ti along with 28 F2 / 50 F1.2 / 85 F2 Zuikos to help fund the switch back to a Leica Rangefinder, so maybe there lies my answer. The reason for the 75 first was ..... 1) I mostly enjoy people photography, especially portraits 2) I owned it a few years ago and always regretted selling it 3) The price was "very" right and its a mint example Naturally it would be a bit long for a 'one lens kit' so if I want to make good use of the M7 I need something wider. I was comfortable with the Zuiko outfit I had so there is no reason to doubt that I would be otherwise with a similar Leica setup. I guess the problem stems from starting out with the 75 Cron, why ? well I really like the 50mm F/L but the frame lines for the 50 & 75 seem relatively close in terms of F.O.V. hence the thoughts of going for the classic wide standard of 35mm. As I like a 50mm I could ( should ) have bought a 90mm as my telephoto, the problem is as much as I like the look of the 90 Cron it is just too big for my taste, the 75 is just right. I'm making the classic mistake when building a lens range aren't I ? I should know better, but darn I love that 75 ! So I shall have to 'work around' it. OK, what do you think ..... in your opinions is the 50mm too close a F.O.V. to the 75mm to consider it my 'standard' ? If so I guess the 35 Cron Asph really should be my next lens, I'm not uncomfortable with the 35mm F.O.V. , I shot only with a Nikon 35Ti for a number of years. If this becomes my choice I think the final lens ( should I decide on a three lens kit ) should be either a 24 or 21 , I believe 28 will be too close to the 35. If I.Y.O. the 50mm compliments the 75mm then I have another set of options ..... I 'can' afford the 1.4 Asph ( just ) but as I can obtain a very nice condition current Cron for £1000 GBP would it be more sensible to buy the Cron and have enough left to buy a 28mm f2.8 Asph or does the 1.4 Asph merit the extra £1600 GBP ( it would be new as I rarely see S/H available ) over the S/H Cron ? If 'yes' then I guess a third lens would have to wait some time, not that that is a bad thing of course. Once again thank you for all responses thus far and any to this latest post by me. Kind regards Simon Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
earleygallery Posted May 5, 2013 Share #7 Posted May 5, 2013 Advertisement (gone after registration) I would choose a 35. When travelling I tend to use my 35 and 90 for 90% of the time (ok you have the 75 but it's much the same). Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Marc G. Posted May 5, 2013 Share #8 Posted May 5, 2013 I'll start with a few words on some of the lenses you suggested: 1) consider the summarit 35 instead of the summicron 35. the performance is pretty much the same but the summarit doesnt suffer that much from flare as the summicron, which can flare badly. didnt manage to get the summarit to flare. other than that the summarit is a load cheaper but as well made. dont get fooled by the different fond of writing used on the summarit lenses in general. these lenses perform excellent and due to their resistance to flare they are often better as a standard lens than their summicron equivalents (not the 50 APO obviously...). 2) the 28 elmarit asph and the 28 summicron asph are both excellent lenses. the 28 elmarit has far less distortion than the summicron which is good to have on film. other than that it comes down to the 1 stop difference vs weight, bulk and a bumload of cash. I currently own the 28/2.8 and tested the 28/2 for a short time. after I saw their optical performance is equal I was even more satisfied with the currently smallest M lens in production. 3) the 75 cron comes with a bad thing you only recognize in actual use. the focus throw is very short which makes it hard to focus as a short and fast tele lens. I focus a 50 1.4 very precisely and quickly wide open but had a hard time getting perfectly sharp with the 75 cron as it is simply hard to focus (YMMV...). I would opt for the 75 summarit if it has to be 75 or just have a look at the 90 summarit (yeah I'm a fan of the summarits... they are optically just awesome) 4) I currently use a 28/2.8 asph, 50/1.4 asph, 90/2.5 setup (with a 35/2.5 as an addon) and theres nothing I cant cover with that setup (although on the long run an ultra wide angle might be intersting to learn 5) you are a little bit too focused on the focal lengths imo. every lens has its downsides (short focus throw on the 75/2, 50/2 and 35/2 not really flare resistant, summarits 2/3 stop slower) you have to consider. if you dont like the downside of a lens then simply skip it. either way you already have the 75/2 but I still think the 28/50 combo would add nicely to that, since you're used to the 50 as a standard. if you want to go wider after the OM experience after all I'd think about the 35/2.5 as a standard or the 35/1.4 FLE if you want to break the bank completely Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dpitt Posted May 5, 2013 Share #9 Posted May 5, 2013 I like to get out with a combo that is small enough to fit in a jacket pocket.That means something that has a max size of about the 35cron, 40C cron, 28 Elmarit ASPH, Summarit 35. All of these, except maybe the Elmarit are fast enough for outdoor as well as indoor shots. Collapsible Elmar 50 or 50 cron and 35lux pre-ASPH are options too, but they are older designs. OTH if you really like longer lenses then the 50 Lux can bring an extra stop and that Summilux magic to the table. That and the wider angle can make it a good choice. I really like my 50 pre-ASPH too. Why not buy 2 extra lenses S/H in stead of 1 new? Or go for the 35 Summarit and one S/H 50lux ? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tonki-M Posted May 6, 2013 Share #10 Posted May 6, 2013 21-35-90 is the way to go it's my traveling kit. for 21, elmarit asph or super-elmar-m is exceptional. for 35, ANY of them would be a good choice. i use a 90 elmarit, not too big, very beautiful draw and good sharpness. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
IkarusJohn Posted May 6, 2013 Share #11 Posted May 6, 2013 I would endorse Marc G's comments above. I have a variety of lenses, and I am always changing what's in my bag. At the moment I have a 28 Summicron ASPH (tack sharp and with a wider, more interesting field of view than a 35), 50 Summilux ASPH (I seem to favour the 50 mm field of view - I have three 50's - the Summilux is a modern lens with all that entails) and a 75 Summilux (viewed by some as Mandler's best including Mandler himself, apparently). With this selection, I get a variety of focal lengths, but also quite different styles of lens. My advice would be to go for 28-50-75 if you can, but I'd start by adding the 28. Before you choose your next lens, have a look at the image quality the lens provides rather than the focal length. The APO Summicron 75 is very sharp (I found harder to focus than either the APO Summicron 90 or the Summilux 75). The Summilux 50 ASPH is a great lens - FLE and reputedly APO as well, though not designated as such. If you add the Summicron 28, you will have three modern ASPH lenses ... As I shoot digital, film may involve different considerations. Happy hunting! Cheers John Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
IWC Doppel Posted May 6, 2013 Share #12 Posted May 6, 2013 If you are used to 75, then I think moving between something too wide and 75 will be quite disorienting. I guess it depends on where you want to be ultimately. If I was in your position I'd go for 50 next, then follow with 35. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
microview Posted May 6, 2013 Share #13 Posted May 6, 2013 … a Summilux-50 pre-ASPH, which I prefer to the ASPH. +1 I have gone back to the pre-ASPH twice now after replacing earlier ones with the ASPH! Won't repeat the mistake. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
luigi bertolotti Posted May 6, 2013 Share #14 Posted May 6, 2013 35 imho (Cron asph if you can, Summarit as good cheaper alterntive), then 21+finder, then 135. You can forget 50 (I did for years, on film) unless one day you want something special for low light... a Noctilux (or a CV Nokton 1,1 in ca$e... ) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mirekti Posted May 6, 2013 Share #15 Posted May 6, 2013 I went with the 35 an 75 combination. Sometime in future I plan on adding 21 SEM to it. This is might be a bit helpful 21mm-35mm-75mm: 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! 1 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/204113-which-lens-next/?do=findComment&comment=2315795'>More sharing options...
01af Posted May 6, 2013 Share #16 Posted May 6, 2013 35 mm IMHO (Summicron Asph if you can, Summarit as good cheaper alternative) ... Luigi, there's a typo in your post, let me correct it for you: (Summicron Asph if you think you must, Summarit as better cheaper alternative). Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simon Bee Posted May 6, 2013 Author Share #17 Posted May 6, 2013 Thank you to everyone for the help and advice thus far. Well I have to say I am leaning towards a 35mm next with the third and final lens being added at a later date and this will likely be a 21mm. So which 35 ? I have already stated that if the next lens is to be a 35mm then it will be a Asph Summicron and not a Lux, however the Summarit gets very favourable reviews and is quite a lot cheaper than the 'cron whether both are new or used. Then finally there is the Zeiss at either F2 or F2.8 or the Voightlander F1.2 , I guess it does not 'have' to be a Leica optic, I know both Zeiss' get great reviews and I believe the Voightlander is highly thought of too. I am aware that the Voightlander is quite large as RF lenses go but it surely cannot be too big for it uses 52mm filters, what do you folks think of this lens as an option ? Here's a thought ..... if I were to buy either a Zeiss or Voightlander 35 instead of the Summicron I could also purchase the 21mm now, for example ... the Zeiss 21mm F4.5 which looks like a wonderful little lens. Then again the whole point of owning a Leica is for Leica glass is it not ? Kind regards Simon Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
IkarusJohn Posted May 6, 2013 Share #18 Posted May 6, 2013 Then again the whole point of owning a Leica is for Leica glass is it not ? I think so. 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
01af Posted May 6, 2013 Share #19 Posted May 6, 2013 So which 35 mm? I have already stated that if the next lens is to be a 35 mm then it will be a Summicron Asph [...], however the Summarit gets very favourable reviews and is quite a lot cheaper than the 'cron ... Both are fine, and both have their specific pros and cons ... but what clearly tips the scale for me, with regard to these two, is the Summarit's superior flare resistance. But then, the Zeiss Biogon 35 mm ZM models and the Voigtländer Nokton 35 mm 1:1.2 also are very interesting lenses ... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
luigi bertolotti Posted May 6, 2013 Share #20 Posted May 6, 2013 Luigi, there's a typo in your post, let me correct it for you: (Summicron Asph if you think you must, Summarit as better cheaper alternative). Having a Summicron 35 asph... I defend my gear... (but my 75 is a Summarit... excellent lens , though after 5 years has developed a certain looseness of the front part... probably easy to fix should it become annoying) Summarit 75 is deliciously compact... also for transport, expecially from when I discovered (after more than 1 year, and only thanks to the forum...) that the hood can be screwed in also reversed 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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