Is it better to master one focal length with a rangefinder before using other lenses?

[KanzaKruzer]

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I am coming up on the 1 year mark from ordering a Leica M. While waiting for delivery I’ve had time to assemble my desired lens kit (21/3.4, 35/1.4, 50/1.5, 50/2, 90/2). As a novice to rangefinders, can you become more proficient with a rangefinder by starting with one lens before moving on to other focal lengths? From what I have read, both the 35mm and 50mm are in the sweet spot for rangefinders. Those two focal lengths will easily retain 80% of shots taken by me with the M even after expanding to 21mm and 90mm. Would using both the 35mm and 50mm at the start extend my learning curve?

 

I’ve started carrying a Ricoh GR all the time and suspect it will accompany the Leica M as well. It seems the 50mm focal length would complement the GR’s 28mm focal length. That combo will provide more flexibility and backup if I am struggling with the rangefinder. I preferred 35mm with the D700, but would choose the 50mm focal length on a rangefinder as I want to capture more candid shots of people.

 

I would appreciate feedback on which following option would be the best path forward:

 

1. Start with 50mm until proficient before moving on to other focal lengths.
   
2. Alternate between the 35mm and 50mm before moving on to other focal lengths.
   
3. Use all my lenses from the start selecting the best focal length for the situation.
   

[Jeff S]

Once you get the mechanics down, figure out what subjects you want to shoot, and how, and pick the lens from there, not vice versa IMO.

 

A bit late now, but my advice would have been to rent or borrow (or buy) an M8 or M9 to determine if you like the RF experience - some do, some don't - then go slowly on making lens purchase decisions. Those cameras also have a frame preview lever to assist.

 

Some folks strongly prefer the 35; others are 50 shooters (a cropped sensor of course makes a difference). Some think the two are too close, while others (like me) disagree and use both, but for different situations.

 

But you have a good selection now, so might as well get a feel for them. On the other hand, the benefit of using only a lens or two to start is that you will use your feet more, and get to better explore the possibilities of each. If you're like most folks, you'll probably end up using a couple of focal lengths 80-90% of the time anyway.

 

Jeff

[StephenPatterson]

I always advice new Leica people to choose one lens, 35mm or 50mm, and to shoot with it for six months. After six months you will have learned that lens' characteristics, you will know what lens you want next and you will be a better photographer.

[250swb]

3. Use all my lenses from the start selecting the best focal length for the situation.

 

#3 is by far the best option, but why wouldn't you anyway? Using a Leica shouldn't be a rite of passage, it is just a camera. Don't hobble yourself with arbitrary rules and the idea that you have to learn something before you are allowed to progress onto another level like a computer game. You already know your focal lengths, so how long it takes to get the hang of a rangefinder focusing and the camera's quirks is personal. Never think that if somebody else takes a year to do get the hang of things that is the norm, I'd say a couple of days is usually enough. Just get stuck in.

 

Steve

[jaapv]

I'm intrigued why you would buy both a 50/2.0 and a 50/1.5 in a basic lens set.

As to your question: it is camera, nothing more and it is meant to take photographs. You get proficient by using it to take the best photographs you can get. Some will suck, some will be fine and over time the ratio will improve.

Just use it, have fun and post a few in the photoforums.

[StephenPatterson]

#3 is by far the best option, but why wouldn't you anyway?... You already know your focal lengths, so how long it takes to get the hang of a rangefinder focusing and the camera's quirks is personal. Never think that if somebody else takes a year to do get the hang of things that is the norm, I'd say a couple of days is usually enough...

 

Steve

 

You are probably right Steve, but I have found that many new Leica people do not have an appreciation for the important and sometimes subtle differences in Leica lenses. I'm not just talking about speed and focal length, but rather drawing style, contrast, colour, sharpness and character. Having a bag full of lenses at first can be the photographic equivalent of pasta salad, with all the bits of veg mixed up in a jumble, which can make proper lens selection more difficult in the future. JMHO.

[jaapv]

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You'll find some helpful hints in the FAQ at the top of the M9 forum, even if they are not M-specific, they do address things like camera-holding, focussing, etc..

[rramesh]

KanzaKruzer, what you are asking is akin to a painter sitting in front of the canvas pondering what to do with that No 5 in his hand, or whether he should be holding a No 3 instead.

 

You are the master. You will need to decide what you are planning to capture and plan for it.

 

If you are carrying the camera on an impulse trip with no specific plans, any lens 21-28-35-90 would be good as you just need to adjust to the situation with creative framing and exposures settings.

 

You should practice will all lenses in your arsenal. If you have it, why not use it?

[wda]

Having assembled a set of lenses, I doubt you will resist trying them all. I, too, am puzzled why you need those two 50mm lenses, at this stage. However, if you can, try using one lens - 35 or 50 - for a few weeks until you feel comfortable with rangefinder operation. Each lens presents its own challenge. Why burden yourself with indecision?

[skuromis]

I am coming up on the 1 year mark from ordering a Leica M. While waiting for delivery I’ve had time to assemble my desired lens kit (21/3.4, 35/1.4, 50/1.5, 50/2, 90/2). As a novice to rangefinders, can you become more proficient with a rangefinder by starting with one lens before moving on to other focal lengths?

Just to share my experience, the most difficult part was actually the way the cam works, rather then the lens. It gives some advice that you over or underexpose, but then I first never managed to find the right finger to turn the wheel (I'm still not there) for the shutter speed and most often turned it the wrong way. Same with the focus, but there it was much easier and more intuitive, which way to turn the ring.

Another tricky thing was to actually see in some situations if I focus to far or to close (especially repeating patterns are tricky, like leaves in trees). At the end I think the lens as such doesn't make too much of a difference, though you get easier used to the frame lines.

Marc.

[250swb]

You are probably right Steve, but I have found that many new Leica people do not have an appreciation for the important and sometimes subtle differences in Leica lenses. I'm not just talking about speed and focal length, but rather drawing style, contrast, colour, sharpness and character. Having a bag full of lenses at first can be the photographic equivalent of pasta salad, with all the bits of veg mixed up in a jumble, which can make proper lens selection more difficult in the future. JMHO.

 

I think you would have Henri banging his head against the wall .

 

Steve

[MarkP]

If I stayed only with one lens until I had truly mastered it then I would only ever have one lens......

[stephen.w]

You are probably right Steve, but I have found that many new Leica people do not have an appreciation for the important and sometimes subtle differences in Leica lenses. I'm not just talking about speed and focal length, but rather drawing style, contrast, colour, sharpness and character.

Maybe I'm in the minority here, but I've never admired a photograph and thought, 'It's a good thing he (or she) used a lens with such character!' If a lens produces acceptably good results, and doesn't misbehave (flare, focus shift, etc) that should be enough. Emphasis on these 'subtleties' is sometimes no more than fetishism.

 

I find it edifying that Koudelka shot the whole of the body of work which became Gypsies with a single 25mm lens, which he bought from a deceased estate.

[earleygallery]

You have the lenses, so use them!

[Bill W]

#3

[lct]

Use all your lenses if you have them already. Otherwise try to determine if 35 or 50 is your favorite focal length on rangefinders and choose a 35 or a 50 accordingly.

[IWC Doppel]

I'd have a good play, get it out my system. You've got to have some fun. Then if it were me I'd leave one lens on for a few shoots then when you move on you will know a little about the lens, hopefully enough to build on. I recently added an 18mm and it won't come off for another week, even though falling back on something familiar is tempting at times.

 

At the end if the day I don't think it matters so long as you enjoy the experience, take some pleasing pictures and get 'value' from your acquisitions. In a way I'm jealous !

 

A new romance is always exciting even if you fumble around a little

[Paul J]

Just use them all and do it often. Very often.

[StephenPatterson]

Actually you should also get a Noctilux...that seems to be the standard kit with Leica M240s these days. But as lens characteristics make no difference you might as well save some money and just stick with some Holga glass and adapters.

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Hallo,

Look here: Leica M

[KanzaKruzer]

Thanks for all your suggestions. Five years ago I re-entered photography after a 15 year hiatus. Since then I purchased and sold lenses and bodies while trying to find kit that best fit my needs. About 18 months ago I narrowed down my kit to a D700 and X100. My lens kit included three manual focus Zeiss lenses (21/2.8, 35/1.4, 100/2) and three Nikon lenses (24-120/4, 85/1.4, 200/2).

I preferred output of the D700 paired with the Zeiss 35/1.4, but it was big, bulky, heavy and slow to focus. The X100 gave me a taste for rangefinder type photography, without the classic rangefinder mechanism. That is when I decided to reshuffle my equipment and make a rangefinder the central anchor. I traded up to the D800E and kept the 24-120/4 while selling all my other DSLR lenses. I downsized by selling the X100 and replacing it with the Ricoh GR which is pocketable. Those sales helped fund a rangefinder kit. My original plan was to start with the M10 and either a 35mm or 50mm, then the Leica M was introdued. The Leica M has been elusive, so I had to rely on my other equipment during the past year. I knew from the start I wanted both a 35mm and 50mm lens, but when the 21 and 90 became available after being scarce, it decided to pull the trigger.

 

As to the question why would I end up with two 50mm lenses, there are several explanations. There are situations where I would not feel comfortable carrying expensive Leica lenses. I decided instead to use the APS-C Ricoh GR with a 28/2.8 equivalent lens and Leica M with Voigtländer 50/1.5. The 50/2 is about as sharp as you can get throughout the frame. The APO has exceptional color and contrast combined with 3D separation and extremely smooth bokeh. The Nokton vignettes when wide open, is soft in the corners, has CA and distortion. On the flip side it provides low light capability, costs a fraction (15%) of my other 50mm, has a unique character and the chrome build has a retro look that just looks sexy. Ok, that was an impulse buy, but at least I recognize that I would not use the Noctilux enough to justify the cost. Focal length is about the only similarity between these two lenses.