Decisions, Decisions - 90mm Summarit vs. 35mm Nokton

[edvatza]

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This is going to sounds like a weird choice but here goes. Just by way of Context, I have an M-E and an Elmarit 28mm, Summarit 35mm and Summicron 50mm.

 

There are two lenses that I am thinking about but can only afford one right now. One is the Summarit 90mm. That would obviously give me a longer focal length. The other choice is the CV 35mm f/1.2 Nokton. That gives me a much wider aperture for low light, etc. than the Summarit (which I am liking a lot).

 

One day I am leaning Summarit 90. The next i am leaning Nokton 35. I will eventually get both but which first?

[macrobernd]

IMHO it sounds very easy. Buy the Summarit 90 which is a superb lens.

Then sell your Summarit 35 and with the earned money you can buy a used or maybe new VC Nokton 1.2/35 II.

[Gerard]

Buy what you need. Then, when funds allow, buy what you want. :-)

[CaptZoom]

Rent and use each. It'll help give you and idea of what each lens does. The fast aperture if the Nokton may not end up being as fast as you think; the 90mm may end up being longer than you like. Or you may fall in live with both. Or your preference for one over the other may become apparent. Or...

 

The other bit I'll add is to contemplate which you need (vs want). Do you do a lot of night/indoor (low light photography) and are finding the other lens inadequate? Do you do a lot of portraits and are finding the 50mm to not be long enough? Do you do long FL landscapes? Instead of trying to fill a gap in your lens selection, try to purchase the one that'll be used to help with your style of photography. And if you're seriously considering the 90mm Summarit, I'd say take a look at the latest (last) version of the 90mm Elmatrit-M with the built-in hood. They cost less, have a built-in hood (vs having to purchase it as an accessory), better built, and optically at least as good as the Summarit. The aperture is marginally slower and in actual use age, virtually the same.

[Michael Geschlecht]

Hello Ed,

 

Welcome to the Forum.

 

The best lens for you to choose depends on what you photograph in which situations.

 

What are the different circumstances, etc that you envisioned that led you to limit yourself to those 2 lenses?

 

Best Regards,

 

Michael

[tomasis7]

you have already 35mm so its no brainer.

 

honestly we have too much lenses. better to go out photographing than get confused constantly which lens I take while sitting at home in a few hours.

 

long dof rocks!

[edvatza]

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I appreciate all the input. Thank you all. I come from years shooting with a DSLR and a couple of lenses held me in good stead... a 24-70 and a 70-200. I used both a lot. I feel I have the 24-70 range pretty well covered with the 28, 35, and 50. I think I could jump the 75 and go for the 90. That is the logical thing to do. But that Nocton 35 1.2 II keeps gnawing at me.

 

My Canon 70-200 and Sigma 150 Macro have just sold so I am in pretty good shape to pick up the Summarit 90.

 

Again thanks.

 

Ed

[darylgo]

Buy the Leica lens first, the Summarits are outstanding lenses and will give years of good use, it will balance nicely on your camera and once you have it will not likely ever want to give it up.

[exile]

The 90mm will see far more use.

The 35/1.2 is a BIG lens great in low light but will not get used as a walk-around or travel lens when you have the summarit.