Have 35/50. Recommendations for a third lens

[eosphoros]

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I am looking for recommendations for a wide lens to compliment the 35mm and 50mm luxes I already have.

 

I mainly shoot street and people but have been experimenting in landscape. Even for the former, I have, at some times, wanted a wider lens. I would not go wider than 24mm so the options I now face are either a 28mm cron or 24mm elmarit, both used.

 

The 28mm cron has some oil residue on the aperture blades so I am concerned about possible spreading and future resale value. The 24mm elmarit is mint.

 

Though I find them quite different, I have a few concerns about the viability of owning a 28mm when I already have a 35mm. But, I rarely carry more than 2 lenses with me at any given time. So, I feel that 28mm would be perfect to complement the 50mm. However, I am not made of money and am leaning toward the 24mm for the fact that it is in better condition and that the difference between 24 and 35 FLs are so much so that the money can be justified. My main concern is shooting people with the 24mm.

 

Can anyone provide some thoughts to help me come to a decision?

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[Jeff S]

I never buy for resale value, but I would recommend buying used lenses from a reputable dealer, with warranty. Your decision needn't be limited to the samples you've found; better to compare apples to apples in terms of quality and service.

 

Regarding focal length, only you can decide based on your style and preferences. I use a 28, 35 and 50 (all on both the M8 and M). But that shouldn't matter to you. You'll find a range of responses in many prior threads, easily searched. I'll save you the time...some think these are too close; some don't. And folks 'shoot people', as you say, with all sorts of lenses.

 

Whatever you buy, you'll learn to use, and then figure out what's missing, if anything. Short of buying, one can rent, borrow and/or use the frame preview lever (if the model has one) to help.

 

Final thought...If you don't have a compelling reason to buy a new focal length, maybe you don't need one....for now.

 

Jeff

[algrove]

I find it totally silly to answer this thread.

[Jeff S]

I find it totally silly to answer this thread.

 

Maybe if he had a ranking of all known lenses, with 5 word descriptions, that would answer his question. More importantly, he could learn about which ones he should use on Tuesdays.

 

Or, since the OP owns 2 lenses, maybe you could add real value and just give him one of yours. Would you know even know if one was missing?

 

Apologies to the OP for the silly OT.

 

Jeff

[MarkP]

I find it totally silly to answer this thread.

 

You got out of the wrong side of bed this morning.

 

 

 

 

 

to the OP, some thoughts:

 

you really need to decide what FL suits your photography. Can you borrow lenses in these FLs to see what you like?

 

Personally, I use a 1.4/50 Summilux ASPH & 2.0/28 Summicron ASPH as my main two-lens set (a fantastic combination), and I am using the 1.4/35mm Summilux ASPH less and less. I think the 28 Summicron is one of the all time great Leica lenses (as do many here on the Forum) so hard to not suggest you getting one. Great for landscape.

 

I then usually move down to 21mm (although I have a 25 ZM that also doesn't get a lot of use - great lens though).

 

However, if you plan to use the 35mm a lot then it would be reasonable to go straight to 24mm.

 

You ideally want an external VF for lenses wider than 28mm

 

24/25mm is about as wide as you want to go without needing to be particularly careful about distortion/perspective. For years it was my widest lens until I discovered 21mm.

 

Regarding the specific lenses you are discussing we can't advise you on their condition. I Oil on the aperture blades can be dealt with on a routine service.

 

You should take your time to find lenses in the focal length and condition that you are quite satisfied with.

[01af]

I find it totally silly to answer this thread.

Uh oh. No sillier than a certain other thread in this forum ...

 

 

I am looking for recommendations for a wide lens to compliment the 35 mm and 50 mm Summiluxes I already have. [...] I would not go wider than 24 mm so the options I now face are either a 28 mm Summicron or 24 mm Elmarit, both used.

When reading this thread's headline, my first thought was: 21 mm.

[earleygallery]

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When reading the title my first thought was 90mm.

 

I have a 25mm lens which is great for street. I zone focus with it (it's the Skopar f4) and use a shoe mounted finder. You could use the 24mm in the same way.

 

You don't need to buy a lens with oily blades - there's plenty out there for sale, although it's a minor point, and wouldn't put me off buying a lens if the price was right.

 

I agree with Jeff however, if you need to ask the question perhaps you don't actually need another lens at this point in time? GAS is OK, but you'd be better off waiting to buy what you need rather than simply buying stuff for the sake of it. IMHO of course!

[lct]

28 or 24 to shoot street and people? Matter of tastes of course but certainly 28 on a FF M for me. With a 24 you would have to come closer to your subjects and you would need an accessory finder if you don't like composing with 35mm framelines more than i do. BTW i would't buy a lens with oil on the aperture blades personally. Are you sure you really need f/2? The little Elmarit 28/2.8 asph would be perfect for what you're after. And yes there is a significant difference between 35 and 28 to me. Not the same beasts at all.

[CrisRose]

The zeiss 25/2.8 is what I've chosen as my wide third