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Your favourite travel lenses for M digital?


w44neg

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Two lens kit for general travel photography (where I don't think I'd have need for a specific focal length for a specific task): 2.0/28 Summicron ASPH and 1.4/50 Summilux ASPH. Third lens would be a 21 SEM or 90 Macro-Elmar, depending...

 

 

I have considered the 4.0/28-50 Tri-Elmar and a 35 (or 50) Summilux but haven't travelled solely with this combination yet.

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One of these days I am tempted to travel with the WATE and MATE only. The WATE eliminates the need for the 21/3.4 so if I deem a long lens is needed then I would go the RickLeica route and add the 90 macro.

 

Used the 90 macro on South Beach the other day and is it sharp. Or was she sharp? Anyone interested in an example of the 90 macro on the M240?

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When going absolutely bare bones compact as possible, I use a M Mono and a 35/2 Konica UC-Hexanon with a set of filters (a slim B+W MRC 007 protection filter instead of a lens hood and a set of contrast filters for different daylight use).

 

This lens is so tiny and yet so capable that there is no other option.

 

When a wider lens is wanted, I would add a 21mm instead of a 28 and add one or two longer lenses as well (for me this is mostly a 50mm and a 135 APO-Telyt on the long end - simply the most amazing telephoto lens in M mount).

 

The smallest and lightest modern normal lens I use is the Pentax L Limited 43/1.9 lens - a great one lens kit instead of carrying a 35 and a 50mm.

 

Take your pick of other lightweight choices, which are abundant.

Current (or earlier, but optically the same) 50 Summicron lenses are always great - in my opinion, the Canadian made 50 Summicron with focus tab is the best compromise in terms of size, weight and the best possible lens hood, when needed. The current pre ASPH Summicron adds only bulk, weight, inadequate lens hood and complete lack of a very useful focus tab.

 

A dream travel lens kit would also be a set of collapsible 50/2.8 + collapsible 90/4 and any preferred wide angle lens (the 28/2.8 ASPH would be a perfect fit as of size and weight but not my preference in image character).

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a911s

 

Why do you change FL between sunny and cloudy locations?

 

Cloudy skies, when included in the photo, tend to make the image look dull. That's not always the case, but it's hard to avoid with a super wide angle, especially with color.

 

For very bright locations, I tend to use lower contrast lenses. Cloudy locations are the opposite.

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I always travel with one lens on my M9 - usually it's a Summilux 50 ASPH, then I think, "nah, take the Nocti", so that's what I do. I only travel with my M9 with the Nocti on it.

 

Then I start to pack my bag, and think - the 28 Summicron is compact and light, so I take that. 28-50, perfect combination. Then I think, if I left the Nocti and took the Summilux, I'd save weight ... But I like the Nocti, so I pack the 21 Summilux with a double-ended lens cap. Problem solved.

 

Then I head off to the airport, M9 with Nocti, 21 Summilux & 28 Summicron end-for-end, and 75 Summilux & 90 AA Summicron end-for end.

 

Perfect!

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Double-ended lens caps = ingenious!?!

Why the frak did I not know about these? Must be that cave I hide in:)

--

To the OP,

If I'm not traveling and shooting for pay, I take a two 50mm lenses (one of which serves as a back up in case something should happen to the primary). Primary is usually the CV 50mm f/1.5 Nokton LTM; backup duties are split between the 50mm 'lux asph or Zeiss 50mm f/2 Planar.

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Double-ended lens caps = ingenious!?! ...

The (better?) alternative is to glue back-to-back two cheap, aftermarket plastic M lens caps because they will prevent the rear lens elements coming into contact. The double ended lens caps are open through the centre and not very deep so protruding lenses can be a problem.

 

Pete.

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The (better?) alternative is to glue back-to-back two cheap, aftermarket plastic M lens caps because they will prevent the rear lens elements coming into contact. The double ended lens caps are open through the centre and not very deep so protruding lenses can be a problem.

 

Pete.

 

Mine all have a divider.

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I had been dreading someone asking this, as I have no idea!

 

The first one was given to me by the guy I bought my 28 Summicron from. It doesn't look glued together, and I will check for a part number when I get home. Another one I made by gluing together a couple of spare Leica end caps I had lying around (works just as well), and to be honest, I have no recollection where I got the other from.

 

I do think Pete's suggestion to buy some cheap M end caps, and epoxying them together is the best way. I use mine all the time; with leather wraps, I get 4 lenses stacked safely and neatly in my camera bag in a very small space.

 

Cheers

John

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Guest jvansmit

My fav travel set up is:

 

  • M-Hexanon Dual 21-35mm f/3.4-4 for daytime use
     
  • 21mm Summilux for night-time use
     
  • Sony RX100 as back-up & when I'm too lazy to carry the M240

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