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When I bought my first Leica M nine years ago (coming from 35-mm-format SLR and DSLR cameras), my two-lens choice would have been 35 + 90 mm. From then on, slowly but irresistibly I gravitated towards 35 + 75 mm, then 35 + 50 mm, and eventually 28 + 50 mm.

Did anyone else experience such a shift of focal-length appreciation towards shorter lengths?

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Hello 01af,

No. The other way around.

But, then, I use an M3.

0.91X

I started with a 90mm lens. Then bought a 35mm lens. And then traded the 90mm lens for a 135mm lens because what I was looking at with the 90mm lens was often too far away to be captured appropriately with a 90mm lens.

When the partnering lens was a 35mm lens.

Best Regards,

Michael

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My default lens kit is 28+50mm (Summicron & Summilux, Which share filters and have similar rendering characteristics). 

FWIW, I have tried many times over the years to use the 35mm, but it does not seem to work for me. This is probably because my first ever camera came with a 50mm lens and its use was forever seared into my brain. 28mm is a natural wide-angle companion - although I would probably opt for 24mm if there were a way to frame without an external VF (I wear glasses...).

As an aside, there is a lot to be said for pairing a one lens 50mm Leica kit with a Ricoh GR (28mm equivalent). The GR weighs almost exactly the same as a 28mm Leica lens alone (245g), is at least as sharp, and offers close-focus (quasi-macro). I also find the Ricoh easier to use for close-quarter street photography than larger VF based cameras such as an M or the Q.

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I am currently well into a trip through the Middle East as brought my 35 ‘Lux and 21 SEM with me.  I’ve been very happy with the combination so far, with the SEM being very useful in places like Petra, and the faster 35 good for most outdoor and dimly lite indoors (like the old city of Jerusalem.

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13 hours ago, 01af said:

When I bought my first Leica M nine years ago (coming from 35-mm-format SLR and DSLR cameras), my two-lens choice would have been 35 + 90 mm. From then on, slowly but irresistibly I gravitated towards 35 + 75 mm, then 35 + 50 mm, and eventually 28 + 50 mm.

Did anyone else experience such a shift of focal-length appreciation towards shorter lengths?

Until a year and a half ago I would always pack 28, 50 and 90. Then I went on a workshop that strongly encouraged using a 35mm for the week. Now I pack 24/28, 35 and 75.

Edited by Per P.
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Advertisement (gone after registration)

70% of my Leica travel images are shot with the Summicron 35mm. The Summicron 75mm is my second most used lens.

Me and my family vacationed in Australia and New Zealand for the month of November. I posted selected images captured with these two lenses and the Super Elmar 18mm on my web site. Please visit my website to view my Australia and New Zealand portfolios.

Regards,
Bud James

Please check out my fine art and travel photography at www.budjames.photography or on Instagram at www.instagram.com/budjamesphoto.

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19 hours ago, Mark II said:

My default lens kit is 28+50mm (Summicron & Summilux, Which share filters and have similar rendering characteristics). 

FWIW, I have tried many times over the years to use the 35mm, but it does not seem to work for me. This is probably because my first ever camera came with a 50mm lens and its use was forever seared into my brain. 28mm is a natural wide-angle companion - although I would probably opt for 24mm if there were a way to frame without an external VF (I wear glasses...).

As an aside, there is a lot to be said for pairing a one lens 50mm Leica kit with a Ricoh GR (28mm equivalent). The GR weighs almost exactly the same as a 28mm Leica lens alone (245g), is at least as sharp, and offers close-focus (quasi-macro). I also find the Ricoh easier to use for close-quarter street photography than larger VF based cameras such as an M or the Q.

I did exactly this too: Ricoh GR plus MP with 50mm. Ideal combination and highly recommended. My Ricoh GR died in the end but I intend to purchase the new mode V3 as soon as it is available.

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On 1/8/2019 at 5:40 PM, 01af said:

When I bought my first Leica M nine years ago (coming from 35-mm-format SLR and DSLR cameras), my two-lens choice would have been 35 + 90 mm. From then on, slowly but irresistibly I gravitated towards 35 + 75 mm, then 35 + 50 mm, and eventually 28 + 50 mm.

Did anyone else experience such a shift of focal-length appreciation towards shorter lengths?

 

My travel lens-line is a bit strange, 35, then 50, then 28 + 50 then  35 + 90, now I'm thinking more like 28 + 90. 

 

 

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1 lens - 35 fle or 50 lux
2 lens - 21 sem + 35 fle or 50 lux
3 lens - 21 sem + 35 fle + 90 mem
4 lens - 21 sem + 35 fle + 50 lux + 90 mem

Honestly I rarely go out with 2 lenses (if I'm carrying a bag, I'd go straight to 3 or 4 lenses) with a M camera, but often carry 2 cameras --- the Leica Q and M10P + 50 lux.
 

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Well, I commented on this thread back in June, 2018 and my two lens travel kit remains the 35f2.8 C Biogon and 90f2.8 Tele Elmarit M due to size.  I now use an MP240 for digital.  My wife was carrying my Fuji X70 in her pack during a heavy rain while we were hiking around Loch Ness in September and when she pulled it out (forgot it was there) it was dripping and inoperable.

My present film body is an M5 and while it is many things, small is not one of them.  I just ordered a IIIF RD ST with 50f3.5 Elmar and it may become my backup for digital.  Of course, my M lenses will not fit the LTM body but I have heard nothing but great things about the Elmar 50f3.5.  And since it is so small, I may have to buy an M adopter.  However, the 3F and lens will make a great small fun shooter for the times when I don't feel like toting the MP240.

Am looking forward to trying the 50f3.5 and seeing how a lens from 1950 works today.  It looks like I may have a chance to hike the Lake District in April so another chance to get creative.

Edited by ktmrider2
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  • 5 weeks later...

After carrying 2 M10s and 4 Leica lenses for a one month trip to Australia and New Zealand, I think my next travels will be with one M10, Summicron 35 and 75 lenses and my iPhone XS.

If I really want to pare down my kit, it would be the M10, Summicron 35 and iPhone. 

Regards,

Bud James

Please check out my fine art and travel photography at www.budjames.photography or on Instagram at www.instagram.com/budjamesphoto.

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  • 2 weeks later...

So, I posted on this awhile back.  My two lens travel kit for my MP240 is a 35f2.8 C-Biogon and 90f2.8 Tele Elmarit M.  These two lenses are a couple of the smallest and lightest I can find in their respective focal lengths.  I am considering replacing the 90 with a 75f2.4 Summarit and would like opinions if it is worth making the switch.  Size and speed between the 90f2.8 and 75f2.4 seem pretty close.  I am wondering if there is much difference in optical performance.

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5 hours ago, ktmrider2 said:

So, I posted on this awhile back.  My two lens travel kit for my MP240 is a 35f2.8 C-Biogon and 90f2.8 Tele Elmarit M.  These two lenses are a couple of the smallest and lightest I can find in their respective focal lengths.  I am considering replacing the 90 with a 75f2.4 Summarit and would like opinions if it is worth making the switch.  Size and speed between the 90f2.8 and 75f2.4 seem pretty close.  I am wondering if there is much difference in optical performance.

Personally I prefer the 75 focal length as a pairing with the 35 for travel, but I use the LTM Color Heliar F2.5 which is even smaller and performs admirably. 

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I usually prefer to take just one lens (a 35mm or 40mm) on a short trip, but sometimes I take a spare lens on my bag depending on the weight I'm eager to carry with me. Weight is definitely an important factor to consider when you go on a trip.

I also try to be attentive to the rendering of each lens to get a good combo that goes well together.

-    Leica M10 + Rokkor 40mm f/2 + Summilux 75mm f/1.4 :                    ~1’385g
-    Leica M10 + Summaron 28mm f/5.6 + Noctilux 50mm f/1 :                ~1’405g
-    Leica M10 + Summaron 35mm f/2.8 + Summilux 75mm f/1.4 :          ~1’470g
-    Leica M10 + Summilux 35mm FLE f/1.4 + Summilux 75mm  f/1.4 :   ~1’580g

If needed, my lightest option would be :

-    Leica M10 + Summaron 28mm f/5.6 + Rokkor 40mm f/2 :                     ~950g

Edited by Del-Uks
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10 hours ago, ktmrider2 said:

So, I posted on this awhile back.  My two lens travel kit for my MP240 is a 35f2.8 C-Biogon and 90f2.8 Tele Elmarit M.  These two lenses are a couple of the smallest and lightest I can find in their respective focal lengths.  I am considering replacing the 90 with a 75f2.4 Summarit and would like opinions if it is worth making the switch.  Size and speed between the 90f2.8 and 75f2.4 seem pretty close.  I am wondering if there is much difference in optical performance.

I'm a late fan of Summarit-M lenses, after using "better"/heavier/older/more expensive lenses (Noctilux, Summilux, Summicron, etc.) for decades.

Lastly, I rely on two (or three if I'm honest ! 35/50/75 ) Summarit-M in f/2.5 (older/cheaper than f/2.4 ) for my film/sensor Ms.

The results are better than I thought, mainly on the flare which Tele-Elmarit 2.8/90 is famous for.

So 75mm in place of 90mm = not far from each other in use if the framelines don't bother, 50 + 75.

Size is almost same but fatter (E46 filter / E39 T-E):

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