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28 cron, 35 FLE Lux, 50 Noct 0.95 and ???


Mike Lavigne

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wanting help to add a 4th lens. either a (1) 75 APO cron or (2) 90 APO cron or (3) Macro Elmer f:4 with adapter to my kit (M 240) and have been reading and researching. I'd then be able to choose 2 of the 28-35-50-? for most outings. with this addition i'll have the 4 focal lengths I originally intended to have covered.

 

they all seem to be in the same price ballpark, and have similar general attributes. originally I was set on the 90 APO Cron. however; now i'm leaning toward the 90 Macro Elmer f4 with adapter for the carry size and macro capabilities. but I've really enjoyed some of the portrait pics I've seen in recent threads on the 75 APO cron so I've added that to this consideration.

 

none of those lenses have the same filter size as my other lenses, so that's not an issue at this point.......and I want to stay with a new lens at my point on the learning curve.

 

I'm doing hiking nature photography, (business trip) travel photography, and want to get into street photography. with my other lenses I do mostly shoot wide open or stopped down a couple stops, and do appreciate the speed of those lenses. I will use a tripod quite a bit (especially with this lens).....but not always. this lens will likely become my portrait lens. I've not used older Leica lenses with less modern renderings, but expect that after this acquisition that is my next Leica thing to explore.

 

I apologize that this is likely an often covered subject; I'm just doing my final due diligence before laying down my hard earned $$$'s.

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I'd be tempted by a 75 Summilux, recent thread discussing. It will get you in to older glass, hopefully be a low cost experiment if you change your mind, buy and well well.

 

If I had your collection I would personally add either a 24 (Or 21), I am a big fan of the Elmarit-M ASPH's or a 75 Cron/Summilux

 

It might be worth seeing which lenses you use most (LR can help here) and see if you know why (Focal length, size, weight, familiarity, etc) as this might help your direction

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I too would go for a 21 next but Mike has clearly expressed a preference for a longer lens.

His current collection is that of modern ASPH FLE lenses so I think it would maintain image consistency wiht a modern lens - btw I do now have a 75 Summilux but also have a 75 Summicron and 90 Macro-Emar.

 

90 would probably be most versatile, especially if Mike didn't need the speed of the 90 Summicron. It's considered one of the best of all Leica M lenses in a tiny and lightweight package (great for travel) and although I have a bevy of fast lenses I don't seem to miss those two stops with the Macro-Elmar.

 

He will obviously end up with a 75 at some stage - perhaps that's the time to get an 'art' lens such as the 75 Summilux.

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As your only 50mm lens, the Noctilux is one I find at times just too large and heavy.

A slower 50mm makes for a much better walk about lens - save the Noctilux for special shots.

 

Alternatively a 75mm Summicron pairs well with the 35mm, particularly for travel, and is significantly smaller than the Noctilux.

 

The 90mm macro is certainly compact, but for macro especially with the M.240 you should ask if a rangefinder coupled lens is necessary ? would an SLR lens and adapter or even a close up diopter suffice.

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The 75 cron it is

 

Like the lenses you have, it is from the new generation. Sharp, high contrast, short focus throw, ASPH surface and 6 bit coded.

 

Here are some sample images. Mix of portrait, cityscape, close focus, bokeh and night shots:

 

http://forum.mflenses.com/userpix/201210/2221_L1035083_1.jpg

 

http://forum.mflenses.com/userpix/201210/2221_L1035314_1.jpg

 

http://forum.mflenses.com/userpix/201210/2221_L1035179_1.jpg

 

http://forum.mflenses.com/userpix/20131/2221_L1038767Edit2_1.jpg

 

http://forum.mflenses.com/userpix/20131/2221_L1038788Edit_1.jpg

 

http://forum.mflenses.com/userpix/20131/2221_L1038794Edit_1.jpg

 

http://forum.mflenses.com/userpix/20131/2221_L1038898Edit_1.jpg

 

http://forum.mflenses.com/userpix/20131/2221_L1038823Edit_1.jpg

 

http://forum.mflenses.com/userpix/20131/2221_L1038826Edit_1.jpg

 

http://forum.mflenses.com/userpix/20131/2221_L1038949Edit_1.jpg

 

http://forum.mflenses.com/userpix/20131/2221_L1039036Edit_1.jpg

 

http://forum.mflenses.com/userpix/20131/2221_L1039072Edit_1.jpg

 

Very nice photos, yet again :).

 

This is exactly why I've not been able to bring myself to sell my 75 Summicron even though I'm now the proud owned of a 75 Summilux :rolleyes:.

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I apologize that this is likely an often covered subject; I'm just doing my final due diligence before laying down my hard earned $$$'s.

 

OK, who are we kidding here? You have G.A.S and will likely buy several more lenses in the coming months. You're already dropped a boat load of money, so might as well scratch the itch now and buy what you want, in any order that makes you happy.

 

1. You like travel and nature, so a 21mm would be an excellent addition to the 28 Cron.

2. The Nocti is a great portrait lens, especially stopped down a little, but a 50 Lux ASPH is even more versatile.

3. The 90 APO is killer, but wide open and up close it has an ultra shallow DOF. I prefer the 90 Elmarit-M and it's f/2.8 max aperture, but either of your above choices are excellent.

4. Of course there are entire groups dedicated to using R lenses (including zooms) with the M.

5. And don't forget the specialty lenses, like the 12mm f/5.6 Voigtlander Heliar. Nobody in the office will have anything like this.

 

Due diligence? That made me laugh. Leica is a passion, and no flow chart or poll can ever hope to tell you what you want, or more importantly desire.

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I agree with Stephen really. You could go anywhere with just your 35 (for example) and get a superb set of photos, but you don't want to, which is perfectly understandable. So just try to get a feel for want you really want, without trying to justify or rationalise it.

 

Imagine you woke up on your birthday and there's a little Leica box at the end of the bed that doesn't need to make sense to anyone else: what do you really hope is in it?

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One heavy lump of glass is more than enough to lug about :rolleyes:

 

I'd go for a 90/4 if you want compactness and a macro capability..... and dump/forego the attachment and locate an OUFRO instead.....

 

The 75/2 is a fantastic lens ..... but I tend to either take this out or the Nocti .... but rarely both.

 

I've just sourced a 90/2.8 which a nice compact alternative...... and at half the price..... even if mint...

 

With an M the need for fast lenses is not that important unless you want extreme shallow DOF effects .... and you already have the Nocti for that .....;)

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thank you everyone for your thoughts. lots of great advice and it has made me ponder why I'm doing this now. and my answer is that honestly I'm not sure.:confused:

 

I think I need to spend more time with the lenses I have and come back to this later. I should probably go the 21mm direction but I'm not pulled that way at the present.

 

and I agree that a 75 will be in my future at some point.

 

Mike

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OK, who are we kidding here? You have G.A.S and will likely buy several more lenses in the coming months. You're already dropped a boat load of money, so might as well scratch the itch now and buy what you want, in any order that makes you happy.

 

1. You like travel and nature, so a 21mm would be an excellent addition to the 28 Cron.

2. The Nocti is a great portrait lens, especially stopped down a little, but a 50 Lux ASPH is even more versatile.

3. The 90 APO is killer, but wide open and up close it has an ultra shallow DOF. I prefer the 90 Elmarit-M and it's f/2.8 max aperture, but either of your above choices are excellent.

4. Of course there are entire groups dedicated to using R lenses (including zooms) with the M.

5. And don't forget the specialty lenses, like the 12mm f/5.6 Voigtlander Heliar. Nobody in the office will have anything like this.

 

Due diligence? That made me laugh. Leica is a passion, and no flow chart or poll can ever hope to tell you what you want, or more importantly desire.

 

thanks for the very helpful feedback and dose of reality.

 

Mike

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Mike

 

Good to hear you are thinking this over some more.

 

Frankly, for travel I now take small over anything else like 28/2.8 (I have the 28/2), 35/2-old or new (I have the FLE 35/1.4 and a ton of other older 35's), APO 50/2 (I have two different Nocti's, the new and older 501.4 and a ton of other 50's including the small 50/2.8 which is great for travel), 90/4 (I have the 902/ and 902.8), and lastly sometimes the Elmar-M 135/4 (I have the APO 135/3.4 and the E46135/4 Tele-Elmar-M).

 

Someday you will want to use more filters and matching lenses for minimal filter packing can come in very handy, especially with that E60 Noctilux.

 

Other than your E60 Noctilux you have E46 lenses. If you go the 90 route, then the Elmarit-M 90/2.8 is also E46. Plus if you go the 21 route the SEM is E46. I often travel with my E46 lenses like the 21/35/50/90. The 35 FLE stays on about 85% of the time in cities and less for landscape.

 

If you go the 75 route, then the Summilux is a beautiful E60 Mandler design. Again if you ever go the 21 route a stellar E60 Mandler 21 is the pre ASPH Elmarit-M 21/2.8.

 

The E60 combo of 21/50/75 is appealing. This just might become another "favorite" heavier travel kit of mine.

 

And you think you must rethink lens selection.

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There's a lot of good advice in this thread.

 

My personal preference would be to go for the 75 mm Summicron (wonderful and small) as well as, at some point in the future, the WATE (16–18–21 MM – a truly spectacular lens IMO).

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I personally don't even think GAS is a bad thing if you are using the gear to take pictures. It just becomes a problem if you spend more time dreaming about lenses than shooting with them and If you think that buying something is going to make you better - we all know it doesn't. IMO, the more choice and option to materialise your vision is a good thing.

 

Well that's my story and I'm sticking to it!

 

In terms of the OP I would highly recommend the 75mm Summilux or Summicron. I have the summilux and love it. I will also buy the summicron when I get around to it. Also the 90mm Summicron is a stunning, stunning, lens. You can't go wrong with either - just depends on what focal length you prefer.

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Very nice photos, yet again :).

 

 

 

This is exactly why I've not been able to bring myself to sell my 75 Summicron even though I'm now the proud owned of a 75 Summilux :rolleyes:.

 

 

Thank you for the kind words Mark.

 

My 75 lux, cron, rit and 2.5 heliar all huddle around and are a happy family.

 

When I look at my neat little pile of lenses, I do think I may also be borderline OCD in buying lenses, like quite a few of us here. Or not :D.

 

I just stopped selling my Lenses ... I try to take them all out regularly and feed them light.

 

In return, they give me back practice, and thus, nice pictures.

 

For every lens I buy, I try to take a short trip to play with the lens.

 

Works nicely so far :)

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