new take on 35/50 question

[jmr237]

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So this is just for fun. Assume you will get a new 35mm and 50mm lens. Which combination would you choose?

 

Option 1: $7,500 (US)

 

50mm f2 Summicron

35mm f1.4 Summlix FLE

 

Option 2: $7,290 (US)

 

50mm f1.4 Summilux ASPH

35mm f2 Summicron ASPH

 

Extra credit: What's your reason for your choice?

[platypus]

So....after about five seconds hesitation selected: option 1.

Is this a poll?

[k-hawinkler]

Option 3

 

35mm f1.4 Summlux ASPH.

50mm f1.4 Summilux ASPH.

 

. And the Summicrons.

 

Reason: Already own and like them.

[philipus]

I am not sure how this is a "new take" really; this is one of the more asked questions which is also most difficult to answer since the reply depends on how one photographs.

 

I know you said "new" lenses but if I were (again) in the market for these focal lengths I would not new a factor in considering the lenses to choose. There are so many good and reliable Leica dealers that one can buy pre-owned lenses with full confidence and therefore expand the choices considerably. Now add the aspect that a discerning photographer may want to consider also pre-current lenses and then one has a very complex, but oh, so much more interesting, matrix of choices than these two alternatives.

 

But to answer, I would have picked option 2 because I am a 50mm person and shoot film (but in reality I am with K-H on this).

 

Philip

[250swb]

Assuming I was buying two new lenses I don't see any logic in either combination. I'd instead choose either two Summicron or two Summilux for the simple reason that it maintains the same size filter thread for each combination.

 

Steve

[Jennifer]

Option 3

 

35mm f1.4 Summlux ASPH.

50mm f1.4 Summilux ASPH.

 

Reason: Already own and like them.

 

Ditto., with the 50 APO on the wish list.

[dj_61]

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I would suggest what I just did: 50 and 35 Summicrons. Same filter size, fantastic lenses. And i can do without the extra stop.

[pieterpronk]

The only correct answer obviously is to get the 28mm summicron and the 50mm summilux. Same filtersize and for a two lens set 35 and 50 are too similar in focal length.

 

Seriously though that wasn't your question so I would go for option 2 as I feel it's more valuable to have a fast lens at bigger focal length. Ie you just get less of the visual effect of having a fast wide.

Then again one of these focal length will probably be your favorite and get used more. Pick the summilux in that length.

[indergaard]

28 Summicron, 35 Lux FLE, 50 Lux ASPH, 90 Summarit = 46mm filter thread makes filter management easy! Light and versatile lenses and stunning performers.

 

Based on the two options I would choose one of the Lux'es first - based on preference for focal length and what type of photography I would be doing, and then save up for the other Lux instead of getting the Summicron equivalent.

The Crons are great, but the Lux'es are pure magic on the M240. I feel that the 35 FLE is even more magical on the M240 than the 50 ASPH in my opinion.

[MarkP]

The only correct answer obviously is to get the 28mm Summicron and the 50mm Summilux.

 

+1 for Option 4

[Peter H]

The only correct answer obviously is to get the 28mm summicron and the 50mm summilux. Same filtersize and for a two lens set 35 and 50 are too similar in focal length.

 

Seriously though that wasn't your question so I would go for option 2 as I feel it's more valuable to have a fast lens at bigger focal length. Ie you just get less of the visual effect of having a fast wide.

......................................................

 

Put this in a mirror and you get my opinion.

 

I think 35 and 50 and very different indeed.

 

I think it's probably more beneficial to have a faster 35 since it maximises low-light capabilities (a 35 is easier to hand-hold at a slower shutter speed, which combined with the extra stop gives huge low-light capacity).

 

So I'd go for option 1 and probably save a bit by replacing the Summicron 50 with the Summarit, but I'd need to do a few comparisons first.

[k-hawinkler]

The only correct answer obviously is to get the 28mm summicron and the 50mm summilux. Same filtersize and for a two lens set 35 and 50 are too similar in focal length.

 

Seriously though that wasn't your question so I would go for option 2 as I feel it's more valuable to have a fast lens at bigger focal length. Ie you just get less of the visual effect of having a fast wide.

Then again one of these focal length will probably be your favorite and get used more. Pick the summilux in that length.

 

I agree with you on the 28 Summicron. It's an amazing lens as well! Another favorite for me.

[indergaard]

Put this in a mirror and you get my opinion.

 

I think 35 and 50 and very different indeed.

 

I think it's probably more beneficial to have a faster 35 since it maximises low-light capabilities (a 35 is easier to hand-hold at a slower shutter speed, which combined with the extra stop gives huge low-light capacity).

 

So I'd go for option 1 and probably save a bit by replacing the Summicron 50 with the Summarit, but I'd need to do a few comparisons first.

 

Agreed. I find the Lux FLE better for low-light work than a Noctilux 0.95. It is much easier to hold steadily at much slower shutter speeds.

[MarkP]

 

I think it's probably more beneficial to have a faster 35 since it maximises low-light capabilities (a 35 is easier to hand-hold at a slower shutter speed, which combined with the extra stop gives huge low-light capacity).

 

 

For exactly that reason one could argue the opposite - that the 35 can be held at a lower shutter speed so make the 50 the faster lens to increase it's versatility.

[Peter H]

For exactly that reason one could argue the opposite - that the 35 can be held at a lower shutter speed so make the 50 the faster lens to increase it's versatility.

 

Yes, you could argue that.

 

It depends on how much you value the extra low-light ability of the 35 1.4.

 

If bokeh is more important to you than light-gathering then I suppose the 50 1.4 & 35 f2 combination may be the better option for you. I was just putting the case for the greater low-light benefits of the other option.

 

There's rarely a definitive answer to these things which is why these threads proliferate isn't it?

[Jaybob]

I'm with Philip. I'd, 9 times out of ten, go the pre-owned route and pocket the extra $$.

 

35mm f1.4 Summlux II

50mm f1.4 Summilux II

 

I prefer chrome, the older and more babied, the better.

 

If I had to get new.

 

I'd go

50mm f1.4 Summilux ASPH

35 Summarit f2.4 ASPH

 

I'm cheap and as much as I'd like to believe I couldn't tell the diff one from the other. I know my clients couldn't.

[lct]

Why mixing f/1.4 and f/2 lenses?

As far as my 35mm and 50mm lenses are concerned my best matches would be:

1. Summilux 35/1.4 asph FLE + Summilux 50/1.4 asph

2. Summilux 35/1.4 pre-asph + Summilux 50/1.4 pre-asph (or Sonnar 50/1.5)

3. Summicron 35/2 asph + Summicron 50/2 (preferably 50/2 apo i suspect but i have no experience with it)

4. Summicron 35/2 v4 + Summicron 50/2 v4

5. Summarit 35/2.5 + Summarit 50/2.5

6. Biogon 35/2.8 + Elmar 50/2.8 v2

My favorite combo in good light being #6, in low light #1, for portrait #2, for travels #3 and for my Fuji XE-2 #5. YMMvastlyV

[iphoenix]

I think it's relevant to ask: What body/s would they be for use on:

-Film or digital?

-If Film, which model/finder?

-If Digital, which model/sensor?

[pgk]

So this is just for fun. Assume you will get a new 35mm and 50mm lens. Which combination would you choose?

 

Extra credit: What's your reason for your choice?

Neither. In my not so humble opinion, you either need f/1.4 if its an aperture that you will/do use, or you don't. So I'd buy both faster lenses secondhand (as I have). 35 and 50 mm focal lengths are decidedly different in my experience, although as a pairing they are not to everyone's taste, they are most certainly not too 'close' to each other to be different in application, use and result.

 

For those who buy lenses for other reasons than their fast aperture, and base their choice on more esoteric parameters, then each lens will be selected for its own specific attributes, so its impossible to second guess a combination to suit without knowing the basis for the choice.

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Hallo,

Look here: Leica M

[A miller]

In response to your question, i'd pick option 2. You have to struggle mightily to find negative things said about the 50 lux asph lens. Not so for the 35lux fle. I dont own any of the crons you mentioned, but i own both luxes.

And the point about effectively getting a faster lens with the 35 lux vs 50 is really marginal and depends on the camera to be used. With the MM, for example, it doesnt matter.