One Lens to rule them all? Which 50mm?

[pico]

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To repeat from where exactly?

 

 

 

Each to there own I suppose, Lucky for you they make a type 4?

 

 

 

Cheers,

 

Michael

 

 

Michael, the good news is that SK Grimes makes an excellent add-on tab for the lens. I will be ordering one in two weeks.

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[michaelwj]

Michael, the good news is that SK Grimes makes an excellent add-on tab for the lens. I will be ordering one in two weeks.

 

Let me know how it goes, I'd be worried that the throw is too long for a tab.

 

Cheers,

Michael

[pico]

Let me know how it goes, I'd be worried that the throw is too long for a tab.

 

 

 

Cheers,

 

Michael

 

 

I have measured the throw and it cannot be too long

 

When it arrives I will post results. fwiw I have hand disabilities which means that if it helps me, it can be good for anyone.

[Jennifer]

Yes, got it back last week, thanks.

 

We rechecked the calibration at Leica Mayfair and it's spot on. I'm planning on giving it a thorough field trial perhaps tomorrow if I can clear my paperwork (boring management accounts ) early enough in the morning.

 

I'll report back.

 

Here: http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/2834282-post3.html

[Rick in CO]

Lals, welcome to the conundrum of the Leica Forum! I will try to simplify the answer to your question. If you will mostly take portraits, the f1.4 Summilux ASPH is the way to go. Downside is the expense. The Apo Summicron is even more expensive, the non-Apo Summicron is a good alternative. If is has not been suggested yet, take a look at this article http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/2714485-post1.html for an idea of differences between F1.4 and f2.0. If you also want B&W, consider the f2 Zeiss Planar. The Zeiss contrast gives excellent results when converting color to B&W, and has a suprisingly nice rendition wide open at f2. Its also the least expensive choice, new or used. Good Luck and Have Fun!

[Lals]

Folks,

 

Checking back on this thread. I spent several hours at a couple different Leica dealers and an accomodating friend and was able to do a whole series of trial shots on M240 and MP with many lenses. I was able to quickly narrow it to the MP 240 and ordered it and just received it today! Yah! For the lenses, I narrowed it down to regular summicron, summilux and the APO. The regular summicron was also nice but summilux and APO were noticably better. I did try a few others like 35 and 40 etc., but 50mm still felt the best to me. From the photos, I think I like both the Summilux and the APO and that is where it stands. I printed a couple of my shots to mull over. I was surprised by the smoothness of the APO but Summilux has a luscious feel to it as well. I had focus issues which was more noticable in the prints - definitely user error:rolleyes: The ergonomics of the APO felt very nice in my hands as well. I liked how the camera and lenses were both very low key and did not stand out. Dear husband is reaching the end of his tolerance for my analysis paralysis. It is supposed to be his gift and he just wants it done!

 

A couple things I realized is that I do need an ND filter to be able to shoot with shallow depth of field in bright daylight. Variable ND filters seem to be non-existant for Leica 39mm lens diameter. I am leery of carrying multiple ND filters for various stops. I started another thread to seek advice on this. I also need to get a decent strap and a simple case. I am thinking a pacsafe case and a leather strap or maybe even a wrist strap.

[jaapv]

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If you have narrowed this down so far the choice cannot be difficult any more. The 50 APO may be the technically better lens, but in daily shooting the Summilux will get you halfway the Noctilux, especially if you like narrow DOF.

So that is the more versatile lens.

[LocalHero1953]

I also need to get a decent strap and a simple case. I am thinking a pacsafe case and a leather strap or maybe even a wrist strap.

 

A case, strap or wrist strap??? That's at least another three multi-page threads.

[Lals]

A case, strap or wrist strap??? That's at least another three multi-page threads.

 

Oh Lordie! Surely there is a "good enough" recommendation here! Any suggestions from any of the women on what is more comfortable ergonomically for a small/ simple strap and case (just m240 with mounted lens and a pocket to stash away a couple of memory cards, maybe a spare filter and a spare battery.

[Echo63]

I had focus issues which was more noticable in the prints - definitely user error:rolleyes:

It gets easier, the more you use your M, the faster and more accurately you will be able to focus.

If you want to jump start your learning, practice focusing on stuff at home, instead of reading a book or watching TV, practice focusing your M on different objects in the room, TV, lamp, bookcase etc.

I have found contrasty vertical lines the easiest to focus on, and keeping the RF windows on the front clean helps too

 

A couple things I realized is that I do need an ND filter to be able to shoot with shallow depth of field in bright daylight. Variable ND filters seem to be non-existant for Leica 39mm lens diameter. I am leery of carrying multiple ND filters for various stops. I started another thread to seek advice on this.

Can i make a suggestion ?

You only really need one.

 

Full sun, using the "sunny 16" guideline, is 1/125, 100ISO f16

Winding the shutter speed up to 1/4000 at base ISO (200) means you can open the aperture to f4

To get f2 (summicron) you only need a 2stop ND, to get 1.4 (summilux) requires a 3stop ND to shoot under the brightest conditions normally experienced.

You can then slow the shutter speed down or raise the ISO to counteract the ND, until it is dark enough to remove it.

[madNbad]

Oh Lordie! Surely there is a "good enough" recommendation here! Any suggestions from any of the women on what is more comfortable ergonomically for a small/ simple strap and case (just m240 with mounted lens and a pocket to stash away a couple of memory cards, maybe a spare filter and a spare battery.

 

Try an inexpensive half case and a strap. The standard Leica strap is long enough to be slung across your body. Wrist straps are nice but with a full size camera like an M240 your left with the problem of what to do with the camera when you need both hands. Good luck with your search.

[pop]

... or maybe even a wrist strap.

 

I am quite partial to a small wrist strap by JOBY. As it tightens itself very smoothly, it is virtually impossible to drop or mislay the camera, and I have very narrow wrists. However, I had to attach it to the camera with a key ring which was not supplied.

[LocalHero1953]

Oh Lordie! Surely there is a "good enough" recommendation here! Any suggestions from any of the women on what is more comfortable ergonomically for a small/ simple strap and case (just m240 with mounted lens and a pocket to stash away a couple of memory cards, maybe a spare filter and a spare battery.

 

Everyone has their own (passionate) preferences about such things. I suggest you buy something cheap, and spend the next 6 months looking at what really works for you in terms of a balance of price, protection/security, weight, styling, comfort, usability.......... In my case 6 months probably wasn't long enough. If I was starting again, I'd probably buy Lowepro (he says, just to trigger the passionate counter-suggestions) to start with - I'd still have ended up with what I have now, but it would have been a cheaper process:rolleyes:

[Jeff S]

I also need to get a decent strap and a simple case.

 

The stock strap is more than 'decent'…for many including me. And no case. YMMV, but why not use it as is for a while before deciding. In the meantime, the search box at top right (forum page) will bring up dozens of related discussions, with differing opinions….the same ones you'll get here all over again. Bags, too.

 

Jeff

[pico]

The stock strap is more than 'decent'…for many including me. And no case. YMMV, but why not use it as is for a while before deciding.

Jeff

 

 

The stock Leica strap is perfect, but many consider it as they do the picture that comes with a picture frame from a penny store.

[platypus]

This thread....such a saga! Unfortunately I am beginning to think that no matter what combination of gear you settle on it won't be absolute perfection for you.....but of course 'absolute perfection' does not exist and therein lies the dilemma.....

I would strongly advise that you make a decision now and get on with learning to use (and enjoying) your beautiful new Leica gear. You obviously must have time to become proficient with it prior to Christmas so as to capture all those happy family moments.....

don't delay, after all a strap is a strap is a strap.........

[Lals]

The standard Leica strap is quite decent but I can't stand the feel of the nubby texture on the plastic pad on the strap. Just a personal tactile issue. So something softer/ smoother would be nice. For a case, I am going with the cheapest Pacsafe that will fit the camera with lens attached.

[platypus]

Lals,

I quite agree with you about that creepy little rubber pad, it feels disgusting on the back of one's neck, particularly if it's a sweaty sort of day.

The nice Artist&Artisan plaited silk straps are much nicer, I have been using these for years and love them....highly recommended.

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Hallo,

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[erudolph]

+1 on the A&A strap.

[Ecaton]

Had the Summicorn 50, have a Summilux asph and one non asph, an Elmar 50 and ZM50 Sonnar. My favorite is the Sonnar, small, lightweight, two lenses in one with Zeiss colors and pop at f5.6 and slower and classic and dreamy oof rendering fully open. It has a pronounced focus shift which make it more demanding in use, but the extra effort it requires is worth it imo. but who said one should only have one 50mm;). With the M240 the new 50 Summarit and Sonnar ZM 50 could be a comparatively affordable way to enjoy two quite different, very compact and excellent 50s.