expanding your kit

[rsolomon]

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i currently have an M240  35 cron and the 75 cron. i feel pretty comfortable with the kit for my usage but i keep hearing about the 12% USA discount and think now is the time to buy - or why not buy now. i'm curious if you've picked up something driven by the current exchange rate sale?  

 

i have been debating the 90 cron or 135 elmar . The 90 may be too similar to the 75 - any opinions ?  and the 135 i understand hard to focus, any experience?  i have not felt the real desire for a 50 point of view, but maybe every kit deserves a 1.4 lens ? 

 

 

 

 

 

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[ducstar]

How about the 28mm cron to round out your set?

[jaapv]

Ummm.. Without any idea about your style and subjects it is impossible to give any kind of advice. After all, it is not about collecting gear, it is about getting the images you want to get.

 

Btw. , it may be slightly more expensive to purchase the Summis as well, but it makes the lens more complete

[duckrider]

Dont get caught by discount offers buying a lens not really needet!

Have a look for screw mount Hektor 135 and adaptor. Low budget and great fun!

Thomas

[250swb]

and think now is the time to buy - or why not buy now.

 

If you have some spare cash in your pocket and no idea what to spend it on I would just keep it there until you do, I don't see any point in asking other people what you would like. But we all like fun, so if it lightens your pocket sufficiently you could look further afield at much cheaper 'fun' lenses which may expand your vision and give you some clues for the future.

 

So what about 21mm CV Skopar and external finder, or go even wider? Perhaps a Zeiss 50mm ZM Sonnar with it's (intentional) soft rendering at f/1.5? Or a collapsible Perar lens to make your camera pocket-able (in a coat)? Go for an adventure without spending loads of money on a lens that you are artificially trying to make fit into your outfit, go for one that is way outside of your expectations and have fun.

 

Steve

[jaapv]

Thinking of it, if the aim is to use a discount, the only thing that makes sense is to buy the most expensive lens you can find to maximize your gain. So it must be a Noctilux.

[elgenper]

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I started out with the same combo with my M9 (have several older lenses, but wanted, or thought I wanted, the new stuff for the M9.  My Monochrom made me rediscover the lovely old ´Mandler look´...).  I still use and like them, but found I wanted a 50 too.  So I got the current Summilux 50 as well, and it became my most used lens; often the only one I carry.  But such things are mainly a matter of taste.

 

As for 90 together with 75, I find them far too close, so my old 90´s never leave their cosy cupboard.  A minor crop of a 75 shot gives the 90 FOV, if one likes it tight.

 

Final observation: don´t get carried away by a discount!  You´ll lose far more if it turns out you bought something you need to trade in later (2nd hand may be swapped later without any loss, but not new lenses).  And, if you have to ask what to get, you´re not ready for it, honestly.  Use what you have until you´re certain what you miss most, and then buy that!

[RoySmith]

Thinking of it, if the aim is to use a discount, the only thing that makes sense is to buy the most expensive lens you can find to maximize your gain. So it must be a Noctilux.

Or the Apo-Summicron 50mm if you want to add to your collection of cron's

[algrove]

When you ask this type of question it surely helps anyone thinking of reposnding to know what and how you photograph.

 

Louis Foubare: Fluidity and Unpredictability in Street Photography « The Leica Camera

 

http://blog.leica-camera.com/photographers/interviews/louis-foubare-making-every-minute-count

[darylgo]

Expand in both directions, wide and telephoto.  The older 135/4 Tele-Elmar is a phenomenal optic and will leave plenty of money left over to buy the 24/3.8.  The 24 is a tiny lens that is optimized for it's superb sharpness at the expense of speed.     

[Mornnb]

75mm is long enough for most uses unless you want to shoot sports and action, which is probably best left to a DSLR.

I'd say go for a Tri-Elmar, 16 to 21mm is a good range for landscape, cityscapes and architecture. If you don't shoot these types of photos then stick with your current kit.

[rsolomon]

Thanks everyone for the solid experienced advice!

[Peter H]

I'd say spend it on a trip somewhere interesting.

[derleicaman]

I will agree that it is hard to give advice to someone about what lens to buy without knowing more about what type of photography you are interested in. Do you like wide? The Tri-Elmar is a great choice, but pricey. Even with the discount. The 21 SEM and 24 SEM would be excellent choices, as would the 18 SEM. A 28 might not be that much different from your 35. The few times you would need a 135, go with an nice used Elmar (late style).

 

I wouldn't worry too much about losing money if you buy something and then resell it. As long as you're not taking a big hit on a dealer trade, with a private sale or ebay the worst you can do is break even if you hold the lens for 6 months to a year. Leica lenses rarely lose value over time.

 

I say go for it and don't listen to your moms here. You only live once, so go ahead and treat yourself. You deserve it. ;-)

[Dougg]

.... i'm curious if you've picked up something driven by the current exchange rate sale?  

 

I like the ^above^ advice from derleicaman to treat oneself deservedly! And Jaap's suggestion to go for the high priced spread. Not an M lens I know, but my response to the discount was to order the 100mm Summicron-S, down from $7995 to a measly $7036...

 

Not a spur-of-the-moment choice, I started working on the idea last Fall. I used the 2.8/90, 4/100 Macro, and 2.4/105 Pentax67 lenses on an adapter to see how this focal length fit my style. And pondered whether simply continuing with these would be an acceptable solution. I decided on the Summicron-S for eventual purchase earlier this year, and then the discount came along with the right opportunity. Sold!

[IWC Doppel]

I suspect that most if not all will eventually get a 50 for their M. why because it's a great focal length, you can get personal shots without getting personal and your not that distant uninvolved shooter. I personally struggle with anything over 75 and have 15 lenses and only one 75, so I'm probably biased to wider angles.

 

If I had your kit I'd rush out and buy a 50, I'd but another e46 50 Summilux pre ASPH, wonderful lens, then I'd get a 21mm Elmarit-M

[Peter Kilmister]

Having bought my first M240 in April 2014 with a 35mm Summicron, I thought I might need another lens. I bought a used 90mm Summarit. Perfect ... until someone said the 50mm is essential.

So I bought a 50mm Summilux. As the 35mm is better suited to what I photograph I have hardly used it and plan to sell it soon. Then I read reviews of the Noctilux which said it is great in low light. Fair enough, it sounded ideal but what a price! Anyway one day I spotted a bargain on eBay and bought a 0.95 Noctilux for a song. It's OK but heavy is the best description. I plan to keep it for a while as I might use when light is at a premium. We'll see. Meanwhile guess which lenses I use the most? Yes, the 35mm and the 90mm.

Actually, after writing this I think I will sell the others, including a 135mm Tele Elmarit which is too long unless used with a tripod.

Keep your eyes peeled for forthcoming bargains in the buy & sell section.