I need buying advice

[haljaberi]

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Hello Leica!

 

I don't want to open "another" new thread comparing between 35mm Cron and Lux as I read a lot of comparison and threads  about both lenses. I currently own 50mm Summarit f2.4 and I have fun doing street photography with it, specially when I travel abroad. I don't own fast lens with aperture less than 2; which makes street photograph at night harder. As winter is coming  ; I will have less fun with my 50mm Summarit; as night hours will be longer than day. I am not fan of carrying tripod, though I own one. As I only use it when I have plan to shoot photos with slower shutter speed.  

 

Now here's my question; I really want to own 35mm to give me wider angle view of street. But, my 50mm Summarit lens is not widely open and place me into disadvantage during the night or at places where there're not enough lighting. Should I get a new 50mm Lux 1.4f and get 35mm Cron one year later? Which means I won't own 35mm for significantly long time. Or should I get 35mm Lux now and use it at night? And eventually update my 50mm lens in 2-3 years. 

 

thanks! 

[Michael Geschlecht]

Hello Haljaberi,

 

Welcome to the Forum.

 

Did you ever think of getting a small, solid, table tripod with soft, non-marking slippers with a large ball head & a cable release? 

 

With this combination against my chest I get +2 stops of additional hand held stability with any lens & shutter speed combination that I am using.

 

Against a tree or a rock or a wall (soft, non-marking slippers) or in or inside of the top of a door frame: I get as many stops of added stability as I need.

 

The same thing on a car with the engine turned off & even on a table top.

 

The more ways & places that you try using it. The more new ways you will find to use it.

 

The cable release alone will often give you +1 stop of added stability once you figure out how to use it alone.

 

This combination does not take much more space than an additional lens.

 

Best Regards,

 

Michael

[Herr Barnack]

I would recommend a sturdy monopod with a head that gives you 90 degree tilt capability such as this from Manfrotto:     https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1272932-REG/manfrotto_xpro_prime_3_section_aluminum.html

 

I have an ancient older of this setup with a Bogen 3218 monopod (no longer made) and a Benro DJ80 monopod head.  This setup is sturdy, makes shooting at eye level while standing possible and gives you +2 stops with sharp results compared to hand held shooting.  It can also serve as a walking stick and a camera thief repellent if the need for that arises. 

[jaapv]

Have you considered the Zeiss Distagon 35/1.4? Personally I am not convinced of the advisability of using a tri-/mono-/chest-pod for street photography.

[pico]

What camera do you own? ISO is an important consideration.

.

[EoinC]

My thoughts, for what they are worth:

1) Figure out if 35mm is a focal length that you 'like' - Try a borrowed or rented lens, or try at a camera shop.

2) Figure out what you most want to shoot - it sounds like street, but maybe define a little more what that means.

3) Figure out the parameters that define your shooting limits - Maximum usable ISO, minimum usable shutter speed, widest usable aperture for focusing abilities / subjects.

4) Figure out how much you are willing to spend.

5) Buy the lens that fits that holistic requirement.

 

With film, I have a 35mm Summilux almost super-glued to a M6. I love what it does....for me. I seldom use it at f/1.4, though. Likewise, I have a 50mm Summicron wallpaper-glued to a Monochrom. I love what it does...for me. I often use it at f/2.0, and I can't remember having wished for wider apertures (noting the good high ISO performance of the Monochrom, wide apertures are more an 'artistic' choice than a requirement forced by low light).

 

I think, if you go through the above process reasonably objectively, you will arrive at a decision you can be happy with. As Jaap notes, don't limit yourself to Leica lenses - There are excellent options out there.

 

Enjoy your photography.

[Jeff S]

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Second time today that I've linked to this old post, but you might give Lars' technique a try.  As he wrote, about as good as a monopod...   http://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/111304-tripod-monopod-nothing/?p=1209129

 

I miss Lars.

 

Jeff

[michaelwj]

Don't forget you'll be able to handhold a 35 a stop slower than the 50 by virtue of the wider angle of view. Of course that doesn't freeze motion, but either does a tripod.

If I were you I'd get a used 35, either a summicron or summarit. If you like the focal length then it can be swapped down the line.

[IWC Doppel]

I suspect a tripod would be something to augment normal street photography. In which case I would decide if the wider 35 would add to your shots, you will need to get closer which may need more confidence/bravery. I would probably look at how best to perfect your technique to hand hold at lower shutter speeds, add a thumbie etc. I'd buy a secondhand 35 summicron and see how you get on with F2 and 35. In the evening with the M9 I usually pick an f2 or f1.4 

[TomB_tx]

You didn't say what camera you are using, but I assume a Leica digital, not film. When I switched from film to digital I found I use a 35 most of the time, instead of the 50 I used on film. With a good 35 and digital you can significantly crop a 35 image to a 50 field of view (or smaller) and still have quality images.

So I'd suggest going with the 35 you want, as you may well find you won't use the 50 much.

That said, I've switched from the faster lenses I used to use to both 35 and 50 (and now 90) Summarit 2.5 lenses as my most used, and I do mostly indoors available light.

Also, for poor light I have a 35 1.4 Nokton, and while it is no Summilux it gives nice results for my use, and has the small size and good handling I like. It's inexpensive enough to be a way to try both the 35 and f1.4 to see if it is what you want.

[haljaberi]

Hello Haljaberi,

 

Welcome to the Forum.

 

Did you ever think of getting a small, solid, table tripod with soft, non-marking slippers with a large ball head & a cable release?

 

With this combination against my chest I get +2 stops of additional hand held stability with any lens & shutter speed combination that I am using.

 

Against a tree or a rock or a wall (soft, non-marking slippers) or in or inside of the top of a door frame: I get as many stops of added stability as I need.

 

The same thing on a car with the engine turned off & even on a table top.

 

The more ways & places that you try using it. The more new ways you will find to use it.

 

The cable release alone will often give you +1 stop of added stability once you figure out how to use it alone.

 

This combination does not take much more space than an additional lens.

 

Best Regards,

 

Michael

I believe, this method will require me to practice more, as I haven't master steady hand yet. Add a stop can be very tricky and challenging for me during night as shutter speed will be slower with Summarit. Out of 10 photos I captured during the night I managed to get 4 clear ones. A monopod can be practical solution for me.

 

Also, does that mean I should consider buying the 35mm Cron?

 

Sent from my EVA-L19 using Tapatalk

[haljaberi]

I would recommend a sturdy monopod with a head that gives you 90 degree tilt capability such as this from Manfrotto: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1272932-REG/manfrotto_xpro_prime_3_section_aluminum.html

 

I have an ancient older of this setup with a Bogen 3218 monopod (no longer made) and a Benro DJ80 monopod head. This setup is sturdy, makes shooting at eye level while standing possible and gives you +2 stops with sharp results compared to hand held shooting. It can also serve as a walking stick and a camera thief repellent if the need for that arises.

That is good suggestion, I should consider it right away. Though, I will favour a lighter solution as I suffer from backpain.

 

Sent from my EVA-L19 using Tapatalk

[haljaberi]

Have you considered the Zeiss Distagon 35/1.4? Personally I am not convinced of the advisability of using a tri-/mono-/chest-pod for street photography.

Distagon is an excellent option. But absence of after sales service and unavailability of lens for rental, makes me think twice before I approach it.

 

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[haljaberi]

What camera do you own? ISO is an important consideration.

.

Leica typ 262

 

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[haljaberi]

 

 

My thoughts, for what they are worth:

1) Figure out if 35mm is a focal length that you 'like' - Try a borrowed or rented lens, or try at a camera shop.

2) Figure out what you most want to shoot - it sounds like street, but maybe define a little more what that means.

3) Figure out the parameters that define your shooting limits - Maximum usable ISO, minimum usable shutter speed, widest usable aperture for focusing abilities / subjects.

4) Figure out how much you are willing to spend.

5) Buy the lens that fits that holistic requirement.

 

With film, I have a 35mm Summilux almost super-glued to a M6. I love what it does....for me. I seldom use it at f/1.4, though. Likewise, I have a 50mm Summicron wallpaper-glued to a Monochrom. I love what it does...for me. I often use it at f/2.0, and I can't remember having wished for wider apertures (noting the good high ISO performance of the Monochrom, wide apertures are more an 'artistic' choice than a requirement forced by low light).

 

I think, if you go through the above process reasonably objectively, you will arrive at a decision you can be happy with. As Jaap notes, don't limit yourself to Leica lenses - There are excellent options out there.

 

Enjoy your photography.

Thanks for sharing me with your opinion. I plan to rent a lens for few days to explore the exposure of wider angle and findout if it matches my liking. I want to add more background to my subjects while maintaining my position.

My feeling max aperture should be at 50 mm lens. As to give more focus for my subjects and it is my favourite lens. Again if I am going to shoot at night I may have to take some of the background, this means going to higher aperture value. This could also mean I may go for monopod.

As for ISO value, I let my camera to decide it for me.

Hence, I will give myself more time to study the available lenses and see if there's any new releases during month of September, that could impact my decision.

 

 

Sent from my EVA-L19 using Tapatalk

[dugby]

I always carry one of these...... Manfrotto ModoPocket

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