pgk Posted May 11, 2017 Share #41 Â Posted May 11, 2017 Advertisement (gone after registration) Okay, so I know the 75mm and towards range are generally used for portraiture, but I'm going to Vegas, LA, SF amongst other places on a forthcoming trip and I know I'll need longer than the 50mm I currently own. Â For some reason its human nature to apply tabs and labels to things and this is a classic example. Yes, lenses slightly longer than 'standard' (I know, another label) are used for portraiture because they can give a somewhat pleasing flattening of the face, which is usually why, but this simply means what it says - that they can be used for portraiture, not that this is what they are for or should be seen as being for. Â I think that if you wade through the landscape images on this site you will find many examples shot on 75/90/135 lenses. The most versatile is obviously the 90 because it can be used most effectively with a bit of footwork added. The 75 Summicron produces staggeringly crisp and detailed images, the 90 Elmarit-M is a classic Mandler design in that it provides smooth images, still with lots of microdetail but lacking the bite of the 75 Summicron. The 135mm lenses can be awkward to focus or out of adjustment (especially the E39 Tele-Elmars in my own experience) but can be very effective for landscape - I have a 30" x 20" print off my M9 which lacks nothing in terms of image quality in the Mandler way (its hung next to an image from a current aspheric design and the renditions are chalk and cheese but both are perfectly acceptable technically). Â So what am I saying, well IMO you should really consider the 90mm Elmarit-M - a versatile, relatively easy to use lens with few flaws, and one which is still somewhat underrated. I had one, sold it and then had to buy another - its taken some of my favourite landscapes. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted May 11, 2017 Posted May 11, 2017 Hi pgk, Take a look here Your 75/90/135mm landscapes?. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
djmay Posted May 11, 2017 Share #42  Posted May 11, 2017 I also heartily recommend the 90mm Elmarit-M. Jesse  Sent from my Lenovo YT3-850L using Tapatalk Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
justj Posted May 11, 2017 Share #43 Â Posted May 11, 2017 Telephoto lens is a must, but why stop at 135mm, sometimes the picture you want is just a little bit out of your reach. Â Not taken with Leica but you got the idea. Â Â Â Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jip Posted May 11, 2017 Share #44  Posted May 11, 2017 Telephoto lens is a must, but why stop at 135mm, sometimes the picture you want is just a little bit out of your reach.  Not taken with Leica but you got the idea.  Absolutely stunning! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
eujin Posted May 11, 2017 Share #45  Posted May 11, 2017 Here's one shot with a Canon 135mm 3.5 LTM. It's great for landscapes and it's a great little lens in general, although I tend to prefer shooting people with the 135mm 2.8 Elmarit.  L1007954.jpg by eujinh, on Flickr Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
michaelwj Posted May 12, 2017 Share #46  Posted May 12, 2017 although I tend to prefer shooting people with the 135mm 2.8 Elmarit.  With the 135mm Elmarit you don't need to shoot them, just hit them with the thing, it's huge  More seriously, I'm always tempted to get one of the old Canon teles, so much value for money! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
tobey bilek Posted May 12, 2017 Share #47  Posted May 12, 2017 Advertisement (gone after registration) 90mm is the focal that I sincerely suggest to go over 50 and maintaining an excellent usability with RF Leicas : you also have lot of choices for any amount you'd like to put into (even an old Elmar 90 in FINE conditions can be appreciable... and of course the Summicron APO at the other extreme of cost)  90 is quite portable, decent to frame, not critical on focusing, good for portraiture and, for landscape, can give the kind of perspective that anyway distinguishes it significantly from a 50.  Hereunder, M240 with Summicron 90  Castiglione Falletto_2a.jpg   Perspective is governed by where you stand, not by focal length.  If you were to crop a 35 to the same angle of view as 90,  the photosa would overlay perfectly.  tele lenses do not compress either.  Same story. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Exodies Posted May 12, 2017 Share #48 Â Posted May 12, 2017 Where you stand is governed by focal length Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lct Posted May 12, 2017 Share #49 Â Posted May 12, 2017 Or focal length is governed by where you stand . Perspective does not depend upon focal length per se but the feeling of compression remains obvious with telephoto lenses the same way as noses grow bigger with wides on closeups. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
luigi bertolotti Posted May 12, 2017 Share #50  Posted May 12, 2017 Perspective is governed by where you stand, not by focal length.  If you were to crop a 35 to the same angle of view as 90,  the photosa would overlay perfectly.  tele lenses do not compress either.  Same story.  Yes I know... I had better to say , instead of "the kind of perspective" , "the kind of frame, given a certain point of stand"...  but is a longer phrase... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
michaelwj Posted May 12, 2017 Share #51  Posted May 12, 2017 Perspective is governed by where you stand, not by focal length.  If you were to crop a 35 to the same angle of view as 90,  the photosa would overlay perfectly.  tele lenses do not compress either.  Same story.   Where you stand is governed by focal length   Or focal length is governed by where you stand . Perspective does not depend upon focal length per se but the feeling of compression remains obvious with telephoto lenses the same way as noses grow bigger with wides on closeups.   Yes I know... I had better to say , instead of "the kind of perspective" , "the kind of frame, given a certain point of stand"...  but is a longer phrase...   I love this discussion, it seems like we had it only last week!  Oh wait ... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pgk Posted May 12, 2017 Share #52  Posted May 12, 2017 Shank's Pony - the ultimate perspective adjustment  . Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmahto Posted May 12, 2017 Share #53  Posted May 12, 2017 I love this discussion, it seems like we had it only last week!  Oh wait ... But what is the fun when all get along! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
eujin Posted May 12, 2017 Share #54  Posted May 12, 2017 With the 135mm Elmarit you don't need to shoot them, just hit them with the thing, it's huge  More seriously, I'm always tempted to get one of the old Canon teles, so much value for money!  You should totally get a Canon tele! They're seriously cheap and easy to come by. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tailwagger Posted May 12, 2017 Share #55  Posted May 12, 2017 Or focal length is governed by where you stand .  Which in turn is governed by how capable one's back is to carry a variety of glass, not to mention the depth of one's pocket to afford it all Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tailwagger Posted May 13, 2017 Share #56  Posted May 13, 2017 I suppose a lot depends on what one considers a landscape. Here in New England, where we dont tend to have sweeping mountain top vistas, I tend to favor the 75mm, but I suppose if I could only take one of the 75/90/135mm, my head would say 90, but my heart would would whisper bring the 75.  A few with the Summilux 75mm      Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
otho Posted May 13, 2017 Share #57 Â Posted May 13, 2017 @ Tailwagger. The sky in your photo No. 2 reminds me paintings by Jacob v. Ruisdael... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
otto.f Posted May 13, 2017 Share #58 Â Posted May 13, 2017 Or focal length is governed by where you stand . I must strongly disagree here. Focal length is chosen by what you want attain in your image qua composition, expression of texture, etc etc. Having chosen the focal length you force yourself into the position required. If impossible you fall back to another focal length. I would not describe that as being governed by Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lct Posted May 13, 2017 Share #59 Â Posted May 13, 2017 [...] If impossible you fall back to another focal length [...] Â Or in the river if there is not enough room to move back . Just kidding. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pgk Posted May 13, 2017 Share #60 Â Posted May 13, 2017 I must strongly disagree here. Focal length is chosen by what you want attain in your image qua composition, expression of texture, etc etc. Having chosen the focal length you force yourself into the position required. If impossible you fall back to another focal length. Â One of my pet peeves is someone critiquing a photograph by saying that 'you should have used a lower viewpoint' or some other such uninformed statement. When the viewpoint isn't available, you are stuck with the viewpoints which are, or you change focal length (or buy a drone I suppose, if relevant). Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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