Csacwp Posted February 4, 2018 Share #1  Posted February 4, 2018 Advertisement (gone after registration) I'm traveling to South Africa and plan on doing some reportage type photos, some indoors and some outdoors. I had decided on buying a 50mm Summicron v5, having tried one at the local Leica store (I much prefer it to the 50 apo I just sold), but now I am wondering if a 35mm Summicron Asph would be more useful for this type of photography? I do wear glasses and the 35mm framelines fill the entire viewfinder plus a tiny bit on the M10. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted February 4, 2018 Posted February 4, 2018 Hi Csacwp, Take a look here Going to Africa.... I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
abrewer Posted February 4, 2018 Share #2  Posted February 4, 2018 Reportage = 35 or 28mm  I personally love the 35 'Cron for this: small, easy to focus quickly--even hyperfocus--lightweight . . . can't beat it 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fedro Posted February 4, 2018 Share #3 Â Posted February 4, 2018 Would consider a medium wide - 28 or 35 - plus a light and cheap tele (like the TE 90) .. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Csacwp Posted February 4, 2018 Author Share #4  Posted February 4, 2018 Curious if anybody has examples of shots like these with a 50 vs a 35. Would Cartier Bresson’s work be considered reportage? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mmradman Posted February 4, 2018 Share #5 Â Posted February 4, 2018 https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/10170-movie-blood-diamond-m7-sighting/ Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lct Posted February 5, 2018 Share #6  Posted February 5, 2018 Some people "see" in 50mm, others in 35, 28 or even 21mm. I would simply bring lenses i feel better with. 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Csacwp Posted February 5, 2018 Author Share #7  Posted February 5, 2018 Advertisement (gone after registration) I unfortunately see in 90mm, so reportage isn’t really my strong suit. I love walking around with a 90mm, shooting in the portrait orientation. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gelatino Posted February 5, 2018 Share #8 Â Posted February 5, 2018 For big cats portrait 135mm may be safer. IMO... 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Per P. Posted February 6, 2018 Share #9  Posted February 6, 2018 For many a combo of 28/35mm and 90mm would sound quite versatile and useful. But if your current favourite is 90mm then I would go with 50mm this time and then maybe graduate to 35mm next time. Many forum users produce amazing photos with 28mm or even wider. But it is not really about the lens, rather about yourself and how you like to interact with people and environments.  You need to train yourself to see the world with whichever lens you carry. In my view this is hard work when you go wider than 35mm, and for some even 35mm requires you to be uncomfortably close (3-4 meters typically). Those forum users I referred to didn't get to where they are today over night. I have seen good 35mm photographers get unstuck even with a 28mm and therefore I do not recommend using the South Africa trip as your training ground.  So, in summary, start with a 50mm - any model - and enjoy the trip. Don't worry about the pictures you don't make, you can travel the world with a 35mm or 50mm and be very happy. 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ernstk Posted February 6, 2018 Share #10 Â Posted February 6, 2018 In my experience, a 35 is much more flexible than a 50. You can always crop but you can't widen... Â Ernst Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted February 6, 2018 Share #11 Â Posted February 6, 2018 Do realize that the sun is harsh, the shadows deep. That means people will be indoors or in deep shaded light. I would always prefer a Summilux. The 50 Summilux asph has served me well. Â https://www.jaapvphotography.eu/fotogroot.php?id=222 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lonescapes Posted February 6, 2018 Share #12 Â Posted February 6, 2018 IMHO, based on my own experience shooting in Nigeria (granted, a more difficult place to shoot), you're not going to want to be changing lenses often. Grab a cheap body (a6000 or something) with an M-adapter to throw in your bag with the other of the two lenses you bring on it so you don't miss shots while changing, and so you don't have to change lenses in a very dirty or humid environment. Â You will want a contextual lens and a portrait lens, as others are saying. That can be anything from 24 on the contextual side (if you don't mind the fairly wide perspective) to 35 (if you don't mind having a narrower FOV in return for having a more versatile focal length). On the portrait side, a 50 F2 is definitely good enough, and has the benefit of versatility, but it could also be anything up to a 90, as long as you don't mind losing the versatility in return for gaining a more classic portrait focal. Â Personally, I don't think anyone ever regretted having a 35 and 50 in their bag, but I've also gone on trips with only a 24 and an 85 and have enjoyed the experience. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Csacwp Posted February 6, 2018 Author Share #13  Posted February 6, 2018 Thanks guys for the advice. I ended up purchasing the 35mm Cron Asph and a 12504 hood to make it look a little older (and less expensive), and I'll use it as a two lens kit with my 90 apo. I have a 75mm Summilux that I use for gentler portraits, but that'll be staying home. 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lct Posted February 7, 2018 Share #14  Posted February 7, 2018 Beware that the 12504 hood provides little protection against flare. Not the best idea for a trip to Africa if you ask me. If your 35/2 asph is the 1st version, i would keep its stock rectangular plastic hood (12526) or pick a legacy round vented hood like Leica 12585 (metal), 12585H (metal) or preferably 12538 (plastic) to absorb schocks. Mine has a 12538 hood (pic) together with a Fuji 39mm pinch lens cap (FLCP-39) that is easier to find out and to handle than both Zeiss and CV similar and more expensive pinch lens caps.  Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members!  1 Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members!  ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/281536-going-to-africa/?do=findComment&comment=3456772'>More sharing options...
Csacwp Posted February 7, 2018 Author Share #15  Posted February 7, 2018 I'll be sure to bring both hoods. Any difference in quality/fit between the 12504 and 12585H? Also, what options exist for an external 35mm finder for framing with glasses? I *can* see the framelines in the rangefinder of the M10 just (I can see them easily in my M4), but I still find it easier to compose with an external finder of some sort. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lct Posted February 7, 2018 Share #16 Â Posted February 7, 2018 12585H is the same as 12585 with different engravings or not depending on copies. Same build quality as 12504 with more shade. There are many 35mm optical finders available from Leica, Zeiss, Voigtlander, Canon and other brands but you would be better off with an EVF for accurate framing. I have no experience with that of the M10 though. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Csacwp Posted February 7, 2018 Author Share #17  Posted February 7, 2018 I don’t like EVF’s because with glasses I cannot seal my eye around them to achieve adequate contrast during really bright days. It makes it very difficult to see and focus and is a problem I have with my SL. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lct Posted February 7, 2018 Share #18  Posted February 7, 2018 OK then you could consider a Leitz 35 brightline (# 12010), a Leica 36 brightline (# 18707) or a Voigtlander 35 brightline eventually but i have no experience with those viewfinders. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Narsuitus Posted February 7, 2018 Share #19 Â Posted February 7, 2018 I'm traveling to South Africa and plan on doing some reportage type photos... Â Congratulations on your decision. Â I also prefer using a 35 and a 90 lenses for reportage type photos on my M6 and M10. Â M6 Rangefinder by Narsuitus, on Flickr 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lct Posted February 7, 2018 Share #20 Â Posted February 7, 2018 (edited) Was it the only existing 90 bigger than the ZM 35/1.4? Just kidding. Great Summicron 90/2 v2, my favorite 90 ever with the R 90/2 pre-apo. Now i would not bring such bulky lenses for a trip to Africa personally. YMMV. Edited February 7, 2018 by lct Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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