Going Wide...

[danieldouloslee]

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I am a 50mm shooter. However, I can't scratch the 35mm bug. Should I get a 35 to pair with my 50, should I go 21mm or 24/25mm as my widest angle? 

 

I have a fear that a 28 won't be wide enough, especially with my upcoming trip to Japan next month. 

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[lykaman]

Why not Rent 2 or 3 lenses for your vacation, then on your return home you can decide which to purchase..  L

[TomB_tx]

For 40+ years my M set was 35, 50, & 90 - which I think are still the most useful on an M VF. On film 50mm was my standard, but with M9/10 it shifted to 35, so I've invested more in 35 lately than other lenses. I find 35 quite different than 50 - including more "context" in view. Yet on the M10 a good 35 can crop to a 50 FOV (and longer) with very little loss of quality, which is why it's my normal FL now.

I seldom want a wider lens, but when the M9 was new I added tiny VC 21mm f4 for those times. Many complain about colored edges with it, but the M10 lessens that effect compared to earlier models, especially when coded as a 21 and using low ISO settings. Perhaps my "color sense" isn't as refined as some, but I almost never notice colored edges in normal pictures. The VC is so inexpensive and tiny it's nice to have tucked in a corner of my kit, and the 020 Visoflex works better for me than an accessory optical finder, and is useful for other FLs as well.

[spydrxx]

35 has been my favorite for many years, but there have been instances where I wanted something wider (not often...as I can easily stitch). I've tried 28, 24, 21 and 15; the only one which I really liked for my Leica was a VC 21. My SLR bodies I use both a 20 and a 28 on the wide side. Since it appears you don't have experience with wides, I agree with the suggestion to rent before you buy.

[Herr Barnack]

24mm and 50mm would be a good two lens set. 

If you like really wide angles of view, the 21mm f/3.4 Super Elmar-M ASPH is a truly fantastic lens.  In my experience, the only drawback to it is that is a bit on the slow side at f/3.4 but if you are shooting with an M10 you have ample ISO capability to make up for it.

When you go wider than 35mm, each focal length requires a bit of a different approach in shooting technique.  The 21mm Super Elmar will require getting really close to your subjects - as in 1.5 to 2.5 feet, in their personal space - to fill the frame for documentary shooting or street photography.  Don't let that scare you away from the 21, though. 

Getting close to our subjects makes a world of difference in the quality and composition of our images.  It is something every photographer should discipline themselves and learn to do.  The jitters that come with getting close to your subjects will fade away the more you do it and you will be rewarded with images that are well composed and framed and have much more visual impact.

The 28mm and 35mm give you more working distance, but still require you to not be shy about getting closer to people.

[Narsuitus]

6 hours ago, danieldouloslee said:

Should I get a 35 to pair with my 50, should I go 21mm or 24/25mm as my widest angle? 

When I shoot with a 50mm and want to carry a wider lens, my first choice is a 24mm and my second choice is a 28mm.

[Ko.Fe.]

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Hard to tell. It is very individual. 

I could barely find use for 50, even if I have three good ones. I use two slow 35 most of the time, yet, I'm finding 28 to be much more difficult. But with 21 and wider oddly enough it is more simple in the crowd.

IMO. Just don't only use these lenses as landscape, architecture. Wide on Leica means close. To people. The wider you go, closer you should get.

I have seen Janku photography taken with fast 50 and on prints. He is known Japaneese photog. Amazing, but he often is very close with 50 as well. 

[TG14]

I started with a 50 and wanted a 2nd wider lense. Was thinking about either a 28 or 35. I went with a 28 in the end because i thought the 35 was too close to the 50.

However, i cannot yet get used to the 28. I feel that the 28 requires a different mentality. It is not just a "50 but wider". If i take that approach, my subjects tend to be too small and the scene tends to be too busy.

My consideration for the 35 now is a hope that it will lessen some of that. Or maybe i should persevere with my 28.

[rsolomon]

I had a 2 lens kit of 35 & 75, I always knew I would build out my kit adding a wide angle, I debated the 18 21 24. I had the opportunity to shoot each, they  are each significantly different. If you go 21, you will NEED an external finder, a 24 you "can" get by without a finder. I went with the 24 ELMAR, impressive lens, occasionally use the EVF. I shoot outdoors with M240 and don't find the 3.8 limiting.

Try them if you can, 

 

 

 

 

[ChicagoMatthew]

I own a 21, 28, 35 and 50. Having worked with that range of primes, I think distance between ranges is key. For example, having 35/50 is stressful and more trouble than it’s worth. I was always making very minute and exact focal length choices... because they were so close. But! If I had a 28/50 combo, I’d know instantly what I needed. 

21 is too wide, you won’t really use it as much as you think.... unless you’re a wide angle guy... I think the 28/50 pair is classic because it’s the most practical. On an SLR, you’ll get a lot of 24mm, but leica is limited by the rangefinder lines. Personally, I wouldn’t consider 24 an option on a Leica. 21 (too wide) might be worth an external finder... but not 24. 

Also, I think from past posts, you went with the 50apo, a resolution monster. No other lens will stack up in that regard. Something to consider, for better or worse. 

 

[bayernfan]

35mm makes the best use of the 0.72 finder.  If you like the focal length, it's a dream to shoot with.... IF you like the focal length.  : )

I've amassed a collection of 35mm lenses to use on my 0.72 M Cameras.

[Ouroboros]

12 hours ago, danieldouloslee said:

II have a fear that a 28 won't be wide enough, especially with my upcoming trip to Japan next month. 

So what was the point of the first question?

[iphoenix]

If you're going to take a lot of photos inside buildings, I'd suggest either 28/25/24. Otherwise, consider the 35 as your normal and think of 50 as being a semi-telephoto. 

[lct]

2 lenses only for travel? Never did that. Being a 50mm shooter, i have always a 35 and a 90 (or 75) at least in my bag. If i have some more room, my favorite UWA is 21 but this is a matter of tastes anyway.

Edited September 10, 2019 by lct

[ianman]

14 hours ago, danieldouloslee said:

I have a fear that a 28 won't be wide enough, especially with my upcoming trip to Japan next month.

What's the connection between 28mm and Japan??

[danieldouloslee]

@ianman - 

My previous visit to Japan was with the Leica Q 4 years ago. It was a joy to shoot with and I believe that focal length was appropriate, but since my photography has changed since, I am bringing my APO50, 35mm and looking for something wider.

 

Edited September 10, 2019 by danieldouloslee

[a.noctilux]

Old school for me as decades of Leica M AND R user,

now that I carry only M system in my trip, I always had one of those lovely PC (shift) lenses that I own (and use since 1980's).

 

PC-SUPER-ANGULON-R 2.8/28mm (in Wiki ) , one of PC Nikkor Manual lens in 35mm or 28mm or Shift Zuiko 24mm that I know well.

 

Just to say that we have different need/style and for each gear we/it can adapt and there is no universal gear.

some suggestions for trio/50mm lovers ( 35/50/90 )

or why not a M kit with 24/35/75  21/35/90

...

or what ever combinaison of what you have

I know that well so I enlarge my choice each time I can and never pretend to "carry/use" them all each time

(seen on your sign. 28/50/90 that's fine)

28mm on M10, 50mm on M2, 90 in a pocket = that can be a nice kit

Edited September 10, 2019 by a.noctilux

[danieldouloslee]

@a.noctilux - that is a good suggestion. i also just bought the 35/1.4 nokton classic II to see how much more "painterly" my photos could become, especially during the trip. so i was wondering if a 21 or 25 would be better adequate. for some reason, i have a good feeling i will not be mounting the 90mm on much, if anything, left at the hotel.

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[derleicaman]

Some good suggestions here. CV 21/4 is dirt cheap, tiny and works well with M10. I have both the 24 Elmar and 25 Zeiss lenses. Both are superb. 25 ZM better on the budget and a tad faster at 2.8. I also have the WATE and would highly recommend if your budget can stretch. Here’s my review of the WATE I wrote for the LHSA Viewfinder

https://lhsa.org/2019/06/the-wate-wide-angle-tri-elmar-the-ideal-travel-lens

[steamboat]

21-35-50 is excellent set for travel. I traveled to Japan in 2017 and took the 21 & 35. I missed the 50. As small as the 50 Summicron is it was silly to leave it at home.