Help with first (only) lens choice

[leicarox]

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Hi all!

Well, I just impulse bought a 50mm Summicron "Safari" lens as my first lens to be mated to an m240. I'm starting to have second thoughts that this was the right choice. The green color really grabbed me, and it seemed like it might retain more value if I end up not getting along with it. I could be totally wrong here. It's still in the box. 

Anyway.. 

I'm not a pro photographer by any means, and am coming mainly from phones (Pixel) and have owned and tried a few smaller cameras, namely X2, Sony Rx1, and Ricoh GR.

I'm not sure if 50mm is the right focal length, but I have to start somewhere. It's definitely a bit narrower that what I'm used to, but maybe that's a good thing?

So I was thinking, should I just go "full in" and get the 50mm Summilux? Is it too heavy? Or maybe the smaller 50 Summarit and keep some budget for a 35 or 28 if I end up being a non-50 guy? I don't think I can justify the 50 APO, I'd like to stay at around $5k or less.

I'm looking for something that has pleasing bokeh, still renders sharp when needed, and is not toooo large, as I want to carry this camera everywhere. Definitely having rich color and contrast would be up there I think for my first lens.

I'm really hoping to just have one lens and be done with it and focus on photography. Am I being naive to get the 50 and should I instead be looking at something more forgiving like the 35?

Finally, is the Safari 50mm brass? And if so, would the weight be around the same as the Summilux?

Cheers

 

Edited November 27, 2019 by leicarox

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[a.noctilux]

Hello,

Summicron Safari 50mm outer parts are made of aluminium anodised as other same lens,

with some inner parts (the most important for "mating/moving parts" ) made of brass.

 

In your shoes, I'd try out Summarit-M lens line (light, small, great IQ and handling), why not 35mm+50mm .

 

[TomB_tx]

I agree on the Summarit lenses. I’ve used Leica over 50 years, and have various Summicon & Summilux, but my most used M10 kit is now 35, 50, & 90 Summarit f2.5 lenses. I prefer the small size and fast handling, and image quality is equal in my eyes.

[rsolomon]

im a 35 sumicron fan, but I really don't think there is a bad answer to this question... my kit was 35 / 75 for years , I've recently added a 24. 

maybe you can share the type of photography you plan on doing ? landscape, portraits, architecture, etc

 

[evikne]

10 hours ago, leicarox said:

I'm looking for something that has pleasing bokeh, still renders sharp when needed, and is not toooo large, as I want to carry this camera everywhere. Definitely having rich color and contrast would be up there I think for my first lens.

A 35mm Summicron is probably one of the most versatile lenses you can put on a Leica M. And as your first lens, it is probably easier to use than a 50mm. But since you are looking for pleasing bokeh, maybe the 50mm Summilux ASPH is the right choice for you. It was my first Leica lens too, for the same reason. After trying many different lenses, I'm now considering using this as my only lens again, because I love it so much, and the focal length suits me very well.

Edited November 28, 2019 by evikne

[albertknappmd]

there are two issues here: collectible lens vs regular lens and the focal length.

as to the collectible issue, if you can return this safari and get a non-collectible lens, you will be better off.. Collectible market is heavily influenced by the number of pieces and their QUALITY (ie used vs pristine). Your lens will depreciate very quickly.

as to the focal length issue either a 35mm or 50mm is ideal for a new person... The question of a lux (f/1.4) or a cron (f/2) is important and u may want to get the cron as it is cheaper and actually SHARPER in many cases than the lux... The summarit line is another possibility as mentioned above and may afford you the chance of buying two lenses literally for the price of one..

 

[Ko.Fe.]

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28mm (phone and GR) 35 mm (X2 and Rx1), why do you need 50mm?

 

[pedaes]

1 hour ago, Ko.Fe. said:

28mm (phone and GR) 35 mm (X2 and Rx1), why do you need 50mm?

 

I could not imagine not having a 50mm lens. Depends what you are comfortable with I guess.

[TomB_tx]

1 hour ago, pedaes said:

I could not imagine not having a 50mm lens. Depends what you are comfortable with I guess.

Well, 50 & 90 were my most used lenses on film, but after getting M9 & M10 I find 35 is my normal lens. I guess in part because I find I'm more comfortable working closer as I've aged, and also because the files now hold quality so well when cropped. On film we used to try and crop as little as possible, but especially on M10 I do more cropping and less lens changing.

[Ko.Fe.]

9 minutes ago, TomB_tx said:

Well, 50 & 90 were my most used lenses on film, but after getting M9 & M10 I find 35 is my normal lens. I guess in part because I find I'm more comfortable working closer as I've aged, and also because the files now hold quality so well when cropped. On film we used to try and crop as little as possible, but especially on M10 I do more cropping and less lens changing.

I used only 50 on film for years because FSU RF was working well only with 50.

Now I like my 16-35 at 16 on FF (D)SLR. Currently waiting for 20mm prime in the postage. O'may how old am I...

[KFo]

Coming from a phone/compact camera prospective I can definitely see where the 50 will feel tight.  I shot wide most of the time and for me a 50 feels pretty close when I first mount it.  My 90 is positively claustrophobic :}

I think know you the answer here.  It sounds that the 50 is a bit of a shock but have you used that focal length?  Also, buying the Safari version as a depreciation hedge doesn’t make that much sense to me. It’s just a couple hundred bucks more than the standard cron.  Buy it because you like it and want to use it.  None of these modern cameras or lenses really qualify as investments in my book.

Consider the 28 Summicron, used ~$2000 and less, alongside a used 35 Summilux.  You can probably squeak this pair in under your $5000 limit and have two completely different lenses that have differing strengths

Along the same lines for minimum size, consider the 28 Summaron f/5.6 alongside the 35 Summilux. The Summaron is a wonderful compact lens, barely noticeable on the camera.

I have the latest 35 Summilux, love the lens.  It’s my goto for low light or evenings, but not a great all the time lens; it’s a bit big for that duty in my opinion.  The Summaron on the other hand goes everywhere with me in day time.  The Summilux gets to come along when I feel that I’ll be making a portrait or when I feel like playing with the wide open Leica experience (with a 3 stop ND attached often).  By the way the Summilux is really nice for environmental portraits.

These are fun choices to have so try not to stress so much.  All these lenses will render a wonderful image if you do your job!

Regards,

Kevin

[earleygallery]

Sounds like a case of buyers remorse.

Nobody else can tell you what is right for you, although your other cameras all had wider lenses so you are probably more used to that for composition. That's not to say a 50mm is the wrong choice, many of us used a 50 before we had any other lenses.

I don't know how much more the Safari lens costs over the standard version, and it seems Leica have released another batch of this 'limited' edition so it's never going to be rare and valuable as such, but if you like it then why not have it?

As for changing your mind now, I guess the first thing to check is if the dealer will even allow you to return the lens? Whatever you decide my advice would be to stick with the one lens for now, until you work out for yourself what if any other lens/es you need.

[lct]

5 hours ago, Ko.Fe. said:

28mm (phone and GR) 35 mm (X2 and Rx1), why do you need 50mm?

Because the OP prefers 50mm perhaps? I don't know how i could do w/o that focal length personally. Give me any zoom including 50mm and most of my pics will be shot at around 50mm anyway. Matter of tastes obviously. Photogs around me used to say that most people "see" either in 35 or 50mm last century. If i were in the OP's shoes i would stop thinking and shoot with his superb lens to see if he's happy with the results before thinking about selling it but it's just me.

[Guest]

Do you like the green lens? Keep it. If this not the reason why you bought it, try to return it, because it is not a collectible.

Only after you re-evaluated this decision would it make sense imo to shoot with it, to see how you like the focal length.

(Green leather on your M240 to go with it   ?)

[Herr Barnack]

The color of a lens - green, black, silver or red - is irrelevant.  What matters is does the field of view the lens offers work for you personally?

If you want to return your green 50 'cron, do so while you can.  What to get in its place?  I think the 35 Summicron is about as close to a universal do it all lens that is available in the Leica M lineup.  The 28mm f/2.8 Elmarit ASPH is an awfully nice little lens, too and is a great deal at $2295 USD. 

The Summarit f/2.4 lenses are truly excellent lenses at outrageously good prices.  Perhaps a 35mm and a 50mm Summarit is the way to go??

[oka]

...well, if I have to choose one focal length it would be 35mm. If speed, then Summilux for the bokeh and low light.

But in the reality is that usually everyone ends up at least couple lenses. Then 35 comes bit irrelevant choice as then I would choose 28 & 50 (many does 35 & 75, but I prefer to be more close to the subject’s).

Problem with Leica is the amount of choices available... not easy to stick with the one lens.

[Ko.Fe.]

1 hour ago, lct said:

Because the OP prefers 50mm perhaps? I don't know how i could do w/o that focal length personally. Give me any zoom including 50mm and most of my pics will be shot at around 50mm anyway. Matter of tastes obviously. Photogs around me used to say that most people "see" either in 35 or 50mm last century. If i were in the OP's shoes i would stop thinking and shoot with his superb lens to see if he's happy with the results before thinking about selling it but it's just me.

Did you read OP? I listed cameras, lenses from OP. None of them are with 50.

Personally, I’m fine with only 35 on M.

DSLRs, zooms I also like.

[spydrxx]

Well, you already have a 50 in the Safari, so why not just use it for 6 months or so and see how you like it as well as take the time to decide what to augment it with. There's no compelling reason to grab a bunch of lenses at the outset when you don't know what best suits your needs.

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Hallo,

Look here: Leica M

[ktmrider2]

If you are not sure 50 is for you, then why not try a 50 from Zeiss or Voightlander?  Unless you are into the Leica for sake of Leica.

 

[sblutter]

As a beginner, I'd shoot a ton with your nifty fifty, print a lot, tape them to a wall - get feedback from friends and family

Get to know what that excellent lens can do.  Shoot close, far, dark, light - people, things, places.

Don't worry about the lens - learn how to see and capture what you want to share