Do I need a 50mm? Opportunity to buy new Black Chrome Summilux

[ktmrider2]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

50-75-90 are too close in my opinion.  I think the 35/75 is a great two lens combo or the classic 35/50/90.  I have never owned a 75 primarily because I don't think you need one if you carry a 50 and 90.  To me, the Leica M system is about. two things-the viewfinder and the small size of the camera compared to SLR's and later DSLR's.  I have had a tendency in the past to get a Leica and swear to keep the lenses few but somehow end up with 6 or 7 lens, become disgusted with the size/weight and sell everything and start over.  Now I know that is my problem and you don't have to carry everything all the time.  If you are happy with 35/75, skip the 50.

[Herr Barnack]

My take on a two lens kit would be to have a 28mm and a 50mm, both Summicrons if you want to keep the cost and weight within reason.  A better all-around setup would probably be a 28 'cron and a 50 'lux, as the 50 'lux would give you a thinner depth of field than a 50 'cron.

I have found that I do 90% or more of my shooting with these two focal lengths.  YMMV though.

[Fedro]

2 hours ago, Herr Barnack said:

My take on a two lens kit would be to have a 28mm and a 50mm, both Summicrons if you want to keep the cost and weight within reason.  A better all-around setup would probably be a 28 'cron and a 50 'lux, as the 50 'lux would give you a thinner depth of field than a 50 'cron.

I have found that I do 90% or more of my shooting with these two focal lengths.  YMMV though.

I am in the same boat. 90% of my shooting with an M happens between 28 and 50 (and the rest is pretty much  21). Hard to go wrong with the 50 Lux, it is part of a handful of ideal Leica M lenses. the BC version  is a beautiful lens. I have had both versions and kept the BC

[adan]

Because lens preferences are so personal, I won't argue with any previous post. Here's how it has worked for me.

I have a 75 (f/1.4 Summilux) - I have added a 50mm (Zeiss ZM Planar f/2) very recently (first time I have used a 50mm regularly for 40 years).

I must have a 75mm for the close-focus, tight-framing ability in the studio (and some other times). Close to 50% more magnification over a 50mm at 0.7/0.75m. The same is even more true of your 75 APO-Summicron. The 75 focal length is also ideal for "portraits" of the conventional-wisdom type.

But - the 75 lux is quite heavy - and large - and tricky to focus sometimes, so a 50mm about 1/3rd the weight is nice to have when I know I won't need the tight framing (or f/1.4). Additionally, I have and use a 135 alongside the 50 (or the 75) so I still have substantial extra reach in any case.

I guess I would say that there is more than just the simple difference in field-of-view between Leica M 75s and 50s, which makes having both at once useful - to me.

There is less weight difference between the 75 AA and 50 AA you have and are thinking about. And if you don't (and will never) use the close-up capabilities of the 75AA, that is another factor to consider.

But I feel more - comfortable - having both available, to choose between depending on the project. And I find the 50mm a bit less - stressful  - to work with, when things are moving fast: Two portrait experiments with the 50mm, that persuaded me to add it to my small arsenal.

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!

Edited December 1, 2019 by adan

[Musotographer]

Keep the 75 - I can’t imagine you won’t occasionally want to do a portrait sometime in the future?

I’d hate to be without at least one 50; I’d love the Apo as my ‘modern’ one but can’t afford it. The Rigid Summicron is marvellous on my Monochrom (M9 version), is a pleasure to use (infinity lock disabled) and  it only costs about £750. Only silver though.

Edited December 1, 2019 by Musotographer

[otto.f]

On 11/30/2019 at 12:06 PM, Joerg K. said:

very rarely use my 75mm

Why is that? The answer to that question gives more light on what a lens guy you are. You love the 21, maybe you’re a wide-angle man. This might mean that 50 is to narrow or close too

[sblutter]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

I pick 1 lens for a day's shooting depending where I am, what time of day will I be shooting in, and what sort of pictures I imagine I'll want to print

I have a lot of lenses from, 21 to 135 with multiple 35, 50, 75 & 90's.  Some from the 1930's to current.  It happens when you've been shooting M's for 50yrs

I like the constraint of 1 lens - sharpens the mind & eye

[m410]

On 11/30/2019 at 3:06 PM, Joerg K. said:

I am sure this has been discussed time and again, but I would like some input.  I have a M10P with the following three lenses: 

Zeiss Biogon T* 2,8/21mm

35mm F1.4 Summilux Asph

Summicron 75mm F2 Apo Asph

I thought I would complement my range of lenses with the 50mm Summilux 1.4 Black Chrome ASPH (11688).  It seems to be a great lens.

Does anyone have experience with the range of Leica lenses from 35mm to 50mm and 75mm?

 

I am currently on a two month trip around the world (thought I would take timeout and checkout what's kicking on The Forum) with my 21mm SEM, 35mm ASPH and 90mm Macro (with M10) and have been using all three about equally.  Not once have I wished that I had brought a long my 50mm or have needed f1.4 vs f2.0 speed.

Btw, the collapsable 90mm f4 macro (of course close to 75mm) is in my opinion, the absolute perfect travel lens above moderate wide-angle.  When traveling 35mm and 90mm or even 28mm and 90mm are great combinations.  Light weight.

Next stop Mumbai, India to Chennai.  Should be interesting.

Edited December 2, 2019 by m410

[Joerg K.]

If I got it right, and this is what I would have been inclined to think, the feedback I am getting is that the black chrome 1.4 Summilux 50mm has nicer Bokeh and more character than the 2.0 APO Summicron? 

In terms of constrast and shooting in B&W is it also on par with the Summicron?

I like Bokeh and very sharp detail

[pedaes]

1 hour ago, Joerg K. said:

If I got it right, and this is what I would have been inclined to think, the feedback I am getting is that the black chrome 1.4 Summilux 50mm has nicer Bokeh and more character than the 2.0 APO Summicron? 

In terms of constrast and shooting in B&W is it also on par with the Summicron?

I like Bokeh and very sharp detail

The Bokeh is individual preferences, but 1.4 wide open will have advantage on 2.0 if you can hit focus at 1.4. On all other measurables APO-Summicron is superior technically, but not everyone will see or appreciate it. On a Monochrom the APO-Summicron will give greater contrast and sharpness across the frame.

See http://www.lenscore.org

BUT they are both superb lenses!

[autograph]

Same story here.

I have 21 Biogon, 35 Distagon 1.4, 75 Apo summicron and 50mm Nokton.

I purchased 50mm Summilux asph this week. And I'll sell the nokton though it has very positive optical quality very close to summilux.

 

Here is my plan,

-If I want to go with one lens, it will be 35mm distagon. It is very good for street, environmental portraits and low light situations. It is like a Swiss knife. It has very good bokeh quality and high contrast even at wide open.

-If I want to go with two lenses, they will be 21mm and 50mm summilux or 35/75 couples. 21/50 for new cities and low weight, and 35/75 for street and portrait tours with my photographer friends.  Before summilux, when I wanted to go with two lenses 50mm Norton was not good enough due to little low contrast and a little dull color characteristics. Thats why I was tend to take to my bag 35 mm for indoors' portraits and 75 for outdoors' portraits too. Now I do not hesitate to take just 50 lux along with the 21mm.

-For the shoulder portraits, I love to use the 75mm. 

 

Edited December 3, 2019 by autograph

[caloosajo]

I somehow lucked into a used black chrome 50 lux this summer. Wide open—when the stars align to get my 5 month old daughter in focus—it’s breathtaking. I’ve given up on the very stylish but impractical lens hood, as I’ve decided to err towards protecting the front element with a UV filter. Be forewarned it is quite heavy, but I find it is a nice pairing with the M10 family. I’m sure it will play nice with the 35 and 75