rcusick Posted May 25, 2021 Author Share #21 Posted May 25, 2021 Advertisement (gone after registration) I agree with the assertion that the situation inspires the photography - i.e. a subject, a trip, a simple walk in the neighborhood. I also agree that certain lenses suit different situations. That said - I find certain lenses "call to me". I either like the way they feel or I cant wait to see how their inherent character presents an image. Lenses that I can't get out of my head include - 28mm summaron, 50mm summilux, 35mm cron v4. They're not technically the best lenses in their class but have an "it" factor that supercharges my creativity. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted May 25, 2021 Posted May 25, 2021 Hi rcusick, Take a look here Lenses that inspire you to take photos. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
tom0511 Posted May 25, 2021 Share #22 Posted May 25, 2021 Allways the latest lens I aquired Of course it is more the subject than the equipment, but I would ly if I said to not have fun with the M28/1.4, specially at wide apartures. I like the look of shallow DOF and wide angle. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
andyturk Posted May 25, 2021 Share #23 Posted May 25, 2021 I have too many lenses. 21mm (1), 28mm (3), 35mm (3), 50mm (3), 75mm (1), 90mm (1). I could convince myself that purchasing a Summilux-M 28mm would lead to amazing up-close portraits like the many I've seen here, but that's mostly rationalization and GAS. I'll probably buy it eventually anyway. 😉 After anticipation has worn off and the gear has lived on the shelf for a while, it's not a source of inspiration. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Nowhereman Posted May 25, 2021 Share #24 Posted May 25, 2021 (edited) To be inspired by lenses is a bassackward concept. It's what you see in the world that drives good photographs, and what you want to say visually that leads to your finding a voice. If you seek this from lenses you'll never come out of the consumerist trap — and your photography will be a perpetual lens-testing exercise. ________________________Frog Leaping photobook Edited May 25, 2021 by Nowhereman Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gobert Posted May 25, 2021 Share #25 Posted May 25, 2021 1 hour ago, andyturk said: I have too many lenses. 21mm (1), 28mm (3), 35mm (3), 50mm (3), 75mm (1), 90mm (1). I could convince myself that purchasing a Summilux-M 28mm would lead to amazing up-close portraits like the many I've seen here, but that's mostly rationalization and GAS. I'll probably buy it eventually anyway. 😉 After anticipation has worn off and the gear has lived on the shelf for a while, it's not a source of inspiration. This is not correct: you have never enough lenses. 2 3 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
didier Posted May 25, 2021 Share #26 Posted May 25, 2021 1 hour ago, Gobert said: you have never enough LEICA 1 hour ago, Gobert said: lenses. 1 1 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
FrozenInTime Posted May 25, 2021 Share #27 Posted May 25, 2021 Advertisement (gone after registration) Over maybe 20 a year span, my top inspiration driving lens has moved from the 35/1.4 Summilux ASPH to 50/0.95 Noctilux to Voigtlander 40/1.2 - the latter having an angle of view that feels comfortable, modest size and optical characteristics also somewhere between the other two. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
newnew Posted May 25, 2021 Share #28 Posted May 25, 2021 (edited) Interesting discussion. To me a lens describes the way you look at the world. These days photography is no more reproducing a subject but "how we see any subject". As the painters used to say, there is no subject in painting. Photography may be also seen that way. Is there really a subject in photography ? Great photographers turn the subject into a photographic achievement, while others may not have seen it that same way.How any subject can make a good photograph ? Through light and lens.This is why the lens is very very important . To me there are lenses I like and others that I do not as they do not correspond to my way of looking to the world. For instance I could never get used to a 35 mm. I am personally very much inspired how a 24 mm depicts my subjects and try to match my view accordingly. One lens may be enough. But when for other type of work technicalities come in play and different lenses may be of different uses. This is why we have them in the stable. But for the best expression of how we look at the world and how we want to convey parts of it in photographic expression the lens is the determining factor. This is why I find OP's point very relevant. Edited May 25, 2021 by newnew 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jdlaing Posted May 25, 2021 Share #29 Posted May 25, 2021 All of them. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stef63 Posted May 25, 2021 Share #30 Posted May 25, 2021 21 minutes ago, newnew said: …As the painters used to say, there is no subject in painting. Photography may be also seen that way. Is there really a subject in photography ? Great photographers turn the subject into a photographic achievement, while others may not have seen it that same way.How any subject can make a good photograph ? Through light and lens.This is why the lens is very very important … Totally agree. I understand that a lot of creative photographers have a subject in mind and then choose the equipment to bring the subject to life, how they see it. To me the subject is not priority, sometimes irrelevant. Photography is for my painting with light. The creative process of for example using a Thambar 90 f2.2 on a M10M and the search for a subject that can help me express what I want to express is rewarding. And the lens - the Thambar in this case - is an essential part of it. … and luckily Leica (and others) offers a very vast choice of lenses to use on our Leica’s : the Thambar 90 18 Super Elmar-M Asph 35 Summicron-M IV 100 Elmarit-R macro 280 Telyt-R are my current favourites. But that may change when the lust for a new lens appears again 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
earleygallery Posted May 25, 2021 Share #31 Posted May 25, 2021 I don't know, I often see comments about how a lens is like an artists brush, and different 'brushes' give different effects. I guess an artist doesn't create a painting to use a particular brush, but will use a particular brush (or more like several brushes and other tools) to create a particular painting. So I would agree it isn't really about the lens as the driving force, rather the subject matter. That said, when someone buys a Noctilux they seem to go mad shooting everything possible at full aperture. I have used Edwardian era lenses to shoot cars of the same age though on the London to Brighton rally. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
capo di tutti capi Posted May 25, 2021 Share #32 Posted May 25, 2021 (edited) Without an object for inspiration, any lens, even the most loved one, will lie on the shelf. The reason for me to create photography is to learn the tricks of film and art. When you begin to understand, the equipment ceases to be in the first place. The artist can create the picture with his elbows. Edited May 25, 2021 by capo di tutti capi 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
newnew Posted May 26, 2021 Share #33 Posted May 26, 2021 (edited) 8 hours ago, capo di tutti capi said: Without an object for inspiration, any lens, even the most loved one, will lie on the shelf. The reason for me to create photography is to learn the tricks of film and art. When you begin to understand, the equipment ceases to be in the first place. The artist can create the picture with his elbows. What is an elbow's focal length ?😄 Edited May 26, 2021 by newnew Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stef63 Posted May 26, 2021 Share #34 Posted May 26, 2021 12 hours ago, capo di tutti capi said: When you begin to understand, the equipment ceases to be in the first place. The artist can create the picture with his elbows. If equipment is not important what are we all doing here on a dedicated Leica site? 🤪 If you browse different sites dedicated to one camera platform - be it Canon, Nikon, Sony or Leica - by far on this forum the love of the equipment plays an important role in photography related discussions. Could it be that Leica equipment inspires most of us to make pictures? Not necessary beter pictures, I'm not pretending that. Could it be that the Leica camera's and lenses give us so much joy that they inspire us to go out and have always a camera with us? Regardless of the subject we have in mind. And just wait what comes along. And try to master the limitations of manual focus, the limitations of a rangefinder or of an old vintage lens and still be able to be creative. For me this is certainly true. 10 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
capo di tutti capi Posted May 26, 2021 Share #35 Posted May 26, 2021 (edited) 4 hours ago, Stef63 said: If equipment is not important what are we all doing here on a dedicated Leica site? 🤪 We sparkle with feathers?!? Everyone writes a list of lenses Edited May 26, 2021 by capo di tutti capi Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ianman Posted May 26, 2021 Share #36 Posted May 26, 2021 7 minutes ago, capo di tutti capi said: Everyone writes a list of lenses Some do, some don't. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
didier Posted May 26, 2021 Share #37 Posted May 26, 2021 7 hours ago, Stef63 said: Could it be that the Leica camera's and lenses give us so much joy that they inspire us to go out and have always a camera with us? oh Yes. This is a big YES ! Leicas do have a soul using a Leica is such a pleasure I use it much more, and maybe it even improves my pics, sometimes... 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steven Posted May 26, 2021 Share #38 Posted May 26, 2021 On 5/25/2021 at 4:58 AM, rcusick said: I've tended to favor lenses that inspire me to take photos. They're often lenses with character and those that live up to the barnak philosophy of being "lite". My favorite today is the 28mm summaron. What's yours? For similar reasons as your, mine is the the Summilux 35 Pre Asph V1. Beautiful cosmetics, beautiful size, beautiful rendering(s). Every time I see it I want to pick it up. I have to admit though that I have been gravitating around the Sumamron 28 for some time now. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pippy Posted May 26, 2021 Share #39 Posted May 26, 2021 (edited) On 5/25/2021 at 3:58 AM, rcusick said: I've tended to favor lenses that inspire me to take photos... I'm happy for you and I would be delighted to know you have captured many a great moment / scene over the years with that modus operandus! I've never once gone about photographing things - or even remotely thought about snapping them - in quite that way but, hey!, if it works for you then surely that's all that matters? Philip. Edited May 26, 2021 by pippy Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
tiffany.watt Posted May 26, 2021 Share #40 Posted May 26, 2021 On 5/25/2021 at 4:58 AM, rcusick said: My favorite today is the 28mm summaron. What's yours? I love the summaron. I AM so lucky to have it. 28mm is perfect for me and it is so light and small it is my most used. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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