Single Lens Kit Choice (50mm Summicron v4 & 35mm Summarit f/2.5 version) w/ An M6

[Hello]

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I'm paring down my gear as over the years, gas had gotten a hold of me and I'm now comfortable with my wants and needs for the most part. I look at my M6 as single lens kit that's fast and easy to pick up and use where the only extra bulk is how many rolls of film I need to bring and what stock ends up being the hardest choice.

Except for the final choice of the two remaining lenses I have.

I currently have the two lenses in the title as the remaining choices.

The Summicron (German Leitz version) is period appropriate to the M6 and when I purchased it, I think it was basically new old stock as it looked unused and including everything in the box.

The Summarit is similarly pristine and complete with the hood as well.

I've waffled over the years on my go-to lens being 28mm, 35mm, and 50mm. Generally speaking I found 35mm to be a great all around lens for my tastes. But don't mind shooting 50 as well for street and travel.

I'm currently leaning towards keeping the 50mm and selling the Summarit but was curious what others here think. 

As a final swerve, maybe sell both and put it towards a Summilux ASPH 50mm so speed is never a concern?

Thanks for your time everyone.

 

[spydrxx]

I used principally a 35 for the first 25 years I owned a Leica and feel that focal length is the most versatile. Today I am using the 50 a lot more, so tastes change. Personally if I was in your position, I'd keep both...you never know when you'll want the one you disposed of and have a bit of seller's regret.

[Hello]

I'ver considered the regret issue, but for this instance I'm not thinking of it. This is more about changing my gear load currently and resticting myself to a specific setup. I've owned so many things over the years and finally settled on specific kits for my wants and needs but for whatever reason, this lens choice is hitting me hardest. I've come to appreciate that fastest isn't always best (hence the hesitation on buying a Summilux instead) and that's freeing, because as a fledgling photographer, I was chasing fast glass. I like that I've grown out of that (though its siren call is always in the background, lol). Thanks for the input though.

[a.noctilux]

Hello Hello,

As I wrote so often : flip a coin.

those two 35/50 that I use for some time are very different.

When you decide to have only one, you would see (or try to pursuade yourself ! ) that you CAN use the lens of choice.

😉

Wait a minute, the idea of Summilux 50 or 35mm would be better (if this was me of course for my M6 HM x0.85 finder to use slower film 😇)

 

Anyway, have fun with any your choice.

Arnaud

[tommonego@gmail.com]

35mm has always been my favorite, I have a 35mm V2 Summilux I have had for 40+ years,ithas mostly been used on film cameras. I haven't warmed to a 50mm for quite some time, I have owned quite a few 50s but alway end up selling them. I currently have a 50 V1 Summicron, I should use it as a 75 on my CL but it still sits in my bag.

[TheBestSLIsALeicaflex]

Over the last several decades I've gravitated to the 35mm focal length, f/2 or faster for a 0.72 M.  It can do most of what a 50 accomplishes, but has a few additional tricks up its' sleeve.  Since I favor simplicity, it's now just that one focal length, albeit in several different incantations.  Still have a DR Summicron though, but rarely use it; maybe time to pass it on.

Not to say you can't get good shots with a 50 or f2.5 or slower, you obviously can, but those wouldn't be my choices.  

Whatever way you go, we're blessed to have so many quality M mounts lenses available from different makers.  Truly is the golden days off rangefinder optics.  

Edited September 16, 2021 by TheBestSLIsALeicaflex

[Ouroboros]

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You have two nice lenses and photography is a creative process, keep both. 

The M6 is an interchangeable lens camera and there's no sense in crippling your Leica photography by selling one of them.  Neither lens is exactly large  and there's no rule that says you always have to take both lenses with you. 

Use the 50mm on Mondays-Wednesdays, both on Thursdays and the 35mm on Fridays- Sundays..... or any variation you like.

[lct]

I would ask to myself if i "see" in 35mm or 50mm in the first place. If you don't know, i would keep both 35 and 50 as you will always need one or another.

[a.noctilux]

I have to add that having choices is good thing,

even when deciding to use only one lens.

 

Side note, myself not earlier/later than past Sunday.

In our town we have yearly "Fêtes des Associations" in which each year I challenge myself to use only one lens.

Because the photo opportunities are infinite, so I have to be able to response quickly.

As usual, the other years ( minus last year 'cancelled' ) I used 50mm lens.

This year, I had hardtime to choose between 35 or 50mm even considering 40mm that I have.

...

In the end, I choose for the first time my trusty Summarit-M 2.5/35mm,  just to challenge myself.

When in action, I did not need another lens than this 35mm used mainly at f/5.6 - 8.

 

[BradS]

I'm on a similar path...just not as far advanced in the journey toward minimal kit (goals!). I think I would keep both and lock one away in a safe deposit box at a bank or some place that keeps it safe but makes it inconvenient to access.  Commit to at least a year with one lens and one lens only - to see if that works for you.

[Printmaker]

I'm in the camp of keeping both, but with a twist. I find a 50 works best for black & white photos and a 35 just seems more appropriate with color. Not sure why but it is how I see the world. Two or three rolls of the same film in your pocket and one lens on your camera keeps things simple.

[TomB_tx]

Over the decades on film (M4, M6) i mostly used a 50 Summcron, with a 35 Summicron a lesser amount - but I usually carried the 35 in my "kit" as the tiny v2 from 1969 was so small & light.

On digital I mainly use a 35 Summarit, with 50 to a lesser extent. The M10 files crop so well I usually don't need the 50.

I'd say keep both. I used my 50 & 35 for over over 40 years, and find the combination ideal for my use.

Don't sell: I've never sold a Leica lens in over 50 years of use.

[Kreeshp]

Agree with the above.  Unless you need the money acquired from the sale of one of the lenses, it's good to have the option of being able to use it, if/when you need to.

That one scenario you come across where you need that lens' look and don't have the lens anymore is one regret I would like to avoid.  The other regret would be realizing later on that you really did want that lens you sold after all, and having to pay more now.

[Hello]

In a fun turn of events, I scored a deal on an M8. Looking at what a 35mm focal length offers for the crop sensor on it, I've decided to pair the Summarit with it so it remains in the line-up! Thanks for the advice everyone, it's always appreciated.