Changing myself from a 50mm person to a 35mm one

[Shu_downunder]

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7 hours ago, Herr Barnack said:

Since the 35mm f/2.4 Summarit is hard to track down these days, maybe consider one of these?        

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1217512-REG/leica_11677_elmarit_m_28mm_f_2_8_asph.html                                                     

This is a great little lens; the Made in Portugal flavor saves you $300 USD.

Thanks!

I'm actually very hesitate to get to 28. One reason is that I use a lot of 28 or wider on architectural photographs, so this versatile lens for me is better to be longer.
If however, I had a backup body. I'd probably prefer a 5.6/28. 

Still, I guess it's no harm give it a try.

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[Shu_downunder]

16 minutes ago, a.noctilux said:

The good thing with life (and Leica 😉) is "adaptability".

Now you are fond of something, later you would be better with something else.

In my Leica photography life, I changed my mind/practice so many times, I don't count them anymore.

I just adapt myself to situations and the good pictures I can get (or not) with the hardware I have at the moment.

 

Seeing another side, I just enjoy the picture taking moments 😇, with whatever I have/use.

With my experiences (many decades), I can only say that good enough pictures are not 'plannable'.

It's mixing of luck/good knowledge/etc. and the mental representation before 'actually taking the pic'.

100% agree. These words can be used in most of other aspects of life.

I used to strongly believe I don't need a M system. And I only need a set of 5 R lenses for my whole life. 

Now I changed my mind.

But no matter it's a set of R lenses, or one M lens, it serves one common goal: to get me ready when the moment(s) come.

There will be a long way for me to get to where you are, when you can make better use of anything you've got.

 

----

I guess I will take a bit of longer time. Digging more from what I have - I actually quite enjoy - and study more on the different 35mm options.

 

 

[a.noctilux]

Shu, you are lucky to have lovely children.

Take pictures of them when you can NOW with what you have ...

Don't bother to have 'better equipment' (...better for what ? ).

Enjoy life in everyway.

[MarkP]

If you're after a general purpose single 35mm lens for day-to-day photography and family photos then a standard 2.0/35 Summicron on Voigtlander would probably suit you best.

You've already decided against a 35 FLE with which I'd agree having had this lens. I'd advise against an APO-Summicron for your purposes as it's technical and financial overkill . Do you really want to sell those R lenses to finance it? They are harder to sell in Australia for a good price. The standard 2.0/35mm lenses are also much lighter and more compact.

I have recently acquired the 35 APO-Summicron (from a Melbourne dealer 🙂) and agree with the above comments about the lens. However, I would not rush to use it for family photos where my 35 Summicron v4 gets most use: small and compact, very fast to focus, images beautifully.

FYI, most of my most memorable family photos of the kids when they were younger were with taken with Contax T3 ( fixed 2.8/35 T* Zeiss lens ) and BW400CN because that was the camera I always had with me. Gorgeous lens but too nothing fast or fancy.

Regards from Sydney,
Mark

 

 

Edited October 4, 2021 by MarkP

[SoarFM]

Which lens to get…? Start off with a technically excellent lens, technically excellent meaning devoid of what is often referred to as “character”.  The APO 35 would certainly be that, but not cheap. A 35 cron less than 20-30 years old in good shape would also be a good budget conscious choice  (less than USD3000) I have a 35 cron V4 that is older than that, recently serviced and coded by leica and it is spectacular. A 35 FLE is also highly regarded, but more expensive. I’ve thought about getting one of those but keep coming back to the reality that my current 35 is not lacking and I already have an SL2 with a 35 SL APO that is better than even the 35 APO-M.

Where I have multiple copies of the same focal length is in the 50’s. Three are Leica and one is a Voigtlander. I use them for different looks.

Which brings me to my last point.

If you want a “sharp”* lens, there are plenty of choices, some of them very inexpensive. After you have one of those, you can branch out which is where there are many options with rangefinder lenses.

 

*”sharp” being a term that encompasses high resolution, good contrast, low levels of aberrations, and fairly flat plane of focus. 

 

[a.noctilux]

12 minutes ago, SoarFM said:

...

I have a 35 cron V4 that is older than that, recently serviced and coded by leica and it is spectacular.

...

 

 

 

@SoarFM

Impossible became possible 👍.

Interesting coded by Leica 35mm Summicron version IV.

Is that the so-called KOB, this one of Wiki ?

How is it coded ?

If you don't mind, can we see the rear lens (mount where is the coding), just curious with all screws..

Edited October 4, 2021 by a.noctilux

[lct]

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35/2 v4 coded and uncoded

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[SoarFM]

7 hours ago, a.noctilux said:

@SoarFM

Impossible became possible 👍.

Interesting coded by Leica 35mm Summicron version IV.

Is that the so-called KOB, this one of Wiki ?

How is it coded ?

If you don't mind, can we see the rear lens (mount where is the coding), just curious with all screws..

The flange is replaced and part of the CLA is focus’s adjustment for digital sensor. It was worth every penny. 

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!

[Shu_downunder]

V4 7 elements is highly pursued by Japanese and Chinese as well because of it's bokeh performance. It is therefore priced in Asian market as well.

Some say it is better for street photography while not that good for landscaping. I have no clue. Is that correct? @SoarFM @MarkP @a.noctilux

Edited October 4, 2021 by Shu_downunder

[Shu_downunder]

12 hours ago, MarkP said:

If you're after a general purpose single 35mm lens for day-to-day photography and family photos then a standard 2.0/35 Summicron on Voigtlander would probably suit you best.

You've already decided against a 35 FLE with which I'd agree having had this lens. I'd advise against an APO-Summicron for your purposes as it's technical and financial overkill . Do you really want to sell those R lenses to finance it? They are harder to sell in Australia for a good price. The standard 2.0/35mm lenses are also much lighter and more compact.

I have recently acquired the 35 APO-Summicron (from a Melbourne dealer 🙂) and agree with the above comments about the lens. However, I would not rush to use it for family photos where my 35 Summicron v4 gets most use: small and compact, very fast to focus, images beautifully.

FYI, most of my most memorable family photos of the kids when they were younger were with taken with Contax T3 ( fixed 2.8/35 T* Zeiss lens ) and BW400CN because that was the camera I always had with me. Gorgeous lens but too nothing fast or fancy.

Regards from Sydney,
Mark

 

 

Thanks! This review is very informative. https://jacktaka.com/voigtlander-35mm-f2

[evikne]

For many years, I was mainly a 50mm shooter. I take a lot of candid portraits, so that focal length suits me very well. Lately, I've started to embrace the 35mm focal length more and more. I love the slightly more dramatic perspective when going close to the subject, and I like to include a little more of the surroundings. But I still cannot leave the 50mm focal length. My only two lenses now are a 35 and 50 mm Summilux pre-ASPH, and I love both equally.

[a.noctilux]

@Shu_downunder

I would not declare that the 35mm Summicron IV is not good for landscape.

I'm happy to use so many units (8 or 9 at once ) to learn if there are some discrepencies between them, nothing as such.

Same as Canada/Wetzlar war, only internet myth.

I use one of each, and never see the differences in results, apart canadian made is more fragile (part in plastic) and 30g lighter.

 

Anyway, when someone has found the ideal lens, later the ideal lens would change to another in most cases.

 

As said so often, I do use some 35mm lenses, over time and now...

I can only declare that my prefered 35mm now is the modest but so good Summarit-M 2.5/35.

Shu, I have a hard look at my pics with this lens, nothing is from it's fault, only me when dark = blurry 😉

Edited October 4, 2021 by a.noctilux

[lct]

12 minutes ago, Shu_downunder said:

Thanks! This review is very informative. https://jacktaka.com/voigtlander-35mm-f2

But questionable to me. I own those lenses too and my Summicron 35/2 asph v1 is not that soft at f/2. The Ultron is a great little lens anyway. It's OoF rendition is a bit more busy but that of the Summicron 35/2 v4 is not that "creamy" either at f/2. Better compromise is the Summicron 35/2 asph v1 to me but it is a matter of tastes and i prefer the smaller size of the Ultron. I have no experience with the Summicron 35/2 apo BTW.

[Shu_downunder]

49 minutes ago, a.noctilux said:

I can only declare that my prefered 35mm now is the modest but so good Summarit-M 2.5/35.

Can you be more specific on the reason why it becomes your favorite? 

[jdlaing]

Look at it another way………..

Instead do being a 50 or 35 person you could be a 50 and 35 person.

[6bit]

If you decide you want a faster lens, and that is almost always the decision for myself, I would consider the Voigtlander 1.4/35mm ii. My favorite 35mm.

The Voigtlander 1.5/50mm Nokton ii is in my top five for 50s. 

They are compact, inexpensive, and impressive lenses. As someone stated above, why not be both a 35 and a 50 shooter? 

[Shu_downunder]

45 minutes ago, jdlaing said:

Look at it another way………..

Instead do being a 50 or 35 person you could be a 50 and 35 person.

I am both now.
But the context of this topic is when I have to select one and only one lens. This one lens is both for family general use as well as for travel.

In other words, I'm forcing myself to simplify my gear to one body one lens. That's just my personal choice. 

Edited October 5, 2021 by Shu_downunder

[Shu_downunder]

12 hours ago, SoarFM said:

Which lens to get…? Start off with a technically excellent lens, technically excellent meaning devoid of what is often referred to as “character”.  The APO 35 would certainly be that, but not cheap. A 35 cron less than 20-30 years old in good shape would also be a good budget conscious choice  (less than USD3000) I have a 35 cron V4 that is older than that, recently serviced and coded by leica and it is spectacular. A 35 FLE is also highly regarded, but more expensive. I’ve thought about getting one of those but keep coming back to the reality that my current 35 is not lacking and I already have an SL2 with a 35 SL APO that is better than even the 35 APO-M.

Where I have multiple copies of the same focal length is in the 50’s. Three are Leica and one is a Voigtlander. I use them for different looks.

Which brings me to my last point.

If you want a “sharp”* lens, there are plenty of choices, some of them very inexpensive. After you have one of those, you can branch out which is where there are many options with rangefinder lenses.

 

*”sharp” being a term that encompasses high resolution, good contrast, low levels of aberrations, and fairly flat plane of focus. 

 

It's very inspiring.

What I understand from these words, is that either:

- enjoy the fact that you can have choices, as long as you have them,

- or choose to not having any choice,. In this case, you chose versatility, ie, not having characters. 

I think I'm good to have the second one. Characters of lens is till a luxury to me now.

I'd like something I can use for decades to record important and beautiful moments, at least some of them.

So I don't care if it's 'expensive', or lack of characters, or even slow or having some problem. As long as it is versatile, supports future digital bodies, and compact enough so that I can use it anywhere, anytime. I think that's what I'm after.

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Hallo,

Look here: Leica M

[MarkP]

28 minutes ago, Shu_downunder said:

So I don't care if it's 'expensive', or lack of characters, or even slow or having some problem. As long as it is versatile, supports future digital bodies, and compact enough so that I can use it anywhere, anytime. I think that's what I'm after.

Family and travel, good all rounder, high IQ, reasonably fast, light and compact.
This brings us back to a 2.0/35 Summicron ASPH or equivalent Voigtalnder.

Edited October 5, 2021 by MarkP

[Herr Barnack]

2 hours ago, jdlaing said:

Look at it another way………..

Instead do being a 50 or 35 person you could be a 50 and 35 person.

The best course of action is to buy two of every M lens Leica ever made (two in case you lose one) and carry them with you at all times. 

It's the only way to be sure you will have the right lens when a photograph presents itself.

Edited October 5, 2021 by Herr Barnack