Replacing prime lenses with 35-70mm f4 ROM?

[petebown]

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I'm considering replacing my 50mm f2 and 90mm f2.8 R lenses with a current 35-70 f4 ROM lens.

 

I'm really not sure whether I'm doing the right thing. I would like to have the flexibility of a standard zoom but don't want to lose any quality. I've heard good things about the current 35-70. If I were to buy a zoom this would probably be the only one I would consider, but is it good enough to replace two prime lenses?

 

Can anyone tell me what the bokeh of this lens it like? (If it has any with a maximum aperture of f4)

 

Pete

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[telyt]

There's also distortion and flare to consider.

[jlancasterd]

I'm considering replacing my 50mm f2 and 90mm f2.8 R lenses with a current 35-70 f4 ROM lens.

 

I'm really not sure whether I'm doing the right thing. I would like to have the flexibility of a standard zoom but don't want to lose any quality. I've heard good things about the current 35-70. If I were to buy a zoom this would probably be the only one I would consider, but is it good enough to replace two prime lenses?

 

Can anyone tell me what the bokeh of this lens it like? (If it has any with a maximum aperture of f4)

 

Pete

 

The 28-90 Vario-Elmarit f2.8-4.5 aspherical would give you much greater flexibility and very high quality. Paired with a 21-35 Vario-Elmar it covers most of the shorter focal lengths.

 

It is more expensive than the 35-70, however, and not easy to find used.

[earleygallery]

I've also been thinking of this lens (35/70) to replace my Summicron and Elmarit. I just wonder how much I'd miss f2 on the 35.........

 

From what I've been told the lens is as good as the primes if not better. A dealer has one and has offered to let me try it out to compare, must take him up on the offer.

 

BUT.......I do think zooms can make one lazy, using the zoom to frame the shot rahter than getting in the right position in the first place and really thinking about use of focal length.

[petebown]

Only one thing to do... I'll buy one and see if I get on with it and sell the other lenses if its any good.

 

Erwin Puts' review of the lens is very good. I too am wondering how I would get along with a lens that's two stops less. Only one way to find out I suppose.

[jolsen]

I have the f4 35-70 lens. It's a great lens, but you can't go closer than 0.6 m, unless you use the macro setting. If you do so, it is a nice macro lens also.

 

However. I like to get even closer than 0.6 m, and I would like to do so with the 35mm perspective. With this lens it is not possible. For this reason I would like to have a 35mm prime also. Not instead, but also.

[nikau]

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I have had the lens almost since it first came out and really like its versatility. It's easy to use and the image quality high. I usually use mine wide open or around 5.6 and sometimes use the macro feature, which also provides a good level of quality. However, I do often miss the speed of the prime lenses and have not replaced them. I use the zoom when I know I can get away with a moderate-speed lens. Overall, highly recommended.

[ns_ng]

Hi,

 

The 35-70 f4.0 is a very good lens. I bought one just after it was launched and more often than not I am using this with my R8/DMR. For some reasons, even though this lens has an aspherical element, it is not advertised as such. This is a Leica-designed lens, but manufactured by Kyocera. It does not replace my 50 and 90 'Cron.

 

N.S. Ng

[zapp]

I'm considering replacing my 50mm f2 and 90mm f2.8 R lenses with a current 35-70 f4 ROM lens.

 

I'm really not sure whether I'm doing the right thing. I would like to have the flexibility of a standard zoom but don't want to lose any quality. I've heard good things about the current 35-70. If I were to buy a zoom this would probably be the only one I would consider, but is it good enough to replace two prime lenses?

 

Can anyone tell me what the bokeh of this lens it like? (If it has any with a maximum aperture of f4)

 

Pete

 

You know that you will sacrifice image quality. Distortion and lens flare may be the most important ones. Weight is an issue as the 35-70 is probably heavier than either the 50 or the 90 on your camera. You go from f2 and f2.8 to a slow f4. Quite often people will not replace the standard 50mm lens with a 35-70mm zoom, but complement it with such.

[masjah]

I would second John D's suggestion of the new 28-90 zoom, if you can possibly afford it. I got one of the "ex-demo" ones as a travel lens, at just over half list price. Quality is as good as the primes (a bit better really at the wide end, being a more modern design) but of course what you compromise on is maximum aperture. I tend to put Superia 400 Extra in my R8 body with the zoom for travel, and Reala (100) in the R9 to be used with the primes, the latter often with a tripod.