35mm as my longest lens?

[JoshuaR]

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I'm an M shooter with 21, 28, 35, 50, and 75mm lenses. But try for the life of me, I only rarely end up using my 50mm or 75mm. I like the pictures I make with those lenses—but I don't like using them on the M system. Every time I start photographing with a 50mm lens I end up wishing I had a 35mm. For the past few weeks I've been doing my best to shoot exclusively with my 50mm Cron v5, but I keep swapping it out for a 35mm lens, which just fits me much better. It's almost like I have a 21, 28, 35 kit.

I've identified three "issues" that I have with lenses longer than 35mm:

• I prefer using the entire viewfinder. I find it hard to get my head around composing inside the smaller framelines.
• I often find myself quite naturally close to my subjects, and so have to step back or switch to a wider lens.
• I just seem to see in wide scenes, and I don't intuitively identify compositional possibilities within smaller areas of the scene.

I've made some of my favorite pictures at 50mm or even 85mm. But I've tended to do so in one of two ways: either on mirrorless cameras, where the 50mm view takes up the whole EVF, or by cropping in to wider images. A lot of my "50mm" pictures were actually shot with the Fuji X-mount 35mm f/1.4 (back when I used Fuji) or on the Q2. My 50 Cron has gathered so much dust compared to my wider lenses that I'm almost thinking that I should sell it, along with my M10, to get an M10-R, which would allow me to better crop from 35. Could it be that the ideal kit, for me, is M10-R + 21 SEM + 35 Lux? With maybe a 90mm for when I actually need something like telephoto? (Or perhaps 24 + 35?)

I'm curious if there are any other weirdos like me on here. Or if anyone can help me crack the 50mm code!

 

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Choices choices, M10 + 35 FLE

 

Burger joint, 28mm Elmarit

 

Kid with dog, 35 FLE

Edited August 7, 2023 by JoshuaRothman

[madNbad]

I own three 50mm lenses, a Voigtlander 50 1.5 Nokton ASPH V1 that I bought for an incredible price and will keep it because it was a deal, a Voigtlander 50 2.0 Collapsible Heliar from the 250th anniversary kit. Another I got for a really good price, it's the less seen silver chome version and prices have climbed, so it too is a keeper. Lastly there is a lovely little Voigtlander 50 2.5 Color Skopar LTM, black paint over brass. Tiny and a great performer. Had one in silver, sold it then kicked myself for selling it, thus, another keeper.

Now, do I actually use any of these fine lenses? Occasionally but most often it's a 35 or a 28. Even when my camera of choice was a Nikon, the favorite focal length was a 24. At one time I owned a V5 50 Summicron, the problem was I also owned a 35 Summicron ASPH and a 28 Elmarit-M ASPH and the 50 stayed in the bag. I like the slightly wider view the 35 gives and the even more encompassing 28. I'll keep my 50's but will soon be adding the latest 28 2.8 Voigtlander Color Skopar.

In short, you're not alone loving wides. Don't sell the 50, you never know when it will be just the right lens.

 

M2, Voigtlander 21 4.0 Color Skopar LTM, Portra 160:

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Edited August 7, 2023 by madNbad

[FrozenInTime]

@JoshuaRothman If you feel 35mm is your core strength, then keep it glued to the M10.

Running two bodies might help; you could get another M with x1.25 magnifier to pull in the 50mm frame-lines on than B-roll camera.

Edited August 7, 2023 by FrozenInTime

[spydrxx]

IMHO you're overthinking it. Keep what you have, use it. I went for almost 30 years using mostly a 35mm, but when I needed the 90 or 135 I really needed it. Didn't bother with a 50, 28, 21, or 15 for years afterward. Tried the 24 but didn't like it. Recently got a 65 for use with either the Visoflex/bellows or on a digital body with a Viso extender for some macro work.  The old saying to not sell a Leica lens is probably good advice, you never know when you'll fall in love again but in a different way.

[rogxwhit]

I would just pursue what seems to be your natural drift, at least for some time.  I understand your 35mm 'fill the viewfinder' preference.  And I've long been a devotee of carrying just one or two lenses.  You just engage with the flow of it, and to me it never feels like a restriction or a loss. 

 

It's personal.  Relax into your own choices.  Trust yourself.  Extending your boundaries and being adventurous, I dare to say, doesn't depend on what you own or use - it comes from the inner life. 

[rcusick]

I generally shoot 21 and 90 as my main companions to the 35. 

[105012]

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I agree with the commenters above, though in my case the natural focal length for me is 50mm. Not sure how to crack the code of 50mm, however for me I find the distortion of perspective often (but not always) seen with angles wider that 45 degrees on a 3:2 aspect ratio unnatural and distracting. But that's just me and it doesn't mean I am 'right' or whatever, the distortion that I perceive may be the very thing that you like!

Edited August 8, 2023 by 105012

[costa43]

It seems you have answered a question some of us have struggled with for a long time so congratulations! Stick with what works. On a personal note, I’ve asked myself this question many times. I like the wider focal lengths when I’m with my family or visiting busy places but I live in a relatively quiet, rural area where the 50mm shines for me.

I came to the conclusion that I like them all, so my solution was to buy them all!

[dpitt]

In my case, I find myself often to far from a subject when using a 35mm or wider. I think I am seeing in 50mm rather than wider. So I like using 50mm and seeing outside the frame. But for practical reasons 50mm is often not wide enough to take the shot I need. Stepping back is not always possible indoors or in narrow streets. 40 mm is my compromise. I use the inside of the 35mm frame of my M9 for my Summicron 40C and that works fine for me.

If you like using the whole frame, then maybe try using the 1,4x magnifier. It should give you about 1x viewer and the 50 frame is then filling up the VF. Very easy to use with both eyes open.

If you fancy shooting analog, the M3 has a similar (0,92) VF built in. And when you use the goggled 35mm lenses it also fills the VF. Some of the later film M models have a 0,85x VF.

Just keep using the FL that works for you. That is the whole point when buying a system camera.

PS: Not sure why you choose the M10 as your favorite, but if you like using the whole VF, one of the reasons I keep coming back to my M9, is out of the equasion. The RF system is one of the few where I can see outside the frame, and I like that very much. For 21mm and even 28mm, I prefer to use a reflex or EVF system (or EVF on the M). Recently I found that my TL2 with EVF produces similar results, so a TL2(or CL2) with 18mm (crop 1,5x) would possibly be an option for you. The TL2 with my Macro Elmar 90 M makes a very good 135mm eq. tele and macro system, and that is how I use it mostly.

[a.noctilux]

To the OP, nothing wrong with that.

One day, try x1.25 loupe or x1.4. (protruding a bit too far), just to see if this suits you.

[JoshuaR]

Many thanks for all the comments here! I agree that I’m overthinking it—which is actually very useful feedback. Also, it never occurred to me to try a magnifier—and I see that Light Lens Lab now sells them for not too much money. I’ll definitely pick one up and give it a shot.

And I think it’s helpful to sort of conclude and accept that I am mainly a wide angle shooter. It might even help me artistically.

[Anakronox]

That’s the best outcome - realizing what works to create your style.  I’m with you in that a 35 is basically my longest lens and I got out with either a 21, 25, 28, or 35.  Outside of posed portraits, I viscerally loathe 50mm.  It’s un-immersive, bland, and to my view, removes you from the scene you’re setting.  I’m much more comfortable with the wides and will absolutely get close to people with them.  Once I figured this out I stopped caring about 98% of the photo being the creamiest, dreamiest, smoothest blur of nothing and it helped me focus on trying to make better photos for it.  That’s what works for me anyway.  Y’all’s mileage may vary!

[M10R]

I only have 35mm and 50mm. Before buying the 35mm, Sometimes I could get good results from 50mm. After buying 35mm, I wanted to be familiar with it, so I mainly used it for a few months (in fact, just a few rolls of Tri-x). I also could get good results from 35mm, sometimes. Since then, I mainly use 35mm because its angle of view and perspective perception suit my theme and subject more. But 50mm is important, it lets me take portraits for my wife with less perspective perception. For model shooting, I prefer using 35mm.

I don't like to bring too many gears, so usually I only bring one body and one lens. Then 35mm is a better choice. If Leica Q(x) sticks a 35mm lens with it, then I may sell my M10-R and get one. I don't/won't use lenses longer than 50mm on Leica Ms. I sometimes get good results from my iPhone (equivient 28mm) but I don't like the style, although some are really good ones. So, I won't buy 28mm. 24mm or wider lenses, I knew I didn't need them a few decades ago.

P.S. I don't crop photos.

Edited August 8, 2023 by M10R

[RexGig0]

Plenty of photographers use nothing but 35mm, so, there is nothing wrong with 35mm being one’s longest focal length, among multiple lenses. Had I not started Leica M shooting with a 50mm, I wonder whether I might have settled upon 35mm, 24mm, and 21mm M lenses. 

 

[hoolyproductions]

I enjoyed your photos, really nicely composed and they illustrate well why you like 35mm!

FWIW, when I was shooting with M cameras I much preferred the 0.85 viewfinder (because I predominately shoot at 50mm, although 35mm also got a lot of use at that time) and found this to be just fine. I did get a magnifier for longer lenses (75mm/90mm) but for me it was just one more fiddly thing to carry - screw on and screw off in addition to changing lenses. It quickly ended up in a drawer not being used. However I am not the most patient of people and I guess they work well for others

[otto.f]

35mm is also my most used lens and if I want to go light I only take my 35. I rather stitch two 35 shots than crop a 28 image. I do love my Elmarit 24 too. But here ends my agree with OP, except that the 50mm and me have never been very close. If at anytime I would not like the focal lengths 75, 90 and 135, I still like my 75lux, APO Summicron 90 and TE 135 for the quality and the character these lenses have in itself. There are certainly scenes and themes that call for these lenses. I even love my APO Elmarit 180 R and the APO Telyt 4/280 for how they draw. The fact that I don’t use them often is not a question, that’s why they are tele’s.

Edited August 9, 2023 by otto.f

[newtoleica]

I think generally people split into 35 and 50 as your ‘normal’ view. Of course it depends what you are shooting. I do street photography and usually it’s a 35 or a 24, the 35 as a normal and a 24 when I want people on the edges of the frame (winogrand, ray-Jones, schaller). However as my wife is Hungarian we are often in Budapest, which is a great place for street photography except it’s illegal…….. So I do tend to use the 50 and 90 to be a bit more discrete! 

[a.noctilux]

1 hour ago, newtoleica said:

generally people split into 35 and 50 as your ‘normal’ view

Why some use 40mm for 24x36, the closest to 43mm diagonal natural "view", 😇.

Tastes can vary though.

[stephan54]

Summilux 50asph is my most used lens, but when I go out with the Summicron 28 I usually also bring the Summicron 75. So when I get tired of the wide 28 scenes I change to the 75 to get some more detail. Also works the other way around if I find the 75 is too long for small streets and high buildings. After having stayed in a place for a few days I always do an extra round with the Telyt 135. 

Edited August 9, 2023 by stephan54

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[Gregm61]

Outfit at the office with me today consists of the 18/3.8 SEM, 35/1.4 FLE, 75/2 APO and 135mm f3.4 APO.

I always have some combination of 3-4 lenses, I use every one of them and would miss too many varied opportunities without any of them. There’s always one main lens but I always want options.