Thoughts on lenses for multiple cruise trip?

[Kiwimac]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

My wife has a significant birthday and we’re off on a series of consecutive cruises that will include the usual 1 or 2 days in

 

 NYC

Iceland

Scottish Highlands and Islands 

Venice

 Yugoslavia

Malta

Italy (Amalfi coast, Rome and Pompeii)

Three days in Singapore en route home to NZ

 

 In all, we’ll be travelling for six weeks. 
 

I’ll be taking my M11, my 35 Apo and my 75 Apo. 
 

I could cover the entire trip with that if need be. However I have a small (in Leica terms!) budget I could use to expand a bit. 

Looking at what is available in NZ second hand (small market so never vast selection) I found:

1) 21 Summilux

2) Mint silver M11 body

3) Q2 Reporter in Grade 8 condition (“Showing minimal signs of wear on close inspection. Glass components, if any, are in perfect working condition.”)

 The 21 is NZ$8500 in Grade 9 condition (“Shows little or no physical imperfections, this item has hardly been used.”) as opposed to the new price of NZ$14,500. 
 

The 21 is stellar and would be excellent for, among other things, Iceland landscapes, various sea and landscapes, interiors etc. 

A second body would be nice but I’m also aware that there will probably soon be M11 options like black paint, Reporter, Safari etc and it’s still $12,000…however it does get rid of lens changes and provide a backup body in case of issues. There are a couple of M10P bodies at lower prices but that’s different batteries etc etc and less resolution. There’s one Monochrom - a Type 246 in Grade 10 mint condition but I know little about that model. It’s ‘cheap’ at NZ$5500. 
 

The Q2 Reporter is a nice iteration but it’s a completely different system. However it’s a backup better than my iPhone!

 

I can’t honestly say I need any of them and it’s a bit of GAS really but the 21 seems well priced and is quite a desirable thing although I can’t see it being the most regularly used lens I own. Certainly has it’s moments though. Landscapes etc here in New Zealand among them. 
 

I’d be interested in thoughts from everyone - and suggestions if you think I’ve not considered something. 

[shedboatshed]

Six weeks is a long time. While the 21mm would be great, realistically, a backup body is more important I think. Finding a Q2 would also help fill out a wider focal length for you traveling. You could always sell it afterwards if you don't like it.

[Advertisement]

The Leica Q3 is available for pre-order at B&H Photo Video and Adorama

[sometimesmaybe]

something wide, something long and something weather sealed 

for scotland and iceland, having some weather sealing like a q2 might be nice and having a longish lens like a 135. might not need to be m mount and just rely on liveview

Edited April 22 by sometimesmaybe

[Jean-Michel]

To the OP: enjoy your cruise! Do note that the photographic opportunities on a large boat cruise are somewhat limited. There will be number of sea days, and you may find that you will not do much photographing on those days. The time ashore, at port of calls is likely to be limited too. Since you have an M you may find that simply using the one you most use  will be quite sufficient; a Q camera would be a nice second body with af and such. Only last cruise i mostly use my SL2 and my 24-70. Have fun!

[Helge]

@Kiwimac

I would definitely carry the 21mm with me, since you are going to (somewhat) narrow cities, where getting some distance to accommodate a 35 is not a given.

Considering the walking you‘ll do, I would stay with one body, the M11, carrying weight becomes a major nuisance on those trips.

I may consider a 90mm in favor of that 75mm, however this is on your personal preference.

[Jon Schick]

I would find 35mm too narrow a field of view in some of your destinations, although personally rarely use 21mm.

Personally I'd choose the Q2 as 28mm is usually wide enough for my tastes and it would make a great compact backup camera on a long trip.  That said I have never used or handled a Q so this is a purely theoretical response!

[LeicaR10]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

Kiwimac,  First, congratulations on your cruises.  You should have great experience and fun going to all those places.  Second, I would not bother with the 21 Summilux rather if you can find a used M 21 SEM in NYC as say B&H Photo or Leica Store in NYC, you would be far better off and save the money.  The NZ dollar exchange rate like the Aussie dollar is going  to hurt in many of those places.  Frankly, you would be better off with a backup Q2 as been previously suggested to the M11 just in case it decides to go crazy on you.  All three of my M11 variants became liabilities.  So beware.  Last, be very alert in NYC, the crime is rampant night or day and stay away from the NYC subways and black private taxi/hire cars.  These are scams for fares.   r/ Mark

Edited April 23 by LeicaR10

[Smudgerer]

A Nikonos, just in case...........

[Kiwimac]

7 hours ago, Jean-Michel said:

To the OP: enjoy your cruise! Do note that the photographic opportunities on a large boat cruise are somewhat limited. There will be number of sea days, and you may find that you will not do much photographing on those days. The time ashore, at port of calls is likely to be limited too. Since you have an M you may find that simply using the one you most use  will be quite sufficient; a Q camera would be a nice second body with af and such. Only last cruise i mostly use my SL2 and my 24-70. Have fun!

Yes the first cruise has only sea days, as it’s the transatlantic crossing on the Queen Mary. 
 

We’re spending a week in Rome and Pompeii at the end on our own recognisance and then the three days in Singapore, which is always fun. 

[wda]

I back the proposal to have the Q2 as backup camera and peace of mind.  It would also serve well as a one camera/walk around choice. Have a great trip.

[yanidel]

I don't know about the 21mm, especially in the case you have never used it before.  A single tilt and distortion ruins your picture.  Add it to the tilt of the cruiseship and this is recipe for disaster    I owned a 21mm CV for sometime but could never get a decent picture,  now I use the 24mm now and then, it is a bit easier to manage but still a challenge. 

On any great trip like yours, I would stick to the focals I am most used to,  your combo 35mm + 75mm is Leica's very best and simpifies the thought process; it's one lens or the other.   I normally would go with one lens only but being on a cruiseship, the 75mm is a must to get more reach. Enjoy!!! 

PS: as back-up, I usually take my Leica X1 with OVF (the Voigtlander metal one) to make sure that I have my main focal length and also reduce the overall value of the kit I am taking along. Image quality is stunning and it is actually a lot of fun to use it on a trip

Edited April 23 by yanidel

[FrozenInTime]

Sounds like the trip of a lifetime, if somewhat fast paced. 

If you can find a CL or TL2, either would make a fantastic B camera; with the 18mm lens for a jacket pocket compact.

I prefer the 28mm efov. on a LCD camera over the M, as holding, focusing and framing away from eye level so often results in a more dynamic or better technical composition.

Not Leica, a Ricoh GRIII would also fit the role well. GRIII and TL2 have USB-C charging.

 

[goodbokeh]

Kiwimac, the Q2 Reporter would be my recommendation. It will provide a wider effective "26mm" focal length to compliment your M primes, weather resistance, your choice of adequate AF or MF zone focus for street and very dependable operation that the Q3 has yet to achieve. Add to all that you will have a backup body if your M11 has any problems. Outdoors I set my Q2 EV to -0.6 to protect the highlights, lid my auto ISO to 1600, or 3200 in extremes and with Raws I'm always good to go.

Edited April 23 by goodbokeh

[Kiwimac]

If I’m brutally honest, my biggest concern with the Q2 is that it might make me trade my M gear for a Q3! 🤣

My M gear would probably net about NZ$25,000 which would buy a Q3 Reporter and a Q3 Monochrom when they appear in due course….! 🤔

 I’ll have a chat with the dealer who has the Q2 Reporter about it. I might be able to get them to reduce the price a small amount and it’s always good to get a bit of history when buying pre-owned gear. 
 

Alternatively, I could look for a used 28 Lux I suppose and stick with one system but 28 is a bit close to 35 really. Perhaps a 24 Lux….! 

[wda]

Why the Summilux? The Elmar is lighter and an excellent performer.

[Kiwimac]

Just because I like the way they draw. 

[IkarusJohn]

I’d go with the 21+35+75, and your M11.  It’s a perfect combination, and if you’re away for 6 weeks it’s worth having what is effectively a full range covered (I have those lenses, apart from the 75 APO - I have the 75 Summilux instead).

Each has it’s interesting attributes.  The 21 Summilux can be tricky - it isn’t particularly sharp wide open, but it can be interesting if you experiment with it (subject filling the frame); it makes for very dramatic skies (useful for some of the places you’ll visit); and it will complement the 35 APO nicely.  It is true what is said above about verticals and horizontals (and egg shaped heads at the edges), but that is particularly the case when you’re framing a traditional scene - then you have to be very careful about horizontals, and keeping the plane of the sensor parallel to your verticals.

Long departed forum member Lars Berquist wrote quite a lot about using the 21 view of view (he preferred the SEM, where I feel the Summilux offers more creative opportunities).  He used to say you need to think more like a Chinese artist when using this focal length, with multiple subjects in a single 2D plane.

Have a great trip!

 

[250swb]

Don't confuse family or organised trips with creative photography, use the simplest camera possible and follow whatever the plan is. There is nothing worse than going fully kitted up and then finding you can't wander off to be alone or are working to deadlines.

[Kiwimac]

If we really want to go wide, the 18 Super Elmar is still available new here!

[Advertisement]

Hallo,

Look here: Leica M

[Kiwimac]

I checked in Lightroom. 
 

Before returning from Nikon to Leica, I used two bodies. One with a 17-35 and the other with a 70-200. Both f2.8. 
 

My four most used focal lengths by photo numbers were 17,35,70 and 200. The hard stops of the zooms.  The in between ranges were used far less. 
 

On that basis, 18 or 21 would suggest themselves over 24 and 28. There is a used 24 Lux available locally and a used WATE.