One film camera, one lens combo

[Anne M]

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If you were to bring one lens, what focal length would you take to these places: Dublin, Costa Brava, Baguio? 

I’m planning on just taking my Leica M6 and a Ricoh GR3X (40mm/2.0). TIA! 

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[wda]

Welcome Anne.

75mm Summarit.

Would nicely complement your Ricoh 40mm.

But you haven’t given us any clues about your photographic interests!

Edited September 4, 2024 by wda

[Anne M]

Thanks! It's traveling with family, 5 year old in tow. So 75mm is usually too long for me. By the time I step back enough for a shot or try to focus with the small patch, my 5 year old is already sprinting away. 

My options are 28, 35, 40 or 50. I don't have a 28 but thinking of maybe getting an Elmarit 28/2.8 but then I already have a Q2 and my phone's a 28.

My Q2 is too big and bulky to pair with a film camera and I really want to take my M6. 

I know first world problems, I've been wasting so much time trying to decide on my 1 film and 1 digital combo. Finally narrowed it down to M6 + GR3X but now, would I regret not bringing a 28 and/or 50 if I took a 35? OR should I bring my Q2 and a point and shoot 35mm instead (Nikon L35AF or Contax T2).

I've really put myself in a bind for having too many cameras, lol. I've been trying to thin out my collection and I think this forum understands that dilemma all too well.

(btw, typo on the Ricoh lens, it's 2.8 and not 2)

 

[FrozenInTime]

I've used the Leica M + Ricoh combination : it works well.

I would use a 35/1.4 character lens to produce results distinctive from an iphone or the Ricoh.

The real plus of the GR, or similar compact is achieved holding it at arms length for great dynamic angles that are not really possible with a rangefinder.

[jja]

Ricoh GR is one of my favorite cameras (I shoot the 28/2.8)--it's perfect for when you are traveling with children (been there too).  Personally, I don't consider the 28 on my phone a good pairing with my Leica lenses (it works fine and can easily be blended into an album, I just don't like the distortion and color rendition).  There are a number of good 28mm options you can go with if you are already considering an Elmarit.  For a 2-lens travel set, I would go 28 + 50, but I think 28 + 40 in your case is also good.  28mm on an M6 makes for a fast shooting combo while traveling.

[LocalHero1953]

I don't think you could ever regret a M6 and Summicron 35 (any of them) as a long term versatile combination. (It was M2 and Summicron 35 for me). 

[Smudgerer]

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9 minutes ago, LocalHero1953 said:

I don't think you could ever regret a M6 and Summicron 35 (any of them) as a long term versatile combination. (It was M2 and Summicron 35 for me). 

Agreed, with a 35mm lens you can use your feet to adjust to a 28mm or a 40/50mm...........And if you have to buy another lens, a 35mm FL, don't forget that there are many excellent third party 35's now on offer that are more than worth the consideration, so it really doesn't have to be an expensive Leica pick........The very compact VM Nokton Classic f1.4 SC for instance is truly a lovely lens to use on film and that f1.4 aperture does come in handy in travel situations when using film-stock with far lesser ASA ratings compared to what digital cameras can go to.

[hansvons]

2 hours ago, FrozenInTime said:

I would use a 35/1.4 character lens to produce results distinctive from an iphone or the Ricoh.

 

33 minutes ago, LocalHero1953 said:

I don't think you could ever regret a M6 and Summicron 35 (any of them)

 

11 minutes ago, Smudgerer said:

Agreed, with a 35mm lens you can use your feet to adjust to a 28mm or a 40/50mm.

This. Enjoy!

(I shoot everything with a 35mm Summicron, mainly with my M6.)

[patrickcolpron]

Only one M film body and one lens, a 35 mil lens, it is an everything lens.  

Either a Summilux or a Summicron, for a Summilux a Pre-Aspheric will do, nice and compact but even better on film is the 35 Summicron V4, when closed down to f/5.6 and f/8 has great rendering on both color and black and white film stock, when needed it opens up to f/2 and has 70cm close focusing.

[Einst_Stein]

If you are a well seasoned photographer, looking for one film camera and one prime lens, I don't think you need any advice from here. You own judge will be the best.

Otherwise, I won't suggest this strict requirement. 

I think your family and family photos should have the highest priority. I would suggest digital auto everything camera with good zoom, perhaps in the range of 28-70mm or 24-90mm.

Such as Leica Dlux 8, or Leica X vario. Or any Leica camera paired with similar lenses.   

[LocalHero1953]

A bit more on my thinking........

One can't shoot everything with a 35mm: sports, macro, kids running around at distance, quite a lot of nature stuff (esp. birds on a stick or on a blue backcloth). But for travel, street, social, intimate photography with a 5 year old and other family, it's the most versatile thing out there. When travelling, it's easy to be distracted by lots of things (that 5 year old again), so I would avoid anything big (a Summilux is approaching Q2 bulk), and opportunities will be limited for focusing f/1.4 at a distance where it makes a difference.

So: a Summicron 35 - and a Summicron 35 can be the starting point for any future set of lenses (you know you're going to buy more - resistance is futile).

IMO, of course!

Edited September 4, 2024 by LocalHero1953

[Olaf_ZG]

With a 40mm, I would pair a 28mm.

[blackdot]

Personally, having owned a GR3 before, I don't think the quality holds up to what you'll get from film (or even a digital Leica), so I would leave it at home. I would take the M6 with a 35, and the T2 - in fact, I carry this combination myself quite often. Focal lengths are redundant, but there is a big difference in camera handling, and you can load different film stocks, etc.

[pippy]

28mm

P.

[BWColor]

I’m in the fast 35mm camp.  I have a .58 M6TTL, but I wear glasses and 28mm frame is difficult for me to use.  On film, Zeiss 35mm Distagon T f/1.4 ZM is an amazing lens, but a bit larger/heavy.  Another option might be the 35mm Voigtlander f/2.0 APO Lanthar.  A bit smaller, lighter, but slower.  It is sharp and contrasty from center to edge.

[spydrxx]

Another vote for a 35mm lens.

[Jeff S]

M6 and 35 Summicron worked for me, starting in the 80’s. 50 Summicron followed.  Same focal lengths remain core, now with digital Ms.

Jeff

[rcusick]

M6.  35mm Summilux pre apsh.  One and done. 

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[burchyk]

28mm for me. With 35mm I often feel like it is not wide enough to capture context at the distances I like to work at. Extra depth of field from 28mm helps to cover up my mediocre distance guessing and not having to resort to slower rangefinder with fast moving subjects.

[aficionados]

Just my most recent experience of 2 weeks in Croatia/Bosnia area.

M10-R plus Summicron 28, this covers most of the scenery, landscaping, indoors.

Fuji x-t50 plus 27 pancake (42 equivalent), it covers family quick snapshots 

I never change lenses with travel with family.