One film camera, one lens combo

[a.noctilux]

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In my experiences, any lens can do.

Over time I have M with many only lens in use, we are enough  openminded to accommodate the lens we have.

Over time again, happily as only lens I use 2/35 or 28mm or lately Summarit-M 2.5/35.

Why not the MATE which is big  (very light though) but not so big comparing to other system equivalent lens.

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[jgeenen]

Typically, Costa Brava daylight is brighter than Dublin. To get most out of the M6, take a fast lens (1.4 or more). Pairing film and digital is a pain. Looks are so different. What works on individual images, might not work in a photo book. Therefore I wouldn’t select my M6 lens to extend the range of the GRIIIx. I would take a lens that matches field of view largely, so either 35 or 40mm lenses. Good choices are a 35mm Summilux (the non-asph is great unless you intend to do many landscape or night shots), Nokton 1.4/35 v2, or Nokton 1.2/40 or 1.4/40 (the 1.2 is great but a bit on the bulky side).

 

Edited September 10, 2024 by jgeenen

[costa43]

My advice would be to take the lens you love using the most on the m6. Sounds like a great trip so why not take what you enjoy.
 

If you were taking two digital bodies then I would have some distance between the focal lengths to cover more ground but with the second option being film, I’d go for the emotional choice. 
 

[shirubadanieru]

If only one lens that can do everything well for sure 35mm is the best option on a Leica. Small, ideal focal length for 0.72x finder, great rendering, good for zone focusing, good for portraits, and there is really no bad 35mm Leica lens in the catalog.

[newtoleica]

I would only take the Q2. Image quality is great, its AF and small enough and light enough to chuck in anywhere.

One M camera with one lens. a 35.

[F456]

On 9/4/2024 at 1:31 PM, Anne M said:

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! 

Anne, only you know why you have chosen to take those two cameras. Is it for colour with one and b&w from the other? Or for different views - wide / normal / long focal lengths?  40mm is already a great near-universal length. Depending what you want from the M6, you could go a number of ways. If it were me I would alternate the cameras each day so as to eliminate hesitation time when faced with a promising subject. If you do that you will keep things simple and concentrate better (IMHO).  Leaving you free to choose the extra lens to be similar (i.e. 35 or 50) or different (short or long). Personally I would go for 24mm because they are great for setting context but I know they are less popular with Leica shooters because of the additional viewfinder needed plus no longer being available new.  So maybe a 28 or 90. Using a 90 is very nice once you get used to it and assuming your camera's rangefinder is not out of adjustment. It helps focus on essentials and cut the clutter!  But there is no 'right' answer!  Do at least consider the swap camera each day though! Enjoy your trip too.

[John Robinson]

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The one-camera-one-lens question is a perennial.  It is easy to take too many lenses when traveling out of anxiety at missing something but often the missing out comes from trying to change a lens in a hurry.  Deciding in advance on how you plan to look can help.

I took an M9 on a long journey with Summicron 28/2 ASPH and Summilux 50/1.4 ASPH.   I found I mostly used the 50 but sometimes the 28 came in handy.  It all depends on what you are looking for.  For film I would either take an M2 with Summicron 35/2 IV or M3 with the Summilux (or the Elmar-M 50/2.8 if expecting bright light and wanting something more compact).

Sometimes, for travel, the logic of a good zoom with a modest range becomes quite persuasive.  The Vario-Elmar 35-70 f/4 on an R6.2 (or 5 or 7) is not compact but does a very good job in strong light (or from a compact tripod like the gorilla thing).

[didier]

I mostly travel with my M6 with the 50 ‘lux asph or M10M with the 50 apo.

Even when I took other lenses with me I happened to shoot 70% of my time with one of my favorite 50s.

[RexGig0]

One lens to do it all: 35mm. 

One M lens, to complement a second camera, with a 40mm lens? If I am going to juggle two cameras, or wear one on a strap, and keep the other in a belt pouch, well, probably a 21mm Zeiss f/4.5 ZM or Cosina Voigtlander f/1.4 Nokton, or, an Elmar-M 24mm ASPH. The Nokton is the largest of these, but, as its name implies, is ideal for nocturnal photography.

If I am going to carry only one camera, for the day, and leave the other at a hotel, well, we are back to one lens to do it all, so, 35mm. I realize that 28mm lens may be a better choice, for getting more shots in-focus, while attending to a small child, while traveling, but, I am comfortable with the idea of missing some shots.

My absolute favorite M-mount lens is a Summilux-M 50mm ASPH, but, for the purposes of this thought exercise, did not let its status influence my reply. I know that a 50mm lens can be a bit long, in focal length, when traveling with small children. I do not own a 40mm Ricoh camera, but have used 40mm Canon and Nikon-mount SLR lenses.

[Sebastian S]

Am 6.9.2024 um 03:04 schrieb rcusick:

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

+1 
for me it's THE classical leica-m combination for travel and documentation

Edited October 12, 2024 by Sebastian S

[Nachapon Dumrongthumavoot]

I have several lens and bodies but if i were to take only one lens and one body combo, it would be this combo.

M4-MOT and 35 summilux steel rim goggle ( repainted to BP ) . 

With this, i can enjoy a different rendering the lens provide at wide open and stopped down with the benefit of 0.7 close focusing the goggle version offer.  

M4 has it perks of having easier version of film rewind knob and finger friendly rewind lever. With it being pure analog, i don't have to worry about the light meter malfunction or battery dying down. I have me light metering done by the small and reliable Sekonic Twinmate.

It may not be the best, but it by far my favorite.

Using it with wrist strap, this combo can fit in a small bag for a fun walk around as well. 

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Edited October 14, 2024 by Nachapon Dumrongthumavoot

[Jeff S]

OP @Anne M disappeared after posing question almost 6 weeks ago.

Jeff