Does it make sense to get a 35mm Summicron if Im using an APO Summicron?

[kaiserphoenix]

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So just wondering if anyone else had this logic...

Im currently using an M11M + APO M 35mm. 

Now Im going travelling soon and one of the places Im going to is South America. I kinda dun wanna take my 35M APO just simply due to the cost of the lens in case I get robbed or I damage it, but I still want to take my M system with me. 

In this scenario, does it make sense to get a 35mm Summicron which is 50% + cheaper than the APO as my travelling lens? Anyone do this sort of thing? 

PS: I can only take 1 body and 1 lens due to weight restrictions.

Edited September 5, 2024 by kaiserphoenix

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[vinicio]

I'm setting up my gear to travel to Africa (Benin) in few weeks.

Will have M10R, M10 Mono, 24mm, 35 APO, 50 APO, 75 APO; normally have one camera with 35 and a second one with 75.

24 and 50 in specific situations. one always in the bag, the other one on my neck

Anonymous bag and just not be too much "visible". spent years around the world in this way and never had issues

[kaiserphoenix]

4 minutes ago, vinicio said:

I'm setting up my gear to travel to Africa (Benin) in few weeks.

Will have M10R, M10 Mono, 24mm, 35 APO, 50 APO, 75 APO; normally have one camera with 35 and a second one with 75.

24 and 50 in specific situations. one always in the bag, the other one on my neck

Anonymous bag and just not be too much "visible". spent years around the world in this way and never had issues

Thank you, I should have phrased it better but I just want to take 1 camera and 1 lens as I need to travel super light, but point taken!

[Anbaric]

With the M11M, you'll still be taking expensive gear. If you still have the M262 you could take that and pair it with (say) a Voigtländer lens. Or you could take the Q. But probably what you really need is a good insurance policy!

Edited September 5, 2024 by Anbaric

[kaiserphoenix]

23 minutes ago, Anbaric said:

With the M11M, you'll still be taking expensive gear. If you still have the M262 you could take that and pair it with (say) a Voigtländer lens. Or you could take the Q. But probably what you really need is a good insurance policy!

Unfortunately have neither! but insurance is ofcourse going to be something I use, problem is its still a pain to lose a good lens. Maybe I risk it or take something completely different....Thank you anyway!

[a.noctilux]

When in fear of robdery, do not take the M.

You would not use the gear because of that fear.

 

Better choosing less valuable (= easy to replace or "whatelse") gear for that "only" trip.

Use it then forget it.

 

In my point of view, it would be nice to have Leica M with any lens.

I travel with M for many years, and my conclusion is "photographer attitude or behavior" is the best way and, by luck, I've never been robbed my dear gear, ... untill now.

[BWColor]

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Insurance.

Dress down

black strap

have fun

If you want a cheaper lens, the Voigtlander 35mm APO Lanthar makes more sense to me.  Optics are close to the APO Leica, but it is a bit longer.  That is the lens that I travel with and a Zeiss Biogon c 21mm f/4.5.  A stellar performer on my M11M.  Yellow filter on 35mm and red on 21mm.  Unfortunately, you are then needing to add a Visoflex 2, or optical viewfinder.  The 21mm and Visoflex fit in my cargo pants pocket.

Edited September 5, 2024 by BWColor
My light travel kit

[LocalHero1953]

When in fear of robbery, buy insurance. It's cheaper than buying another lens just for the trip.

Why have nice lenses if you won't use them?

Edited September 5, 2024 by LocalHero1953

[patrickcolpron]

2 hours ago, kaiserphoenix said:

So just wondering if anyone else had this logic...

In this scenario, does it make sense to get a 35mm Summicron which is 50% + cheaper than the APO ...

"Does it make sense to get a 35mm Summicron if Im using an APO Summicron?" Short answer yes, but not for the reason you mention, "In case of theft" 

It makes sense to have a different flavour in rendering, as much as I love the APO 35 Summicron, I find a smaller lens on an M camera is more pleasant to use and the rendering of the 35 Summicron V4 is fantastic for its price.

Shortly after buying my APO 35, I tested and purchased a Summicron V4 for the following reason; I made two different photos with both my APO 35 and a Summicron V4, I ended up with 4 photos, two with the APO and two with the KOB. Then I asked my wife and my staff which of the 4 photos they preferred without telling them why and my reasons for asking them.

8 people picked both photos made with the Summicron V4 as their favourite photos. I also preferred the rendering of the V4 Summicron over the APO 35.

These photos were made wide open, portraits. The APO 35 is technically perfect, that perfection comes at a price, there is a lack of character and details in the out of focus area with the APO.

The APO 35 M is my desert Island lens, yet, often times I prefer using the KOB for it's small size, ergonomics and rendering from f/2 to f/8.

Yes it makes sense, if only to experience and have on hand a different "flavour" of 35, you can use for travel or to get a different result from time to time.  

This said, take your APO with you.

[LocalHero1953]

9 minutes ago, Al Brown said:

One of the good ideas is take a neck strap with a metal wire in it.

Not sure about this. I'd rather a robber took just my camera than my neck as well (or garrotted me). Unless you mean for the occasions you loop it round a chair leg.

Edited September 5, 2024 by LocalHero1953

[Anbaric]

15 minutes ago, LocalHero1953 said:

Not sure about this. I'd rather a robber took just my camera than my neck as well (or garrotted me). Unless you mean for the occasions you loop it round a chair leg.

I think it's to stop someone surreptitiously cutting through the strap, which apparently happens.

Edited September 5, 2024 by Anbaric

[costa43]

I would always take my favourite gear on such a trip but fully insured. A thief won't know the difference and you will claim on the insurance whether you lose the Summicron or the Apo so the life admin of putting a claim in is the same to you. 

Edited September 5, 2024 by costa43

[kaiserphoenix]

46 minutes ago, patrickcolpron said:

"Does it make sense to get a 35mm Summicron if Im using an APO Summicron?" Short answer yes, but not for the reason you mention, "In case of theft" 

It makes sense to have a different flavour in rendering, as much as I love the APO 35 Summicron, I find a smaller lens on an M camera is more pleasant to use and the rendering of the 35 Summicron V4 is fantastic for its price.

Shortly after buying my APO 35, I tested and purchased a Summicron V4 for the following reason; I made two different photos with both my APO 35 and a Summicron V4, I ended up with 4 photos, two with the APO and two with the KOB. Then I asked my wife and my staff which of the 4 photos they preferred without telling them why and my reasons for asking them.

8 people picked both photos made with the Summicron V4 as their favourite photos. I also preferred the rendering of the V4 Summicron over the APO 35.

These photos were made wide open, portraits. The APO 35 is technically perfect, that perfection comes at a price, there is a lack of character and details in the out of focus area with the APO.

The APO 35 M is my desert Island lens, yet, often times I prefer using the KOB for it's small size, ergonomics and rendering from f/2 to f/8.

Yes it makes sense, if only to experience and have on hand a different "flavour" of 35, you can use for travel or to get a different result from time to time.  

This said, take your APO with you.

Thank you!! Very insightful and it makes sense as they can render quite differently and also is lighter. Thank you for your insights.

[kaiserphoenix]

Thank you everyone for their inputs. Totally understand regarding the insurance, the camera is insured as well as the lens. However in Japan, it is not easy to replace the APO 35 even with insurance due to long wait times, it seems perhaps in other countries the lens is more available. Either way I appreciate everyones comments! Thank you

[spydrxx]

Having travelled in countries where grab and go theft and occasional garroting of tourists takes place, I would only say 1) insure your gear and 2) be aware of your surroundings at all times, don't be distracted and lose focus even for an instant. That is where most thefts take place. In Naples I saw a motorcyclist grab a lady's necklace as she stood at a bus stop. In Colombia I travelled with an armed guard in some areas. In Peru, notorious for garroting tourists out after dark and in remote areas of tourist venues, I just kept a close watch on my surroundings and had a great time. In Turkey, the shoeshine boys luring unsuspecting tourists into alleyways for a shoe shine only to find a knife pressed against the tendon of their ankle was often disconcerting when walking around and the kids popping out with "shoeshine, mister?". In Chicago, random drive by shootings in the evening hours is becoming a hazard. In New Orleans one night the man in front of me was stabbed and had his watch stolen. In short...follow #1 & 2 above, don't wander into restrictive territory or violate people's privacy. And don't dress or act like a tourist, and enjoy a good time!

[BWColor]

Just for fun, go to Flickr and search “35mm”. When you come across a stellar images, check out what lens/camera/sensor/film was used.  I find this activity to be quite revelatory.  It is somewhat contrary to starting with a lens spec. sheet.  Of course, lens size, close focus, build, price and resale value are also important.

I should add that the first thing you discover is how many photos don’t pique your interest, so you might add a topic like “street”, “travel”, or “portrait”.

Edited September 5, 2024 by BWColor
Addition

[patrickcolpron]

Just now, Quarterpounder said:

3. What is out cash out of pocket position if you return home and then own a M11M + 35M APO+ 35mm Summicron?

There is no such thing as too many lenses 😉 

[BWColor]

1 hour ago, patrickcolpron said:

There is no such thing as too many lenses 😉 

I’ve tried to make this argument with my wife.

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Hallo,

Look here: Leica M

[dugby]

14 hours ago, kaiserphoenix said:

Thank you, I should have phrased it better but I just want to take 1 camera and 1 lens as I need to travel super light, but point taken!

I’m a regular M10-R/50APO/35FLE shooter, but recently chose not to take them to South America and Italy for the same two reasons that you mentioned. So I took other cameras (M240 with Zeiss planar, or Hasselblad Stellar)

I find it tiring to have a 1Kg M camera hanging off my neck-shoulder for the 14hr days of being away from our hotels, I find the initial 3-4 hours of M shooting fun, but after that I get tired with the weight.

I recently took a Leica X2 on a trip and surprised how good the images are, and it weighs 35% of my M10-R/35FLE. And the X2 fits in an ultra small Lowepro waist case.

Over many years of photography in my parents time and now my grand children’s time, recording family events with a good lens is more cherished, than shooting exotic travel destinations.

The X2 is now my preferred 350g light weight TRAVEL camera alternative to my M with 35FLE (1000g). The X2 elmarit lens captures amazing travel memories, and it’s not tiring to carry and use for 14hr days.
 

 

 

 

[jaapv]

15 hours ago, kaiserphoenix said:

So just wondering if anyone else had this logic...

Im currently using an M11M + APO M 35mm. 

Now Im going travelling soon and one of the places Im going to is South America. I kinda dun wanna take my 35M APO just simply due to the cost of the lens in case I get robbed or I damage it, but I still want to take my M system with me. 

In this scenario, does it make sense to get a 35mm Summicron which is 50% + cheaper than the APO as my travelling lens? Anyone do this sort of thing? 

PS: I can only take 1 body and 1 lens due to weight restrictions.

Insurance is far cheaper than a Summicron - and I highly doubt that any would-be thief will be thinking: "ah - not this one, it is just a Summicron - not worth it"