How often do you switch lenses?

[Ernstk]

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Not very often. My 21mm Elmarit M pretty much lives on my M-P, for probably 80% of the time. The other 20%, it's my 35 'Lux pre asph.

The lens mount and camera mount will live longer than I will.

Ernst

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[hansvons]

A Summicron 35mm ASPH on my M6 and a Summarit 35mm on my M4P, which I use primarily for landscapes on colour negative. I also own a Nokton SC 35mm when I want a moody and flary lens for events like summerly parties at dawn. But it gets rarely used. My reluctance to change lenses has a content related reason because I want consistency in my work.

When I worked in the film industry, lenses got changed multiple times a day. For that and the size and weight, movie cameras use a particular sturdy lens mount. The M mount, however, isn't a particular strong mount but well machined, and the lenses are mostly light and short. No fatigue to be expected.

[Topsy]

11 hours ago, miq.maq said:

Love the patina on your gear!

Thanks.

[Carlos cruz]

1 hour ago, hansvons said:

A Summicron 35mm ASPH on my M6 and a Summarit 35mm on my M4P, which I use primarily for landscapes on colour negative. I also own a Nokton SC 35mm when I want a moody and flary lens for events like summerly parties at dawn. But it gets rarely used. My reluctance to change lenses has a content related reason because I want consistency in my work.

When I worked in the film industry, lenses got changed multiple times a day. For that and the size and weight, movie cameras use a particular sturdy lens mount. The M mount, however, isn't a particular strong mount but well machined, and the lenses are mostly light and short. No fatigue to be expected.

I am usually too lazy to carry spare lenses with me unless I feel i would need different perspective and it’s worth the effort. On ski trips it’s one lens only, as juggling lenses, gloves with snow and skis is a bit too much for me, on regular day I usually have 50 on camera and 21 in my pocket.

On a side note and against accusation of m mount not being strong enough I remember moviecam cameras used m mount for viewfinder. 

 

[LocalHero1953]

I slipped in mud while hill walking and fell backwards on my M9 and (IIRC) a Summicron 35 in a soft bag. The camera, lens and mount were fine, but my kidney was badly bruised!

[evikne]

Sometimes I switch because I think I will need a different lens. Other times I switch just because I feel like a change.

[costa43]

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I switch between 24,35,50 fairly regularly but I do not tend to leave the house with more than one lens unless I'm on holiday or visiting a destination I've not been to before.

 

[hansvons]

2 hours ago, Carlos cruz said:

On a side note and against accusation of m mount not being strong enough I remember moviecam cameras used m mount for viewfinder

In an effort to derail the thread, can you recall which camera that was and what part of the VF was fitted with the M mount?

[Carlos cruz]

15 minutes ago, hansvons said:

In an effort to derail the thread, can you recall which camera that was and what part of the VF was fitted with the M mount?

I believe a compact or compact sl, the eyepiece on those was fitted via m mount I wish I checked if eyepiece would act as a lens 

[Tom R]

I change lenses more so now than in the past. For nearly ten years, I used only an M2 fitted with a 35mm Summicon lens. I owned a 50 and a 90, which I would sometimes put on the M2 to make sure that the finders were still working. 

Currently, I have several M bodies (in the M4 family) and 28 through 90mm (excluding 75mm) lenses. I tend to associate lenses (and films) with bodies, and switch bodies as opposed to lenses in most situations. 

[pgk]

I switch lens as I need to. If the lens mount wears out someone will be able to replace it, but it isn't something that I've ever thought of worrying about.

[oldwino]

22 hours ago, Topsy said:

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I normally take my 3 bodies, usually I take the 2 spare lenses but 99% of the time they stay in the bag.

You obviously need two more bodies...

[oldwino]

There is something to be said for using just one lens for a long period of time. You get to know your camera/lens combo intimately, and it becomes second nature to pre-visualize your framing. For most people, this is either a 50mm or 35mm lens. I prefer the 50 myself, and when I set up for a shot, I am usually positioned at the "50mm distance" from my subject automatically. When I use a wider lens (35mm for example), it throws me off for a while, because I have to step forward more than I expect. 

The other way of looking at this is that an occasional lens change is good for keeping your eye and brain working. It becomes a challenge for a while, until you get into the "groove" of your current lens.

The other bonus of using a single lens is that you will have more money to travel.

[IMAGEPOWER]

Very often! I own Leica M-lenses from 16mm to 135mm and work professionally with my M cameras and usually take 2-5 lenses with me on an average day and exchange lenses at least 30 times a day (landscape, architecture, travel, street) Absolutely no problem. Sure, the bayonet gets brassed after some time but I can see no disadvantage (sharpness, contrast) after years of use. By the way same with my Nikkors that are used very hard during week-ends at the sidelines. My Canon F-1 system also was stressed by professional use in the 80ies, no problem!

[jdlaing]

I switch lenses when I need or want to.

[willeica]

I usually start with a 35mm or a 50mm and end up using the same lens all day even if I have other lenses in my bag. As for Miles Davis, read the last sentence on the link below. Like everything else he did, Miles had minimalism down to a fine art.

https://leicaphilia.com/miles-davis-and-his-m3/

William 

[RexGig0]

If I start the day using a 24mm, 35mm, or 50mm M-mount lens, I will rarely change a lens during a day of shooting. If using a 21mm, 25mm, 28mm, 75mm, 85mm, or 90mm lens is on the day’s agenda, I am more likely to exchange lenses during the day, unless I decide to bring a second camera. I do not often carry two cameras, but, having both M10 and M Type 246 cameras reduces the likelihood of changing lenses while out and about, if I am carrying both M cameras.

I do not always bring a second or third lens. I am capable of enjoying a day of shooting with just about any lens. Anything from 21mm to 200mm is able serve as a walking-about lens, without my feeling anxious about being unable to shoot something worthwhile. The task may be to photograph butterflies and other insects, with a 100mm or 200mm macro lens on a DSLR, but I can use that same macro lens for candid photo opportunities, rather than feel that I need a sling bag full of others lenses and/or cameras.

If one of my highly-favored 35mm or 50mm M lenses is on one of my M cameras, it may remain in place for months. There is no pattern or schedule. My absolute favorite M lens is a Summilux-M 50mm ASPH, but, I shoot more 35mm images, overall, by far.

I am not a professional photographer, so, select a particular focal length when I feel a creative urge.

[adan]

I have probably changed lenses on my M10s well over 10000 times each in 8 years of professional use.

With no sign of wear - the hard-chromium-electroplated lens and camera mounts are probably the single toughest parts of a Leica M (and most other cameras intended for pro use). And self-lubricating (low coefficient of friction).

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Hallo,

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[Topsy]

On 10/15/2024 at 6:41 PM, Topsy said:

Like this..........

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I normally take my 3 bodies, usually I take the 2 spare lenses but 99% of the time they stay in the bag.

To be clear, I take 3 bodies with me for convenience. Over the years I have found that my shot is either a wide (21mm), standard (35mm) or longer (75mm) so having those 3 already fitted to a camera is less faffy for me than swapping lenses on one body although since the days of digital I am slightly fearful of getting dust on the sensors, less of an issue with my M9s as they have the shutter blades in front of the sensor like the old film cameras had curtains.

[pgk]

The whole point about interchangable lens cameras is the ability to be able to change lenses .....