Trip to Rome

[3dogs2many]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

I will be spending a few days in Rome towards the end of November (2024) and will be taking my M262. I have four lenses but plan to take only two. The four lenses are: 21mm, 28mm, 35mm and 50mm. It’s difficult to predict but I suspect a lot of flat light. I wonder which pair you would choose? Your recommendations will be greatly appreciated. 

[LocalHero1953]

This is the Q subforum! You would do better to post this in the M subforum.

[R4p70r]

1 hour ago, 3dogs2many said:

I will be spending a few days in Rome towards the end of November (2024) and will be taking my M262. I have four lenses but plan to take only two. The four lenses are: 21mm, 28mm, 35mm and 50mm. It’s difficult to predict but I suspect a lot of flat light. I wonder which pair you would choose? Your recommendations will be greatly appreciated. 

Even it is a Q forum, let me answer your question as I was a few times in Rome with different camera systems.
Last time with a M camera and two lenses: CV Ultron 28mm and Leica Summicron 50mm v4.

That's all you need for architecture, street scenes, portraits.

If you want to get something closer or shoot down the street without clutter in the photo the 50mm is your best bet. 

For architecture exterior and interior the 28mm is your friend. 

If you want to do street photography and "cropped" details or parts of buildings take the 35mm with you. 

However it is more wise to take the 28mm with you and crop it to 35mm field of view afterwards. Yes, it is not the sae like taking photos with 35mm framelines. 
You will be annoyed if you are constantly changing lenses and there are a lot of opportunities taking photos of something. The last thing you want is changing lenses every single time.

[jaapv]

It depends entirely on what you want to photograph, regardless of location. However, 28 + 50 is the most flexible. 

[jankap]

I would take the 21mm and the 50mm.

[3dogs2many]

4 hours ago, R4p70r said:

Even it is a Q forum, let me answer your question as I was a few times in Rome with different camera systems.
Last time with a M camera and two lenses: CV Ultron 28mm and Leica Summicron 50mm v4.

That's all you need for architecture, street scenes, portraits.

If you want to get something closer or shoot down the street without clutter in the photo the 50mm is your best bet. 

For architecture exterior and interior the 28mm is your friend. 

If you want to do street photography and "cropped" details or parts of buildings take the 35mm with you. 

However it is more wise to take the 28mm with you and crop it to 35mm field of view afterwards. Yes, it is not the sae like taking photos with 35mm framelines. 
You will be annoyed if you are constantly changing lenses and there are a lot of opportunities taking photos of something. The last thing you want is changing lenses every single time.

 

[3dogs2many]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

2 minutes ago, 3dogs2many said:

 

Thank you so much for your reply and suggestions. And apologies to all for posting in the wrong section. I must say that I was already thinking the 28 and 50 would be a good combination but it is still useful to sample other views and opinions. 

[roydonian]

When I first visited Rome (in the late 1960s) I found 35mm a good compromise focal length. So if you plan on using two focal lengths, 28mm and 50mm sounds like a good combo.

[mca]

I would vote for the 28mm and 50mm also to minimize lens changes while walking around, it should be more than enough. Also Rome is full of tourists which means people interested in your photo equipment, always wear your bag around your body and never ever put it down on the floor while seating in a restaurant or cafe as it would be easy to grab and go while you're distracted. enjoy your trip! 

 

 

[easy_action]

I spent a few days in Rome last year and all I took was my Ricoh GR - the first one with an APS-c sensor.  This was excellent, and I didn't really regret not having my Leica or Sony.  The city is almost always crowded and I appreciated the small form factor and point and shoot versatility.  But you're asking about lenses, so I would recommend the 28 as this will do most of what you need.  You could take a 50, but I suspect you will use the 28 90% of the time.

[pippy]

Yet another vote for the 28 / 50 combination.

Have a great trip!

Philip.

[maidenfan84]

I'm a 40mm lens type of person, so if I was only allowed to take one from your list...I'd go 35mm. But since you can take two..I'd go with the 50mm and the 28mm. I'm not sure about other people but I know myself that when I take 2 or more lenses with me on vacation trips, I almost never end up changing lenses. I just somehow wind up using the one that's already mounted on the camera when I arrive. Make sure you use both lenses if you do take them or else you're just taking up valuable space!

[Ernstk]

21 and 35, without hesitation.

Ernst

[lexontario]

When I was in Italy I took 21 28 50. Usually I picked 1 lens and used it for the day. next day switched it up.

I was happy with the results and appreciate the different perspectives each lens brought.