OLG - One Lens Guy

[Borna]

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In watch terms OWG is a quite popular term (One watch guy) - but do we have similar sayings in the camera world? If I would finally settle towards only one lens, although price is a factor (not everyone can afford a double ASPH Summilux). What is that one lens, new or vintage, that one should mount and never take off?

Any focal length - I am interested in the discussion. 

I shoot today with an analog body (M6) with 35mm cron asph. 

[gammarART]

All time favorite: Voigtländer 40mm 1.2
 

Maybe they will bring a even more compact and lighter f2 version similar to their other F2 II lenses.

[Pika898]

I am a one lens guy for most part and my lens of choice is the apo-summicron-m 35. 

[erl]

I respect your decision to use only one lens, but it is so limiting. Rather like a builder turning up to a site with only a screwdriver, only to find his task today is to nail all the beams in place. 

[hansvons]

1 hour ago, Borna said:

I shoot today with an analog body (M6) with 35mm cron asph. 

Same setup on my way to Durham, UK. Loaded with Tri-X. In my opinion, there’s no need to change anything. The ASPH Summicron 35mm is the natural companion for the M6. You are set for eternity. This lens never leaves this camera. I also have an Summarit 35mm, which is glued to an M4P mostly for shooting landscapes. 
 

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[hansvons]

4 minutes ago, erl said:

I respect your decision to use only one lens, but it is so limiting. Rather like a builder turning up to a site with only a screwdriver, only to find his task today is to nail all the beams in place. 

I respectfully disagree. One lens is liberating and creates consistency. Creativity and quality thrives in constraints. Choices tend to produce randomness and focus issues. All of that is personal of course but looking into masters of the art's approach will reveal that sticking to a favorite focal length helps developing a trademark besides many other benefits like the unconscious handling of DOF, focus and most importantly visualization. 

[darylgo]

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50mm would be my focal length choice but I have a difficult time with which lens.  The Asph is great but the Leica pre-asph have that beautiful glow wide open.  Other decisions with similar difficulties  are the diminutive summarit, the noctilux with it's shallow dof, the chrome versions because they look great.  OLG is not for me, unless it's one at a time and besides Leica needs to sell lenses if we them to continue to be in business.  

[250swb]

1 hour ago, hansvons said:

I respectfully disagree. One lens is liberating and creates consistency. Creativity and quality thrives in constraints. Choices tend to produce randomness and focus issues. All of that is personal of course but looking into masters of the art's approach will reveal that sticking to a favorite focal length helps developing a trademark besides many other benefits like the unconscious handling of DOF, focus and most importantly visualization. 

I think it's kind of the other way around, the 'masters of the art' can use any lens suitable for the job, it's just that they still make the photographs look like all their others do. The signature is not from the lens but how the subject is framed and treated, so with the masters of photography the last thing you'd tend to find important is what focal length lens was used. But I guess you're thinking of Bresson, and he did use other lenses, just as he had more than one paintbrush.

Anyway I forgot to answer the question, my lens would be a Tri-Elmar.

Edited October 21, 2024 by 250swb

[BernardC]

4 hours ago, Borna said:

What is that one lens, new or vintage, that one should mount and never take off?

Probably off topic, since it's permanently mounted, but it would have to be a 75mm f:3.5 Planar/Xenotar on a Rolleiflex.

[lct]

5 hours ago, Borna said:

[...] What is that one lens, new or vintage, that one should mount and never take off? [...]

None but if i had to go on a desert island i would bring my latest love a Summicron 35/2 v1 from 1963. Problem is i would need mains as i don't shoot film anymore so oh well for the desert island and oh well for the one lens theory sorry 😉

Edited October 21, 2024 by lct

[costa43]

If I could have only one that I own it would be the 35mm Summilux pre asph v2. I would be interested in trying out the 8 element v1 Summicron before making my final decision though.

 

 

Edited October 21, 2024 by costa43

[Danner]

6 hours ago, erl said:

I respect your decision to use only one lens, but it is so limiting. Rather like a builder turning up to a site with only a screwdriver, only to find his task today is to nail all the beams in place. 

IMHO, that analogy is a bit strained.  I think a better range would be a build with a tack hammer, a claw hammer, and ball peen hammer, and a sledge hammer.  They can all nail a nail, but, which one would be better for the present task.

[sebben]

It took many years. But now the answer is clear to me. 50mm Summicron V5. 

[aficionados]

9 hours ago, Al Brown said:

And the female version is Olga.

Muscular version should be Olgo 

[erl]

5 hours ago, Danner said:

IMHO, that analogy is a bit strained.  I think a better range would be a build with a tack hammer, a claw hammer, and ball peen hammer, and a sledge hammer.  They can all nail a nail, but, which one would be better for the present task.

Of course, you are completely right. I was (vainly) trying to exaggerate to make my point. You did it much more eloquently and convincingly.

[Borna]

4 minutes ago, Quarterpounder said:

yes, here - 90mm Elmar-C.

Why Elmar and not for example Elmarit?

[steve edmunds]

I would just stick with my zeiss 35mm f1.4 distagon which is mostly on my M 262 anyway.

Its very sharp ,big for a rangefinder lens but for me it renders people and scenes in a special way and i would not swap it for any lens,

[pippy]

If we are considering being condemned to using one lens for the rest of time I'm another in the 35mm Summilux v2 camp.

Philip.

[miessli]

my alltime fav is the Summilux 50 ASPH

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Hallo,

Look here: Leica M

[Ralf]

vor 4 Minuten schrieb miessli:

my alltime fav is the Summilux 50 ASPH

+1