Small lenses, big lenses

[Martin B]

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I have a few f/1.4 and f/1.5 lenses M and LTM, but none of them are Leica Summilux versions. One of my bigger lenses is the CV 75/1.5 Nokton lens which is fortunately pretty light in weight. Another larger in diameter is my Canon 50/1.2 LTM lens. Probably the heaviest and faster lens is my CV 35/1.2 II lens. I haven't used the latter since a while. 

My favorite lenses I am using fall into the f/2.0 to f/2.8 space. I rarely need faster than f/2.0 also when taking photos with my film cameras. These lenses are much more compact and easier to carry especially when traveling. I just spent two weeks vacation in Europe only with one lens, the Leica 35/2.4 ASPH Summitar-M. Not even once during this time I required a faster lens including situations when taking photos in the evening. 

[swatch]

Big lens block frame lines … does not bother me as I sometimes do hip shooting without framing through the viewfinder.  What I don’t like big lens is front heavy on M camera.

In short, I prefer/use smaller lenses on M camera and avoid big lenses unless I am looking for swallow DOF i.e. 50mm f/1.4.

50mm is the only focal length I have big(f/1.4) and small(f/3.5) lenses in daily use.

 

Edited June 23 by swatch

[Kiwimac]

11 hours ago, FrozenInTime said:

I see tourists walking around Edinburgh, or getting off one of the frequent cruise ship, with similar kit, photo backpacks and tripods - it just seems a bit over equipped for the occasion.

 

There’s no real need for that sort of stuff unless you’re doing something that you get paid for and the set up assists in getting what your clients want. 
 

I’ll never understand backpacks. They’re a great way to carry your gear from, say, London to Delhi. However they’re thoroughly useless as working bags. 

[GFW2-SCUSA]

I agree about backpacks. I have never had one and at my age, 79, I doubt I ever shall. I am packing my kit for 10 days in France while my wife paints. I am  taking a small Voightlander 50mm F2.2 rather than my Lanthar or Summicron, my 90mm Elmar Macro with close up adaptor and my 35mm Summilux FLE because I think it's worth the weight. All will fit my Oberwerth Harry and Sally bag and I shall not be hunched over at the end of the day. I may even get take a decent photograph or two! 

[Kiwimac]

11 hours ago, GFW2-SCUSA said:

I agree about backpacks. I have never had one and at my age, 79, I doubt I ever shall. I am packing my kit for 10 days in France while my wife paints. I am  taking a small Voightlander 50mm F2.2 rather than my Lanthar or Summicron, my 90mm Elmar Macro with close up adaptor and my 35mm Summilux FLE because I think it's worth the weight. All will fit my Oberwerth Harry and Sally bag and I shall not be hunched over at the end of the day. I may even get take a decent photograph or two! 

Have a lovely trip. I do miss having Europe next door. 
 

I suppose I have Australia next door now, but it’s not quite the same!

[rcusick]

My light setup:

21mm f4 voightlander

35mm Leica summicron v4

90mm tele elmar thin

My “heavier” setup

21mm Leica sem

35mm Leica Summilux fle v1

90mm macro elmar