Wonka Posted October 11, 2009 Share #1 Posted October 11, 2009 Advertisement (gone after registration) Hello. I am a new member here and am amazed by all of the knowledge one can gain from reading and reading all of the posts around here. I have just purchased an M9 and I am waiting for its arrival. With that said, I am trying to simplify my life and make do with one and only lens on the M9. Plus, the cost of Leica lenses is incredible. I have searched the forums and read the countless posts about lenses and M9's, however, there hasn't been a true post (that I can find) about just carrying one lens. That is what I'm struggling with right now as I want to make the right decision. I see numerous posts saying the 35mm Summicron is the one to go with, others say the 50mm Summicron is the best, while some say the 50mm Summilux is the best for this purpose. My primary focus will be an all around lens, travel, family, life, etc. I do realize that having one lens will be somewhat limiting, but that's what I want. I am looking at new lenses only. Anyway, could everyone please say what their favorite ONE lens is on the M9 and why? I am leaning towards the 50mm Summicron, but I can easily be talked out of that lens. I picked it for it's ability to isolate subjects a little more than a 35mm and its added bokeh. The 35mm Summicron seems to be a favorite around here and I would consider it. The 50mm Summilux seems like $1600 more for something that I really don't need (the f/1.4 factor). Thanks in advance. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted October 11, 2009 Posted October 11, 2009 Hi Wonka, Take a look here One Lens With M9?. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
adli Posted October 11, 2009 Share #2 Posted October 11, 2009 Anyway, could everyone please say what their favorite ONE lens is on the M9 and why? I don't have the M9 (yet), but I have the M8. My lens line up is 18-28-35-50-75-90. On the M8 I use the 28mm 90% of the time. The equivalent on the M9 would be a 35mm. 35mm is a very veratile focal length, making it a very good all round lens. If you later add a 75mm you will also have a good portrait lens. You write that your primary focus will be an all around lens, travel, family, life. The 35mm should suit this purpose very well as it enables you to take pictures while being a part of the action. 50mm will in my opinion be too narrow for this use. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wonka Posted October 11, 2009 Author Share #3 Posted October 11, 2009 I don't have the M9 (yet), but I have the M8. My lens line up is 18-28-35-50-75-90. On the M8 I use the 28mm 90% of the time. The equivalent on the M9 would be a 35mm. 35mm is a very veratile focal length, making it a very good all round lens. If you later add a 75mm you will also have a good portrait lens. You write that your primary focus will be an all around lens, travel, family, life. The 35mm should suit this purpose very well as it enables you to take pictures while being a part of the action. 50mm will in my opinion be too narrow for this use. Thanks. But, to me I am worried that a 35mm lens on an M9 will be too wide for daily use. I don't know if anyone here can do it, but what would be great is for someone who has an M9 and a 35mm lens and a 50mm lens to take a picture of the same thing with both lenses and post them to see the "true" difference. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guido Posted October 11, 2009 Share #4 Posted October 11, 2009 I'm sure you will get dozens of contradicting replies, since the choice of the "ideal" focal length is ultimately a very personal one. That said, I would simply start with one of the lenses in the 28 - 35 - 50 range and look how it works. Anything outside this range is too short resp. long to be considered a generic "all around" lens in my opinion unless you already know exactly what you are looking for in your shooting style. Personally, I chose 50mm as my walkaround focal length. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevem7 Posted October 11, 2009 Share #5 Posted October 11, 2009 35 is a great all around lens for the m9 as is the 50. Depends on how you like to shoot. Here is quick shot I just took to show you the difference on the M9 35 50 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wonka Posted October 11, 2009 Author Share #6 Posted October 11, 2009 Thanks! That is very helpful. In those two photos I tend to lean towards the 50mm. As a side note, I just wanted to say how much I have enjoyed reading all of your Leica equipment reviews. Keep up the good work! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
michael_b_elmer Posted October 11, 2009 Share #7 Posted October 11, 2009 Advertisement (gone after registration) 50 mm is THE classical focal length for 35 mm photography, but 35 mm is also popular. As one and only lens, you should definitely choose a lens with f: 1,4 so that you can insulate your motive from the background and take photos in available light. The 35/1.4 asph would also be a possibility, but this lens is said by some to suffer from socalled focus shift problems and a revised model might be presented buy Leica within a foreseeable period of time. So, I would certainly and without hesitation of any kind advice you to get the 50/1.4 asph - Leicas best lens which will continue to give you the most wonderful pictures. Do not waste your money and time on the Summicron 50/2.0 as a one and only lens when you can instead get a masterpiece like the 50/1.4 asph. I had the Summicron but sold it because I found its pictures rather dull. Another good possibility would be a Summilux 50/1.4 (non asph) - it is not as sharp as the asph version, but delivers photos with that special Leica glow, and for certain pictures I prefer this lens even over the asph version. (FYI I have WATE, MATE, 18/3.8 A, 21/1.4 A, 24/2.8 A, 28/2.0A, 28/2.8 III, 35/1.4A, 35/2.0A, 50/1.4A, 50/1.4 (noon-asph), 75/2.0A, 90/2.0AA, and TE 90/2.8) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Overgaard Posted October 11, 2009 Share #8 Posted October 11, 2009 35 is a great all around lens for the m9 as is the 50. Depends on how you like to shoot. Here is quick shot I just took to show you the difference on the M9 I would die to have the light you have around your place ;-) You can keep the cat but the light and the 50mm - I'll go for that Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevem7 Posted October 11, 2009 Share #9 Posted October 11, 2009 I would die to have the light you have around your place ;-) You can keep the cat but the light and the 50mm - I'll go for that Ill send you some light if you take the cat! Sound like a deal? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
tom0511 Posted October 11, 2009 Share #10 Posted October 11, 2009 Personally my most used lens would be 50mm. I also really do like the 50/1.4asph. If you dont need f1.4 either the 50cron or the 50 Summarit might be fine as well. Now there might be some subjects where 50mm is too long and 35mm would be better. I would say I could shoot nearly everything with 35mm but for 70% of those shots I would prefer 50mm for its slightly more compressed look. Now I could probably shoot 80% of my images with 50mm but for the rest I would like to have a wider lens. If you buy 35 and feel one day you miss something than 35+90 or 35+75 is a great combo. When you get 50 and feel you miss something you could allways add a 28mm lens. I would maybe get the 40mm/1.4 CV Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jschone Posted October 11, 2009 Share #11 Posted October 11, 2009 50 mm is THE classical focal length for 35 mm photography, but 35 mm is also popular. As one and only lens, you should definitely choose a lens with f: 1,4 so that you can insulate your motive from the background and take photos in available light. The 35/1.4 asph would also be a possibility, but this lens is said by some to suffer from socalled focus shift problems and a revised model might be presented buy Leica within a foreseeable period of time. So, I would certainly and without hesitation of any kind advice you to get the 50/1.4 asph - Leicas best lens which will continue to give you the most wonderful pictures. Do not waste your money and time on the Summicron 50/2.0 as a one and only lens when you can instead get a masterpiece like the 50/1.4 asph. I had the Summicron but sold it because I found its pictures rather dull. Another good possibility would be a Summilux 50/1.4 (non asph) - it is not as sharp as the asph version, but delivers photos with that special Leica glow, and for certain pictures I prefer this lens even over the asph version. (FYI I have WATE, MATE, 18/3.8 A, 21/1.4 A, 24/2.8 A, 28/2.0A, 28/2.8 III, 35/1.4A, 35/2.0A, 50/1.4A, 50/1.4 (noon-asph), 75/2.0A, 90/2.0AA, and TE 90/2.8) All summicron lenses are very fine lenses. The 50 f2 is especially good value for the money in my opinion. No problem to isolate your subject from the background if that is what you're after. If the 50 is what you like and you want only one lens I think the summicron should be on your shortlist. Of course the summilux is a very fine lens but it also comes with a price. It's up to you to decide if this price difference would show in the quality of your photos. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
microview Posted October 11, 2009 Share #12 Posted October 11, 2009 Same viewpoint, 35mm Zeiss lens/50mm Summilux ASPH. Can anyone help with a comment on the 'bloom' or milky quality in the foliage at the top left of the Summilux shot? I had the hood extended and there was some late afternoon sunlight coming down parallel with the terrace frontage, from the right. Looks like flare: could light from the leaves bounce back to hit the lens and cause a patch of flare? I'd welcome your comments on this, please! BTW these uploaded jpegs are from C1 conversions keeping embedded profile; opening them in CS3 with no colour management would produce the colours as here – those on my iMac opened as 'preserve embedded profile' are completely accurate (ie nothing like these!). Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/99832-one-lens-with-m9/?do=findComment&comment=1071117'>More sharing options...
jschone Posted October 11, 2009 Share #13 Posted October 11, 2009 Microview, why are you comparing these shots? The light is completely different. (and shot on different days --> closed curtains on the 2nd shot) What I see on the summilux shot is probably some condensation on the lens. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
microview Posted October 11, 2009 Share #14 Posted October 11, 2009 Microview, why are you comparing these shots? The light is completely different.What I see on the summilux shot is probably some condensation on the lens. Only to show relative areas encompassed by the two focal lengths from about 30ft. Condensation? That would be less of a worry – cold lens warm palm of the hand in proximity when focusing this first shot (lens previously boxed indoors) you think? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
tom0511 Posted October 12, 2009 Share #15 Posted October 12, 2009 Maybe it would be more interesting to shoot the same scene but from different distance with 35 and 50 - with the same framing. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
thrid Posted October 12, 2009 Share #16 Posted October 12, 2009 What have you been shooting with for the past years? This really isn't a question that anyone, but you can answer. I assume you have been shooting for a while, since the M9 isn't a trivial aquisition and have a preferred focal length or are you new to photography? Regardless, I recommend a fast 35. Ultimately it's more versatile than a 50. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
thrid Posted October 12, 2009 Share #17 Posted October 12, 2009 50 mm is THE classical focal length for 35 mm photography, but 35 mm is also popular. While I love the 50, I don't think that statement has been true since the early 1960's. Although manufacturers continued to package their cameras with 50mm lenses, there was a big shift to 35mm and even 28mm around this time, especially in photojournalism. If I remember correctly a few years ago Leica even said that the 35 outsold all their other focal lengths. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
danyves Posted October 12, 2009 Share #18 Posted October 12, 2009 With 24x36 photography the theoretical normal focal lens is 42mm. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
stunsworth Posted October 12, 2009 Share #19 Posted October 12, 2009 It's no different to a film M. Some people prefer 35mm, others 50mm. It's no use those of us who prefer a 35mm telling you that's the lens to get if it turns out _you_ prefer a 50mm - and the other way round of course. It's a decision only you can make, so while it's an understandable question for a newcomer to ask, there's no answer. You have to make up your own mind, based on the focal length _you_ prefer. Don't get too hung up on lens quality. All of the lenses you mention are superb, whatever you choose you'll be getting a fantastic lens. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wattsy Posted October 12, 2009 Share #20 Posted October 12, 2009 Can anyone help with a comment on the 'bloom' or milky quality in the foliage at the top left of the Summilux shot? Looks like flare to me. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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