35 or 50

[jtrevino]

Edwin,

Living in Mexico and buying used photography equipment by mail -much the same the situation you're in Philippines- has thaught me caution. Most people are decent and I have got terrific deals, but I have also been burned. If in doubt, bite the bullet And buy from trustworthy dealers like B&H, Adorama or KEH. Sure, you will end up paying more, in some instances much more, but you will have a real guarantee behind your purchase and you can be sure than the item is in better condition than described.

About the focal length for your M6, I fit mine most frequently with a Summicron 35, the only "M" lens I own, but being hard pressed for a *single* lens, I would choose a 50. Right now I'm shooting with a CV Nokton 50, waiting for a fairly priced Summilux to replace it. I also have a IIIf and a Summitar 50/1.5 that is very fine for some nostalgic style shots and an Elmar 50/3.5 that is surprisingly good two stops down (f/5.6) on black & white film and printed at grade IV ;-^] (...The look is terrific tho...) In any case, what I want to say is that if you can only have one lens, make it a 50. It will get you 90% of the images.

--Jorge.

 

[efm_2]

Glad to hear from all of you guys! I really do appreciate it. One more thing though. All the while I thought I have the 0.72 it turned out to be a 0.85 (sorry about that guys). Are my 2 choices still okay?

Edwin

 

[jtrevino]

Dear Doctor,

For kids the 35 is too wide. I'm a grandfather of a 1.5 y.o. brat (check under www.jorgemtrevino.com) and am always fiddling for something a bit tighter. Get a 50. If you can afford a Summilux, go for it. Otherwise try for a Summicron. I'm assuming here that you want a Leica lens. OTOH, I have a Voigtländer Nokton 50 and I'm very pleased with it. Bokeh is probably a tad harsh but certainly much better than you can expect from a Nikon lens. Sharpness is near tops. Visit E. Puts site at http://www.imx.nl/photosite/leica/leicahome.html for a good report.

For whait it's worth. my results with the Nokton have been better than anything I've had in my hands. My other 50's are an assortment of old Leica TM, Nikon and old Pentax screw.

--Jorge (Mexico)

 

[gjames52]

More Food for Thought

Carl Zeiss Website
"The Planar® T* 1.4/50 lens convinces by its small design and it is, at the same time, the fast, high-performance lens with the standard focal length for Contax® SLR-cameras. The lens also offers excellent sharpness and very low brightness losses at the edges. Due to its natural perspective it is particularly suitable for normal views, impressions of landscapes with the perspective of the human eye, people, travel and photojournalism."

 

[Craig24]

Edwin

The 0.85 is even better for the most useful FLs ie. 35, 50 and 90mm. The view is more like that of the M3 VF, which is 0.92. The 0.85 VF probably suits the 50mm more than 35 as there is more room outside the frame line with which to work. The 35 is a little cr&ed, similar to the 28mm VF frame on the 0.72.

On your earlier question regarding 90mm lenses on the rangefinder camera. Like many others I guess, I tend to prefer the 35 and 50 more, but then again some of my better pictures have been made with a 90mm. The 90 forces you to crop more tightly. In addition, IMO the 135mm FL is a tad too long for the M cameras. I had an Elmarit f2.8 with “eyes†that I used with my M3 and M5. The lens was is beautiful bit of gear, but the goggles gave you a restricted tunnel vision similar to looking through a digital SLR. Perhaps, it would have been better used on an M6 (0.72)

Regards craig

 

[hyper]

Thank you!

If I can't maintain the M6 I'll buy an MP in the future. It seems more clos= e to the "feel" of an M3.

patricio

 

[drhdrum]

[I had the same issue then I decided to just purchase both lens which I interchange all the time. It really depends on the location of your shooting... If I'm mostly outside I like a longer lens like the 50 but for quick "street and candid shots" where you have some physical boundaries (walls, rooms etc.) I like the 35mm. I've found I can almost always move closer to the subject. However, if I'm in tight quarters I can't always move back enough to get the shot. For ex&le, I just took some pictures in an alley of some children playing. The angle I wanted pushed me up against a wall. I could have never gotten the shot with a 50mm... So, if you REALLY can only afford one lens, then I would recommend the 35 f2/ASPH. Of course there have been some situation where it wasn't optimal to have a just a 35 and that's why I have several lens. But you have the option to use your Nikon for longer shots and of course, you can also crop and enlarge to get the subject closer. ]

 

[judge]

Edwin,

There are 90mm summicrons selling for less than the price your guy quoted you. If there is a chance of you going overseas, pass by Singapore (barely 3 hours away from Manila), and you'll have more choices here since there are more shops selling Leica cameras, lens and accessories. I can recommend couple of guys who trade fairly and honestly (including the only guy I know who sells the discontinued kodak tri-x pan.)I, too opt to shoot with one lens (too many choices and my mind liquifies). I started with 28mm but found it too wide for my taste. I next turned to 35mm, but still found it wide for my taste. I then went for 50mm and found it too small. Now I'm currently using 40mm summicron-c (designed for CL and CLE) and i'm quiet happy with the result. Plus it's darn small. Of course, you only have f2 as your widest aperture. But then again, you can always shoot Leica in slower speed.

Goodluck in your quest. And happy shooting kabayan!

 

[dkhaw]

Hello Edwin
I'm new and have just been following up your column. How are you getting on with your lens purchase?

 

[dkhaw]

Hi Judge
Could you please let me have the contacts of the guys you know in Singapore whom you have experienced and recommend for Leica stuff? I would love an Elmarit f2.8 90mm and a 35mm f2 Asph Summicron to go with my existing 50mm f2 Summicron.
Thanks.