Hello all.

I just traded in my Nikon F3 kit for an M6TTL (.72) with a 50mm Summicron and a 90mm Elmarit. When my wallet recovers a bit, I'd like to add a third lens to round out the lens selection. I'm considering either the 35mm Summicron-ASPH or the 28mm Summicron-ASPH. Both, I understand, get excellent reviews for optical performance, so it seems to comes down to decision based largely on focal length/angle of view. Right now, I'm leaning toward the 35mm but would be interested in anyone's thoughts on this board.

In this setup, which would be the better choice -- the 35mm or the 28mm?

-- Jim Reed (jimreedpc@aol.com), November 13, 2001

Answers

Get both: when you buy one, you will immediately lust for the other...

Traditionnally, one would recommend the 28 to remain "in step" with your other focal length jump. 28/50/90 makes perfect sense.

However, I find the 35mm more comfortable to use on the M: it is substantially smaller (without the hood), and easier on framing with the 0.72 (the 28mm lines are really borderlines, barely visible with glasses). The 35+hood hardly bites on the 35 lower right frame. I suspect the longer 28+hood invades the viewfinder much more.

The 35mm is also "kinder" for people shots: face features are less evidently exagerated, and perspective side effects less obnoxious.

Finally, when you decide to go out with one lens only, you will probably find that the 35mm is the best all rounder.

I have personally chosen the 21/35/50/90 setup. I also use a Ricoh GR1 as always ready pocket outfit. That has a splendid 28mm lens..;-)

Have fun choosing !

-- Jacques (jacques.balthazar@hotmail.com), November 13, 2001.

Morning Jim!

50 plus 90 is good. But 35 plus 90 is good too. Some of us have ended up saying their two favourites are actually 35 and 50. OTOH I am a bit of an extremist, so that the choice here ends up being if 50 and 90, then 21 or 24. 28 is certainly a good lens too and I might buy it some day too, but only after I already get three or four others first. 28 is for me a bit too close to 35 (or even 50). I have often thought that if I were forced to have "only" two lenses, then maybe they'd in fact be 28 plus 75. But that would mean I'd have to wait 20 or so years until they brought out a 75 'cron or Elmarit.

The punch line here is as usual: borrow them all (like from a Leica test day) and try the all out first.

-- Michael Kastner (kastner@zedat.fu-berlin.de), November 13, 2001.

Jim, I'd say it depends mostly on your majority subjects and future purchase options. If you do a lot of travel and scenic photography like I do, the 28 is a good lens to have. Also unless you plan on getting a 24 or 21 at some point, the 28 is the better "one and only wideangle". I solved the 28 vs 35 problem with a Tri-Elmar.

-- Jay (infinitydt@aol.com), November 14, 2001.

28mm is certainly more different than a 35mm, but the problem is that the 28mm frames are pretty unfriendly on the 0.72 particularly if you use glasses. You are perhaps better off with a separate 28mm viewfinder if you decide to go that way. Personally I would probably go for a 35mm, unless you feel happy with the framelines for the 28mm on the M6.

-- Robin Smith (smith_robin@hotmail.com), November 14, 2001.

Jim:

Trust me, you will eventually get both the 35mm and 28mm lenses! Since you have a 50mm and 90mm now, a 28mm might be better as the next addition to your outfit for those times when you have to use a wide angle lens and cram everything in! Congratulations on entering the wonderful (and wacky!) world of Leica! :-)

-- Muhammad Chishty (applemac97@aol.com), November 14, 2001.

Jim,

Back when I was shooting with my canon ftbn, I used a 28mm for indoors and found myself often wishing for more width. If you're going to go for wider than the 35, then I'd seriously consider the 24 or 21. I have the 21 elmarit non-asph and though it occasionally stretches faces, it brings more drama then the 28. If you're going to be shooting outdoors more than in, you probably would not need an ultra-wide.

-- Peter B. Goldstein (peter.goldstein@us.cgeyc.com), November 14, 2001.

I used to think of 28mm as an in-between focal length when shooting with the Nikon; the 24mm and 35mm seeming more essential. But since getting my version 3 28mm Elmarit pre-asph, I find it sees quite a bit of use right along with my 35 Summicron. I like being able to use it with the camera's built-in finder (As long as I'm wearing my contact lenses to see the frame lines). I think it would make sense to buy the 28mm ASPH, since it is allegedly is Leica's sharpest lens. It would ensure that you'll be able to get enough in when you need to. If you find there's a "hole in the middle" between 28 and 50, you can always fill in later with a 35. Then again, with the 28, you may not even feel the need for a 35. The 35 is a very easy lens to "see with" through the M6 finder. Using it has a very natural quality for me. But that doesn't mean you will necessarily miss it for your favorite subjects.

BTW; what about framing those favorite subjects with the 28 and 35mm frames, and seeing which you think more appropriate for your style?

-- Bob Fleischman (RFXMAIL@prodigy.net), November 14, 2001.

Thanks to all for your helpful comments.

I ending up rounding out my outfit with the 28mm ASPH (hey, who could say "no" with these rebates and Leica Days?) rather than the 35mm. I usually pull out the wide angle for outdoor scenic shots, and for that purpose the 28mm seemed to be the better choice.

After I have some more experience with the lens, I'll let you know if I made the right decision!

-- Jim Reed (jimreedpc@aol.com), December 06, 2001.

Jim, have you think in a 35 ´lux; is almost the price of the 28 ´cron, and you get an extra stop to your system, a way to make it more versatile

-- r watson (al1231234@hotmail.com), December 06, 2001.

Go pick up the 35mm f/1.4 Summilux ASPH. Do think twice it's alright! Having at least one fast lens is essential to reach Leica nirvana and there is nothing close to the 35mm 'lux in terms of optical quality.

-- ray tai (razerx@netvigator.com), December 06, 2001.

That should have been "Don't think twice it's alright". My apologies to Bob D.

-- ray tai (razerx@netvigator.com), December 06, 2001.