I currently own the following 3 lens for my Leicaflex Standard Mark 2:

1) 35mm Elmarit-R 1 cam lens 2) 50mm Summicron-R 1 cam lens and 3) 90mm Elmarit-R 1 cam lens.

Any suggestions of what I should get for my next lens? I want to get into macro photography and more portrait and street photography/photojournalism.

Thanks a lot for your help and advice.

sincerely, Alfie

-- Albert Wang (albert.wang@ibx.com), November 14, 2001

Answers

Why do you want anything else? The three lenses you've got will handle virtually anything you want to photograph. Get a couple of ElPro close-up lenses for macro.

-- Wilhelm (bmitch@home.com), November 14, 2001.

You have a great outfit here! A 135mm/f2.8 lens might help with landscapes and portraits, but the 90mm will be sufficient for most of your photography needs.

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

Good point, I did manage to catch some pigeons on South Street here in Philly last weekend of course. Using the 90mm lens. Of course I agree that a 135mm would be nice to have although the weight of the 90mm is good enough to render a cavern into my trench coat :)

Alfie

-- Albert Wang (albert.wang@ibx.com), November 14, 2001.

Alfie, if you think the 90 is heavy, don't get a 135.

Using the Leicaflex Standard, your best for macro stuff is a few ELPRO close-up lenses. 90mm is perfect for portraits. There are a few samples of what a 90mm lens can be used for on my 90mm Summicron- R review page:

http://www.wildlightphoto.com/leica/90R20.HTM

You have a very capable set of lenses. Learn to get the most of what you already have.

-- Douglas Herr (telyt@earthlink.net), November 14, 2001.

Nice pictures Doug... after work, I will be shooting with the 90mm through the streets of Philly. It's a wonderful way to shoot people close up without being too close to them, plus the sharp rendition. Lots of good light good enough to render anyone well :)

Alfie

-- Albert Wang (Albert.wang@ibx.com), November 14, 2001.

Re: macro. Remember that the Leicaflex does not have TTL metering so there will be significant parallax error when doing extreme close- ups. You will want to take a reading with the meter cell pointed directly at your subject and then move the camera to compose through the finder. I agree that Elpro close-up lenses will be your best bet, as otherwise you would need to calculate bellows factors for exposure. The series-type Elpros are quite inexpensive...if your lenses don't have the retaining rings they are also not very expensive.

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

Alfie,

If I were you, I think I'd be looking for either a 21mm/4 Angulon or a 180mm/4 Elmar (or both!). The 180 Elmar is quite light and compact. Also, 180mm is a useful step up from 90mm, in my opinion. Get 3-cam lenses, then you can use them with your R4 as well.

-- Ray Moth (ray_moth@yahoo.com), November 14, 2001.

>>>The series-type Elpros are quite inexpensive...if your lenses don't have the retaining rings they are also not very expensive. <<<

Retaining rings are not required to use a Series-type ELPRO.

-- Douglas Herr (telyt@earthlink.net), November 15, 2001.

Alfie, what's about a superwide lens 21mm or 19m? Your kit of lens () 35, 50, 90) is looking a bit orthodox :?}.

Victor

-- Victor Randin (ved@enran.com.ua), November 15, 2001.