Wow - a ton of responses to a pretty average question. I appreciate the advice from everyone. Not that you're all that interested, but I decided to get the 90/2.8 for now. Reasoning? (i) I'd should get better with my 35mm as my "normal" main lens before committing to another "normal" lens in the 50; (ii) the 90 offers the greatest useable difference for a everyday, two lens kit and it will allow me to develop and have fun with a very different style of shooting than would a 50 (which I would use more like the 35mm in style); and most importantly, one of my good friends called me today to say that he's taking advantage of Leica Day and the rebate to buy his first M6 with a 50/f2 (I can borrow until the goodwill dries up!).

Since so many of you are into facts and figures, just wanted to tally your own opinions for the heck of it:

Out of 20 total opinions...

-- 14 were in favor of buying a 50mm next (most saying to also keep the 35mm) -- 2 said to get the 90mm next (regardless of whether to add a 50 later) -- 4 advised something entirely different, or were not determinative.

Thanks again for all your help! Eric

-- Eric Reid (eric_reid@lkshore.com), December 04, 2001

Answers

You bought right, Eric. There won't be many situations you can't handle with one lens or the other. When neither lens seems quite right, it will just prompt you to rethink the shot creatively. There will always be a way.

-- Bob Fleischman (RFXMAIL@prodigy.net), December 04, 2001.

Eric,

I hope you enjoy your results from the 90 Elmarit as much as I've enjoyed mine. I've forgotten whether you mentioned the viewfinder magnification you have - .58, .72 or .85? I have had very few focusing problems using my .72 with this lens but I've ordered a 1.25x magnifier just to make it even easier.

Regards, Ray

-- Ray Moth (ray_moth@yahoo.com), December 04, 2001.