Hello,

I recently bought an M6 TTL (silver) with a 35 Summilux (silver), and now have ordered the 75mm Summilux.

As I don't wish to buy more gear for the next few years, does this lens set-up constitute good flexibility for people and scenery photos? I'm thinking it does. But, I did deliberate over a 90mm f/2 over the 75 lux. I like the idea of f/1.4, since I think I'll need the speed sometimes.

Anyway, I'm sure my girlfriend will feel I need to be committed for buying such gear, but hey! This arrangement will be my photo-taking companion for life. ; )

-- James (snodoggydogg@hotmail.com), January 30, 2002

Answers

Well, since you didn't ask BEFORE you bought, I think you should use what you have coming for awhile and see if it suits your needs. IMO, I would have suggested the 90APO as a second lens, and perhaps a 50 as a third if you felt the need. The 75 is a monster -- even bigger than the 90APO -- but is focally closer to a normal than the 90... Enjoy your new outfit!

:-),

-- Jack Flesher (jbflesher@msn.com), January 30, 2002.

You might find this link informative:

http://www.greenspun.com/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg.tcl?msg_id=007qpX

My own system is a M6TTL 0.72 with 35mm Summicron Asph and 50mm Summicron. My next purchase (future Leica Day) is expected to be a M6TTL 0.85 for the 50mm, so that I have a backup system. I use the 50mm most of the time since I am outdoors, and use the 35mm mainly indoors. I also have a SF20 flash, and I keep forgetting to order the Nikon SC17 cable.

Some people here would consider my system extremely limited, but for me it is perfect. Nonetheless, it is very interesting, informative, and often amusing to read about why people make the lens choices that they do, not to mention the black vs. chrome angst.

Congratulations on your purchases!

-- Vikram (VSingh493@aol.com), January 30, 2002.

As I don't wish to buy more gear for the next few years, does this lens set-up constitute good flexibility for people and scenery photos? I'm thinking it does. But, I did deliberate over a 90mm f/2 over the 75 lux. I like the idea of f/1.4, since I think I'll need the speed sometimes.

Thinking and DOING are two different things. Use the set-up for 9 months then decide what else you need.

Anyway, I'm sure my girlfriend will feel I need to be committed for buying such gear, but hey! This arrangement will be my photo-taking companion for life. ; )

Aren't you already in a committment with your girlfriend? Her suspicions may be retro-correct already. You should get her into M photography as well. More things in common make for the perfect partnership (like in the painting American Gothic).

;-)

-- John (ouroboros_2001@yahoo.com), January 30, 2002.

At the risk of flogging a dead horse, I'll second the opinions thus far--shoot for a few months and see if you need anything else. When I built my slr system, I went all out, from 14mm all the way to a 300 f2.8, and a 400 f5.6, and everything in between-- I found the vast majority of my shots were 50mm and below, and the greater part of them were 28mm and wider. If you find the 35mm too restrictive, then go wider-- If you find the 75 too intimate, or you can't reach what you need, go longer. But it will take time, and the use of the lenses you have to realize if the kit is effective for you. Best,

-- Marke Gilbert (Bohdi137@aol.com), January 30, 2002.

Thanks for the input so far! Thought about the 35, 50, 90 combo, then I thought I want to have about 2 lenses. 35 I think will be wide enough for me, yet somewhat approaching what a 50 can do. A 35 and 75 as a strict 2 lens kit seem matched well. I like the f/1.4 speed as well. I admit I haven't looked at a 75 at a shop, but from photos it looks about the same size as the 90, but apparently not. I'm sure it blocks more of the 75mm framelines as opposed to the 90mm blocking its framelines, but I've read that's not a huge issue.

What I have done a bit is walk around, see things I want to photograph, and do a frameline preview between the 75 and 90. Seems like the 75 does an adequate job. We'll see, maybe I'll end up with the whole selection of M lenses hehehe! Probably not though (hopefully)...

-- James (snodoggydogg@hotmail.com), January 30, 2002.

One real advantage to the 75mm lens is that at close distances (1-3m ) the 75 framelines are accurate (such as they are, just little corners) but at longer distances you get more accurate framing with the 50mm framelines--which happen to already be there!

-- Jay (infinitydt@aol.com), January 30, 2002.

James:

Jay makes a good point... I hope you are aware that the framlines in the M are only accurate at about 3 meters -- beyond that they cover less than what the lens sees -- and in fact the 75 framelines are almost what the 90 covers at infinity.

:-),

-- Jack Flesher (jbflesher@msn.com), January 30, 2002.

Hmn, didn't know that about the frameline accuracy! I wonder if Leica mentions this in their manual? Looks like another little idiosyncrasy to work around...challenges are fun sometimes...

-- James (snodoggydogg@hotmail.com), January 30, 2002.

I may be a bit too picky, but the 35mm Summilux I bought I noticed has a 3 tiny black speck particles on the inner elements, mainly towards outer areas. This must be a fact of life for most lenses I would guess, does anyone else have these little imperfections as well? I would guess the 75mm I have coming in by mail will be the same way. It's hard to hand pick such lenses when your local dealer doesn't stock'em, and I'm tired of playing the exchange game. Anyway, thought I'd share. Opinions?

-- James (snodoggydogg@hotmail.com), January 30, 2002.

I may be a bit too picky, but the 35mm Summilux I bought I noticed has a 3 tiny black speck particles on the inner elements, mainly towards outer areas.

Probably a some small specks of flocking that weren't caught before lens group assembly. Don't dwell on it.

-- John (ouroboros_2001@yahoo.com), January 30, 2002.

James,I feel your pain.I have a Ricoh GR1s and on the lens I can see a small 'dot'.It's so small you would have to hold it up to the light and use a magnifying glass to see it....BUT I know it's there!

-- Phill (philkneen@manx.net), January 30, 2002.

Lot of useful coments, of course everyone has his own point of view, mine would be 28,35,50 many would go 35,50,90; at the end every one is a diferent photographer; you have a couple of great pices of glass; quite diferent one from the other, enjoy them, you may won´t need any thing else for the rest of your life.

-- r watson (al1231234@hotmail.com), January 30, 2002.

Yah I figured it was something to with assembly, no biggy! I know it won't show on photos of course! Otherwise, what a superb piece! Can't wait for my 75mm. Perhaps a bit of flaking from the anti- reflective coating inside the barrel? Ahhh, alas nothing is perfect. However, I think Leica comes closest ; )

-- James (snodoggydogg@hotmail.com), January 30, 2002.

James, something simply got lost in the translation to and from German. You wanted a lens with Leica specs, and they thought you wanted Leica *specks*.

-- Jay (infinitydt@aol.com), January 30, 2002.

Hahaha probably! Zose Germans!

-- James (snodoggydogg@hotmail.com), January 30, 2002.

I have the same setup at first but added 50, 90 latter. You have made the right choice to start.

-- Tim Tan (kctan18@yahoo.com), January 30, 2002.

James, I have other lenses, but frequently I will carry the 35 and 75 for a 2 lens outfit; and it meets the majority of my needs very well. These lenses are extraordinary. My advice is to shoot, shoot, and shoot some more. Chromes, Prints, B&W; shoot them all. Then come back and tell us in 6 months what you think of your purchases.

-- David (pagedt@chartertn.net), January 30, 2002.

Ahhh David, that will be the FUN part of this purchase! I am planning on running aroun Colorado this weekend (I'm from Boulder). I'm originally from Alaska, well and Nebraska as well, so as you can see I've been inspired to snap some photos. Hawaii is nice too, my girlfriend is from there. The Leica will be a nice compact camera to travel with me. I will report in some results (photos) hopefully soon...

-- James (snodoggydogg@hotmail.com), January 30, 2002.

I too thought I had a final set-up for long when I bought an R4s with 50/2 and later 135/2.8.

Half a year later I have bought a winder, 35/2.8 and 250/4 and recently some filters and close-up lenses.

AND thinking about a 2nd body as backup and to able too choose between different films. AND I still would like to own a medium-format (Bronica or so). AND for snapshots/try-out shots a nice simple digital camara. AND a nice Hexar or so to carry all the time.

It's never over oncde the fever is there (Luckely I don't have a wife) :-)

-- ReinierV (rvlaam@xs4all.nl), January 31, 2002.