I'm a happy user of an M6 + 50 sumicron + 28 elmarit. I find i am spending too much in prints and i want to try for digital s0, I am tented to buy the new Nikon 5700 (35-280 equivalent) for a daily use and keep my M6 fora more relaxed and pleasant duty. Which one lens would you keep (i can consider a trade, so nocts luxs are included). I do a lot of architectural work (as a student i mean) and that duty could be done with the nikon plus a 0.8 converter. But the spontaneus discrete and pleasant moment of taking a photo of a friend in the darkness of a lost bar in granada can't be digital for me. So wich lens for that purpouse. Thank's from Barcelona.

-- Jaime Font (jaifo@airtel.net), June 01, 2002

Answers

I would look to the recent "favorite lens" thread (or whatever it was called). 35/2 and 35/1.4 ssemed to be the all around choice for many. But there were many 50 supporters also. Personally, 35/1.4 pre asph would be my choice. I had one as my first M lens and have regreted selling it ever since.

-- Josh Root (rootj@att.net), June 01, 2002.

My vote for the 35 lux. I love using mine for all around purposes. Good luck...Of course the noctilux would be pretty awesome as well. For me though, the 35 would allow more possibilities.

-- James (snodoggydogg@hotmail.com), June 01, 2002.

I would keep the 50/2 for now (if you can't get the 5700 without selling something) and see how you like the 5700. You may find yourself wanting to sell the Leica completely, or you may find yourself wanting to get a 35/1.4ASPH (the perfect lens for what you plan to shoot) but I'd hold off on that huge purchase until you've used the digicam for a while.

-- Jay (infinitydt@aol.com), June 01, 2002.

On the other hand, I consider the 50mm to be the most versatile of all lenses, and so would keep that. Plus, the 50mm Sumicron is the finest lens that Leica produces. One thing stumped me about your post, though. If you're spending too much in prints, how does going digital affect that? I'm assuming you're talking about color printing. Couldn't you move to b&w, develop your own negatives, and then only print out what you need. You may even be able to find darkroom facilities. Thus cutting your photo expenses dramatically. As a student, this is one of the most notable periods in your life. With a Leica, you have the most notable of all recorders. Plus b&w is an archival medium, digital has yet to be proven, and color, whether positive or negative, fades quickly. I can not image the crude digital of today haven't any relevance twenty years from now, when you might wish you had made a more prudent choice. But b&w, that will live forever. Anyway, good luck with your endeavor

-- Glenn Travis (leicaddict@hotmail.com), June 01, 2002.

It's a very difficult decission! The thing is: i find that having that 35-280 nikon ultimate camera (if seen the samples and are impressive)AND digital, would result in taking more photos and in situations i can't exploit with my leica. Think in very close details in architecture, and for example being able to follow the construction of a project without bothering how many pic you took of that stupid iron structure. And store it on a cd without needing to print a single copy. On the other hand, i can't imagine photography without my leica. I am sure that only one photo taken with it in B&W with the calm and quietness, that i cannot associate to digital photography, will make that ugly iron in a wonderful shot. And i find another thing shooting with the leica that i can't find in digital, Pleasure. The best option would be buying without selling, but on the other hand, everytime i travel or everyday i take the camera with me i find myself shooting with only one lens (28 for travel -portraits included- and 50 for everyday use. The 35 could be the best option but wearing glasses an owning the M6 0.85 i find it dificult to see the full frame. Difficult eh? Well, thank's a lot for your help

-- Jaime Font (jaifo@airtel.net), June 01, 2002.

Get a 35asph 'Lux, throw it on your M6, load it up with Tri-X, go visit your bars at night in Granada and don't look back.

-- Jack Flesher (jbflesher@msn.com), June 01, 2002.

I aggree with Jack. Get the 35mm F/1.4 ASPH. You will NEVER regret it.

-- Albert Knapp MD (albertknappmd@mac.com), June 01, 2002.

Jaime- If ONE lens is all you will be using with the Leica, and you already have a great 50, that is the way I'd go. Hey! you already have it! I find it is usually easier to get farther back from a subject. If your 50mm was a Noctilux, get ready for your kit to feel like you are into medium format! Heavy! That is why, when I got back into Leica with my M4-P, I grabbed a 50mm Elmar-M that was selling cheaply. But if I already had that 50 'cron, that's where I'd stay.

-- Frank Horn (owlhoot45@hotmail.com), June 01, 2002.

You could try shooting slide if the print costs are your major concern. I haven't ever printed any of my pictures since I took up photography again in 97. The slide or digital file is my end product.

-- rob (rob@robertappleby.com), June 01, 2002.

Well, first I'd go back into the previous posts to read the previous responses to the very many times this question gets answered. The answer is never unanimous, and I don't know what the vote of a bunch of people you don't know has to do how you want to approach your photography, anyway.

Since you have and like the 50 and 28, I'd pick the one I used the most. If you don't now have a 35, you don't know if you're going to like it (I don't, and sold mine), and I wouldn't take other's advice on such a large $$$ layout representing a very basic way in how you shoot pictures without some experience, since you appear to be wanting to save money, not waste it.

If I were in your position, however, I'd just keep what you now own, since, as you say, you're a "happy user".

-- Michael Darnton (mdarnton@hotmail.com), June 01, 2002.

I haven't ever printed any of my pictures since I took up photography again in 97. The slide or digital file is my end product.

A quality framed print in your living room is a constant joy to behold.

-- Allen Herbert (allen1@btinternet.com), June 01, 2002.

If you're a happy user of your leica gear, may I recommend a film scanner instead of a digital camera. I shoot digital at work, and it can be very convienient, but it has its disadvantages. There really is nothing else like shooting with a Leica M camera. Plus, there are lots of extra costs involved with digital, like extra cards and batteries. And then there's fact the the camera will be obsolete before you unpack it.

You can get a decent negative scanner, from Nikon or Canon, for the same or less than the Nikon 5700. It's relatively inexpensive to get film processed without prints, or with contact sheets. Then you can scan the good ones and print them with an inkjet as you would with digital.

If you do take the digital plunge, I'd consider a 35 'lux for your one lens. It's between the 28 and 50 you have now, and it is great for low light.

-- Noah (naddis@mindspring.com), June 01, 2002.

Been there, done it, Digital is ok for snapshots but I love using my leica system as much as viewing the end result.

Solution...I sold off all my extraneous stuff and now have an M6 classic, 28 elmarit, 35 'cron 90'crom and 135 elmar (+200 and 280 visoflex lenses/viso II) and ....horror upon horror a minolta dimage scan elite II Result....Fun taking AND manipulating my images and when I get that occasional stunner...I have the neg or slide professionally printed nice and big, knowing the quality is in the film.

If you ask me this is the best of both worlds!

(I've still to sell of my R gear yet !..might buy another M body)

Gosh...I love this whole rangefinder thing!

John

-- John Tobias (johntobias@hotmail.com), June 02, 2002.

John, just one body with 4 lenses?

Time to get a second body.

-- Lux (leica@sumicron.com), June 02, 2002.

Another body.......

well, I do have a III/summitar but seriously, if I can sell my R4, R4s, Winder, motordrive and 50'crom, yes I'll probably go looking for another M6, maybey a .58 one this time.

-- John Tobias (johntobias@hotmail.com), June 02, 2002.

I'd keep the 50mm, since for me, by using the "standard" lens only, I'd least miss not having any other (wide or short telephoto) lenses.

-- Steve Brantley (superglidesport@mindspring.com), June 02, 2002.