Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1999/08/05
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]At 06:52 -0700 05/08/99, Joel House wrote: ... >What minimal system lenses would you consider? I mainly do journalistic >style pictures of family and some travel. Joel, The short answer is that, for me, 28/50/90 is a good minimal set of focal lengths. If I'm going light (i.e, "Leisure kit" below), then those work best for me. If you go for the current Elmarit 28, Summilux 50, and Elmarit 90, then you will only have to carry one filter size, as they all use E46. You should always have at least one fast lens in your bag at all times. I don't yet have a Summilux, but the Summicron 50 is wonderful wide open at f2.0. Others like the 21/35/90 combination, and this is what I started with in my M system. But I eventually learned that I was a closet 50mm user, a focal length I'd spurned years ago. Now for the long answer... I rarely carry two M6 cameras at a time. In general, these are my standard equipment configurations for work and play, not including small accessories. It's taken me some time to arrive at the combinations of gear that work for me and are reasonably light to carry. The "working kit" below essentially has two complete systems (RF and SLR), so it's very redundant - even more so than with just a spare body. With the working kit, I usually pack spare M6 and Canon SLR bodies in my check baggage, along with the 2.8/300 Canon tele and the Mamiya 7, depending on the shoot. If I carry a spare at all with my leisure kit, it is the little CL, which would get me through in a pinch, if the M6 became unusable for some reason. Sometimes, after a long day of shooting, it's just nice to go out with the CL and take it easy, but with the knowledge that the quality is there. That Rokkor is an outstanding lens besides being tiny and relatively fast. I use the R6.2 with the 35-70 Elmarit and 24 Elmarit for hiking. The camera fits perfectly in my small LowePro waistpack with either lens mounted, and I find that the utility I get from longer teles on nature hikes is rarely worth the weight and trouble. The 35-70 does a respectable job at macro, which I find is very useful when hiking. The usefulness of the 24mm for hiking/climbing goes without saying. Everyday: - -- Leica CL with 2.0/40 Rokkor Leisure travel kit (Domke F-803 satchel) - -- M6 .72x - -- 2.8/28 Elmarit - -- 2.0/50 Summicron - -- 2.8/90 Elmarit - -- CL with 2.0/40 Rokkor - -- Vivitar 2800 auto thyristor - -- Lumiquest Pocket Bouncer - -- Bogen tabletop tripod Working kit (Domke J1) - -- M6HM .85x - -- 2.8/21 Elmarit ASPH with finder - -- 1.4/35 Summilux ASPH - -- 2.0/90 APO Summicron ASPH & - -- Canon EOS1n - -- 2.8/17-35L - -- 2.5/50 macro - -- 2.8/70-200L - -- 1.4x converter - -- Gitzo 1220 carbon fiber triopd/Foba miniball/Stroboframe quick release - -- Canon 540EZ strobe with off-camera TTL cable - -- Lumiquest Pocket Bouncer Hiking kit (LowePro Off Trail) - -- Leica R6.2 - -- 4.0/35-70 Elmarit - -- 2.8/24 Elmarit - -- Vivitar 2800 autothyristor Hope this helps rather than confuses! - --Jim