Do I Need tele lens?

[deepdiver]

After using M9 for about 2 months, now I have a question to my self that I can't answer it alone.
I need some advises from all the members here.

When i was using Nikon, I really love using Tele lens to take pics of my friends, such as 85mm or 135 - 200mm.
Now, with M9, I dont have any tele lens at all.
I can't afford it at the moment.
the longest lens that I have is lux 50/1.4

I'm using this lens almost exclusively for portrait shots / full body.
Please take a look at some of my pictures :

my new friends :
(all taken with lux 50/1.4 @F1.4)

Now i get used to it already.... I'm not sure if i need tele lens anymore for portrait shots anymore
main reasons:
1. tele lens is not easy to focus on M9 + I need to buy 1.4x eyepice = more money.

2. I need to buy a new tele Lens = More money


Can anyone please advice me, why should I get 85mm Zeiss or 90 Leica.

Thank You

Andree

 

[panda81]

hi andree!

for myself, i decided that i will not shoot anything in the tele range with the M9 because i want to use the M9 for capturing more environmental, candid style shots. i really like using wider angle lenses for those types of photos, so i think the longest lens i will have for the M9 will be 50mm. on the other hand, like you, i still kept my D700. i want to use my D700 for more set-up portrait types of photos, and i ended up keeping more of my tele lenses with the D700. the widest lens i have with the D700 actually is 50mm, but that's only a coincidence, and i still plan on picking up another wide angle lens for my D700 sometime.

good luck forming your kit! sometimes i think looking for lenses is just as fun as using them to take photos

by the way, beautiful photos as usual! wish i had friends who could also be my models too!

 

[deepdiver]

Hi panda81!

Hahhaha, I'm kinda agree with u.
Using 50mm on M9 is already tough (IMHO)
I prefer 35mm on my M9 as my standard lens I dunno why, but I enjoy 35mm more on rangefinder camera compare to 35mm on DSLR.

 

[jaapv]

If you have to ask the question the answer is no :salute:

 

[deepdiver]

If you have to ask the question the answer is no :salute:

hhahahaha, thx Jaapv

 

[Brian S]

I use a 1.25x magnifier on my M8, do not have any problems with the Nikkor-P 10.5cm F2.5 on it.

Close-up and wide-open.

Used it at a wedding recently, was able to photograph the bride and groom from a stand-off.

This lens was under $300. used of course. Mint glass.

 

[jonoslack]

Hi Andree
Jaap has a good point. But you shouldn't be worried about using a tele lens. Focusing with a rangefinder is a skill like any other. You don't need a magnifier to focus with a 75 or a 90, you need practice.
If you love the 50 ' lux you'll certainly love the 75 'cron. Whether you need it is quite a different thing

 

[harmsr]

Nice photos, as always.

I love my 50 Lux ASPH, but prefer to use the 90/2.8 Elmarit for the type of shot you displayed.

Unfortunately, no longer in production but you should be able to find one for a very reasonable price.

I really prefer it for portrait alot over the 90 APO, I also find it a MUCH better lens than it's replacement the 90 Summarit.

Best,

Ray

 

[deepdiver]

Hi Brian : nice shots
I wish i can buy that lens in Indonesia.
Rangefinder Lens are very rare in Indonesia, because not many people use RF camera here.

Hi Jono and Ray : thx for the advises.
I'm sure 75 APO and 90 APO will give me a different looks.
very tempting...
I think It might be better if i try the 90 summarit first. This lens is a lot cheaper compare to APO one
However, i'm not really sure, how big is the different in term of Bokeh.
any experience on both of these lens?

thank you

 

[harmsr]

I have tried all of those.

The 75 is really very similar to the 50 Lux Asph. It is a great 2 lens combo with a 35. However since I really like the 50 focal length, the 75 is just too close & the frame lines (so close) bother me mixed with the 50.

I have never been a fan of the 90 APO. It very clinical to me with sharp transitions.

I also believe you would still be much better served with a used latest version Elmarit vs. a Summarit. The Elmarit is smoother in the focus to out of focus transitions and resolves more detail.

Just my $.02.

Best,

Ray

 

[harmsr]

Ps. I forgot to mention that the 90 Elmarit is also a short throw easy focus lens.

 

[K3N]

Andree,

It depends if you're happy with composing and framing with the 50mm 1:1.4. I think you compose well with the 50mm.

You can get much tighter close-in headshots with the 75mm cron because of its higher reproduction ratio. It'll also have a different look to the 50mm due to perspective..

Reproduction ratio for Leica 75mm cron is 1:7, 90mm cron is 1:9 and 50mm ASPH is 1:11.3. If I'm not wrong the 75mm cron allows for the highest magnification of all Leica lenses besides the 90mm Macro-Elmar F4 1:6.7 without macro adapter and 1:3 with the adapter.

 

[Tim Gray]

Get a 90 if you like shooting that focal length. You don't have to spend the big bucks. Look for a 90/2.8 Elmarit. Reportedly very good and not too expensive.

Personally, I'd skip the 75 if you already have a 50. Focal lengths are way too close for my tastes.

 

[deepdiver]

Thx for all the advices guys
Yes, i think I might try 90mm lens.
If i have some extra cash, I will get summicron
otherwise, summarit should be OK