Re: [Leica] Mo' Bettah: The 35mm Summicron

[D Khong <dkhong@pacific.net.sg>]

>>P.S. It is also my opinion--not shared by many on the LUG, I fear--that
>>the fewer lenses you have, the better. If you can get away with one, my
>>hat's off to you; if two, you're in good shape; three (perhaps by adding
>>a 21mm or 24mm to the above set ) and you're on the verge of lens-change
>>inertia and confusion


>Yes, I agree. I have three (15, 35 and 90) but if I carry all three with 
>the intent of using them, i get into rabid indecision all the time. I 
>work best carrying just one or two at a time. I would like a 21 as well, 
>but I'll wait until I think I really need it. 
>
>Godfrey
>

To me the choice is :
          ONE lens only  - 50 Summilux 
          TWO lenses outfit - 35 summicron and 90 elmarit/summicron

Yes, I agree with earlier posts that it takes time to master the use of the
50mm 'normal' lens.  I think those of us who are of the vintage which
started off photography with 50 lens on our first camera are more adept
with its use even till this day.  Then a few years later it was fashionable
to plonk a 35mm lens with a first purchase and that focal length became
'normal' until zooms got into the picture.  Now first time camera purchases
would be considered incomplete without at least a zoom as the primary lens.
 Nobody would now know exactly what focal length one is using when the
current shooting philosophy is, "frame it until you like what you see and
press the shutter."

I like street photography and the 35mm lens is more forgiving of focus
errors compared to the 50mm lens.  The downside with the 35mm is getting
slightly more clutter and junk in the pics which I overcome by cropping in
the darkroom.  

Dan K.
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