Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1999/03/09
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]I would second that recommendation for a newbie (I have both lenses), for the following reasons: 1. The 35 is easier to focus, first, because of the finger tab (some 50s have the tab but it is more awkward to use). In cold weather -- as in Poland right now -- the tab is especially nice since the grease in the 50 tends to bind a bit which makes the focusing ring more difficult to turn, requiring two fingers instead of one. Also, because of the tab, you can more easily focus the 35 with gloves on. 2. At night, the 35 makes the camera a bit easier to hand hold (formula: shutter = 1/lens length), so you can safely use a slower shutter speed. 3. Greater depth of field as mentioned (but also greater distortion -- careful of close-up portraits: big noses, hands, feet!) 4. Makes the camera a bit more pocketable. 5. Less focusing ring travel from 28" to infinity, makes focusing quicker. 6. Greater depth of field, as noted by Dan. 7. More versatile. You can always crop a 35 image that includes too much distraction if you have to. 8. Weighs less. Okay, okay, no big deal here. 9. Rectangular lens hood is cuter. Okay, it's time to stop. Having said all that, I use the 50 much more extensively. Why? I'm always trying to cut through the clutter of urban life. The 50 allows me to be more selective, more personal, more impressionistic, which I favor. It is more challenging to use, but maybe also more rewarding, to me, as a result. Regards, Bruce Feldman Warsaw - ----- Original Message ----- From: D Khong <dkhong@pacific.net.sg> To: <leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us> Sent: Wednesday, March 10, 1999 7:43 AM Subject: Re: [Leica] Need Lens advice, please help! >>Either 50 or 35. I will be doing mostly street shooting, and entirely >>in B&W. I would like to take advantage of the increased DOF of a wide >>angle lens, but then again, this will be my first lens(and only lens, >>until my next bonus) so I suspect a 50 would be more practical. > >For street photography, I would recommend the 35mm. In the Leica >"Emotions 99" calendar, I see a number of nice street photos taken with the >35mm focal length. > >Dan K. >