Favourite walkabout lens on RF

[BlueFairy]

Hi,

Just curious about what other RF users are using on their RFs as their regular walkabout lens and what camera are you using?

Cheers

 

[artspraken]

Choice of lens depends:

i. what focal length

ii. what type of photography

iii. what is crop factor on your camera (eg. M8 is 1.3 crop factor, M9 is FF)

if "walkabout lens" means street photography, then you are mainly choosing between 50mm or 35mm focal length. 50mm is more inclined towards portrait, whereas 35mm is more inclined towards landscape. Both are widely used for street photography. The difference is about 2 steps forward/back. If you can overcome this 2 steps difference with your feet, either will do fine.

WHAT FOCAL LENGTH TO BUY

• To achieve 50mm focal length, you need 35mm lens (M8) or 50mm lens (M9, M4, M6, MP), depending on your camera.
  
• To achieve 35mm focal length, you need 28mm lens (M8) or 35mm lens (M9, M4, M6, MP), depending on your camera.

WHAT BRAND TO BUY
After you know what focal length lens to buy, you then need to decide what brand to buy. Generally, price range from most expensive to least expensive in the order of Leica, Zeiss, Voigtlander. The difference in quality is debatable - I find most of the time the main consideration is the "character" more than the "quality". All 3 brands give better quality than most commercial grade lenses out there for DSLRS. To judge what "character" of lens is good for you, look at http://www.flickriver.com and look at images based on "lens explorer".

NEW OR USED
After you decide what brand to buy, you should decide whether to buy brand new or buy used (2nd hand).

You should find that brand new lenses are usually either out of stock or priced at a premium.

Used lenses are usually a good bargain because (i) most people keep their lenses well and (ii) used lenses cost less; and (iii) retain value better. In worst case scenario, if used lens is dirty, just send for CLA costs about approx 250 bucks.

good luck

 

[baboonish]

Hi,

Just curious about what other RF users are using on their RFs as their regular walkabout lens and what camera are you using?

Cheers

I use the 35mm and 50mm on the M6 (full frame) to shoot strangers/street sightings etc

Personally I feel I'm more comfortable with the 50mm as i can shoot from a considerable safe distance.. I get negative expressions from people sometimes when I shoot too near and get discovered.

I used the 35mm for crowded places such as buses/mrt stations/ malls where a 50mm couldnt cover enough contents which it permits.

Just my two cents.

 

[digitalxd1]

I prefer 35mm on M9

 

[Royale With Cheese]

I used mainly 35mm. I love going up close & personal with my subjects.

Try 50mm if you are not comfortable getting close.

 

[artspraken]

I also feel that "walkabout lens" no need to have too big aperture. I think F2.0 or F2.5 is enough liao (ie. Summicron and Summarit). Also F2.0 is more forgiving. In fact, if you do zone focusing, I think you will use F8.0 and above most of the time.

F0.95 and F1.4 lenses abit overkill for street photography I feel. Big apertures more for portrait bokehs.

 

[Royale With Cheese]

I also feel that "walkabout lens" no need to have too big aperture. I think F2.0 or F2.5 is enough liao (ie. Summicron and Summarit). Also F2.0 is more forgiving. In fact, if you do zone focusing, I think you will use F8.0 and above most of the time.

F0.95 and F1.4 lenses abit overkill for street photography I feel. Big apertures more for portrait bokehs.

Actually F1.4 still alright, the lens still generally quite small & compact. Good for day & night if you are bringing only one lens out.

Anything bigger than F1.4, is just too heavy to carry around imho.

 

[mamypoko]

I shoot mostly at night (work takes up a lot of time), so fast lenses (f1.4 and faster) for me.