Ok, so the eternal questions always come up.... which camera, which lens, yadda-yadda-yadda. So what else in new and here we go again :-)
After researching and much gnashing of teeth (including getting my hands on a few options to try them out) I've determined my camera and the likely candidates for a starting lens kit (based on my preferences in MF and 35mm). I would like some feedback on the lenses however so I don't miss anything... particularly on the telephoto end of things. I know it's basically impossible to go wrong with a modern Schneider or Rodenstock, but while I wouldn't trade my Rodenstock loupe for a box of Schneiders, I seem to have a leaning to Schneider lenses. No real reason... but it's there. I'll be doing all sorts of diffferent kinds of shooting from landscapes (although not what might be considered "traditional" landscapes) to kinda-architecture (I'm partial to old abandoned buildings, urban decay, and ruins) to still life work. No macro, but some close-up types of stuff, even some figure studies. As for price, I'm no spendthrift but I'm willing to pay for bang-for-the-buck. My current list is:
Schneider SS-XL 110/5.6
The classic "if I could only have one lens" choice by many people here. A little heavier than the APO-Symmar 120, and double the price, but it seems to be the consensus that the bang-for-the-buck is more than worth it.
Schneider APO-Symmar-L 210/5.6
A good all around lens that gets me longer. Not as much coverage as the 210 XL, but I can't quite get to the $1700 price difference, and the size and weight of the 210 XL? Oof. I just can't quite get to the "bang-for-the-buck". Care to convince me otherwise??
Schneider APO-Tele-Xenar 400/5.6 compact
2 pounds... eh not bad. Price isn't so bad either. This is one I could be talked into something else simply because I'm not as comfortable with the various options in a telephoto design. I want a longer lens, say 400+, but need to have an infinity flange/film-plane distance around or under 300MM. (and this one falls in at about 285mm)
So.... any thoughts? Any other lenses I should consider (especially in the telephoto area)? Sound like a good kit to get rolling with? (I'd probably purchase these over a few months in exactly the order I have them listed here.)
Cheers, D.
Bookmarks