50mm lens as the main carry around lens?

[Paul Howell]

They both cost roughly the same to produce -- at the same production numbers. But I'd bet significantly more 50s are made than 35s and so the 50s can be sold for less at the same profit margin.

This is true, in the 70 and 80 the 50mm was the kit lens, it was not until the late 80 and 90s that zooms were sold as the kit lens. A lot of 35mm were made, again in the 70s and 80s a number of mail order stores sold a kit, a body with a 35, 50 and 135, I am surprised that I see so many more 28 than 35s.

 

[Sirius Glass]

... I am surprised that I see so many more 28 than 35s.

I am not. 35mm is too close to 50mm to be of much use. 28mm is much more useful than 35mm for wide angle. I wasted money on a 35mm lens and sold it at a big loss to get a 28mm lens. 28mm is perfect for traveling in Europe and street photography.

 

[dynachrome]

If you have a Minolta and use the 35-70/3.5 MD you are not giving up much sharpness. It's a very good lens. I have two of them. When I started taking pictures my first SLR lens was a 57. It was my only lens for a while and I did a lot with it. Over time I favored a 35 as a standard lens. My preference was for an f/1.9 or f/2. When I started collecting many years later I got a 35/1.8 MC Rokkor. Now, all these years later, I seem to be liking the 50 (or near 50) more. For a long walk or hike I might take just a 50-55 macro lens.

 

[ColColt]

I've done my fair share of street shooting and found without a 35 lens I was hampered at what I could do. If you're into primes, and I am, a 50 and a 35 is about superb for that purpose. Else wise, something on the order of a 35-85 zoom would be what I'd use most of the time.

 

[mdarnton]

The question was asked why the 50mm, anyway. The only answer is at the bottom of this page; because this: http://us.leica-camera.com/World-of...-Photography/Leica-100-years/Legendary-Leicas
This wasn't the first 35mm camera, and it wasn't the first with a 50mm lens, but it set the standard that everyone else had to compete with. Quirk of history.
What's really interesting is the various things that were tried before the Leica form stuck:
http://corsopolaris.net/supercameras/early/early_135.html
Lots of 50s in that bunch, regardless of format!

 

[MartinCrabtree]

Ah............Leica. The photographic Harley-Davidson.

 

[MattKing]

Ah............Leica. The photographic Harley-Davidson.

In case you need a soundtrack: https://vimeo.com/26083845

 

[ColColt]

Stepphenwolf?

 

[MartinCrabtree]

I don't need a video. There's a Harley or three out in the garage.

 

[MattKing]

Stepphenwolf?

Actually, Steppenwolf.

Nothing like a good dose of Canadiana.

When I was much younger, my parents invited a guest for dinner who was involved (as they were) with traditional jazz. It turned out that, although he spent his days with traditional jazz, his greatest professional success arose from his involvement choosing and securing the sound track for Easy Rider.

I was impressed with his involvement with that sound track! My parents had no idea what we were talking about!

 

[ColColt]

My younger brother was into Steppenwolf but that was after my time. I have heard it half a dozen times along with "The Pusher". He played that sort of music while I was still listening to Dean Martin and Jim Reeves.

 

[cliveh]

Ah............Leica. The photographic Harley-Davidson.

No, Vincent Black Shadow.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-XEcanCVBt0

 

[MartinCrabtree]

Nope. The Vincent is neither over-rated nor over-priced.