Buying a 50mm when already owning a 28-70mm zoom?

Just to bring everyone onto the same page: I currently own a Leica R4, an R6, and the 28–70mm Vario-Elmar. Yes, the distortion is clearly noticeable — especially at the wide end — but I haven’t drawn any final conclusions yet. I shot a full roll with it at the protests this weekend, so I’ll wait to judge until I’ve seen the results in real-life conditions.

That said, I just added a 50mm Summicron-R (ref. 11216) to the setup. And — please forgive me — I find myself eyeing more R lenses. The system may have its quirks, but there’s something about its feel and balance that keeps pulling me in.

Would love to hear if anyone else went from “just a test roll” to full-blown R addiction.

P.S.: I have no intention of selling the Rs and buying a AF Canon.

Also — I’ll admit it — I’m now tempted by one of the 24mm R wide angles. Fully aware I won’t use it often, and that it’s probably more want than need. But still… the idea of having that field of view in the same Leica R rendering is hard to shake.

Anyone here using the 24mm Elmarit-R just occasionally? Would love to hear whether it's worth owning even if it only gets used two or three times a year.

Paul Howell said:

Konica also made 2 vario type variable focus lens, the 70 to 150 is very sharp, just a pain to use if in a hurry.

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The terms are getting muddy at this point. Perhaps you are thinking of Vari-focal lenses which are zooms, but must be refocused as you zoom. You can set the lens at any focal length. These are different from lenses that are not zooms, but still have more than one focal length. Several were sold under the Soligor, and other labels, like a 28mm & 35mm lens, and 85mm & 135mm lens. The Tri-Elmar is like this.

Vari-focal lenses have benefits, and are known for their sharpness, wide-apertures, price, and other features -- if you don't mind re-focusing all the time.

RezaLoghme said:

please forgive me

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If you are looking to the membership of Photrio for forgiveness for wanting more lenses, you are definitely looking in the wrong place!

xkaes said:

The terms are getting muddy at this point. Perhaps you are thinking of Vari-focal lenses which are zooms, but must be refocused as you zoom. You can set the lens at any focal length. These are different from lenses that are not zooms, but still have more than one focal length. Several were sold under the Soligor, and other labels, like a 28mm & 35mm lens, and 85mm & 135mm lens. The Tri-Elmar is like this.

Vari-focal lenses have benefits, and are known for their sharpness, wide-apertures, price, and other features -- if you don't mind re-focusing all the time.

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+1
I am always surprised there aren't more vari-focal lenses in manufacturer's lens lines.

RezaLoghme said:

Also — I’ll admit it — I’m now tempted by one of the 24mm R wide angles. Fully aware I won’t use it often, and that it’s probably more want than need. But still… the idea of having that field of view in the same Leica R rendering is hard to shake.

Anyone here using the 24mm Elmarit-R just occasionally? Would love to hear whether it's worth owning even if it only gets used two or three times a year.

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The GOAT. Oh, the golden 1990s, lets make R great again!

For clarity if the OP wants a zoom lens that optically is pretty well as good as the 50mm Summicron it is the 35-70mm Vario Elmar f/4 1997-2009 and manufactured by Leica's partner Kyocera. But it's only optically as good at 50mm because it isn't an f/2 lens and many of Leica's sought after characteristics are found in the wider apertures.

The 28-70mm f3.5-f/4.5 is a Sigma lens and not even a Sigma design that Leica have improved upon. Sigma have improved vastly in quality over the years, but back then it was a cheap zoom at best while masquerading in a Leica name. It was intended if you like as a 'kit' lens to get people out the shop with both a body and lens in their hands.

The 21-35 f/4 Vario Elmar 1997-2009 is the sister to the 35-70mm and they make a great pair. Again it's optical quality is very, very close to using primes.

The daddy of them all is the 28-90 f/2.8-f/4.5 ASPH Vario Elmarit which is even better optically and a direct match for all the primes within its reach, but it's expensive.

But given that a late date 50mm Summicron R isn't incredibly expensive it is a good choice. It changes the balance of the camera making it feel lightweight in comparison to a zoom and you get f/2 where the image quality excels (but owning up my photography means I rarely use f/2).

And regarding the mis-information going around the Leica Vario Elmar and Vario Elmarit (but maybe not the Sigma?) are step-less zooms that do not need to be re-focused when zoomed. I have them so I kind of know this for sure.

250swb said:

For clarity if the OP wants a zoom lens that optically is pretty well as good as the 50mm Summicron it is the 35-70mm Vario Elmar f/4 1997-2009 and manufactured by Leica's partner Kyocera. But it's only optically as good at 50mm because it isn't an f/2 lens and many of Leica's sought after characteristics are found in the wider apertures.

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I was unaware that Kyocera produced the 35-70mm f4.0 Vario-Elmar lens -- which very well might have actually been made by Tomioka, which Kyocera acquired when they bought Yashica. Minolta made the earlier 35-70mm f3.5 Vario-Elmar version.