Take Better Photos Episode 6 - Lenses

This the the recording of a live webinar from 3 November 2021 in which Nick Rains discusses the wide range of different types lenses available, how lenses affect the 'look' of your image and why efficient lens choice is such an important consideration.
This discussion is aimed at beginners who are looking to demystify the various numbers and names that describe different lenses.

[@jorgknosels9407]

Best explanation i found on focal lens i saw anywhere. Thanks a lot and please keep uploading!

[@LeicaCameraAustralia]

Thanks, will do!

[@tubedbymiguel]

Thanks for the great video! I’m using both 35mm and 50mm (I shoot street mostly) and I feel they complement each other quite nicely. It’s a combo that suits people who have a look they want to achieve and want to move within that look a bit to introduce nuance without creating a completely different effect.

[@gewglesux]

I am in the same Situation as you. I recently purchased an MP for my street work. Along with that I also purchased a 35 lux and was wondering where to go next.I feel that for street work that 21 might be too wide, while the 50 would be a good fit. I do agree that they are quite close in focal length.

[@robgoodwin6750]

Your videos are always a delight and an education. Thank you.

[@LeicaCameraAustralia]

Glad you like them!

[@ac4pres310]

Thank you so so much Nick, you have a natural talent as a teacher! This is the first video I have watched in the series, very informative and helpful. I love that you are doing these, an incredible arsenal of knowledge available to everyone. Thanks Leica Australia for making this possible! ❤

[@LeicaCameraAustralia]

You're very welcome!

[@tonyvokey7607]

Another great episode Nick, very informative and wonderful shots! Thanks 🙏

[@LeicaCameraAustralia]

My pleasure!

[@garydubberly6608]

Thank you for your clear, concise and thorough discussion of why to choose certain lenses. As an amateur travel photographer I like the versatility of zoom lenses but recently I have been wooed by the wide fast primes. There seems to be magic in these instruments. Thank you for sharing your expertise and artistry.

[@LeicaCameraAustralia]

My pleasure!

[@Narsuitus]

Thanks for a great video. @46:06 My Leica lens set is very similar to what you posted. The 35mm was my first lens, the 90mm was my second, and the 21mm was my third. With these three lenses, I am able to capture about 80% of the images I need with my M6 and M10 rangefinders.

[@paulscr]

Your content is fantastic - thank you. Just bought an m11 + 21sem - getting back into the rangefinder after the m9 a few years back. Loving the challenge of a 21mm, will stick with it for a good while before exploring others (would love a summilux next, debating between 28 and 35)

[@vinyalonde]

Thanks - I find all of your videos helpful. In particular, in this video, you recommend for the SL, as a third lens in a set, the 16-35. I have the 24-90 and the 90-280 and I look forward to adding the 16-35.

[@joseuribe430]

Thanks for all the info. I started street photography with the 50mm but felt restricted. Tried the 28mm but felt ackward getting in close. So I settled on the 35mm. I thing choosing a focal length depends on your personality type. I’m more of an introvert and don’t like stepping into a strangers space

[@happybear5415]

Very good recommendations on lens selection

[@jantonioguzman]

Thank you!!! I’ve learned a lot from this course. Best, Jose

[@LeicaCameraAustralia]

Glad to hear that!

[@Tedwill-home]

Nick, as always, very informative. I started with he 50 Summilux, then the 21 Super Elmar. I took a detour to the SL2 for an upcoming workshop and really love the 24-90 and the 90-280. I also love how my M lenses look on the SL2. For extra wide and astro, I ended up with the Sigma 14-24, that way, I have 14mm to 280mm covered with those three three lenses. I like what you recommend in terms of the different lenses to acquire. I have been on the waiting list for the 35 APO for the M camera. I may sell the 50 when I get the 35 APO. Really appreciate your insight in all your videos. Between your videos and Red Dot, I have learned quite a bit in the last couple of years.

[@LeicaCameraAustralia]

I have been shooting a bit recently with the APO-35-M and it's amazing. The edge 'crispness', or accutance, is quite outstanding - pixel peeping on a retina screen at 200%, it still looks sharp!

[@younesmahrach5143]

As always great video and really very nice, creative and artistic photos. I just have my new Leica Q 2 with very beautiful lens 28mm and it’s my first Leica and I’m very happy with it. Came forme Fujifilm world. I’m training to use this focal length. My habitual lens is 35mm

[@LeicaCameraAustralia]

Good choice!

[@grantmedical]

Nick I can't thank you enough... I use m43 with panasonic-leica lenses... I carry with me a 20mm f/1.7 (40mm FOV) lens as my everyday carry... but when I go out to travel I take only a 15mm f/1.7 (30mm) and a 42.5mm f/1.2 (85mm)... I wish that I had bought a 12mm (24mm) instead of the 30mm as the difference between my 40mm and 30mm is not dramatic enough to warrant carrying both... I also second your recommendation for buying a 24mm, 50mm and 90mm...

[@LeicaCameraAustralia]

Thanks for sharing

[@eddund6932]

Je suis dans votre situation pour voyager mon G9, l'excellent 20mm et le zoom 12/60 Leica presque parfait.

[@jonlieberman997]

wow, great discussion. I started with a 28 and 50 when I went to the Leica from years with a DSLR with a multitude of lenses. I am enjoying not having the myriad of options

[@wilfredshum3703]

Nice video comparing the various perspectives of those lenses. Any particular items to watch out for when using those wide angle lenses? A follow up video will be much appreciated.

[@LeicaCameraAustralia]

Only that composition is often harder with wide angles because there is so much in the frame to organize.

[@wilfredshum3703]

@@LeicaCameraAustralia Did you use the 18 mm Super Elmar for that amazing picture of the Rock? I am thinking of getting that lens for shooting landscape after seeing your pictures.

[@LeicaCameraAustralia]

Yes. I think it was the 18mm or it might have been the 21mm, I'd have to check. The 18mm is out of production but the 21mm is still available.

[@trisinogy]

Why are Leica lenses so small? Are they slower than other lenses?

[@johnjury7316]

Thank you. CL, SL2, 24-90, 90-280, TL18, 35 f2 & 90 f1.4. Help with “long distance” bird photography? At 280mm with the SL2 I can crop in LR to 800% and the amazing kit gives me a good image. Do you have any suggestions for improving “good”, any suitable third-party long telephoto lens? or do I have to ask Leica to build me a 1600mm f5.6 as a special favour?

[@LeicaCameraAustralia]

Check out the Sigma L mount lenses. I think they do something longer.

[@goldfinch2283]

Very interesting video, Nick; thanks! It is well thought through and very well prepared, with some great images to underline and visualise what you are talking about. Are you ever having workshops in Europe?

[@LeicaCameraAustralia]

Leica Akademie does do workshops in and around Europe. There are Akademies in the UK, Germany, France, Italy etc.

[@goldfinch2283]

@@LeicaCameraAustralia Thanks for getting back to me. Yes I know, I was more thinking if you are doing any workshops in Europe?

[@LeicaCameraAustralia]

Maybe in the future. We have only just been 'allowed' out of Australia!

[@mathewmccarthy9848]

This was a great video. The information was very relevant and got me thinking about how I should be using my kit.....Thank you!!!

[@LeicaCameraAustralia]

You are so welcome!

[@imageofoz3586]

Another great video Nick. My go to lens would have to be the 50mm, makes you work to compose a great image instead on relying on a focal length that distorts the capture to make it interesting.

[@LeicaCameraAustralia]

Whatever lens you choose should be a deliberate, but also creative, choice.

[@jklphoto]

Are lens corrections automatically applied from any L-mount alliance lens to files created within an SL/SL2? I can see the lens is recognized by the camera, but is it being corrected? And if so, are those corrections applied to both JPG and DNG files? Do lens profiles transfer from the lens, or must they be recognized by the camera's firmware?

[@LeicaCameraAustralia]

Lens corrections are always applied. Modern cameras and lenses use a combination of optical and computational corrections to achieve such high quality images. Just now much is done is a closely held secret. As far as I know, these corrections are 'invisible' to the user and are not the same as lens profiles in Lightroom or Capture One. It's a good question and one I plan to find out more about.

[@BackFocus11]

“What lenses should I buy?” He says. ALL OF THEM :-) Leica

[@julioestebanperezescudero6246]

Can you tell apart looking at a print which one was done with a Leica lens or a similar lens from another manufacturer?

[@LeicaCameraAustralia]

If you know what to look for yes, but it can be subtle. Also, it's sometimes not just the end result but the whole process to get to that print that can differ between lenses and cameras. Some cameras and lenses just make it easier to get good results. I find that is true of my Leica gear.

[@andyvan5692]

Nick, with the super_wide angle lenses you omit one, the 16/18/21 zoom lens, so then, the 16 of this lens is the widest lens in the range.

[@LeicaCameraAustralia]

Indeed. I prefer to discuss lenses I have actually used and the WATE is a hard lens to get hold of. But, true, 16mm is the widest available.

[@blazeboy777]

best framelines are in 35mm on a M camera… plus it’s almost only lens that can be one lens combo on a leica… u crop you get cca 50mm, you step back it looks similar to 24mm or 28mm even more. My favorite is 24mm as a focal lenght… but on M camera I have 35mm apo and 35mm fle :S :D

[@LyndonPatrickSmith]

Wonderful talk and images. Thank you.

[@LeicaCameraAustralia]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@joaquimmalatodesousa9527]

Thanks for this video. All the best wishes from Portugal.

[@LeicaCameraAustralia]

Thanks for watching!

[@scloop8365]

This was a great presentation. Thanks.

[@LeicaCameraAustralia]

You're very welcome!

[@carlosm9323]

Amazing video, thanks for sharing and regards from Canada.

[@LeicaCameraAustralia]

Our pleasure!

[@RandomLifeProductions]

I sorted out the Leica sl2s Adaptor problem… might be useful third party adapters sometimes don’t screw in tight enough for the camera to recognise a lens on them… but once right enough works perfectly. Third part m to l adaptors are not the best… get either Leica or a third party Adaptor for around 100 pounds they work better than a cheap one spend ages trying to figure this one out sorted

[@LeicaCameraAustralia]

Good to know, thanks for sharing that info.

[@Wolfloid]

A natural view is nowadays normally considered to be a 43mm, not a 50mm.

[@cameraprepper7938]

I have 45 years of experience with photography, both as a professional and as amateur, there are two focal length that i NEVER use for full frame 24x36mm Cameras, 28mm and 50mm I NEVER use, I always feel those are wrong and either too short or too long, so ANY other focal length than those two, fx 25mm and shorter and 35mm and longer, 45mm and shorter and 55mm and longer ! This year my most used focal length are 21mm, 35mm and 85mm Lenses, a GREAT set of Lenses !

[@shademanirvanipour6870]

You got over £30.000 worth of LEICA lenses

[@nuenn]

I am photographing for about forty years now, since more than a decade with M Lenses. Didn't have seen anything more informative and educational in the past. Even got something new to take away. I hope, I can say a personal "thank you" in 2022 if Australia reopens borders and my plans for cycling across the continent will come true. ... and I'll leave my 35 Summarit at home 😄