In a improvement that has shocked completely nobody within the photographic group, it seems that an outdated proverb has quietly developed for the trendy age.
“A change is as good as a rest” is all nicely and good for civilians, however for photographers? It’s lacking the essential element: the change should contain a brand new lens. Preferably a Leica. Ideally bought in December, when the times are quick, morale is shorter and your creativity is someplace below a blanket whispering, “Wake me up in April!”
Every winter, the identical factor occurs. The temperatures drop, the sunshine disappears earlier than you’ve even completed your lunch, and immediately the thought of leaving the home with a digital camera appears like signing up for an endurance sport.
Most photographers I know (myself included) enter this quiet, reluctant hibernation – a sort of creative slowdown that feels equal parts guilty and necessary. And I’ve always championed the idea that taking a break from shooting can be a genuinely healthy thing. A rest. A recharge. A step back to reset your eye.
But this Christmas, I discovered something far more effective than rest. Something scientifically calibrated, in the loosest sense, to reignite enthusiasm, reawaken dormant creativity, and get you out of the house again, even if the wind could cut you in half. And that something is, of course, a new lens.
Enter the Leica 35mm Summarit f/2.5: a compact, unassuming little gem that has done more for my photography mood than any amount of mulled wine, peppermint bark or cosy evenings watching YouTube gear reviews. This lens didn’t just nudge me out of my winter slump; it practically grabbed me by the collar and said, right, enough. We’re going shooting.
And I’ll be honest: this wasn’t my first attempt at reigniting the spark. I initially bought the Leica 28mm f/2.8 Elmarit-M V3, a wonderful lens in its own right. Optically beautiful, characterful, the kind of glass many people swear by.
But when paired with my beloved 50mm, the two focal lengths just didn’t feel right together. It was like introducing two friends and immediately realizing they have nothing to talk about. I admired the 28mm, but I didn’t love it. Not in the way you need to love a lens you plan to use as your “wide”.
So, like any reasonable, budget-conscious, disciplined photographer… I bought another lens.
The 35mm Summarit wasn’t just a purchase – it was a revelation. The moment it clicked onto my camera, I realized this was the focal length I’d been missing without ever acknowledging it. A comfortable step wider than my preferred 50mm, without straying into the disorienting territory of a true wide-angle.
It felt natural. It felt intuitive. It felt, dare I say, effortless – exactly what you want in winter when effort is already in short supply.
And even though I’ve only taken a handful of Christmas and holiday snaps with it so far – twinkling lights, festive family moments, the usual seasonal clichés – I already know that this lens is going to be a permanent fixture in my kit.
It disappears into the camera in the best way, enabling me to shoot instinctively, without hesitating, without overthinking. The 35mm focal length is a storyteller’s dream, perfect for capturing the rhythm of everyday life – the kind of scenes that are easy to ignore until suddenly they’re framed beautifully through a Summarit.
Honestly, if 35mm is good enough for Matt Stuart, it’s definitely good enough for me. And if a man who has made a career out of the 35mm’s quirky, energetic charm swears by it, then who am I to argue? I’m simply following in excellent footsteps – and feeling happily re-inspired because of it.
So, if you find yourself feeling unmotivated and curled up indoors while your camera gathers dust, don’t worry. A break is a good thing. A rest is healthy. But a new lens? Well, that might be the seasonal miracle you’ve been waiting for. Because sometimes, a lens truly is as good as a rest.