M8+Lux 50 ASPH. what should be the second lense ?

[Olof]

Today i bought the Summilux 50mm ASPH. in silver chrome, I made this choice because I think its a universal highspeed lense and very good for portraits and indoor pictures.

Now i am thinking about what could be lense no.2 ?

- Summicron 35mm ASPH. may be its to close to 50mm (but its silver chromed)
- Elmarit 28mm ASPH. small and nice
- Summicron 28mm ASPH. with a outstanding performance
- Elmarit 24mm ASPH. hmmm is this usefull ???

[cbretteville]

A 28 would be my choice. Probably the new Elmarit for size, weight and cost.
- Carl

Summicron 28mm ASPH. !!!

[marknorton]

Either the 24mm Elmarit or the 28mm Summicron.

[giulioz]

28 summicron!

[carstenw]

28 Cron or 28 Elmarit, depending on whether you are likely to ever use it on film (Cron), and whether you prefer small size (Elmarit) or an extra stop (Cron), and how much money you have (Elmarit).

[bill]

Me, I'd get a LENS...

Regards,

Bill

[Albert4321]

was told 28 summicron is the best Leica M lens ever. I could be wrong, but this is the one I am thinking to get when I have the M8.

[hankg]

The 50 is equivalent to 66.5mm on M8

So I'd get a 21 or 24 which would be like a 28 or 31.

That gives you a wide and a long normal with a good spread in between, good 2 lens kit.

[carstenw]

The 21 requires an external finder, and the 24 framelines are right at the edge of the viewfinder, making them hard to see with glasses and impossible if you use the magnifier. They are also both f/2.8, whereas the 28 Cron is f/2.0.

[Eoin]

Originally Posted by carstenw

The 21 requires an external finder, and the 24 framelines are right at the edge of the viewfinder, making them hard to see with glasses and impossible if you use the magnifier. They are also both f/2.8, whereas the 28 Cron is f/2.0.

I don't know if thats exactly true Carsten, the frame lines in the M8 are a bit conservative at all settings, what I mean by that is the field of view of the lens extends beyond the frame line somewhat in the view finder. I also wear glasses sometimes other times I use the diopter but always I can see beyond the 24 frame lines. I would suggest that the whole visible view finder when looking normaly through it is as close a framing guide for the 21mm as are any of the frame lines for the corresponding lens.

I do however agree that the 1.25X magnifier restricts the view inside the view finder but I would suggest that the function of the magnifier is as an aid for focusing with longer focal lenghts and is not necessarily needed when using a lens such as the 21mm with it's depth of focus.

This is my finding with my eye to the viewfinder and the 21mm elmarit. The margin for framing error is no different than with any other lens. I do understand others may find it differently

[blakley]

Another vote for the 28 Summicron, with 35 Summilux ASPH a close second.

[woodyspedden]

Obviously depends to some degree on what you shoot. If i did a lot of low light work (and I am beginning to trend in that direction) I would pick the 35 lux over the 28 cron. On the other hand, if I was primarily shooting in better light conditions I would probably take the 28 cron. Either of these are phenomenal performers and the choice is thus ultimately dictated by the need. Sadly, like Guy Mancuso, I don't know how to make choices so for the moment i have both. But in the end I can't afford both so one of them will go. If I had to make the choice today, it would be 35 lux and 28 elmarit.

Woody Spedden

[wattsy]

Originally Posted by bill

Me, I'd get a [i]LENS...

Bill, this isn't the first time I've seen you raise the 'how to spell lens' issue here. Personally, I think you have to be careful with this one before you start hectoring people. For many people, English is not their first language (and I think this applies to Olof, the original poster). In any case, I'm not sure 'lense' is actually as incorrect as you seem to assume it is. This particular spelling is clearly not in common usage but the last time I checked the OED (the 20-odd volume set, not the concise version), 'lense' appeared to be a perfectly valid alternative way of spelling the word.

[lars_bergquist]

The 50 'lux is a fabulous lens, not least because of its superior resistance to flare and reflexes. This is why it has replaced my previous Summicron.

Now, Leica '50 mm' lenses are actually c. 52 mm (and has been since Max Berek computed the first one around in 1925). So on a M8 this is equivalent to 69 mm. This does indeed make it an excellent 'people lens', and carrying both a 28 mm and a '50 mm' lens is perfectly reasonable. 35 mm (= 47 mm) is obviously not a good second lens as beeing too close, however superb both ASPH lenses are. I do own the Summilux, and this will be my 'standard lens' for the M8, when it arrives.

If you decide for 28 mm, do by all means go for the Summicron. I love it! Also, this will be your 'use it on everything lens', just like the 35 mm is for me with film, so you will want the extra stop. Also, test reports say that the Elmarit, though very good, is not quite as crisp at 2.8 as the Summicron is. Frankly, I was surprised when the Elmarit was introduced -- I had half expected a 28 mm Summilux! The reasons are probably price and compacness, though nobody could call the Summicron bulky.

The 24 mm is certainly good, and its performance fall-off in the corners will matter little on an M8 because the corners won't show. But what does one use a '32 mm' for? Also, this very peripheral frame will be about like the 28 in a .72x FF finder, and I bought my 28 expressly for the M8. I do in fact prefer to use that lens with a discontinued bright frame accessory finder when on my M4-P.

I would prefer a 21 mm Elmarit and use it with a C/V 28 mm accessory finder -- Leica's present offerings in the field of accessory finders are simply laughable. Comletely impractical.

The old man from the Age of German Brass Cameras

[devils-advocate]

[quote=Olof]To
Now i am thinking about what could be lense no.2 ?
QUOTE]

Olof, you should buy the lens which you miss most.(And at the slowest max aperature your shooting style/subject permits). No one else can tell you what lens fits your vision.

If you don't know what you need/want, buy all of of the CV lenses covering these focal lengths and shoot until you do know. By then you will also know whether you need toh spend the $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ on Leica lenses, and whether you need the super-fast glass or not.

Cheers,

- N.

[ioriw]

It's funny everone is going wild for wide angle right now. Here's a mention for the longer lenses... I was in the same boat as you with an M8 and 50/1,4 ASPH and opted for the 90 f4 Elmar... it isnt too pricey, and gives me a chance to try this focal length on the M8. I love the results and dont notice the lack of speed, just don't take it out of an evening and you won't be disappointed. It makes up for that with its extreme compactness, its great for architectural details or street moments from a more discrete distance. Lets hear it for the longer M glass, now even longer than ever before on the M8. Does that sound like a loo roll commercial?

Love from Leicaland,

Iori
Frankfurt a.M.

[j. borger]

Originally Posted by ioriw

... I was in the same boat as you with an M8 and 50/1,4 ASPH and opted for the 90 f4 Elmar... it isnt too pricey, and gives me a chance to try this focal length on the M8. I love the results and dont notice the lack of speed, just don't take it out of an evening and you won't be disappointed. It makes up for that with its extreme compactness,

Lori,

Would love to see some samples from that lens for non-macro use...... i am in bad need for something longer and more compact than the 75 lux! You have something that fits and you want to share?