Lightweight lenses for M8

[ashapiro]

Although not new to rangefinders (Contax G2), I am relatively new to the M8. I am going to Berlin and London in a little over a month and would like some advice on lightweight lenses to take. I have the Tri-Elmar (28-35-50), CV 35 Ultron, CV 50 Nokton. The problem is severe arthritis in my right wrist and the T-E weighs considerably more than the CVs and opens only to f4. What would you suggest? Are there other lenses you would recommend?

On a completely unrelated topic, given a full or nearly full memory card, is it better to delete the images or reformat the card (after transferring to a storage device) or doesn't it matter?

[dseelig]

Always better to reformat the card. I have heard the voigtlander 25 is really nice and lightals the voigt 15 is pretty good and light. I have the 28 f2 summicron nice and light for me the zeiss 50 f2 is also a very good lens David

[stunsworth]

The Voiglander 15/21/25mm lenses are all tiny and excellent if you can accept their relatively small maximum aperture. I own all three.

The 21 and 25 both take 39mm filters.

[wattsy]

I experimented with the diminutive 28/F2.8 ASPH not too long ago. In my opinion this is the kind of size that M lenses should be (and at 180g it is the lightest current Leica made M lens). If you like sharp and contrasty, I highly recommend this lens. (Unfortunately, I prefer the look I get from the much less ergonomically satisfying 28 'cron.)

[tbarker13]

The CV 35 2.5 PII is a wonderful lens and just tiny.
I recently spent a couple of weeks in Scotland and wanted a very light-weight kit for hikes, etc.
I settled on a CV15 (again, very light), the CV35, and 90 macro elmar. But most of the time, I ran around with the 35 on the camera.

[hdrmd]

The 35mmm F2.0 Summicron is very small and about as good as it gets in a lens. DR

[cocker]

I've just got a collapsible 50mm 2.8 Elmar (latest version that can be used on the M8) and am very pleased with it - not only light but compact.

[dfarkas]

28 Elmarit ASPH
35 Cron ASPH
50 Cron
90 Macro-Elmar

Also, the new Summarits look to be very small.

[marknorton]

Originally Posted by cocker

I've just got a collapsible 50mm 2.8 Elmar (latest version that can be used on the M8) and am very pleased with it - not only light but compact.

Yes, if this lens' days are numbered, I might just have to do it to catch one. Is it the smaller than the 28 f2.8 when collapsed?

[svenb]

while in London go to Holland and Barrett and get some Glucosamine/MSM complex; it keeps my arthritis at bay.

[cocker]

Originally Posted by marknorton

Yes, if this lens' days are numbered, I might just have to do it to catch one. Is it the smaller than the 28 f2.8 when collapsed?

Yes Mark - it is visibly smaller than the Elmarit.

[fordfanjpn]

Originally Posted by tbarker13

The CV 35 2.5 PII is a wonderful lens and just tiny.

I second that. The 35 is one of the first lenses I bought for my M8, and it's still one of my favorites. It will be going with me to Vermont and LA next month.

Bill

[ashapiro]

Thank you one and all for your suggestions and for taking the time to give them to me.

Arthur

[Jack_Flesher]

The new 28 Elmarit Asph is TINY. Also it's effectively a 37 when used on the M8, a good all-around single focal.

I always re-format cards in the camera after uploading the images to my hard drive.

Cheers,

[johnll]

I have the CV 28/3.5, 35/2.5 ("classic") and 50/2.5. They are all fine lenses and very small and light.

[Iron Flatline]

Originally Posted by Jack_Flesher

The new 28 Elmarit Asph is TINY. Also it's effectively a 37 when used on the M8, a good all-around single focal.

I always re-format cards in the camera after uploading the images to my hard drive.

Cheers,

Ditto.

[guy_mancuso]

I'm very religious about this format your cards in camera after uploading to computer. Also use a card reader not your bloody 5 k camera to be a go between.

[sharookh]

Originally Posted by cocker

Yes Mark - it is visibly smaller than the Elmarit.

Keith -

Is there a physical difference between this version as opposed to the mid- nineties version apart from the 6 bit encoding? I own one of the mid-nineties version and am apprehensive of using this on my M8. Can any one shed light on this?

Best
Sharookh

[cocker]

Originally Posted by sharookh

Keith -

Is there a physical difference between this version as opposed to the mid- nineties version apart from the 6 bit encoding? I own one of the mid-nineties version and am apprehensive of using this on my M8. Can any one shed light on this?

Best
Sharookh

Sharook,

My understanding is that the current Colapsable 50mm Elmar M was introduced in 1994. This is the one that is still available but now of course with 6 bit coding. Mine is from 1998 and collapses on my M8 with no problems.

[MP3]

Day lens - Red Dial Elmar or Elmar 50/3.5 or CV25 (the last M-mount CV25 may need John Milich to mill up the 6-bit hole on your lens flange)

Night lens - 28 Cron or 35 Pre-asph Lux