anonimo2003 Posted April 3, 2014 Share #1 Posted April 3, 2014 Advertisement (gone after registration) I finally made the big and feared step, I left the world of SLR to Leica. Since I am not very practical modus operandi of the rangefinder, I bought an M8 in fair condition without spending a fortune. Now I have to take a proper optical and immediately thought of a Voigtlander Nokton 40 mm/F1, 4, but looking around I found with the addition of something more than the Leica Summicron 50 mm/F2; which one of the 2? Especially which Summicron model and which Year? There are a 5 model!!! Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted April 3, 2014 Posted April 3, 2014 Hi anonimo2003, Take a look here M8 first lens. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
earleygallery Posted April 3, 2014 Share #2 Posted April 3, 2014 I finally made the big and feared step, I left the world of SLR to Leica. Since I am not very practical modus operandi of the rangefinder, I bought an M8 in fair condition without spending a fortune. Now I have to take a proper optical and immediately thought of a Voigtlander Nokton 40 mm/F1, 4, but looking around I found with the addition of something more than the Leica Summicron 50 mm/F2; which one of the 2? Especially which Summicron model and which Year? There are a 5 model!!! Don't forget the crop factor. A 50mm = 65mm on the M8. The framelines don't include a 40mm equivalent so you will have to use guesswork with that lens. I would personally suggest a 35mm if you want a 'standard' lens first, which equates to approx. 45mm. If you can't afford a Summicron or Summarit, the Voigtlander Skopar is a superb little 35. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
anonimo2003 Posted April 3, 2014 Author Share #3 Posted April 3, 2014 Don't forget the crop factor. A 50mm = 65mm on the M8. The framelines don't include a 40mm equivalent so you will have to use guesswork with that lens. I had already thought about this problem; I immediately thought about the 40mm that whit the crop would be 53mm If you can't afford a Summicron or Summarit, the Voigtlander Skopar is a superb little 35. It's not a spending problem, within certain limits, but the prices change depending a lot on the model and the year and I do not know where and when (year)is better to spend money. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
earleygallery Posted April 3, 2014 Share #4 Posted April 3, 2014 Well, there's no 'best' option, although a more recent lens is less likely to have issues with things like haze and internal dust, but that said it's cheap to have a lens serviced. Later lenses will probably be more contrasty than earlier lenses, it's really a question of what you want. Why not visit a dealer with your camera and try some out? Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
anonimo2003 Posted April 3, 2014 Author Share #5 Posted April 3, 2014 Why not visit a dealer with your camera and try some out? Is the next thing I wanted to do, only that many sellers offer me a lot of 50 mm and a few 35 mm; and many of the latter are summilux .... and now I wanted to avoid considering the cost and because I'm new to the environment Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Everywhen Posted April 3, 2014 Share #6 Posted April 3, 2014 I've got the Nokton 40mm f1.4 and I really like the lens on the M8. I have the Single Coated version, its sharp but in no way could it be described as a "Neutral" lens, it has a definite character to it. This was one of the reasons I bought it, that and a great deal at Robert White. However, the first lens I bought for the M8 was an Elmarit 28mm V3. I wanted some Leica glass, and this is the lens I most use on my M8, it is really nice, although quite a large lens compared to the Nokton. If funds allow get at least one piece of Leica glass. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Loren Posted April 3, 2014 Share #7 Posted April 3, 2014 (edited) Advertisement (gone after registration) I finally made the big and feared step, I left the world of SLR to Leica. Since I am not very practical modus operandi of the rangefinder, I bought an M8 in fair condition without spending a fortune. Now I have to take a proper optical and immediately thought of a Voigtlander Nokton 40 mm/F1, 4, but looking around I found with the addition of something more than the Leica Summicron 50 mm/F2; which one of the 2? Especially which Summicron model and which Year? There are a 5 model!!! The least expensive option is a used lens. Do not forget that the M8 crop factor is 1.33, so multiply that number by the focal length to get the apparent focal length. I would start with either a 28mm or 35mm as both have supporting frame lines and will make your getting acquainted experience with a rangefinder a little less complicated. 35mm is the cheapest. The Voigtlander 35mm f/2.5 is the least expensive at $410 US new. Voigtlander makes a 35mm f/1.4 for $630 US new. Voigtlander makes a 28mm f/2 for $630 US new. Zeiss is the next step up in IQ, but you pay more, too. I got a Zeiss 28mm f/2.8 Biogon used for $850 that is stunningly sharp as my first lens. This after renting a few lenses and looking at a lot of reviews, but I am now looking at getting 35mm for more reach as my next lens. Many people also claim the Summicron-C 40 is an excellent lens for the price. You will need to guess the FOV as their is no frame line for it. Do not forget that every lens needs a UV/IR cut filter when used on the M8, so factor that into the cost. B&W makes them for about $50 - $60 US and that is about half the cost of the Leica version. Lastly, look up lens coding for the M8. You need to understand this. Congratulations on your new purchase! Edited April 3, 2014 by Loren 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
earleygallery Posted April 3, 2014 Share #8 Posted April 3, 2014 A good option could be the Summicron 40mm (for the Leica CL). They're quite affordable. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
anonimo2003 Posted April 3, 2014 Author Share #9 Posted April 3, 2014 (edited) Zeiss is the next step up in IQ, but you pay more, too. I got a Zeiss 28mm f/2.8 Biogon used for $850 that is stunningly sharp as my first lens. This after renting a few lenses and looking at a lot of reviews, but I am now looking at getting 35mm for more reach as my next lens. In a shop I found on sale with a 2 year warranty 35/2 BIOGON T * ZM BLACK, which is the difference to your?? In the same shop I also found a model equal to yours; the price difference is minimum : $ 922 for the f2 and $ 757 for the f2.8 Edited April 3, 2014 by anonimo2003 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Loren Posted April 3, 2014 Share #10 Posted April 3, 2014 In a shop I found on sale with a 2 year warranty 35/2 BIOGON T * ZM BLACK, which is the difference to your?? In the same shop I also found a model equal to yours; the price difference is minimum : $ 922 for the f2 and $ 757 for the f2.8 The difference is focal length, but both are excellent lenses. The 35mm f/2 has a wider aperture, which gives you the potential for a slightly shallower depth of field and better low light advantage by 1 F-stop. I chose the 28mm because the effective focal length is 1.33 * 28mm = 37mm, which is close to the classic 35mm focal length used since the dawn of cameras. A 35mm Biogon is 1.33 * 35mm = 47mm, which is close to 50mm. 50mm is also a very good walk around lens focal length. If you look at all the digital cameras out there that have a fixed focal length lens attached to them they all are very close to 35mm effective focal length (i.e., Leica X1, X2, Fuji X100. X100s, Sony RX1…) So, I personally would lean toward the 28mm, but getting a 35mm lens is a close second. Your needs/wants may be different. In the USA you can rent lenses, which is what I did when I got my M8 before I purchased a lens. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wda Posted April 3, 2014 Share #11 Posted April 3, 2014 For a first lens I would try and buy a lens already coded for recognition in the M8 body. There is a wide choice available so bide your time and get a good specimen. As a principal lens, it is likely to see more work in your hands than later lenses bought. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Loren Posted April 3, 2014 Share #12 Posted April 3, 2014 For a first lens I would try and buy a lens already coded for recognition in the M8 body. There is a wide choice available so bide your time and get a good specimen. As a principal lens, it is likely to see more work in your hands than later lenses bought. Coding a lens is very easy. It may seem a little confusing at first, but this link explains it very well and provides templates to DIY. All you need is a template, which you can print on your printer, an Exacto knife, and a black Magic Marker. I would not restrict your search to only coded lens, particularly when someone is itching to get started with their new camera. Also, coding is not absolutely necessary and can be done at any time. A UV/IR cut filter is more important, in my opinion. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Everywhen Posted April 3, 2014 Share #13 Posted April 3, 2014 Coding is not that important IMO but a coded mount from eBay can sort that out very cheaply. I put one on my Elmarit 28mm and it works just fine. IR\UV filters are only required if you are going to shoot colour and the Rocolax filters from eBay work just fine and cost a fraction of the Leica or B+W versions. If you shoot mainly B+W, the M8's strength, you don't' t need the filters as the M8's heightened IR sensitivity helps the images. Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
DirkB17 Posted April 3, 2014 Share #14 Posted April 3, 2014 Don´t think too much about the first lens. Sooner later you will end up with two, three, four or even more. That´s basically the idea of an interchangeable lens camera. And its fun too. I started with the 35 Summarit which I really may recommend. But now I am in love with my 28 Summicron. That's a fantastic combination! Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Photoskeptic Posted April 4, 2014 Share #15 Posted April 4, 2014 When I bought the M8 I already had a 50 Cron which I was using on my M3. After an aborted trial with a CV 35 I bit the bullet and bought a new 35 Cron ASPH. It was simply awesome on my original M8 for three years. Easily paid for itself with print sales. When the M8 left so did the 35. Today my tastes have changed and I don't use a 35 focal length on anything. I have a trinity of 24, 50 & 75 for the M8.2. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
anonimo2003 Posted April 4, 2014 Author Share #16 Posted April 4, 2014 Thank you all for the answers; I coming from the world of SLR (as the last camera I had a Canon 5D Mark II) and 'm not very practical for Leica's lenses because I have always used Canon (24-105 f4, 50mm 1.4 and 85mm 1.4) and I did not want to get lost in a new world as I had done in the Canon's. I know 'that the lenses as you can buy as you can sell, but I would not make a wrong choice because Leica lenses are not cheap .... You may explain the various differences that exist between Leica lenses produced in Germany and Canada? Leitz Wetzlar branded models are different from the Leica? Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Everywhen Posted April 4, 2014 Share #17 Posted April 4, 2014 No difference between Germany and Canada. Lenses made by either factory are superb. I'll put on my flame-proof coat Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
luigi bertolotti Posted April 4, 2014 Share #18 Posted April 4, 2014 The above quoted Summicron 40 is perfect for a Genovese... One of the best normal for M8... and the cheapest Summicron one can find...... Just a bit of care to find the Uvir filter... Summicron 40 has an "odd" mount... Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
anonimo2003 Posted April 4, 2014 Author Share #19 Posted April 4, 2014 The above quoted Summicron 40 is perfect for a Genovese... One of the best normal for M8... Yes Genovese people "braccini corti":D:D I found one, but from the photos it seems there is dust inside; I've found only 6 bits used Summarits (35-50-75) and a good 28 f2.8 Elmarit 6 bits .... with prices quite interesting, about € 400 less than the new ... or Summicron 50mm f2 type 3 or type 4 just under 1000 € Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
luigi bertolotti Posted April 4, 2014 Share #20 Posted April 4, 2014 Yes Genovese people "braccini corti":D:DI found one, but from the photos it seems there is dust inside; I've found only 6 bits used Summarits (35-50-75) and a good 28 f2.8 Elmarit 6 bits .... with prices quite interesting, about € 400 less than the new ... or Summicron 50mm f2 type 3 or type 4 just under 1000 € Based on the above findings (and supposed they are from trustable dealers...is better not to risk with your first Leica lens) my advice is: 1) summarits 35+75 : i have the 75, and is a fantastic lens and an excellent focal on M8 2) summicron 50 any , for the simply golden rule in the leica world "you'll never regret to have bought a 'Cron 50" 3 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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