Moving from an M8.2 to M9

[steem21]

Hi all,

After purchasing a M8.2 and recently a 24 summilux to go with it, I have the opportunity to perform a few trades of body and other lenses for a M9. I would trade in the M8.2 and 24 Elmarit that I still have, for the M9. The only other lens I have is a 50 Pre-ASPH Summilux. I do like the view and the options that the 24 'lux is giving me with the M8.2. However, I'm worried that the 24 is too wide on the M9 for daily use esp. having to consider using external finders. If I did go with a M9, then I would try to find a cheap 35 'cron or summarit I guess and keep the 24 as a specialist lens. However I have just bought the 24 'lux secondhand and absolutely love it! But the M9 is tempting....

So has anyone got any advice or personal observations about this particular dilemma that I have? When I was asking for advice about whether to purchase the 24 'lux in the M8 forum, someone did say...buy the M9 and use the 24 Elmarit and the 35 'lux and the 50 as Leica intended them to used. Sigh......I've only been in the Leica arena for about 3 months!!!

Steve

[jaapv]

I specifically bought the Summilux 24 over the 21 to use on the future (then) M9. I can only say it is a stellar performer and the second most-used lens on my M9, after the Summilux 50 asph. But then, it all depends on your shooting style.

[steem21]

Thanks Jaap for the quick reply. I do know that you love your 24 'lux! I have been using my M8.2 with the 24 for reportage and landscape and the 50 'lux for detail and portraits. Hmmm...do you mainly have the 50 on your M9 for most purposes?

[jaapv]

I would say, Steve, 50% Summilux 50, 30% Summilux 24 and 20% all kinds of other lenses.

[Mauribix]

Steve,
dunno if this may help you, but then again, the 35lux ASPH was my "always on" lens on the M8 and... it's still my "always on" lens with the M9 (I have the 50lux ASPH as well).
Many other guys experienced the same (Bo Lorentzen too if I'm not wrong), as to say, before selling some lenses (especially your preferred one) wait to use them on the FF, you may find yourself in the same situation as me.

Good luck and enjoy your M9.

[ccmsosse]

Originally Posted by steem21

...The only other lens I have is a 50 Pre-ASPH Summilux. ...buy the M9 and use the 24 Elmarit and the 35 'lux and the 50 as Leica intended them to used.......I've only been in the Leica arena for about 3 months!!!

Great coincidence.
I too have had my first and only Leica for only 3 months (I got the M9 12/23/09) and own a 50 Pre-ASPH Summilux. It is my favorite lens. I use it more than my 35 Cron or 24 Elmarit. The 35 does not give me as wide of a view as the 24 Elmarit and I therefore prefer the 24. Steve Huff said in one of his reviews that one can "gestimate" the 24mm without a specialized viewfinder by using the entire viewfinder - it does somehow work for the most part. So - although I own the 35mm, it is so far my least used lens.

As others have said, it is all a matter of preferences. Why not get the M9, keep the 50 and 24 and see what these lenses do for you - you can always trade or "upgrade" to a 35mm later.

I am actually so intrigued by and in love with the M9, that I bought (all used) the 18mm, 75 summarit, 90 elmarit and 135 Tele-Elmar M. I never had camera insurance either - it even feels great to be in the hole .
I usually only use one or two lenses at a time to learn, practive, play and enjoy. But I love have the options.

[lars_bergquist]

I owned largely every focal length in the book when I bought my M8, except for 75 and 28mm, lengths I did not found particularly useful with the 35 mm format. I did buy them for the M8 however, because with that camera they corresponded to 35 and 100mm, two favourites of mine.

When I got my M9, I sold off the 75mm, but could not bring myself to part with my 28mm Summicron, for two reasons: It is such a splendid optic, and it is the widest lens with a frame in the finder, and thus handy for flash photography. I also sold off a pre-ASPH 21mm Elmarit. Here is the present lineup:

135mm Elmarit-M
90mm Elmarit-M
50mm Summilux-M ASPH
50mm Elmar collapsible v.1 (!)
35mm Summicron-M v.4
28mm Summmicron-M ASPH
25mm Biogon
18mm Distagon

I have owned more glass than this, but have pared down the colllection a bit. I do seldom go out with more than two lenses, nearly always 35+90 or occasionally 28+50mm.

The old man from the Age of the Permanently Screwed-On Single 10.5cm Lens

[scott kirkpatrick]

There's a lot of truth in the old bit advice to never sell a leica lens. But if the 24 on the M8 was comfortable for you, moving to a 35 on the M9 will also be natural. I have more lenses, but find that the 35 summicron or 28 elmarit, small, old-fashioned looking but very crisp, are being used the most on the new body and with the larger frame. I loved the 75 on the M8, and haven't given up on it for the M9, but I just bought a used 135/3.4 apo with some focusing issues, and it may take the place of the 75 once those are resolved.

scott

[Julian Thompson]

Is that 135 front focussing Scott?

[gwelland]

If you found the field of view of the 24 'lux ideal with the M8.2 then I'd say that a swap to a 35 'lux might be the way to go with the M9.

I certainly found that returning to full frame resulted in me going back to the classic focal lengths, particularly the 35 'lux and 50 'lux becoming a lot more used but the 28 'cron has ended up almost unloved these days. Ditto the 75 'cron was sold and my 90 Elmarit-M is now used a lot more too.

You may find the 24 too wide as a general use lens, although it really depends on what & how you shoot. If it's predominately landscape or close in street shooting then it might be ideal - it's all ultimately determined by your preferences.

The 24 'lux would make a great wide angle to go along with the 35 or 50, and in fact I initially used the 24 Elmarit-M myself before I picked up a 21 'lux instead. As a recent 21 'lux convert I can definitely understand any extreme reluctance to letting the 24 'lux go

[larsv]

Steve,

If you were to decide against obtaining the M9, I would love to consider your buying position.

Best regards,
Lars

[scott kirkpatrick]

Originally Posted by Julian Thompson

Is that 135 front focussing Scott?

Yes. Just by a little (a few cm, but it's enough to matter) at close distances likie 1-3 m, but it is not reaching infinity, so when the lens is turned full stop to infinity, distant light poles and construction cranes are very fuzzy. But I saved enough money when I purchased it that it can afford a trip to Solms to get it tuned in. Has anyone had experience with this situation?

scott

[Julian Thompson]

Has anyone had experience with this situation?

Not quite like that - presumably all your other longer length lenses are fine?

[gwelland]

Originally Posted by scott kirkpatrick

Yes. Just by a little (a few cm, but it's enough to matter) at close distances likie 1-3 m, but it is not reaching infinity, so when the lens is turned full stop to infinity, distant light poles and construction cranes are very fuzzy. But I saved enough money when I purchased it that it can afford a trip to Solms to get it tuned in. Has anyone had experience with this situation?

scott

I had this with my 135/3.4 with one of my M8's. When I discussed the subject of calibrating all of my lenses with Don Goldberg (DAG) he made a point of recommending that for the 135mm adjustment it was critical to have both the camera and lens to adjust them correctly.

[jaapv]

I had exactly that with a Tele-Elmar 135. It was quite difficult, but Will van Manen managed to adjust it.

[steem21]

Thank you gentlemen for your thoughts on this matter.

I think the right idea would be to see how I use the 24 'lux on FF and whether I find it too wide. I do get the feeling that my 50 'lux will marry beautifully on the M9. Hmmm....the dealer that has my 35/1.4 for sale would use that lens as well as my M8.2 for a M9 and delivery "may" be in a few months time. Very, very tempting! I knew this Leica road would be a road to ruin (financially!)

[ccmsosse]

Originally Posted by steem21

... I knew this Leica road would be a road to ruin (financially!)

Well said - I can't help but to love the M9 and all my lenses.
Good choice to try the 24 and 50 and then decide..