M9 or M8.2 and wait for new Summilux 35

[63strat]

My favorite general purpose field of view is 35mm on a full frame camera. That said, here's my question:

After having had my M8.2 for almost a year and a half with a 50/1.4 Summilux and a 28/2.8 Elmarit, I've found that I need the speed of my 50mm, but it's not wide enough on the M8.2. I'd be happier with it on the full-frame M9. The FOV with Elmarit 28 is right for me, but it's not fast enough.

I could wait for the rumored 35/1.4 Summilux with the M8.2, but that could be a while (still wouldn't be quite the FOV for me, but better).

When the M9 was introduced, I was initially thinking that I'd wait for a model that may have an upgraded processor to more quickly handle the larger megapixel count of the M9. Many people feel it's much slower than the M8.2 in that regard. (I'd be curious to get more feedback on this.) But given how long it's taken to get any M9s delivered in any quantity at this point, I think chances of anything new such as an upgraded M9 is pretty far off.

So my choice is either to keep my M8.2 and wait for a Summilux 35 or get an M9 now and work with field of view with Summilux 50 until I can eventually get the new Summilux 35. If the Summilux is truly a month away I'd wait, but I'd bet we don't see it until after summer.

Any thoughts appreciated.

[Jeff S]

Another option...trade the 28 Elmarit for a 28 Summicron asph...great lens, and renders more like 50 Summilux asph than the Elmarit.

Jeff

[swamiji]

Where can you get a M9 now?

I find the 24mm Lux and a M8 a great combination, or 35mm Lux and a M9 a great combination.

[luigi bertolotti]

Only a matter of budget and real need-desire for Full Frame...

1) Are you comfortable with your M8.2 ? Perfect solution is a Summilux 24... which you surely won't throw away if and when you'll someday get a FF, be it M9 or "the next"... 24 is fantastic on M8 format: better than 35 on FF, imho.
2) Do you really want FF NOW ? No Lux 24, order M9 and wait for Summilux 35... it will arrive someday this year, I think.

[63strat]

Originally Posted by swamiji

Where can you get a M9 now?

I find the 24mm Lux and a M8 a great combination, or 35mm Lux and a M9 a great combination.

I guess nowhere! Had no idea they were still this hard to get...

I think the 24 might be too wide for me when I eventually have it on an M9 though.

[63strat]

Originally Posted by luigi bertolotti

Only a matter of budget and real need-desire for Full Frame...

1) Are you comfortable with your M8.2 ? Perfect solution is a Summilux 24... which you surely won't throw away if and when you'll someday get a FF, be it M9 or "the next"... 24 is fantastic on M8 format: better than 35 on FF, imho.
2) Do you really want FF NOW ? No Lux 24, order M9 and wait for Summilux 35... it will arrive someday this year, I think.

I'm happy with the M8.2. Of course I could use the extra stop with the M9, but I can pretty much do everything with my 50/1.4, so I'm leaning towards a wider faster lens over the M9 for now, especially given how hard they are to get. But no one knows when the new Sum 35/1.4 is due, and how hard it'll be to get...

[Jeff S]

Hence my recommendation. The M9 only has frame lines to 28, and the Summicron beats your Elmarit by a stop (and by draw), then add another stop via M9 performance. Plus, it's a far less expensive solution, with trade. And it's available now. Ok, twice is enough.

Jeff

[63strat]

Originally Posted by Jeff S

Hence my recommendation. The M9 only has frame lines to 28, and the Summicron beats your Elmarit by a stop (and by draw), then add another stop via M9 performance. Plus, it's a far less expensive solution, with trade. And it's available now. Ok, twice is enough.

Jeff

Yeah, I thought about getting that lens when I got the Elmaritm, and I should have. It's a good suggestion, especially considering how difficult a new Summilux 35 will be to get, even if they do announce it soon.

[cheewai_m6]

Originally Posted by 63strat

Yeah, I thought about getting that lens when I got the Elmaritm, and I should have. It's a good suggestion, especially considering how difficult a new Summilux 35 will be to get, even if they do announce it soon.

it's probably ready now, but they're just making enough to get a stock pile for when they do release it. when i say stock pile, maybe about 27.

[swamiji]

Originally Posted by 63strat

I think the 24 might be too wide for me when I eventually have it on an M9 though.

That was a concern of mine, but the 24mm on a M9 has it's uses. When I went to the Chinese New Years celebration, I found the 24mm on the M9 great. The closer the better. The 24mm on the M9 is happiest in dense crowds.