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lens array for M8


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I’ve grabbed an opportunity to buy an M6 with six lenses: 15mm Voigtlander, 21mm 2.8 Leica, 35mm f/2 Leica, 50mm f/2 Leica, 90mm f/2 Leica, and 135 f/2.8 Leica. The only problem is that I must have a digital body. So I've proposed a swap to a reliable dealer: the M6 plus two lenses for a clean used M8 body. But I've never used an M8, so I'm unaccustomed to the 1.33 crop factor.

 

Hence my question, to those with M8 shooting experience: which of these lenses should I insist on keeping? I know I should keep the 35mm, but none of the others seems as apt. The 15mm and the 21mm seem too wide, the 50mm seems just awkward, the 90mm and the 135mm seem too long.

 

This outfit would become my main camera system for street shooting, landscape, and people. I've also got a Panasonic LX5 as my go-everywhere camera, and I'll soon buy a DSLR with a big telephoto for wildlife. But I really want this Leica. I've missed my M3 ever since I sold it, and I've finally realized I loathe the interface and handling which come with every DSLR. So I need a little help in sorting out the lens package.

 

And no -- I can't just keep the M6. As fine as that camera is, I've thought the problem through carefully and can't go back to film.

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Bill, welcome to the Forum!

The 35 is a classic for M-photography and equates nearly to a 50. I find the 21 Elmarit very useful on the M8 (28mm equivalent). As you are getting a camera to take longer lenses, I would be inclined to keep the 21 and 50. Both would be useful if you eventually upgrade to M9. However much depends on how you shoot.

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Hello, well for what it's worth I would get rid of the 135mm lens for certain. There is no frame for it in the M8 viewfinder. It really depends on how you shoot but having myself gone from an M6 to an M8 ( like many on this forum I guess ) I tend to want wider lenses so I would keep those. It is always a difficult choice of what to get rid of in your situation but work out the value of what you are offering for the M8 and be sure not to give away too much. For myself I would also loose the 35mm but reluctantly. Best of luck, it's sort of a nice problem to have though!

Paul

www.glendell.co.uk

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I'd trade in the CV 15 and the Leica 135. The remaining four lenses will form a very nice all-purpose kit for the M8, and the M9 if you eventually move up to FF.

 

Regards, Jim

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I'd trade in the CV 15 and the Leica 135. The remaining four lenses will form a very nice all-purpose kit for the M8, and the M9 if you eventually move up to FF.

 

Regards, Jim

 

Ditto. On my M8, I have come to like lenses between 28 and 90.

Edited by ramosa
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I'd trade in the CV 15 and the Leica 135. The remaining four lenses will form a very nice all-purpose kit for the M8, and the M9 if you eventually move up to FF.

 

Regards, Jim

 

And if you need to let a third lens go to fund an M8.2 (which I would recommend due to the lower shutter noise) I would sell the 90 mm too.

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I'd trade in the CV 15

 

I would not do that since this lens is absolutely beautiful and crisp on the M8. Of course is not a lens you will use everyday, but it is outstanding in many situations and its economic value is not that much.

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And if you need to let a third lens go to fund an M8.2 (which I would recommend due to the lower shutter noise) I would sell the 90 mm too.
And end up buying it back some time later...:rolleyes:
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15mm Voigtlander, 21mm 2.8 Leica, 35mm f/2 Leica, 50mm f/2 Leica, 90mm f/2 Leica, and 135 f/2.8 Leica.

I would hang on to the 21 and 35. This gives you a nice 28/50 combo in full frame terms. The 135 is the only lens I would not want to keep. It is a bit long, and M8 lacks framelines for it.

 

I use 15/21/35/50/75/85 with my M8 at the moment, adding a 28 soon. My use of 85 (Canon Serenar) is rather limited. If it was an expensive lens, I would probably sell it.

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The 135 is the only lens I would not want to keep. It is a bit long, and M8 lacks framelines for it.

Incorrect. The 135/2.8 is the goggled lens that brings up the 90 mm framelines. It can even be coded.
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I'd trade away the two extremes, 15 and 135. With my M8 I'm very happy with the combo 24, 50 & 90.

Therefore I think that in your shoes I could be happy by keeping 21, 35, 50 & 90, all of them being exquisite lenses. But that's just me.

 

Cheers,

Bruno

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Incorrect. The 135/2.8 is the goggled lens that brings up the 90 mm framelines. It can even be coded.

Ok, thanks for the correction. I have never seen this lens. It might be worth trying then, although I'm not a big fan of long lenses on rangefinders.

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Don´t under estimate the 50mm!!!

with the crop it turns into a very vesatile lens, great for natural looking portraits and candid street.

 

I second that. Though 66-67mm sounds like a weird focal length, I've been surprised at how much I've used my 50's, a Summarit and a Heliar. Yes, keep it.

 

Sam

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I've found myself using a 35mm (a Summilux that works with an M8.2) almost all the time for most travel photography as that traditional 50mm type lens is what I grew up with and instinctively "see". I have a 50mm Summicron as well that sees much less use, but I have just added a 90mm which I think will complement the 35mm on most trips. Lightweight, easy to use - those two are just fine.

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On the M8 you tend to want wider lenses. That is true. I currently use 28/40/50/90/135 on my M8.The 135 is the Elmar without goggles and is indeed a bit long. It has been useful on occasion.

 

 

It is hard to give good advice. I think I would not use the 15, but never had a chance to try it. And the 90 summicron is a great performer but too big & heavy for my taste. I like the 90 Elmarit better.

Some considerations:

 

  • It helps having the same filter size for most of your lenses on the M8. Think about the need for a UV/IR filter. I would not want to use any lens without UV/IR cut filter for colour shots.
  • Lenses 35mm and wider should be coded when used on M8 to get good results.
  • 50 and longer can be used without coding. 90 and 135 could be tried without filter and might give acceptible results, wider lenses need the filter most, for colour and sharpness.
  • Compactness is one of the key features of an M system for me. The 90 and 135 score bad on this point.

So far my 2 cents...

 

Enjoy your set. :cool:

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Bill,

 

My advice is to let the 21/2.8 go because it's not the asph version so there are better 21's around and you'll still have the superb CV 15/4.5 for ultra wide angle. If you decide to go for a 21 later on then the Zeiss 21/2.8 and the Kobalux 21/2.8 are better and less expensive than the Leica 21/2.8 non-asph.

 

Also let the 135/2.8 go because finding a good one that doesn't suffer from separation of the Canada Balsam is getting harder so it's likely that the one you're being offered may have that. It's also a large bulky lens that you'll want to leave at home rather than take it on the off chance of needing it.

 

Pete.

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