M stuff - what to swap for a T system ... and what to keep?

[Speenth]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

I've reached a difficult decision. I love my ageing M8 and its incomparable lenses, but it is doesn't get used enough. It's maybe too bulky, a little to slow, perhaps a little dated. Whatever the reasons, I've finally decided to swap it for the T system and an M lens adapter.

 

The question is, what lenses do I trade / sell and which do I keep? I have to choose to lose at least some of the following:

 

Elmarit M 1:2.8 24 mm

 

Summicron M 1.2 50mm

 

Summarit M 1:2.5 90mm

 

Summicron 1:2 35mm

 

Voigtlander CV15

 

Which of these wonderful lenses would be great on the T? The ones I keep will determine my choice of T lenses. 

 

If you have experience of any of these lenses on your T, please let me know and post a few piccies.

 

Many thanks

 

Steve' 

Edited May 18, 2015 by Speenth

[wattsy]

It's maybe too bulky, a little to slow, perhaps a little dated. Whatever the reasons, I've finally decided to swap it for the T system and an M lens adapter.

 

I don't know about too slow or "dated" but is the M system more bulky than a T plus lens adaptor (plus, of course, M lens)? A lot of good lenses you have there – maybe sell the 15mm?

Edited May 18, 2015 by wattsy

[Advertisement]

The Leica Q3 is available for pre-order at B&H Photo Video and Adorama

[bernie.lcf]

I would first replace the Elmarit 2.8/24mm by the Summicron-T 23mm. You gain f2.0 and autofocus. Due ot the 1,5 crop, this will become your "35mm" lens.

 

The Voigtländer 15 turns into a 22,5mm - I would consider buying the wide angle zoom lens for T eventually.

 

The rest of the gang will behave like this:

35 -> 52,5

50 -> 75

90 -> 135

 

These are all nice lenses with no alternatives available at the moment - especially given their aperture. It will be good to keep them around.

[jaapv]

It all depends on your shooting style. I would lose the 90 mm.If you find that you have occasional use for a 90 AKA 135, any of the much cheaper old ones will give more than satisfactory results.

[bencoyote]

I agree. Nice set of lenses. I think if it were me that the first one that I would sell is the Elmarit 24. The native Summicron-T 23mm is plenty good. I constantly use that at night or for street shooting. Here is an example from Saturday night https://plus.google.com/photos/107939133311352181618/album/6149888502883668113?sview=54

 

The new CV 15mm only sells for about $750 and the older version is only $549 so, I don't think selling the used one will free up enough money to justify giving up the focal length.

 

The last one that I would sell out of that collection is th 35mm because that focal length is particularly weak on the T system right now. With the 18-56 f/3.5-5.6 your widest aperture when shooting at the standard focal length of 50mm equiv is about f/5

 

In the middle I think it gets harder. It may have to do with what you are shooting. The 50mm and the 90mm are a tough call. I think those are a judgement call whether you can get enough for them on the used market to afford the 55-135mm telephoto T lens. And it is fast enough for you. If you do portraiture maybe not. If you have them just because that is how you did tele shots on the M then probably yeah sell them.

 

The 18-56 may not give you the shallow depth of field you may want for portraiture at the tele end. 55mm the 85mm equiv only gives you f/5.6 on an APS-C sensor which renders a depth of field like a f/8 lens which may not be enough for some kinds of portraiture. Even the 55-135 only gives you f/3.5 which renders like 4.5 on the APS-C. 

 

As I have said this several times the two particular weaknesses in the current T lens lineup are: 35mm (the standard 50mm lens) and a fast 55 or 60mm (85-90mm equiv) portrait lens. So Leica please give us either a Summilux-T or a Noctilux-T 35mm and a at least a Summicron-T 56 or 60mm. 

[wattsy]

I appreciate that the OP has made up his mind about changing to the T camera but I'd suggest caution against selling an M lens and replacing it with a T lens. For example, I'm sure the 23mm T lens is very good but I know that I wouldn't want to sell a stellar piece of optical engineering like the 24mm Elmarit, compatible not only with the 60 year old M system (where it shines) but all manner of digital mirrorless cameras, and replace it with a mass produced AF lens that is limited to a single camera model and part of a system with an uncertain future.

[earleygallery]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

Firstly, I would suggest waiting until you have the new camera and finding out for yourself which lenses work best with it. You should be able to sell the M8 for pretty much what a T body costs.

 

But, why get the T at all? There are a lot of other options for using your M lenses including some other FF ones, like the Sony cameras.

[asmith]

Being in my ninetieth year and both frail and clumsy, and finding changing lenses hazardous, I decided to sell all my M bodies and lenses and buy a T with the zoom lens.  I also bought the 23mm.  The idea was to go out with only the body and one lens.  To my surprise, I find the 23mm is more suitable to my usual style than the zoom.  It makes me wonder if I would be even happier with an M and a 35.

Alwyn

[Guest]

Being in my ninetieth year and both frail and clumsy, and finding changing lenses hazardous, I decided to sell all my M bodies and lenses and buy a T with the zoom lens.  I also bought the 23mm.  The idea was to go out with only the body and one lens.  To my surprise, I find the 23mm is more suitable to my usual style than the zoom.  It makes me wonder if I would be even happier with an M and a 35.

Alwyn

Why buy and sell before testing? 

[bernie.lcf]

 It makes me wonder if I would be even happier with an M and a 35.

 

 

You might have been happier with the X (113):

- same viewfinder (high resolution)

- Summilux lens f1.7 and 35mm equivalent

- traditional user interface with aperture wheel, etc.

 

close to half price when compared to a T

[gbealnz]

I bought a used T, with VisoFlex and M-T adaptor. I enjoy it immensely, and it is competing for attention with my _X-Vario. One will eventually be sold, but right now I am having fun. You will too.

 

If you can swing it, don't sell anything, get a T body, and simply try the experience. All you need is the body, the adaptor, and possibly the VisoFlex.

 

Use the M lenses you currently have, and don't sell the CV15, it "might" be a great lens with the crop sensor T. I currently just use an Elmarit 28mm, and a Canon 50mm f1.4, both are excellent on the T, the Canon perfect for portraiture especially. The 28 Elmarit tends to be the lens that I use most though. Possibly the same sort of use as a 40mm on a full frame, handily not too tight, not too wide.

 

As Bernie said, if you could be happy with a fixed lens, then the X (113) might be the answer. T though has a wonderful interface, if you like touch screens.

Gary

[Guest VVJ]

If you love the M I would probably first look into selling the M8 and determining the upgrade cost to the M240.  You shouldn't pay much more than for the T, one lens and the VisoFlex.

 

If you however, for whatever reasons, have made up your mind to sell the M8 then I would not bother with M lenses.  I personally have zero interest in using non-autofocus lenses on a T-body.  Your mileage may obviously vary.

 

And as above mentioned if you can live with one lens I would also look into the X113.  It would cut the price in half...

[Speenth]

Thank you all for the interesting and varied responses. They're fuel for thought and made me pause on the brink of making the leap.

 

I had already decided I wanted (perhaps more than needed) the T system. I still desire it and no doubt (when 'her indoors' isn't paying close attention) I'll invest. But you're all right in your advice - I'll keep the M8 because it takes damn good pictures. 

 

I may also keep the CV 15 because creatively, I love it and nothing of the size and price produces images quite like it.

 

The 90mm will go (I never liked it much anyway) together with the 24mm and 50mm lenses. The proceeds from these three would make a considerable contribution to my T system slush fund. However, it'll be difficult to part with the 50mm because its an amazing, much loved lens .... maybe I'll just keep it (decisions, decisions).

 

For my T-system I'll probably start with the Summicron-T 23mm and Elmar-T 18–56 mm.

 

Thanks for all your good advice.

 

 

And so, my Leica collection continues its inexorable, expensive growth (shush, don't tell the missus).

[spylaw4]

Don't ignore the 11-23 zoom - it really is superb, even if it is your only lens. You then won't need the Summicron T as the 11-23 covers that focal length (and it's at its smallest at 23mm).