ezc203 Posted November 2, 2009 Share #1 Posted November 2, 2009 Advertisement (gone after registration) I understand that using a non-Leica lens seems to be taboo, if not frown upon. And although I am a purist in some senses, the price difference is just too great to ignore. So my question is: What's the best substitute? If you had to buy a lens, not Leica, for your M8 what brand would you go for: Zeiss or Voigtlander? Thanks, any suggestions/comments will be greatly appreciated. Eddie Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted November 2, 2009 Posted November 2, 2009 Hi ezc203, Take a look here Leica Lens Substitutes?. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
thrice Posted November 2, 2009 Share #2 Posted November 2, 2009 Eddie, that is too broad a question, which focal length are you looking at? which optical/design characteristics are most important to you? What type of photography are you doing? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest roey Posted November 2, 2009 Share #3 Posted November 2, 2009 There's nothing wrong with third party lenses. They don't draw the same way as Leicas do, but there are some Zeiss and Voigtländers that offer a great value for their modest prices. Keep in mind that with the M8 you use the sweet spot of the lens, which means that performance in the far corners is not as crucial. I don't think that you can make a blanket statement regarding Zeiss vs Voigtländer. It depends on the focal length, your needs for lens speed, and your personal preferences. One website that I can recommend is Sean Reid's site, where he painstakingly compares lenses from Leica, Voigtländer, and Zeiss. You need to pay a subscription fee to access it -- which some people object to -- but I have found it to be more than worth it. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ezc203 Posted November 2, 2009 Author Share #4 Posted November 2, 2009 Ahh, true. Perhaps I have been a tad rash posting the previous question. At this moment I am looking for a (super) wide angel lens. Something in the range of 15mm to 18mm (maybe 21mm, and that's a HUGE maybe). I've only looked extensively into the Voigtlander 15mm f/4,5; the hands-on experience was satisfactory. However, the Zeiss 15mm f/2,8 has been brought to my attention. However, the Zeiss is $4000 and for that much money I'd prefer a 18mm Super-Elmar (which is about a third cheaper, if i'm not mistaken). I suppose I am a bit indecisive, and I don't know what I want? Very problematic. But thanks for the pointers, and the thought-provoking prompts. Eddie Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
cookedart Posted November 2, 2009 Share #5 Posted November 2, 2009 I understand that using a non-Leica lens seems to be taboo, if not frown upon. And although I am a purist in some senses, the price difference is just too great to ignore. So my question is: What's the best substitute? If you had to buy a lens, not Leica, for your M8 what brand would you go for: Zeiss or Voigtlander? Thanks, any suggestions/comments will be greatly appreciated. Eddie Both have great lenses in their lineup. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
!Nomad64 Posted November 2, 2009 Share #6 Posted November 2, 2009 Just my 2c: I'd go with Leica for the focal(s) I'd use most, Voigtlander for what I use less, Zeiss in between. Just as an indication, check Erwin Puts' reviews. He has in-depth coverage for several Leitz, Zeiss & Voigtlander lenses. If this can be an indication, I got myself an Elmarit 90/2.8, Voigtlander Skopar 21/4 and Heliar 50/3.5 anniversary. Plus, between an used Summicron 50/2 and a new Planar 50/2 I went for this latter. Barring building quality, performances are tantamount and beyond my own potential, I fear... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Photon42 Posted November 2, 2009 Share #7 Posted November 2, 2009 Advertisement (gone after registration) As you post this in the M8 forum - be aware that coding is important, if you photograph in color and you want to use UVIR filters - at least below 40mm focal length. Third party lens aren't coded, so you need to find out, how to code your particular lens. There's lots of information available, but it requires some initiative. A newer Leica lens is trouble free compared to that. Having said that, I'm using a Voigtlander Heliar 15, a Zeiss Biogon 2/35 and a Zeiss Distagon 4/18, all hand coded. Cheers Ivo Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
khiromu Posted November 2, 2009 Share #8 Posted November 2, 2009 No experience with Zeiss 15mm, but I am happy user of voigtlander 15mm M mount. It's easy to code as WATE (and select 16mm) and it takes regular UV/IR filter. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ezc203 Posted November 2, 2009 Author Share #9 Posted November 2, 2009 Thanks for all the comments. I ended up getting a used Voigtlander SW-Heliar 15mm f/4,5 ASPH for about $250 (came with a used 15mm viewfinder too), and they were in excellent condition, so no complaints here. Took some photos on the way back. Check them out: Thanks for viewing. I actually really enjoy this lens (so far at least). The distortion on the sides are exaggerated and rather silly (reminds me of a fisheye) but I do like that. Only down side in framing is quite tedious and focus is a lot of guess work (however, the deep levels of focus makes the lens quite forgiving when it comes to precision with focus), but those problems are easily solved once I'm more familiar with the lens. Overall, I like it! Eddie Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jsrockit Posted November 3, 2009 Share #10 Posted November 3, 2009 Konica, Voigtlander, Contax, Canon SM, etc are all usable IMHO. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
garygsandhu Posted November 3, 2009 Share #11 Posted November 3, 2009 Also check out the Hexanons: I'm very happy with the uc-hexanon 35/2, the hexanon-m 28/2.8, and 50/2.4. Also have a 28/3.5 minolta g-rokkor. The 28/3.5 voigtlander skopar is a fantastic lens and I ended up selling the 28/2.8 elmarit. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest mc_k Posted November 3, 2009 Share #12 Posted November 3, 2009 am happy with my one Konica (UC35). Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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