New to Leica, need help choosing lens.

[RaySwan]

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Hi folks, I'm a bit new around here and to Leica as well.

 

I'm contemplating the purchase of an M8. My problem is I know nothing about how the Leica lens types are layed out. I here about sumachrons and wonder what it is! While I am not interested in purchasing something to impress people with, I am interested in a good Leica lens with great contrast and resolution. My use for this camera will be mainly B&W street shooting. I already have a Nikon D200 with a full compliment of lenses and goodies for other types of shooting.

 

I am interested in the M8 because I believe it to be smaller and quieter than the SLR's. My first lens would be something on the wide side of normal and maybe later something like a 90mm. But I'm not looking to get mired down in equipment, I want to keep this system simple and agile.

 

Speed is always nice but there was a time when we didn't have super fast lenses and folks got along! Any reccomendations you can give on a good first lens for general street shooting and why you think it's a good choice would be much appreciated. Money isn't a big issue here but I'm not looking for status symbols either !!

 

Thanks for any suggestions you might have.

 

ray.

[jaapv]

The classic lens combo always was 35-50-90, one could hardly go wrong with that.

So now that would be 24-35-75, and Leica offers choices in the two longest. I would say look at your style, look at your budget and go classic.

Reding yor post the 24 asph would be a great first choice, or otherwise the new 28/2.8 "budget".

[Jean LeBlanc]

A wide normal focal length for the M8 is 28mm. So frankly just about any 28mm Leica lens will be just fine. I'd suggest the Summicron f:2 (any lens called Summicron is an f:2 lens) if you want the best low light performance. If you're mostly shooting daylight, any 28mm Elmarit (F:2.8) will be fine, as long as it isn't very old. The early 28mm Elmarits extend far into the rear of the body and will block the meter. Be sure to get one that's from about 1972 or later. At about that time, Leitz (the company that used to make Leica cameras and lenses) changed the design of the 28mm lens so as to clear the meter arm of the M5 camera, and all later lenses are similarly designed. While you can use an older lens, the meter won't work properly, and you'll get more imaging issues with the digital sensor.

 

While the newest lenses get all the press, the older lenses are wonderful, and the differences are usually so small that they are mostly in the imagination of some users. So don't be afraid to buy used, as long as it's not a sixties vintage 28mm lens. With longer focal lengths, there's no problem using much older lenses. So for example, you can use an early sixties 35mm or 50mm Summicron or Elmar with no problems whatsoever with the M8.

 

If you're happy with an f:4 maximum aperture, the Tri-Elmar is a good option. You get three focal lengths in one lens, 28mm, 35mm and 50mm. The image quality is identical to fixed focal length lenses, all you lose is a bit of speed. What you gain is a lot of cash left in your wallet, and you don't need to switch lenses around to get a different focal length, just turn the ring on the lens. The lens isn't a zoom, it's three discreet focal lengths in one lens, and there's absolutely no loss in image quality. There are two versions, the later one having some ergonomic improvements. I have the older one which I bought used for $1300. It's by far the best value in a Leica lens, given its f:4 limitation.

[grober]

Jump on in; the water's fine! Welcome to the family.

 

The Leica brand name Summicron denotes a primary lens family, each with a maximum aperture of 2.0. Currently Summicrons are available in 28mm, 35mm, 50mm, 75mm and 90mm focal lengths. All current Summicrons will function normally when attached to any Leica M-body manufactured since 1954, the latest of which is the M8, released by Leica in Germany last month.

 

A Leica Summilux lens denotes a maximum aperture of 1.4; an Elmarit lens means 2.8.

 

Visit here Leica Camera AG, to learn more.

 

-g

[RaySwan]

Thank you all very much! That's exactly what I couldn't figure out and it's been explained so well. It looks to me like I'll be wanting a 24 and 75mm Summicron. One lens in the pocket and one on the camera and I'm good to go!

 

I know that won't cover all shooting situations but it doesn't have to. I have D200, 70-200VR, 60mm 2.8macro, 28mm PC, and the 17x55DX and a Gitzo 1325 topped off with rrs bh55pcl to park it all on! But, in my opinion, it's pretty much worthless for street style shooting which I miss. Thanks again for your help.

 

ray......