modamachina Posted December 22, 2009 Share #1 Posted December 22, 2009 Advertisement (gone after registration) Hi everyone, Love to browse through the forum and read your posts. I do have to say I read more than post myself, but I would appreciate your advice on the following: I'm on the verge of adding a wide-angle lens to 'complete' my M8 set. I already own a 28 elmarit-ASPH, a 35 summicron-ASPH and a 50 summilux-ASPH. I don't use tele very much, so have no plans for a 75 or 90. What I would like is to go wider. Use this lens for land/cityscapes. I want only Leica glass. I got my selection down to only 2 lenses: 21 elmarit-ASPH 18 super-elmar-ASPH How much difference can I expect in FOV? Does the 21 still 'feel' wide on the M8? Is the 18 maybe too wide? Anyone experience with both lenses and could comment on the quality? Maybe see some examples? Thank you in advance! Best regards, Klaas Jan PS: I got an offer for a NEW 18 super-elmar including a NEW 18 Leica viewfinder for €2500 incl tax. Not bad I think. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted December 22, 2009 Posted December 22, 2009 Hi modamachina, Take a look here What wide-angle to buy? 18/21. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
wstotler Posted December 22, 2009 Share #2 Posted December 22, 2009 I'm on the verge of adding a wide-angle lens to 'complete' my M8 set. I already own a 28 elmarit-ASPH, a 35 summicron-ASPH and a 50 summilux-ASPH. I don't use tele very much, so have no plans for a 75 or 90. What I would like is to go wider. Use this lens for land/cityscapes. I want only Leica glass. I got my selection down to only 2 lenses: 21 elmarit-ASPH 18 super-elmar-ASPH How much difference can I expect in FOV? Does the 21 still 'feel' wide on the M8? Is the 18 maybe too wide? Anyone experience with both lenses and could comment on the quality? Maybe see some examples? Thank you in advance! Best regards, Klaas Jan PS: I got an offer for a NEW 18 super-elmar including a NEW 18 Leica viewfinder for €2500 incl tax. Not bad I think. Klaas: That does seem like a good price for the 18mm + viewfinder. I personally love my Super-Elmar and I don't feel that it is "too wide." (For me, on the M8, the CV15 was "too wide." Not knocking that lens--it's a great value for the money--just saying.) Coming to it from a 15mm and a 21mm, I've found the FOV to be "just right." The f/3.8 is A-OK for me! I haven't missed a wide indoors shot yet that I really wanted to get. I usually end up using the 18mm outdoors and for landscapes at f/8ish. (I take these for work, BTW.) I think f/2.8 would be better, but anything above f/2 isn't an ideal indoor "at-night" lens for me, anyway. (Lately I've been shooting with the CV35 Nokton at f/1.2 for my indoors night shots, even over my Summicrons.) I have a set of shots taken with it over here: Super Elmar-M 18mm/3.8 - a set on Flickr I also put some photos from that set here--on Flickr you can view a photo at a larger size by clicking the "All Sizes" button and then selecting the larger size. Good luck! Will Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
J_Thompson Posted December 22, 2009 Share #3 Posted December 22, 2009 Will, you certainly have put that 18mm Super-Elmar to good use. I especially love the photo of the child with the cake - it's priceless. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest mc_k Posted December 22, 2009 Share #4 Posted December 22, 2009 You can look at countless photos and mark off the field of view in your living room, but you probably have to try out a focal length for yourself, in the end. I am thinking of buying the CV 21 temporarily, it is so inexpensive...to learn the focal length. I like that 21 is a classic (whatever that means to you) on full frame, and that some are apparently using it without an external finder. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
luigi bertolotti Posted December 22, 2009 Share #5 Posted December 22, 2009 If I were you, I'll go fot the 18... it's even less expensive than 21... anytime I mount my 21 on M8 "to go wide" I feel the desire to have some more FOV... wouldn't it be for I'm seriously thinking to a M9, I probably would change my one for the 18. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
UliWer Posted December 22, 2009 Share #6 Posted December 22, 2009 @wstotler I like your gallery with the 18mm. I am not sure whether I already asked if you ever noticed the "red shift" in the edges with this lens on the M8. I don't see it on your landscapes where it would be obvious with mine. Or do you apply CornerFix for postprocessing? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wstotler Posted December 22, 2009 Share #7 Posted December 22, 2009 Advertisement (gone after registration) Will, you certainly have put that 18mm Super-Elmar to good use. I especially love the photo of the child with the cake - it's priceless. Thanks! I didn't get his feet fully inside the DOF, which was a shame (and a "shame on me" kind of thing) on the one hand and OK on the other. We have to work fast with him--any photos I have are frame, focus, and fire type shots--he's a mover. I had this one blown up to a 20" x 30"--it held up to that kind of enlargement very, very well and was almost "actual size" on the wall. As a side note, it adhered to Basho Rules #4, #5, #7, and #11. While gleefully breaking Rules #8, #11, and #12. (#12 being: "Shooting Portraits With a Wide: Bad Idea") (Explanation of Basho rules here: Forensics: Project Basho Critique on Flickr - Photo Sharing!) I've almost had a "f^%& you" attitude about rule #12 since it was said and I like this photo even more because of it. Too much information. So, simply: Thanks! You can look at countless photos and mark off the field of view in your living room, but you probably have to try out a focal length for yourself, in the end. I am thinking of buying the CV 21 temporarily, it is so inexpensive...to learn the focal length. I like that 21 is a classic (whatever that means to you) on full frame, and that some are apparently using it without an external finder. Sensible advice. I will say that I own and have used the CV21 with a CV 28mm finder (silver, metal) in the hotshoe--couldn't ever get the "naked" view in the M8's viewfinder to be usable for me. (I wear glasses.) I have read that people have done that and was hopeful, but no dice. @wstotlerI like your gallery with the 18mm. I am not sure whether I already asked if you ever noticed the "red shift" in the edges with this lens on the M8. I don't see it on your landscapes where it would be obvious with mine. Or do you apply CornerFix for postprocessing? Hey, thanks. I do see "red shift" edge contamination now and again when critical surfaces are near the edge of the frame. However, when I post-process with Aperture and set the white balance/contrast/exposure appropriately, it nearly vanishes. I don't use CornerFix, although that app seems to be highly recommended. Thanks! Will Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest mc_k Posted December 23, 2009 Share #8 Posted December 23, 2009 Thanks! I didn't get his feet fully inside the DOF, which was a shame... I think you got it right ... great photo anyway. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimleicam3 Posted December 23, 2009 Share #9 Posted December 23, 2009 Wstoler, Are you using the 18 mm with the added viewfinder? If so which one do you own? And lastly, do you really need one with that lens? Cheers. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wstotler Posted December 23, 2009 Share #10 Posted December 23, 2009 Wstoler, Are you using the 18 mm with the added viewfinder? If so which one do you own? And lastly, do you really need one with that lens? Cheers. Jim: I am using the Leica 24mm viewfinder mounted in the hotshoe. With the 18mm lens, I think you do need an external finder if you want control over the framing. Thanks! Will Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
modamachina Posted December 23, 2009 Author Share #11 Posted December 23, 2009 Hi, Wanted to let you know I bought the super-elmar-m 18 ASPH today! €2500 for the lens + leica 18 finder (both new). But that filter is really expensive! €159!! Oh well. I tried out both the 21 Elmarit and the 18. Liked the FOV of the 18 better on my M8. Also the build quality and hood are great! Wow, I build up a great set in just 1 year! M8, 18/3.8 28/2.8, 35/2, 50/1.4, SF24D, Luigi case, Billingham bag, all new!!! And I haven't made a trip yet to put it to really proper use... Guess I'm good to go now! Seasons greetings! Klaas Jan Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wstotler Posted December 24, 2009 Share #12 Posted December 24, 2009 Wanted to let you know I bought the super-elmar-m 18 ASPH today! Congrats. Have fun shooting and post some pics when you have them! Wow, I build up a great set in just 1 year! M8, 18/3.8 28/2.8, 35/2, 50/1.4, SF24D, Luigi case, Billingham bag, all new!!! And I haven't made a trip yet to put it to really proper use...Guess I'm good to go now! Looks near perfect except . . . . Pick up a Nikon SC-28 cord (and wrist strap for the flash) so you can get the SF24D off of the camera, into your hand, and making light for you in interesting ways. . . . Cheers--and have a great holiday. Will Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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