fernandosiqueira Posted January 16, 2010 Share #1 Posted January 16, 2010 Advertisement (gone after registration) Hi!! I will buy my first M9 Leica soon and I have some doubts about the lens that I have to buy. 1) Regarding the 50mm. I saw two options and really don´t know which one is the best choise: - Leica Normal 50mm f/2.0 Summicron M Manual Focus Lens (6-Bit, Updated for Digital) or -Zeiss Normal 50mm f/1.5 C Sonnar T* ZM Manual Focus Lens for Zeiss Ikon and Leica M Mount Rangefinder 2) If I buy lens without 6-Bit technology, what´s the main difference at the moment that I will photograph? The only difference is that I will not have the focal distance in the exif file? Last question... 3) Why Voightlander lens are so cheap? The Zeiss Lens are as good as Leica? Many thanks for your patience. Regards, Fernando Siqueira www.primelight.com.br www.olhares.com/fernandosiqueira Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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jonoslack Posted January 17, 2010 Share #2 Posted January 17, 2010 Hi!! I will buy my first M9 Leica soon and I have some doubts about the lens that I have to buy. 1) Regarding the 50mm. I saw two options and really don´t know which one is the best choise: - Leica Normal 50mm f/2.0 Summicron M Manual Focus Lens (6-Bit, Updated for Digital) or -Zeiss Normal 50mm f/1.5 C Sonnar T* ZM Manual Focus Lens for Zeiss Ikon and Leica M Mount Rangefinder 2) If I buy lens without 6-Bit technology, what´s the main difference at the moment that I will photograph? The only difference is that I will not have the focal distance in the exif file? Last question... 3) Why Voightlander lens are so cheap? The Zeiss Lens are as good as Leica? Many thanks for your patience. Regards, Fernando Siqueira www.primelight.com.br www.olhares.com/fernandosiqueira HI Fernando, and Welcome - good luck with your M9 the Zeiss 50mm sonnar is a lovely lens . . .but it's quite difficult to use, and it is subject to focus shift. I have one, and love it, but I wouldn't use it as my first lens on an M9. The 50 leica summicron is a much easier and more consistent lens to get going with. the Leica f2.5 summarit is also great. Voigtlander and Zeiss lenses are both excellent, but they aren't coded for the M9. If you haven't already done so, it's well worth subscribing to Sean Reid's review site, where he discusses all these lenses. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sanyasi Posted January 17, 2010 Share #3 Posted January 17, 2010 I am in the same boat as you. As suggested, Sean Reid's subscription reviews (I think $30 per year) are well worth the investment. In addition to reviews, he has some excellent articles on rangefinder techniques that are worth multiple reads. For my first two lenses, I am sticking with Leica. If you read this list, it is quite apparent that there is a mystique about Leica lenses so if your going to do the Leica experience, you might as well do the whole thing, at least at the start If money is an issue and it fits your style, consider the 50mm summicron, which is relatively inexpensive. The summarits puzzle me. Some people rave over them, but I have read some highly critical reviews so I want to have the camera and some experience before I consider the 90 summarit. From what I can gather from reading posts (not my experience) 6-bit coding lets the camera identify the focal length, but this can also can be set manually. When commented on, people posting to this list indicate that the advantage of 6-bit coding is that you don't change lenses and forget to change an important setting. Also, as you note, the 6-bit coding adds metadata to the file identifying the focal length. Other than that, my understanding is that there is no other advantage. Best. Jack Siegel Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
tategoi Posted January 17, 2010 Share #4 Posted January 17, 2010 Actually you have a 3rd option in Voigtlander 50 1.1 Nokton. At US$1,100, it is value for money versus Leica's US$10K 50 0.95 Noctilux. If size is a concern, I would prefer a 50 1.4 Summilux. From the many forums I have read, this seems to be the perfect lens for the M9. Leica lens built is un-rivaled, every lens is worth every cent if you compare with the Zeiss or CV, except for the Nokton And about coding, it is important to have all lenses coded, I always forget to set t manually whenever I change my lens to the Nokton. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
gwelland Posted January 17, 2010 Share #5 Posted January 17, 2010 Something to consider if you are just starting out with Leica digital M's is that getting a Leica coded lens makes the whole process of using the camera and lenses a whole lot less hassle. It was more of an issue with the M8 due to the UV/IR correction but it's also still partially true with the M9 because there are lens vignetting corrections for some coded lenses, particularly wides. You will also obviously get EXIF data and indication of the lens focal length when you review images too. I've been through the hassle of using uncoded lenses, hand-coded lenses and fully coded lenses with the M8/M8.2 and M9. In the end I found it worth the inconvenience of getting my uncoded Leica lenses coded by Leica and also only buying coded lenses going forward. It makes the whole Leica ownership experience much simpler and easier IMHO. If you are looking for your first lens you simply cannot go wrong with the 50 Summicron. Ditto with the 35 Summicron also. Consensus seems to be also that the Summarits are also excellent performers too. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
tdtaylor Posted January 17, 2010 Share #6 Posted January 17, 2010 Or just send the mounting ring to John Milich to engrave for $35 and use nail polish to fill in the engraving. TAkes about a week, and has worked flawlessly for 4 of my lenses. Coding is not all that important for 50mm plus, but definitely a convenience. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mokkacream Posted January 17, 2010 Share #7 Posted January 17, 2010 Advertisement (gone after registration) You have a M9? There is 100% chance that you will get happy without regret with the Leica Summicron 50 f/1.4. No focus shift, very high optical resolution, lovely bokeh, big aperture for low light, pleasent playing with DOF possible. Just a perfect team. M9, 50 lux, AWB, low available light (tungsten), ISO 1250, ALR 2.6, Define 2.0 Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/109804-my-first-leica-doubt-about-lens/?do=findComment&comment=1189984'>More sharing options...
chrism Posted January 17, 2010 Share #8 Posted January 17, 2010 The summarits puzzle me. Some people rave over them, but I have read some highly critical reviews so I want to have the camera and some experience before I consider the 90 summarit. I think that it might be that the Summarits vary - everyone agrees the 35 and 75 are fantastic lenses. The 90 is noticeably softer. I haven't tried the 50 so can't speak to it. If Jono says it's good you can take his word for it. If I was to start again knowing what I do now, I'd get the Summarit 35 as a first lens - it's cheap, sharp and easy to focus. If the OP is set on a 50mm lens, then, if possible, the Summilux 50 has to be the first choice. It's cheaper to buy the lens you will keep rather than a stopgap lens that will be sold at a loss when you buy the one you will eventually want. Took me a while to learn that! Chris Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
fernandosiqueira Posted January 17, 2010 Author Share #9 Posted January 17, 2010 Debtor for the response of all! All of you helped a lot. They imagine that you have US$ 10.000,00 to buy all Leica equipment, which equipmentos would buy, including the M9? Taste to photograph people, especially at spontaneous moments and of journalistic form. This equipment will be used for photojornalism and in my studio. I am in São Paulo, Brazil and I will import the equipment all from BH Photo Video (NY). Many thanks again for your patience. Best Regards, Fernando Siqueira www.primelight.com.br www.olhares.com/fernandosiqueira Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baptiste Posted January 17, 2010 Share #10 Posted January 17, 2010 I bought 50 Lux to go with my M9, as a first leica gear. Still waiting form the M9 btw, but should not be too long ahead anymore... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
gwelland Posted January 18, 2010 Share #11 Posted January 18, 2010 If the budget is $10k, all Leica, all new, then you're definitely won't have enough in the budget for the 50/1.4 that everybody raves over. However, you would have the budget for the M9, 35/2.5 Summarit AND 90/2.5 Summarit pair which arguably would get you a great combination for street and portrait use. The other alternative would be to decide whether you want the classic 50mm or classic 35mm focal length as you'd have budget for either the 35/2 Summicron, or 50/2 Summicron and some change ($1k). Factor in also getting at least one spare battery and obviously some SD cards too. If the lenses don't need to be new, but still coded, you might be able to find a used 35 Summilux or 50 Summilux if you are lucky. These would have to be private vs dealer purchases for $3k though. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
leica007 Posted January 18, 2010 Share #12 Posted January 18, 2010 the Zeiss 50mm sonnar is a lovely lens . . .but it's quite difficult to use, and it is subject to focus shift. I have one, and love it, but I wouldn't use it as my first lens on an M9. Completely disagree. Jono must have got an older edition lens. The latest Sonnar calibrated/optimised for f/1.5 shows no focus shift. it's focus is bang on target and renders everything as it is supposed to do. A great portrait lens. Has drawing different(ly pleasing) than 50 'Lux Asph. Give it a try - get the new one, optimised for f/1.5. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
horosu Posted January 20, 2010 Share #13 Posted January 20, 2010 Even the new one exhibits focus shift, or rather DOF-shift, but it's in the back of the focus point, this time. See Roger Hicks' page: Sonar first look Best, Horea Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anke Posted January 20, 2010 Share #14 Posted January 20, 2010 Hi Fernando: I would also recommend the 50mm Summilux, it`s a fantastic lens and my favorite. For portraits in your studio the Summarit 90mm would be a good supplementation. May be you could have a look here. http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/technik-industrie/112422-garniges.html Exept the pictures with the yarn, all fotos are taken with the 90mm Summarit. Regards Anke Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Xmas Posted January 20, 2010 Share #15 Posted January 20, 2010 Don't think you need coded lenses with the M9, you can select an equivalent Leica lens manually? CV or Zeiss lenses are cheaper but their resale value is less. One of the CV single coated lenses may suit a digital camera better then a multi coated, for the same reason the B&W films shooters prefer them. Unless you are very critical you may not notice any difference. You may still need IR filters if you have scenes with lots of IR. Some of the lenses can interact with the filter and sensor plane reflections. I'd suggest a user (cheap) CV 3,5 cm f/2.5, until you are familiar with the M9, or chimp in a camera shop... Noel Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
spylaw4 Posted January 20, 2010 Share #16 Posted January 20, 2010 Welcome to the Forum. Those who are recommending the 50 Summilux are forgetting the expense and the difficulty of getting hold of one. The 50 Summicron is excellent, and one CV lens that has not been mentioned is the 50mm Nokton 1.5; but you will need an adapter as it's a screw thread. Milich will make you a milled one for coding. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Julian Thompson Posted January 20, 2010 Share #17 Posted January 20, 2010 The problem is that you can't actually seem to get a 50 Lux! I've had one on order since about September last year and am reportedly still looking at several months wait..... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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