sepho Posted January 31, 2010 Share #1 Posted January 31, 2010 Advertisement (gone after registration) Hi there., Just bought a M8 in mint condition - Dreamt of this for years! I want to do a lot of architechtual photography, and could need an advice for buying the best lens for this purpose. I have to say, that I have to buy in "cheaper" end of market, so perhaps a Voigtlander can do it? Any suggestions or even photo examples? Best regards. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted January 31, 2010 Posted January 31, 2010 Hi sepho, Take a look here What lens for M8 architechtual photography?. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
Manolo Laguillo Posted January 31, 2010 Share #2 Posted January 31, 2010 taking into account the 1.33 factor, I would say the shorter the better... I did the following with the 18mm focal length of the WATE (=24mm 'in reality' with the M8). The correction of the verticality was done on Photoshop (select all, and then distort, and pushing on the lower corners, and in any case not pulling from the upper corners!) 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/111298-what-lens-for-m8-architechtual-photography/?do=findComment&comment=1208261'>More sharing options...
Manolo Laguillo Posted January 31, 2010 Share #3 Posted January 31, 2010 let me add the idea behind my post: usually (60%) there is no possibility of stepping back... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikki Posted January 31, 2010 Share #4 Posted January 31, 2010 I'd definitely consider the new Voigtlander 12mm/5.6. The 15mm is also a really nice lens (I own one) that can be had cheaply second-hand. The voigtlander viewfinders aren't overly pricise though. I think the 18mm Leica is definitely not wide enough for architechtural needs. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Manolo Laguillo Posted January 31, 2010 Share #5 Posted January 31, 2010 I'd definitely consider the new Voigtlander 12mm/5.6. The 15mm is also a really nice lens (I own one) that can be had cheaply second-hand. The voigtlander viewfinders aren't overly pricise though. I think the 18mm Leica is definitely not wide enough for architechtural needs. I agree. With a full frame Canon I had the 16-35, and for architecture I used it on the 16mm setting for the most part, even more so when doing interiors. But the opposite is also true: when there is enough space around the building very often using a longer lens is much better. The thing is how you want to / can manage perspective. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff S Posted January 31, 2010 Share #6 Posted January 31, 2010 I agree. With a full frame Canon I had the 16-35, and for architecture I used it on the 16mm setting for the most part, even more so when doing interiors.But the opposite is also true: when there is enough space around the building very often using a longer lens is much better. The thing is how you want to / can manage perspective. With the M8, get back as far as you can, shoot as wide as you need to capture the subject without tilt, and crop in PP. Or, keep your Canon and get a tilt-shift lens to supplement your M8 as needed. I prefer to keep PP to a minimum (cropping), despite the various Photoshop tools. I'd rather see the image in the camera. Jeff PS Sorry, I confused you with the OP. But, my advice to OP would be the same. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
luigi bertolotti Posted January 31, 2010 Share #7 Posted January 31, 2010 Advertisement (gone after registration) Voigtlander 15 and Leica Elmarit M 21 asph... good and not too costly set. If you can afford the expense, Leica WATE and Voigtlander 12. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stefan-S Posted February 1, 2010 Share #8 Posted February 1, 2010 ... and on the "cheaper" end of the market you'll find the ZM4.5/21 and the CV4/21 as well. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Manolo Laguillo Posted February 1, 2010 Share #9 Posted February 1, 2010 With the M8, get back as far as you can, shoot as wide as you need to capture the subject without tilt, and crop in PP. Or, keep your Canon and get a tilt-shift lens to supplement your M8 as needed. I prefer to keep PP to a minimum (cropping), despite the various Photoshop tools. I'd rather see the image in the camera. Jeff PS Sorry, I confused you with the OP. But, my advice to OP would be the same. I'd rather see the image in my mind... Avoiding postprocessing is, of course, better! I do have 2 Canon TS lenses, the 24mm and the 45mm (I worked with 4x5 / 8x10 since my beginnings, and when changing to digital I did want the performance of a bellows camera). But I've seen that the loss in quality of PP M8 photos is minimal when comparing them with 'in camera' straight photos, unless you need really big prints. It must be considered, in this regard, that Leica lenses don't suffer from pincushion deformations... Canon TS 24 lens do, on the contrary, so you must always PP. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
batmobile Posted February 1, 2010 Share #10 Posted February 1, 2010 ZM 21 4.5. Super low distortion and ideal FL for architecture. Speed no issue because you'll mostly be using a tripod. This is where I would start. a 25 Biogon would be handy if you want longer. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ecar Posted February 1, 2010 Share #11 Posted February 1, 2010 If looking at the "cheaper" end of the market, I'd go for the new CV15 and/or the CV21/P. I love both, and use them fairly frequently alongside my Leica glass. The latter would effectively double as a street lens (28mm effective FOV on the M8). Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimbo035 Posted February 1, 2010 Share #12 Posted February 1, 2010 It doesn't seem to have occurred to members with photoshop etcetera, advocating post processing etc, that the OP may not have such a program to hand. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
DavidStone Posted February 1, 2010 Share #13 Posted February 1, 2010 FWIW, this was taken a couple of years ago with M8 and the "original" CV15. Uncropped and minimal processing. Shot from a height that allowed me to keep the verticals vertical - which of course is not always possible. I'm not a fan of post-correction of converging or diverging verticals. Some unwanted distortion always seems to result. David 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/111298-what-lens-for-m8-architechtual-photography/?do=findComment&comment=1209042'>More sharing options...
falkk Posted February 1, 2010 Share #14 Posted February 1, 2010 WATE - incredible sharp and absolutely nice on a M8... I am an architect, and I am using the WATE mostly for that purpose... bit costly though, but brilliant. falk Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeicaMSeattle Posted February 1, 2010 Share #15 Posted February 1, 2010 I do construction administration as a project architect on a high school project currently under construction. This gives me an opportunity to use my M8 on almost a daily basis. where I use the CV15mm and 21mm Elmarit lenses. These are some of my weekly construction progress photographs all handheld. The last images is of the Student Union Building on the same campus that had their open house a few weeks ago. 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/111298-what-lens-for-m8-architechtual-photography/?do=findComment&comment=1209654'>More sharing options...
sepho Posted February 2, 2010 Author Share #16 Posted February 2, 2010 Dear all. Thank you very much for all your advice. After reading your comments and of cource have checked Steve Huff´s excellent website, I think I will go for the Voigtlander Super Wide-Heliar Aspherical II 15mm f/4.5 - but I just don´t understand that this new version ll of this lens, should be rangefinder coupled.. I thought that M8 only could be used with own rangefinder from 24mm and up? Please help on this one.. I will of cource need another lens for the more daily street etc. photography. For this purpose I think of the Voigtländer Nokton 35mm/f 1,4 - Do you think it would be a nice pair? regarding the 35/1,4 - it seems that it is produced in both a multi coated and a single coated version - which one should I choose, and please why? I´m very happy for your assistance, because I´m a novice within M8 + rangefinder :-) But - just collected the M8 today in snowstorm 300 km from home - Just the feeling of it in my hands (even without any lenses) is all the driving and waiting worth! I know, that you all know what I mean :-) One of you questions if I have Photoshop to correct lines - Yes, so no problem. I recognized the picture of Aros museum in Aarhus, that one of you from Denmark posted. Very nice photo! Best regards from a snowy Denmark. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael M. Posted February 2, 2010 Share #17 Posted February 2, 2010 Hi Sepho I share with you that strong feeling (it's that for me at least) to get the new Heliar 12mm too when it will be available. Using several Leica lenses for WW purposes (incl. the 16mm WATE) I still look forward to enlarge the range with the Voigtländer glas. Think it will fit perfect into range. Hope that power of the Voigtländer glas is something to deal with in the range of all that beautiful Leicas ... Regarding M8 viewfinder. You are right that framelines will end at 24mm. Then you have still the chance to calculate the 21mm area by the viewfinder itselve, but then it's at end. Coupling of rangefinder (new Heliar offers) means "only" in case of Leicas M's that you can use the indicator of the rangefinder to adjust correct distance - but not picture dimensions. This has to be done then by extra 12mm viewfinder (without coupling) or like I will do often by guessing only ... Michael Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
DavidStone Posted February 3, 2010 Share #18 Posted February 3, 2010 Dear all. Thank you very much for all your advice. After reading your comments and of cource have checked Steve Huff´s excellent website, I think I will go for the Voigtlander Super Wide-Heliar Aspherical II 15mm f/4.5 - but I just don´t understand that this new version ll of this lens, should be rangefinder coupled.. I thought that M8 only could be used with own rangefinder from 24mm and up? Please help on this one.. I will of cource need another lens for the more daily street etc. photography. For this purpose I think of the Voigtländer Nokton 35mm/f 1,4 - Do you think it would be a nice pair? regarding the 35/1,4 - it seems that it is produced in both a multi coated and a single coated version - which one should I choose, and please why? I´m very happy for your assistance, because I´m a novice within M8 + rangefinder :-) But - just collected the M8 today in snowstorm 300 km from home - Just the feeling of it in my hands (even without any lenses) is all the driving and waiting worth! I know, that you all know what I mean :-) One of you questions if I have Photoshop to correct lines - Yes, so no problem. I recognized the picture of Aros museum in Aarhus, that one of you from Denmark posted. Very nice photo! Best regards from a snowy Denmark. I'm sure that you will not be disappointed with the CV 15mm type II. Since it has a rangefinder cam, you can focus using the integral viewfinder of the M8, as you can with any Leica lens. But for accurate framing you will need to get a 20 or 21mm accessory viewfinder. The CV21mm finder is the one most commonly used, and is fairly accurate. In order to avoid any colour inaccuracies, you will also need an infra-red filter (52mm in this case), as you do with all lenses used on the M8. So a bit more expenditure. B&W filters are cheaper than Leica, and of excellent quality. Single-coated lenses have some of the characteristics of uncoated lenses - most notably a gain in dynamic range. They produce a slightly "softer", less contrasty image. You might be better advised to get the standard modern multi-coated version, unless of course you see and like the kind of results that a single-coated lens produces. I have a single-coated 1936 Summar that produces results that are quite distinctly different from those of modern lenses. And of course it's often much easier to increase contrast in post-processing than to decrease it, especially if there are tones at one or both ends of the range that are beyond recovery. As for the 35mm focal length, this is an entirely personal thing. that only you can decide. I would certainly recommend that at this stage in your M8 use, you should take out a subscription to Reid Reviews, where you will find a great deal that's relevant to you. And if you drove 300km each way in Denmark in that snowstorm on Tuesday, you must have been really keen to get that camera! David (also snowed in, in Denmark) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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