Anyone use a 50mm lens exclusively or most of the time with M8?

[piblondin]

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While I wait for Leica to repair my recently acquired M8, I have been contemplating my next lens purchase. My first lens purchase was the 40mm Nokton, which I then sold for the 40mm Summicron-C lens. On other cameras, I generally prefer the 50mm normal length, so I was trying to approximate that with the 40mm. I was thinking that I could get a 35mm f/2 Summicron or Biogon and sell the 40mm. However, more recently, I've been thinking about getting something longer--a fast, used 50mm like the previous version Summicron.

 

My question is, Do any of you use a 50mm on your M8s most of the time? What I've found in the past is that, if I have a 28/35/50 combination, I never use the 28 and 35. However, I will sometimes use something around 80mm for shooting concerts. With the crop factor, the 50mm is about halfway between 50mm and 80mm. In your experience, does that mean it can do the job of both or is it just a compromise that makes for an awkward fov? Any lens suggestions are much welcomed.

[crbirchenhall]

I use a 50mm most of the time on my M8. Ok the perspective is different but I have found I have adjusted to the combination - after all there is nothing set in stone about what is a "standard" lens. It just works for me.

[tbarker13]

Lately, that's almost all I've been using on my m8.2. But really only because I've been focusing so much on studio portraits. If I were out and about, it would be a 28 or 35.

[jevidon]

I suggest that you do not sell the 40mm Summicron. I bought one last year, filed down the framing cam so that it brings up the 35mm frame in the viewfinder and I find it is great for a very light compact package on the M8. I frame shots well within the 35mm viewfinder frame and it works out well with a little practice..

 

A 50mm lens will give you a 65mm equivalent on the M8. That's really neither long or short for a focal length. I suggest that you keep the 40mm as a compact lens and shoot with a 35mm which will give you the equivalent of a 45.5 mm focal length, or a slightly wide normal lens. I recommend the CV Nokton 35mm f1.2. It is very sharp, gives you extra stops for low light and has wonderful bokeh and moderate contrast. It is a large and heavy lens, but it is very versatile.

 

50mm is great for a full frame camera, but not very useful for an M8.

[miklosphoto]

summicron asph 35mm 90% of the time

[brianv]

I've had the M8 for a month, and have used it with 50s for this time. I have a of of them. Figure that the crop factor with film is 1.1x. That's about what you get with prints, slide mounts, and (at least my) scans. The Leica M8 is 1.3x. So the 50mm lens on an M8 is about like the 5.8cm lens on my Nikon F. Call is a nice portrait lens, or just one that lets you center on a subject. Well worth having.

 

AND- at leat on my M8, the 50mm framelines seem quite accurate. I've done some shots to test this, and the framelines seem to line-up with what is shown in the LCD after the shot is made. So the "frameline thing" that some complain about is a mystery to me.

[andym911]

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35mm most of the time....50 is good for some portraits though

 

andy

[Jeff S]

28/50 is a great 2 lens set for me; 35 for light one-lens use. Only occasional use of 75.

 

But, I suggest you just use the lens you have for a while. Get to know it well. Then decide what you're missing. The M has the nice advantage of checking the frame lines for alternate lenses, so you can quickly see what another FOV might offer. You might be surprised how much your feet can compensate.

 

Good to think ahead when you do buy...but even better to do it with the most knowledge about your style and needs, given the camera you own.

 

Jeff

[Guest PhotoWebb.co.uk]

I had a 35 Summicron ASPH and a 50 Summicron and I found I used the 35 so much (90% of the time) that I sold the 50 as I never used it.

 

I now run with a 35 and a 75 for pretty much all of my shooting.

[Double Negative]

I actually use a 2,8/25 Biogon ZM most of the time, roughly a 35mm on the M8.

 

My second most-used focal length is 35mm - which is more like a standard 50mm on the M8. Third place goes to an actual 50mm, or 65mm on the M8.

[ezc203]

I actually use a 2,8/25 Biogon ZM most of the time, roughly a 35mm on the M8.

 

My second most-used focal length is 35mm - which is more like a standard 50mm on the M8. Third place goes to an actual 50mm, or 65mm on the M8.

 

Yup, I second that thought.

 

24mm > 35mm > 50mm

[piblondin]

Thanks for the replies, everyone. Do you find the original framelines fairly accurate for 50mm?

[Maggie_O]

I quite like 50mm lenses on my M8. I find I get used to the framing and FOV quickly and it doesn't seem to be a hinderence at all. Here's the Flickr sets for my 50s:

 

50mm Voigtländer Heliar Classic f/2

 

Leica 50/1.4 Summilux (1st Version)

[piblondin]

Thanks, Maggie.

 

There seem to be at least four different versions available. Which one(s) should I be looking for? I just saw a previous version black uncoded go for $600, so I figure that's about what I'm looking to spend. At this point, my primary concern is actually that it focus correctly and be sharp at f/2 with the M8. I would also like it to be fairly small, so I don't think I want to use an adapter. Any advice on the subject is much appreciated. I'm seeing all sorts of abbreviations and have no clue what they mean.

[daubsphoto]

I use my 50 Lux about 80 percent of the time, with the 35 on most of the rest (I also have a Voightlander 15 and a 90 Summarit). I also shot mostly with a 50 on my M4, M4P, and M6 cameras, and what I find is that the perspective and depth of field on this lens are what matter to me more than the angle of view. I even sold my 28 because I didn't like the wide angle distortion, so maybe I'm oversensitive.

 

But it seems like your 40 is a good start and I'd shoot it until you feel like it is really limiting your photographs and then go with the 35 or 50 afterwards.

[brianv]

Thanks for the replies, everyone. Do you find the original framelines fairly accurate for 50mm?

 

I have not had any problems with the 50mm framelines on the M8. The framelines are optimized for close-up work, and agree quite well with the image recorded. At long distances, you have more margin than some of the film M's. Use the outer portion of the framelines, and figure you will get a little more in the image. I'm used to this with my M3, where I found the inner portion of the 90mm framelines were perfect for a 10.5cm Nikkor.

[fursan]

Take all the advice you can get..it is good. However, it is how you see that is important!

 

I use the 50mm on my M8 often..very often. All the talk about fov etc. is ok for others, but is it ok for you?

 

Here are some of my pics with the lux 50mm asph on the M8..

 

 

 

And one on the M7, for when I want spiritual nourishment! Also with the 50mm.

 

 

If you like it..that's a;; that matters, not what works for me!

 

Good luck.