Which lenses with M8, and which with M9, having both bodies?

[Manolo Laguillo]

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In some weeks a M9 will be mine (I hope...), but I will keep the M8 I already have.

I don't want to sell it, I like the idea of avoiding lens changes (dust is a problem...) and also because I earn my living with photography and need a 2nd body for backup.

 

I have: WATE, 28 'rit ASPH, 35 'cron (4th v.), 50 'cron (4th v.), 75 'rit.

 

So the question will be: which lenses with what camera, to optimize everything and to minimize lens changes?

 

There is one rule we can agree with in order to organize it logically:

 

RULE: It's better to use the wide angle lenses (WATE, 28) with the M9 than with the M8, because the M9's sensor is bigger, and so the more amount of information a wide angle delivers will go to where more space is.

COROLLARIUM: The M8 will take the longer focal lengths, resulting in even longer lengths, which is good.

 

Following The Rule, the 1st combination is: M9 + WATE / M8 + 28 (= 16, 18, 21 & 35 mm). Good for cramped spaces. And I like the leap between 21 and 35.

 

The 2nd is: M9 + 28 / M8 + 35 (= 28 & 47 mm). An even nicer jump!

 

And the 3rd: M9 + 35 / M8 + 50 (= 35 & 67 mm). Because both are 'crons, this is good for low light. And a very very nice gap, as well.

 

Although M8 + WATE / M9 + 50 (= 21, 24, 28 & 50 mm) looks nice, it goes against The Rule...

 

Therefore, the M9 would go with the WATE or the 28,

and the M8 with the 35 and the 50.

 

The confirmation: being M8 + 28 = M9 + 35, and M8 + 35 = M9 + 50,

the 2nd combination M9 + 28 / M8 + 35 is a winner!

 

What does The Collective Wisdom think about this? I am very curious in hearing your opinions!

 

Regards from Barcelona!

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[UliWer]

...What does The Collective Wisdom think about this? I am very curious in hearing your opinions!

 

...

 

I know neither, if it is wisdom, nor if it is collective....

 

...but I first thought like you and made up some calculations with focal lengthes and the crop-factor of 1,33 etc.

 

Then I learned here that you can crop every file you get from the M9 to the M8 size and have the same effect.

[giordano]

I want a 28mm Summarit ASPH like yours.

[tobey bilek]

The classic focals 35/50/90 suit me well. Add a 24 for the M8 or to go wider with M9.

 

Start there and then see what you need building on your experience.

[JonasYip]

I would do either M8/28 with M9/75 (for 35/75), or M9/35 with M8/50, or maybe M9/35 with M8/75. Probably the 2nd option because the M9 would be the primary camera and I'd want my 35 'lux ASPH as my primary lens.

 

I've thought about this a little too as I like to shoot with two bodies but a second M9 isn't really do-able, while an M8 could be....

 

j

[FMB]

Manolo, I think in any case the "ends" don't play, they must be reserved every day for the specific job for each camera. Then neither WATE nor 75 mm. should not be assigned.

 

In my case (WATE, 24, 35, 50, 90) the M8, all uses even B&W and every day, is the light set including 24 (32mm) in the viewfinder an 50 (67mm) as mini "tele" and nothing more. In your case could be 28 (37mm) and 50. The M9 and the rest of lenses could travel together for more complicated jobs.

 

It's only a suggestion.

 

Cheers.

FMB.

[wda]

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You raise an interesting question which is academic for me, since my M8 is unlikely to be joined by an M9. In many ways it is a vexed question with no general answer. Choice of focal lengths is too personal; I doubt there is a consensus view.

 

I have a somewhat similar challenge. I have paired my M8 with an X1 which inspires me and suits my way of working. The X1 (24mm>36mm) can work alone when minimal kit is needed. My M8 generally carries a MATE (28-35-50>>>37-47-67). TE28 is the weaker performer but overlaps with the X1; so effectively I carry three lenses and two cameras. In some circumstances I use a faster lens on the M8; or a 21 or 75 (28-100) which extends my options. Interesting times ahead!

[Manolo Laguillo]

When travelling light the choice is easy: M9, 28'rit, 50'cron.

An even lighter combination: M9, 35'cron.

 

The question appears when traveling with both the M9 and the M8.

 

There is a doubt I have, and tobey bilek pointed precisely in that direction: swapping the 28'rit (which I own) for of 28'rit (which I don't).

 

The problem is not that academic, but a very practical one: to do as less as possible lens changes! Of course, all is subjective, all is relative to the personal tastes, habits, etc. But a certain 'general method' is possible, because there is an objective departure point, a fact: the bigger amount of information a wide angle lens delivers should go on the bigger sensor, i.e. the M9. The M8 is, therefore, for the longer focal lenghts.

 

Am I wrong with this assumption? What do you think?

 

_____________________________________

M8.2, WATE, 28'rit, 35'cron, 50'cron, 75'mmarit

[FMB]

I think the question could be asked in other way: Must I travel, work or take both cameras?

 

In my opinion only few reasons, among others now I can't remember, would justify do this: I take also the M8 a) because I want a back camera or because I need to work with two lenses at the same time or c) because I must to lengthen the focal of my lenses (x 1.33 = use an optic zoom, no more).

 

If I am not wrong the M9 is superior in all the faces one could think. Bigger sensor, better use of the focal of the lenses, more capabilities of managing isos, Hdr, EV,+- compression, better software...Yes M8 with 1/8000, 1/250 flash sync. and...? Summing up, I don`t need my M8u if I have my M9.

 

If I have both, basically I've the opportunity to get ready two equipments one simple and lighter and the other one heavier, more complete and with all the possibilities.

 

FMB

[k-hawinkler]

I know neither, if it is wisdom, nor if it is collective....

 

...but I first thought like you and made up some calculations with focal lengthes and the crop-factor of 1,33 etc.

 

Then I learned here that you can crop every file you get from the M9 to the M8 size and have the same effect.

 

Great point. The reason for this is the M9 sensor is larger but has the same pixel density as the M8 sensor and has at least as good IQ?

 

K-H.

[Ecar]

Just like you, I initially thought I would assign lenses to each camera.

In practice, I discovered that it doesn't work for me - and this is despite the fact that my lens collection is fairly (probably too) large.

Since the M8 has now essentially become a backup (although I hate to call it that), I have ended up carving a nice little space for it in my bag, which it shares with the UV/IR filters that I would need "just in case". Probably not ideal in terms of choice of focal lengths, but having to use your "backup" is not ideal either, is it?

Just my experience...

Now, if you are planning to use both M9 and M8 during the same shoot, that's probably a different story.

[dseelig]

Me I would sell the m8 sell the wate get an 18 zeiss and another m9 . Using the m8 alongside the m9 is a pain. the m8 is crap next to an m9. David

[FMB]

May be I'm telling nonsenses, but it seems to me that the amount of information comes from the resolution and contrast of the lens , not from the angle more or less open, the sensor only receives light not number of subjets or meters of information. I beg your pardon if I'm wrong.

 

 

FMB

[noah_addis]

Easy. Put the 28 or 35 on the M9 and the 50 on the M8. Leave the rest at home.

 

Or just buy another M9:D

[jplomley]

the m8 is crap next to an m9

 

Hmmm. I have prints from both that would say otherwise. In fact, I would challenge you to tell the difference between prints made from M9/35 Cron Asph and an M8/24 Elmarit Asph, even with the latter up-sampled to match the M9 pixel count.

[Revdockj]

Actually, I am doing this very thing. When I know I am going to be in a situation where I want wider and longer without having to change lenses, I usually have my 35 cron (ver. 4) on my M9 and my 75 cron on my M8. Sometimes I will have my noctilux on my M8, instead. The combination works well. When I know I won't mind changing lenses, then it's just the M9 with 35/50/90 combo.

 

Ken

[Stefan-S]

Does one need a second M9 body?

Opinions?

[brill64]

i've found the m8 with 75 or 90 to be a very useful and effective back-up

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[Manolo Laguillo]

Very interesting, all the postings! Thank you!

I realize that the question is perhaps in practice somewhat meaningless, because carrying a second body (the M8) will rarely happen!

If it does, the best combinations for me are

M9 + 35'cron / M8 + 50'cron

or

M9 + 28'rit / M8 + 35'cron

 

Your advice, dseelig, touches a point: perhaps the WATE becomes saleable when the M9 arrives, because the 18mm is the most interesting length of the three the WATE has.

For a 1/3 of the WATE's price I can have the Zeiss 18!

The gap between it and the 35'cron could be filled with the 24'rit or the 25 Zeiss.

I like this doubling of the focal lengths:

18 x 2 = 35

24 x 2 = 50

35 x 2 = 75

Nice, as well, that

18 x 1.4 = 25.2 (aprox the small side of the FF format)

and that

25.2 x 1.4 = 35.2 (aprox the large side of the FF format)

and that

35.2 x 1.4 = 49,4 (little bit larger than the diagonal of the FF format)

Ok, that's only natural, because the 24x36mm format has a 2:3 proportion.

(BTW, 1.4 is the f.stops series factor: 1, 1.4, 2, 2.8, 4, 5.6 ...)

[leicaaddict]

Manolo, I still have the book SISTEMA DE ZONAS...... it is a pleasure read you here.