Which lenses to buy for the M9?

[henrikfoto]

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Hallo!

 

I just got my new M9 and I am now looking at what lenses to buy.

I need a top performer wide lens and a portrait-lens.

 

I see that the best Leica-lenses now cost a lot and just wonder:

 

Is there any disadvantage of using the Zeiss-lenses like the 15mm or 18mm ZM?

Are they as good as Leicas own wide lenses?

 

And how are the older Leitz and Leica-lenses with the M9 compared to the newest versions?

 

Can anybody please help me?

 

Henrik

[likalar]

Hallo!

 

And how are the older Leitz and Leica-lenses with the M9 compared to the newest versions?

 

Can anybody please help me?

 

Henrik

 

Congrats on the M9! I have some newer, and some older lenses that I've bought both new and used. The slightly older ones I have (28mm f:2.8 Elmarit M, 35 Summicron f:2 v4, 90mm f:2.8 Elmarit M, recent version, have been fantastic, (better than I am), and I couldn't be happier with them. My ASPH 35 Summicron (bought new) is great, too. For special needs, much faster, wider, and longer lenses are available, and the results I've seen are often fantastic (but I don't own any). The M9 will also accept most of the much older lenses, too. Many a great photo has been made with pre-modern Leica lenses. Here's a lens guide that may be useful in researching lenses to consider:

 

Leica M Lens Users Guide

 

Larry

[rickp13]

for a better understanding of the "mandler" lenses from the pre-asph generation, you could also have a look at adan's great post here:

 

http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/customer-forum/45854-praise-mandler-lenses.html

 

i'm sure you'll enjoy the articles and photos, even if you decide to do a mix between modern/asph and earlier lenses.

 

have fun with your m9. i picked mine up today.

 

rick

[oliveirs]

Congratulations on your new M9!

 

I would go with Leica lenses, they are the best and your M9 deserves the best, adding to that, leica lenses old they value like no other, its a better investment than a body, a M body loose their value while the lenses sometimes increase their value (see the noct f1).

 

Why don't you start with one leica 50mm or 35mm, maybe a used summicron, and go from there?

 

Pedro

 

Flickr: Pedro Cardigo's Photostream

[henrikfoto]

Thanks for interesting postings.

 

How important is the coding you get on the new lenses only?

Will it affect the picture-quality in any way or do they just give information to the image

so that you can see that later?

[oliveirs]

Thanks for interesting postings.

 

How important is the coding you get on the new lenses only?

Will it affect the picture-quality in any way or do they just give information to the image

so that you can see that later?

 

You can tell manually what lens is in the camera (leica glass only... not sure), or the M9 can find out on is own with the code lenses, and yes, this info given to the camera can affect the overall IQ specially in wide angle lenses.

 

Pedro

 

Flickr: Pedro Cardigo's Photostream

[tdtaylor]

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As is often suggested in similiar threads, a subscription to Reid Reviews is highly recommended:

 

Welcome to ReidReviews

 

Here you will find subjective and analytical information on most lenses.

[tdtaylor]

Thanks for interesting postings.

 

How important is the coding you get on the new lenses only?

Will it affect the picture-quality in any way or do they just give information to the image

so that you can see that later?

 

As you mention, the EXIF info is recorded with the 6 bit coding. For coded lenses (by 6 bit or manual selection) it also applies vignetting and color shift correction, which applies more to lenses 35mm and wider. Non-Leica lenses can also be manually coded in the camera menus. Here you can find a list of 6 bit codes and non-leica lenses listed:

 

Leica M Lens Codes

 

I have had all of my lenses coded, just for the convenience. I have used John Milch, who for $35 dollars will very neatly engrave the 6 locations- all you have to do is use the chart above, and use nail polish to fill in the correct colors. This has worked flawlessly for me.

 

Do a search of the forum and you can find quite a bit of information/threads on all of these subjects. I leave a more detailed explanation for others.

[F100R]

Congrats :-)

 

I've bought my M9 two month ago. I've start with the lower lens investment and bought a Cosina Voigtlaender 35 1.4 Nokton. You'll get it for 400 $ and it is a great lens to start. I've bought for portrait work a Summicron 75 APO. This set of lenses is all what I need for travel, landscape, street and portrait. Some examples you'll find here: RangeFinder - a set on Flickr

[stormholloway]

I started with a 50mm Nokton 1.1 and I love it. It's a real bargain.

[oliveirs]

I started with a 50mm Nokton 1.1 and I love it. It's a real bargain.

 

Did you have any trouble with backfocus on the M9?

 

I was kind of interested in this lens... but i´ve heard it has some isues (backfocus) with the M9... so i was

 

Pedro

 

Flickr: Pedro Cardigo's Photostream

[Ecar]

And how are the older Leitz and Leica-lenses with the M9 compared to the newest versions?

Some feedback on (very) old lenses here:

 

http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/leica-m9-forum/120221-m9-quick-older-lenses-report.html

[Doc_P]

Henrik,

two additional hints for some reliable tests: erwin puts is it ( Home ) and steve huff, too: Steve Huff Photos - Real World Digital Camera And Lens Reviews ...

 

You spent tons of money and more for the M9: as portrait lens the 2/75 'cron is highly recommended (c.f. puts review).. imo the 2/90 is much more difficult to focus accurately. The 2/75 'cron is sharp already at f=2 and cruelly, sharp, unforgiving at f=5.6! It depends if your "subjects" can live with this accuracy.... If you want an alternative, classical look the Zeiss ZM 1.5/50 Sonnar is a remarkable alternative with a special gloomy 30s look (and tons of all aberrations).

 

For wide-angle it's the new 1.4/35 ASPH (you have to wait for it). The Zeiss ZM 4/18 Distagon is a viable alternative to the Leica 3.8/18, when used with the 21 pre asph settings. Of course the WATE 16-18-21 is really superior (consistent sharpness across the picture) but a little bit on the expensive side...

 

Summary: Leica 2/75 'cron as starter, ZM 4/18 and 1.4/35 ASPH new when available...

 

Have fun

Axel

[sclamb]

At the wide end, the Leica 24mm f/3.8 is absolutely superb. I traded mine in for the 24mm f/1.4, but if fast glass is not imperative to you then the f/3.8 is highly recommended. If you need wider, the 18mm f/3.8 is also a superb performer.

 

As for portrait lenses, I had the 75mm f/2.5 Summarit and recently traded it for the 75mm f/2 Summicron. I haven't looked back. The Summarit is excellent but the Summicron is in another league. I also used to own the 90mm f/2 Summicron and that is also a stunning performer.

 

I truly believe that Leica lenses are as good as it gets, but that is not to dismiss Zeiss which is also very, very good and normally cheaper.

 

Simon

[yanidel]

As for portrait lenses, I had the 75mm f/2.5 Summarit and recently traded it for the 75mm f/2 Summicron. I haven't looked back. The Summarit is excellent but the Summicron is in another league.

I did the same but I would not say the Cron is in another league. The Summarit is just as good, except it has got 2/3 of a stop less. In fact I sold the Summarit because it was too perfect and lacked a bit of character wide open.

[lars_bergquist]

I want to put in a good word for the classical v.4 35mm Summicron. It was good on my M4-P and on my M8. But I sent my 1983 lens to Solms for coding and a c.l.a., and what I received back was amazing: A really good, very compact, fast 35mm lens which is now one of my mainstay lenses. I am waiting for the new Summilux ASPH, but will keep the Summicron and use it.

 

Many older M lenses are in fact very useable, and I have used lots of them. Wide angle lenses must of course be coded. Several Zeiss ZM lenses are also very good indeed. I purchased the 18mm Distagon when Leica had no such thing, and I feel no urge at all to exchange it for a Super-Elmar. It is optically very good, very solidly constructed, has a sensible bayonet hood -- not the idiotic screw-in contraptions of the new Leica lenses -- and uses standard screw filters. Encouraged by this experience I also bought the 25mm Biogon. This is superb. I saw to it that both lenses were delivered with bayonets for the correct framelines (28+90 for the Distagon, 35+135 for the Biogon), pulled the bayonet rings and sent them across the Atlantic to John Milich. A hassle, but a worthwhile one.

 

The old man from the Age of the Zeiss Novar

[sclamb]

I did the same but I would not say the Cron is in another league. The Summarit is just as good, except it has got 2/3 of a stop less. In fact I sold the Summarit because it was too perfect and lacked a bit of character wide open.

 

Yes, that's kind of what I meant by being in another league. As you say, the Summarit is almost too clinical whereas the Summicron marries sharpness and rendering, especially the OOF areas, with such wonderful balance that is has a unique look.

 

Simon

[artspraken]

i bought 2 lenses today

 

 

• Leica 50mm Summicron f2 - wicked sharp
  
• Leica 50mm Summilux f1.4 pre-ASPH titanium - crazy bokeh!
  

 

i'll see which i like more and sell the one i don't want. good thing abt leica is its so easy to find buyers for used lenses.

[alastair]

G'day from Australia,

I would just put in a word for the Tri-elmar's. I've just finished a trip to Cuba for 4 weeks and shot mainly with the Tri's. As travel lenes they work well and the "wide" is quite outstanding. The "standard" tri is no longer made, but is a gem to work with.

 

You will be very happy with older lenes as well. I'm having the older f1 nocti coded and aligned with the M9 at the moment and look forward to using this super fast glass with the new sensor, which to my eye is a big leap forward over the M8's.

 

Cheers

 

Alastair

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Hallo,

Look here: Leica M

[msk2193]

Go with the 24mm Summilux and the 90mm Summicron and you are off to a great start!

The newer coded lenses make it easier to switch lenses without having to manually enter what lens is on the M9.