Vintage Lenses for M8

[peterv]

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Hi all,

 

over the past weeks we have seen some amazing pictures made with the M8 in combination with old lenses from different brands.

 

I think it would be fun to search in (photographic) antique shops for lenses that can be used on our brandnew M8.

 

Is there a list of all suitable lenses available somewhere?

 

Please post the names of the lenses that you know to be usable and their technical info here. An estimated price would also be interesting.

 

Examples are very welcome, but please post them in the photoforum and add a link in this thread (so as to keep our moderators happy)

 

Thanks,

 

Peter

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[stunsworth]

I have a 1930s Summar that I'll take a few shots when I get my M8 - in fact I may even use it for the first shot :-). The results will have poor colours, lack contrast and be prone to flare, but I'm curious to see what they look like converted to b&w.

 

Oh, and I'll be careful not to collapse the barrel. Estimated cost? Not too many £/Euro/$.

[jaapv]

I have a 1954 Summarit 50/1.5 LTM on adapter that performs so well that I ordered an IR filter for it and a Summaron 3.5/35 goggled from 1956 that really holds it's own as well.It is clear that this old stuff does far better on the 1.3 sensor than on film, because of the cutoff of the edges, but it holds its character.

[rvaubel]

I have a 1954 Summarit 50/1.5 LTM on adapter that performs so well that I ordered an IR filter for it and a Summaron 3.5/35 goggled from 1956 that really holds it's own as well.It is clear that this old stuff does far better on the 1.3 sensor than on film, because of the cutoff of the edges, but it holds its character.

 

I found the same thing. My canon 50mm/1.2 maintains its unique fingerprint while the overly soft edges are eliminated. My 90mm/4 collapsible also reveals its unique character.

 

I must mention that is is on my RD1. With the M8, I expect similar results but maybe even more so. Fooling with these older lenses has been one of the unexpected pleasures of the digital rangefinder. With DSLRs you just can't do this.

 

Rex

[petermcwerner]

My old 50/2.8 Elmar performs very well on the M8, and so does an old 90/4 Elmar.

 

[ATTACH]21167[/ATTACH]

 

M8, Elmar 90mm/4 @ 4.0 - RAW + C1

 

The biggest discovery for me was a 20mm/4.0 Zeiss Jena Flektogon in M42 mount + Adapter. I also used an old 20mm/4.0 Nikkor but I prefer the Flektogon. A different alternative is the Russian 16mm/2.8 Zenitar, but it demands more post-processing. In a different class, a 73mm/1.9 Hektor of 1938 vintage did fare well, too.

 

My favorite and most used lens on the M8 is the 20mm Flektogon

[petermcwerner]

I have a 1930s Summar that I'll take a few shots when I get my M8 - in fact I may even use it for the first shot :-). The results will have poor colours, lack contrast and be prone to flare, but I'm curious to see what they look like converted to b&w.

Oh, and I'll be careful not to collapse the barrel. Estimated cost? Not too many £/Euro/$.

Steve, you might surprised how good the results will be, much better than on film if you care to do some post-processing. The low contrast IMHO is an asset, you can always increase it in PS, it allows you to have a big dynamic range without burning the highlights. See the examples with the Flektogon, another low-contrast lens. The colours, too, can be quite good if you do not mind playing a bit with with the Saturation and Lightness controls. See the example with the 73mm Hektor.

Peter

[waterlenz]

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Any shots with old lenses into the sun?

Tom

[cnguyen]

I have a 1949 50mm f2 Summitar coll that I plan to put on my M8 as soon as my adapter arrives.

[petermcwerner]

Any shots with old lenses into the sun?

Tom

Most of them flare. For that sort of pictures (or night photography with a direct light source in the picture) you need modern lenses.

[petermcwerner]

I have a 1949 50mm f2 Summitar coll that I plan to put on my M8 as soon as my adapter arrives.

Do not forget to put a tape around the barrel to avoid unintentionally collapsing it. I accidentally collapsed a Summicron and felt it bumping against something solid, probably the shutter. No damage was done, as I had not pressed very hard, but it served me as a lesson.