Best Land/CityScape Lens for M9?

[Archiver]

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Do you use the Zeiss viewfinder and if so, are there problems with framing? I have read that it is offset from the lens centre-line.

 

I do use the Zeiss viewfinder, but I don't find too many problems with framing for landscapes. The subject matter is far away enough for any off centredness to be made moot. At the same time, I am much more loose with my framing with the M9 than with a DSLR, as I simply assume that I'm going to get a decent approximation of framing and let cropping take care of the rest!

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[jacarape]

I have both a 28/2,8 ASPH and a 35/1,4 fat ASPH and find them not to be close at all. Sure, 7mm sould sound like a small amount, but in use they make a great pair.

 

And this jsut shows that what works for you may not be what somebody else would choose. Justr like the difference between an 18 and a 21 is much larger then 3mm would seem to say.

 

It sounds like yoru putting a good kit together, have fun don't be surprised if you end up selling some or all for different FLs.

[Keith (M)]

Thank you all for the informative discussion and advice - appreciated! I have now made my decision and purchased the ZM 21mm f2.8 + ZI viewfinder, which hopefully will arrive on Monday. To round off my outifit, I will be ordering the Summarit 75mm f2.5 (although the dealer is suggesting the new CV 75mm f1.8 Helia Classic as an alternative at half the price).

 

Therefore my M9 outfit will consist of Zeiss ZM 21, 35 and 50mm + (likely) the Summarit 75mm f2.5.

 

I think any suggestion of further lens purchases would lead me into very hot water!

 

PS - shall I start an new thread - " Summarit 75mm f2.5 -v- CV Helia Classic 75mm f1.8?"

[IkarusJohn]

HI Keith,

 

Please keep us informed of how you go - I'm very interested in your experience with the ZM 21.

 

Cheers

John

[Archiver]

I once went for a wander with the ZM 25/28 and the CV 75/2.5. I found myself missing the inbetween focal lengths, and would have loved a 35 or 50 on that day.

 

I have the 75mm Summarit, and it is a great lens, and quite a bit better than the CV 75/2.5, IMO. I like the sharpness and colours more, and the bokeh is nicer, too.

 

As for a 50, my first 50 in M-mount is the Summicron, and it is gorgeous. I love just about everything about it, from the build and smoothness of the focus ring, to the sharpness and bokeh. The colours are wonderful from this lens as well. I have heard very good things about the Zeiss Planar 50/2, very comparable with the Leica, which should be a great bet if you're on a budget.

[MarkP]

Thank you all for the informative discussion and advice - appreciated! I have now made my decision and purchased the ZM 21mm f2.8 + ZI viewfinder, which hopefully will arrive on Monday. To round off my outifit, I will be ordering the Summarit 75mm f2.5 (although the dealer is suggesting the new CV 75mm f1.8 Helia Classic as an alternative at half the price).

 

Therefore my M9 outfit will consist of Zeiss ZM 21, 35 and 50mm + (likely) the Summarit 75mm f2.5.

 

I think any suggestion of further lens purchases would lead me into very hot water!

 

PS - shall I start an new thread - " Summarit 75mm f2.5 -v- CV Helia Classic 75mm f1.8?"

 

 

As I mentioned in an earlier post in this thread, I have the same range of focal lengths( 21 Lux (Asph), 35 Lux (Asph), 50 Lux (Asph), and 75 Cron (on order). I had NOT wanted any more lenses but I feel that I'm missing something in between 21 & 35, specifically for groups of people where there is way too much distortion anywhere near the edges with the 21. Will need to consider a 24 or 28 (maybe the little 28 Elmarit)...

 

Mark

[lars_bergquist]

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Mark, the M9 has some amazing reserves. Digital processing of even the simplest kind makes it easy and painless to avoid using the extreme right and left parts of the field, cropping the image afterwards. Unless you are into some strange antics -- like producing 2x3 meter prints intended to be scrutinised with the aid of a magnifier -- the theoretical loss of quality is just that -- theoretical.

 

So, unless you shoot slide film, you don't need anything between 21 and 35mm.

 

The old man from the Quick and Dirty Age

[MarkP]

Mark, the M9 has some amazing reserves. Digital processing of even the simplest kind makes it easy and painless to avoid using the extreme right and left parts of the field, cropping the image afterwards. Unless you are into some strange antics -- like producing 2x3 meter prints intended to be scrutinised with the aid of a magnifier -- the theoretical loss of quality is just that -- theoretical.

 

So, unless you shoot slide film, you don't need anything between 21 and 35mm.

 

The old man from the Quick and Dirty Age

 

Thanks for the advice Lars. You're absolutely right. Thats initially why I didn't think I needed anything between 21 & 35mm. I shoot M9 and am not fussed about some cropping.

 

I need to plan do this this next time I'm shooting groups of people, and ensure the composition isn't dependent on anything near the edges. Otherwise I love the 21 and it obviously isn't a problem for landscapes, creative photography, etc... just stretched people near or at the edges.

 

I think I can stop at my 4 lenses. Leica has made enough out of me already!

 

 

Regards,

Mark

 

The younger man with enough Leica glass (?)