a dilemma (warning can contain GAS)

[jlindstrom]

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Yep, I have a dilemma.. I know you can't crack the nut for me, but sometimes it helps to talk

 

I have a nice collection of lenses for my M8. A 28 elmarit asph (latest), a 50 slux pre-asph E46 and a 75 slux of the last version with built-in hood. All made in Germany and perfectly minty.

 

However I feel the sluxes are a bit lost in my use with the M8. I find them too long.. I've slowly turned into a 50 kinda guy.

 

Now, the plot thickens.. An M9 would solve this nicely. The kit would be almost perfect..

 

But it'll take at least a year more to save up for M9. I could take a shortcut, but that would mean trading in my elmarit & 75 slux and a pile of cash.. this could be maybe two monhts away. I know I could live with the 50 alone.. but I'm worried I'd miss the 75 and never find another one. The elmarit doesn't worry me..

 

So, should I pull the trigger and go for the one lens M9 kit or fight the GAS and be greatly rewarded for my patience in the future by starting with the M9 along with a nice kit of lenses?

 

//Juha

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[farnz]

Well. Juha, the old saying goes: "Never sell a Leica lens.":o

 

Another way to do it might be to buy an inexpensive 35 mm lens, which will give you 47mm on the M8 and keep your existing lenses while you save up for your M9. The Voigtlander 35/1.9 Ultron and the Voigtlander 35/1.2 Nokton are both very good lenses that can be found relatively cheaply.

 

Pete.

[Nicoleica]

If I were you, I'd keep the lenses, and save like mad. Unless of course you have any spare organs or relatives you can sell to make up the shortfall. (Only joking.) Seriously though, if you were to sell your lenses, you'd most probably end up regretting it, and probably end up paying more to replace them in the future.

[01af]

Treat yourself with a nice Summarit-M 35 mm 1:2.5 ... or one of the cheaper alternatives in the 35 mm range, like a Zeiss C-Biogon 35 mm 1:2.8 or a Voigtländer Color-Skopar 35 mm 1:2.5. That would give you the 50 mm-e (millimeter equivalent) on your M8 (albeit not Summilux speed but you can't have it all for cheap money, and you already have a 50 mm 1:1.4 at least).

 

Then take your time saving up for an M9. The reason why I specifically recommend the Summarit-M 35 mm is because it is not just a cheap stop-gap until you can afford either a Summilux-M 35 mm or an M9 (or both) but it is a really nice lens on its own that you will fall in love with. I'm almost sure you'll keep it even when you'd own a Summilux-M 35 mm one fine day.

[Nicoleica]

Please allow me to second the suggestion for a Summarit 35. This truly is a beautiful lens, and became a permanent fixture on my M8.

[jlindstrom]

I suppose you're all correct and to tell you the truth saving up is te direction I'm leaning to.. I'm especially worried about heavily regretting the loss of the somewhat rare 75 slux.

 

I'll have to see about the summarit though. I suppose come trade-in time a kit of M8 + coded summarit and uv/ir would yield better result than M8 alone.

 

I used to have 40 nokton which I enjoyed thoroughly but sold to finance my pre-asph slux. That's why I said I'm turning to fifty kinda guy..

 

I suppose 28/35/50 would be a great combo to live with while saving up for the M9. I don't particularly enjoy the 75 on M8, but when it delivers - it delivers in a big way! The rare occasions of success are due to me rather than the lens. I'm quite positive I'll enjoy it immensly on FF.

 

//Juha

[zombii]

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If you have a good Lux 75, I wouldn't sell it. I understand the low hit rate as I have the same issue but as you say, when you get it right, it's hard to beat. As for a reasonably priced 50mm equivalent for the M8, I'd suggest a Summicron 40. About as good for the money as you can get IMHO.

[wudai_e]

If I were you, I'd use that money for the purchase of the new 35mm Lux, which would be the logical choice for me.

 

But of course, since this involves GAS, logic does not apply in this situation. We only live once, buy or sell what your heart tells you is what I suggest. But then, when the M9.2 or M999 hits the shelf, can you resist the GAS again?

 

I don't think our justification of "oh I need a FF camera so I'd prefer the M9" is a justification at all. It's just an excuse so we can go ahead and indulge ourselves with a 7k camera. Do we need it? I know I don't, it's only a question you can answer for yourself. If you will feel happy about whatever decision you make, by all means, do it!

 

Just my 2 cents.

[jlindstrom]

Well, yes and no..

 

A 35 lux would be one obvious way to sort out things at least partially. But that wouldn't get me back the 50 and 75 focals from the lenses U have currently. And it wouldn't improve tje high iso capabilities one bit..

 

I do admit that both of those things are more in the "nice to have" rather than "must have" side of he matter. And I also admit that it's partially the matter of indulgence. But like you said, one takes their choices and pays the price..

 

As for indulging and needing, even my current kit is way too expensive for my needs.. I shoot only for the peasure of my own (and sometimes friends & family, when the results reward it). For this kind of use anything nore than point&shoot is pretty much over the top. I could propably get away with DL4 alone.. But there comes the pleasure part again I just love shooting with an M.

 

After all the complex "gadgets" I see daily in my "IT job", the leica M is just a beautifully simple machine. Not to mention it's nice to look at as well. Makes me appreciate the craftmanship behind it and it's lenses.

 

But yea, I've started to save up some money. When I've got enough stashed away I can make the choice between M9 and 35 lux.. since the cost is pretty much equal, if part-exing my M8 for the M9. Gives me a good year to think about it, whilst shooting with my M8. Current lenses stay!

 

//Juha

[jlindstrom]

and sorry for the terrible typos in the previous messages. I seem to be making quite a few with the iPads virtual kb, when typing fast..

[Ecaton]

Yep, I have a dilemma.. I know you can't crack the nut for me, but sometimes it helps to talk

 

I have a nice collection of lenses for my M8. A 28 elmarit asph (latest), a 50 slux pre-asph E46 and a 75 slux of the last version with built-in hood. All made in Germany and perfectly minty.

 

However I feel the sluxes are a bit lost in my use with the M8. I find them too long.. I've slowly turned into a 50 kinda guy.

 

Now, the plot thickens.. An M9 would solve this nicely. The kit would be almost perfect..

 

But it'll take at least a year more to save up for M9. I could take a shortcut, but that would mean trading in my elmarit & 75 slux and a pile of cash.. this could be maybe two monhts away. I know I could live with the 50 alone.. but I'm worried I'd miss the 75 and never find another one. The elmarit doesn't worry me.

 

So, should I pull the trigger and go for the one lens M9 kit or fight the GAS and be greatly rewarded for my patience in the future by starting with the M9 along with a nice kit of lenses?

 

//Juha

 

If 50mm is your focal length, getting a M9 is well worth it. I enjoyed a M8 since early 2007, but always regretted that the crop factor turned my all time favorite lens, the Summilux 50 asph, into an odd and not very useful 67mm equiv. focal length. Since I have the M9, the Summilux 50 became its body cap (90% of the time), a perfect combination. Eventually, the Leica system is about the lenses and about getting the best out of them. With your present set up, a relatively slowish 37mm equiv. lens is probably your main one, although, as you say, you are a 50 guy. My advise: stop compromising, don't hang on to the 75 lux for sentimental reasons, sell it with the Elmarit. Get a M9 and "glue" your Summilux 50mm to it. By the way, if you are in the US, buying in Europe from a reputable dealer can save you about USD 1000 on a new M9.

I can't follow your math with the pile of cash needed. A used M8 should bring at least USD 2000, a Elmarit about USD 1300, Summilux 75 USD 2500 (all low estimates). And a new M9 excl. VAT shipped to the US from a German dealer costs about UD 6000. Do the math.

[wstotler]

So, should I pull the trigger and go for the one lens M9 kit or fight the GAS and be greatly rewarded for my patience in the future by starting with the M9 along with a nice kit of lenses?

//Juha

 

Yes, it's just GAS.

 

Hold on to your glass! You have it. Wait patiently for your M9. Or, M10. Or, M11. And take a few steps back in the meanwhile.

 

Cheers!

Will

[Photon42]

Yep, I have a dilemma.. I know you can't crack the nut for me, but sometimes it helps to talk [...]

 

The M9 doesn't only put your 50 to better uses, but also has different needs and advantages. Check carefully, what you may need in terms of focal length and lens speed with an M9. Maybe you find the 75 too close to the 50. In this case, you may consider selling it. However, obtaining such a lens at present for a good price is not easy, so take your time for the decision. The 75 and the M8 being sold, you should be quite close to an M9, financially, if you've done it properly. So?

 

Regards

Ivo