ickcure Posted January 21, 2011 Share #1 Posted January 21, 2011 Advertisement (gone after registration) hello community! I just purchased an M8 body, my first leica ever! Having shot the mamiya 6 rangefinder for years, and getting tired/bored with my workhorse nikon D700, i knew i wanted to return to RF shooting. oh, how i pined for that M9, but in the end i knew it was smarter on many counts to go with the M8 first. so now i have to decide on a lens. I can only afford $1200 or so for a lens, which can't buy me a lot, but i have to start somewhere. i seek a wide angle lens. there are a few 21mm's out there that are withing budget, and i'm ok with that, even knowing that the brightlines on the M8 go only out to 24mm. (the available 24mm lenses out there seem much more expensive by comparison!) two questions: 1) if i wanted to go real cheap and get a SM to M adapter, is there anything out there for the M8's 24-35 lenses? I can't seem to find any. 2) any suggestions? THANK YOU! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted January 21, 2011 Posted January 21, 2011 Hi ickcure, Take a look here Starter lens for M8. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
roguewave Posted January 21, 2011 Share #2 Posted January 21, 2011 Welcome Aboard. There are 2 possible solutions I would proffer. 1) the Zeiss Biogon 2,8 ZM. I love this lens. With the 1/3 crop factor, you have the sweet spot of a 28 focal length. Color rendition is fabulous. Clean, but not clinical. Not too razor sharp, nor does it have an unreal look. Because of the crop, low distortion at the edges. I bought one from a Forum member & I love this lens. My all time favorite M lens is a cult favorite, Dr. Mandler's original 35 Summilux. It has a very unique signature and is an amazing portrait lens. Just wide enough to get a head & shoulders to fill a frame or step back and get a scene. The lens is becoming rare, but they just don't make them like this any more. It has some flare, but I love that when I'm shooting musicians in a live setting. It's famous for that Leica glow & unrivaled bokeh. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ecaton Posted January 22, 2011 Share #3 Posted January 22, 2011 As far as 24mm options are concerned, the ZM 25mm is an excellent lens. Probably the best of all of the ZM lenses and performance wise as good as the legendary Leica Elmarit 24. Alternatively, you could start with CV lenses, very good performers and great value for the money, and with your budget you can buy 2-3 (used maybe even 4) of them. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wda Posted January 22, 2011 Share #4 Posted January 22, 2011 ickcure, Welcome to the Forum! And welcome to digital-M photography! As a first priority, I would urge to try and find a Leica solution to your quest for a first lens. If reasonably accessible, visit a local Leica dealer and discuss your need. He may well have an older Leica lens in stock which he does not advertise on the internet. It is good to build a relationship with a Leica dealer. Loyalty is rewarded. Second, if you do buy a non-Leica wide-angle lens, be aware of the need to get it 6-bit coded and fitted with a UV/Ir-cut filter which can be important if shooting certain synthetic fabrics. Not everyone will agree, but wide angle lenses clearly benefit from Leica firmware correction, provided the camera can detect what lens is fitted (via 6-bit coding). Third, consider a good used sample of the current 35mm Summarit lens. Any in that range are excellent performers. Fourth, try and think what your second lens might be so that your progression is towards a sensibly balanced set of lenses. That might cause you to favour a different focal length for your wide-angle lens. Finally, do remember the crop-factor. For example, a 21mm lens equates to 28mm on the Leica M8. Do let us know what lenses you choose. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
el fotografo Posted January 22, 2011 Share #5 Posted January 22, 2011 I agree that the ZM 28mm 2.8 lens is a great start. A new one is within your budget and you can probably find a used one and have extra cash for the next lens. On my M8, my standard 35 is a Elmarit-M 28mm 2.8 4th version/ E46 filter. It is from 1994 and has an image quality that I really like. You may have to look around, however it is within your budget as well. I also have a CV 35mm 3.5 lens that is cheap, small and light, however I like it better on film. Have fun- the M8 takes a little while to get comfortable with, however once you do it can really deliver. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ickcure Posted January 23, 2011 Author Share #6 Posted January 23, 2011 thank you all for the warm welcome and your expert feedback! i will continue investigating! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
trs Posted January 23, 2011 Share #7 Posted January 23, 2011 Advertisement (gone after registration) Per your budget, 28/2.8 ASPH maybe not be option, but that served me well as first lens for my M8. To date, I love the lens. I thought 28mm was perfect focal length (to my taste) for M8. Sumarit line is little less and little faster as well. That might be an opiton. Enjoy your new purchase. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichardM8 Posted January 25, 2011 Share #8 Posted January 25, 2011 Another vote for the Elamarit 28 ASPH. I bought mine new together with a s/h M8.2 body as a first and - for now - only lens. The 28 is a 35 (ok, 37) on the M8 and in this is the most versatile focus length available in my view. The lens is small, light, very sharp with high(ish) contrast. From what I can see and feel the Elmarit has a higher build quality than the Summarits (which are excellent too). Very nice combo! Richard. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.