madaneerg Posted January 22, 2011 Share #1 Posted January 22, 2011 Advertisement (gone after registration) Can I get some help picking my first M8 lens? I'll be picking up my M8 body this week and can't wait to start experimenting. I'm sure I'll pick up a second/ possibly a third lens, but for now will just have one. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted January 22, 2011 Posted January 22, 2011 Hi madaneerg, Take a look here Help picking first lens. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
Nicoleica Posted January 22, 2011 Share #2 Posted January 22, 2011 It all depends upon where your interests lie, your lens preferences, and how much you wish to spend really. If you are looking for a good all-round lens for an M8, then I'd suggest a 35mm focal length to start with. This is the equivalent of a 50mm 'Normal' lens on a full-frame camera, and will suit most common purposes. As for 'which' 35mm lens, then a lot depends upon how important is high speed to you, and whether it must be Leica or not. There are quite a few options for new lenses, and even more for used ones. If you are looking for a not too expensive Leica lens, then I can recommend the Summarit 35mm f:2.5. I found this to be a beautiful lens to use on an M8, and by Leica standards, it is not expensive. I'm sure that others will suggest a myriad of alternatives too. One important item that you will need though, whichever lens that you decide upon, is an IR-Cut filter. This is most important for use with the M8. (If you are buying the camera new, then Leica will give you 2 filters for free.) Good luck, and I wish you much pleasure with your new camera. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
madaneerg Posted January 23, 2011 Author Share #3 Posted January 23, 2011 Nicoleica, thank you - I'm watching a few lenses end on ebay, is there any other source to pick up good second hand lens? I recall dealing with a very knowledgeable woman from NY when I had my M6, but I can't remember her name. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wda Posted January 23, 2011 Share #4 Posted January 23, 2011 madaneerg, as I said in another thread, visit your local Leica dealer and discuss the issue with him. It is a good starting point, even if he has little stock to show you. You might pay a little more, but you should get a guarantee and 'peace of mind'. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
WestMichigan Posted January 23, 2011 Share #5 Posted January 23, 2011 Hello, might I suggest joining ReidReviews.com. Sean Reid (a member of the L-Camera-Forum BTW) has a subscription site where he offers (in my opinion) very well written reviews of most available modern M lenses (Leica, Zeiss, Voigtlander) which are a nice blending of high resolution sample photographs, nicely done comparitive test images, and well thought out presentation of objective and subjective thoughts on each lens. For me, it's worth the 30 some Dollars (U.S.) for just the insights into what physically will land in your hands when the Fedex Santa Claus arrives with whatever lens you end up choosing, what the physical experience of bayoneting it on your M will be like, and how it will affect your view through the Viewfinder. Note: Sean Reid has a high opinion of what Voigtlander offers to photographers willing to give em a go. I've not gotten my M8 yet, so will defer to give input on which lens to get. Richard in Michigan Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nicoleica Posted January 23, 2011 Share #6 Posted January 23, 2011 madaneerg, as I said in another thread, visit your local Leica dealer and discuss the issue with him. It is a good starting point, even if he has little stock to show you. You might pay a little more, but you should get a guarantee and 'peace of mind'. May I second this suggestion? There is nothing better than getting some 'hands-on' experience of a camera/lens before purchasing it. If you have a good dealer nearby, then establishing a friendly relationship with them will pay many dividends in the future. In these days of 'on-line everything' it is so easy to forget this factor. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dcoombs Posted January 23, 2011 Share #7 Posted January 23, 2011 Advertisement (gone after registration) I agree with Nicole regarding the 35mm lens. Your second choice might be a 28mm, which on the M8 approximates 35mm field of view. This also is a "natural" setting. I've found the 28mm is my usual set-up these days. Doug Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
drdannn Posted January 24, 2011 Share #8 Posted January 24, 2011 I carry a 28 and a 35. If going to choose one, it would be the 35 and gives you a 46.5mm equiv. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Discomonkey Posted January 24, 2011 Share #9 Posted January 24, 2011 I just finished going through this process myself as I recently made my own purchase of an M8. I spent weeks pouring over sample images, lens reviews, forums upon forums, etc. and finally decided on the Zeiss Biogon 35mm f/2. For me, I just love the images coming from this lens and it was the perfect blend of size, price and image quality. It was very nearly edged out by the 35mm Summarit for which I was able to find a very good deal from a fellow Canadian, but in the end, the extra half-stop and the few hundred dollars left in my pocket, won out. With that extra money I saved on the Biogon vs. the Summarit, I will be picking up a 21mm Color-Skopar. Food for thought! Btw, you'll be best served to join the M-mount group on Flickr and spend a few hours looking at sample images from all the lenses you're thinking about. While lens reviews helped a lot, I found this to be the best indicator of which lens I preferred. Cheers! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ishkra Posted January 24, 2011 Share #10 Posted January 24, 2011 15mm / 28mm / 40mm Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichardM8 Posted January 25, 2011 Share #11 Posted January 25, 2011 The little Elmarit 28 f/2.8 ASPH for me. Equals a 35 on the M8. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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