M8 lens shortlist

[paul_barker]

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Hi Folks

 

An M8 with my name on it has shown up for me at my dealers... yippee!

 

So, being new to the M system I need some glass to put on the front of it. To start with I'm looking for about three lenses to get me going (somehow, I know this will end up being five ), wide-ish , medium-ish and long-ish. I thought I'd run my shortlist in front of the more experienced members of these boards for any opinions or alternative suggestions.

 

On the wider side of things I was thinking about the Elmarit-M 21 mm ASPH (could be wider) or, and I'm talking myself into this option, the Elmarit-M 24 mm ASPH , which sounds like it would be a great general walkabout lens and, for an economical starter wider lens, going for the CV15. Faster aperture's not so important for me with wide. I would tend to stop down a notch or three and zone focus. I had thought about the new Tri Elmar but not much between the focal lengths, bigger lens, big (ugly) viewfinder and unavailable anyway.

 

For medium view, I'm thinking about the Summilux-M 50 mm ASPH. I like my medium and longer lenses to have fast apertures and would like the Noctilux (no doubt will get one some day), but I'm thinking although it will have 'that' look at f1.0, from what I've read, the other 50's at 1.4 and smaller, are better lenses at the same apertures. Also, bigger, heavier and a challenge to focus. I imagine the Sumi at 1.4 has a hint of glow? Again, from what I've read, sounds like a cracking lens. Although, I would be interested in seeing some 100%crops of a Noctilux at 1 and 1.4 if anybody has any?

 

At the longer end I'm thinking of the Apo-Summicron-M 90 mm ASPH. I would be wanting it just bring things nearer and it sounds like it would have the clinical look (like the R version?) which would give me another option (with the Sumi 1.4) when it comes to what sort of look I may want, for example, a portrait.

 

So the question is (just before I go and empty my bank account); does my thinking make sense? I'm sure, over time, I will add other, in-between focal lengths, this is just a starting point. Any thoughts, opinions, alternative suggestions greatly appreciated.

 

Cheers

Paul

[jaapv]

Don't ask me - I don't have a shortlist - just a far too long list of lenses...

Nice combo: 24 asph - 35 Summicron/lux asph- 75 Summilux/cron.....

[Shootist]

I'd have to agree with jaapv.

24/35/75 if you didn't have any M lenses.

Myself I already have 50/90/135 and a Summicron-C 40 f/2 and just ordered a 35 f/2. 24 will next in line for me as soon as I can find a dealer that has some in stock. Everyone I talk to says they don't normally stock them, like B&H. I actually ordered one from Adorama because they did not have it listed as not in stock so I though they did actually have them. Come to find out that they don't have them in stock so I canceled the order from them and ordered the 35 from B&H.

The 75 is something I would like but it is NOT on my list at this time. I can make do with the 50 and the 90 for now.

[marknorton]

I agree with Jaap - initially, stay in the 24 - 75 range; wider and you need an aux finder and 90 is a bit long. My choice would be the same 3 lenses, 24/2, 35/1.4 and 75/2. Then add WATE, 28/2, 50/1.4.

[Eoin]

Hi Paul.

 

Congrat's on the pending M8.

As for lens choice, I have the 21 Elmarit Asph, 35 Summilux Asph, 50 Cron and 75 Cron Apo Asph.

If I was to start from scratch I would suggest a 2 or 3 lens setup.

 

2 lens: 28 Summicron Asph f/2.0 and a 75 Summicron Apo Asph f/2.0

 

3 lens: 21mm Elmarit Asph f/2.8, 35 Summilux Asph f/1.4 and 75 Summicron Apo Asph f/2.0

 

If you were planing to add the CV 15 I would consider changing the 21 to a 24.

[stunsworth]

What Jaap said. 24/35/75 - or 21/28/50 if you want a wider take. the advantage of the first set is that you won't need any external viewfinders.

[Brett Cambern]

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My previous camera was a Digilux 2 and I mostly found myself using the 28-90 zoom at either 28 or 90. Hence, I chose to start with a 28 Cron and the 75 Cron for somewhat equivalent FOV (I know the 28 equates to a 37 but I really wanted the extra speed vs. the 21 or 24).

 

I rounded out that pairing with the CV 15 which based on all accounts here is too good to pass up. For the price, it is a no-brainer.

[wattsy]

I'm sure, over time, I will add other, in-between focal lengths, this is just a starting point.

 

Over time I learnt that two or three lenses are plenty enough.

[wparsonsgisnet]

Paul, what Jaap said.

 

I use the 24, a 35mm f1.4 asph, and a 75mm f1.4.

I also have other lenses, but that's the 3-lens combo I'd go for.

 

I find the 24 is on the camera most of the time. It's a 32mm-equivalent, of course.

 

It's slow for me, tho. I really want an f1.4 in this range!

[Guest guy_mancuso]

Over time I learnt that two or three lenses are plenty enough.

 

Now you tell me. LOL

[carstenw]

Given that the 24 is an f/2.8 and the 28 an f/2.0, my choice would be (and is) 28, 50, 75. I also think that 90 is too long, and you should throw in the CV15 for good luck. Cheap, good, tiny.

[macusque]

Agreed with Carsten, saved for the 75 Apo, which I replaced with the 90 Apo.

 

My setup, after many different evaluations, is:

 

CV 15, 28/2, 50/1.4 asph, 90 /2 Apo.

[photolandscape]

I was in the same boat six weeks ago when I got my M8.

 

It took all the $$ I could muster to get the body, and my funds for lenses were thin. So, I opted for the new 28mm Elmarit and a used 90mm Elmarit.

 

Just don't forget that due to the sensor, 28mm translates to 28 x 1.33, or about 37mm.

 

And the 90mm translates to 90 x 1.33, or 120mm--pretty long.

[Guest Olof]

I think 28 2.0 / 50 1.4 / 75 2.0 would be a good combination and with these 3 lenses you have the 3 best Leica offers at the moment. And also their intervall is good 28-> 50 = 23 and 50 -> 75 = 25

[Woody Campbell]

When I limit myself the 3 they are the 21 asp, 35 lux and 75 chron. As to the 24 asp I like the lens but hate the framelines - I find myself pushing my eye up against the viewfinder and I'm constantly searching for them. Too little eye relief to be comfortable.

 

Later this week I plan on spending some time with the 24 on the camera and a 35mm supplemental viewfinder.

[grober]

When you only had a film Leica-M and, at the long end of your kit, owned both 90mm and 135mm lenses, ask youself which lens got used more?

 

I ran that same idea through my now-sized M8 head and promptly slimmed down to a 75 Apo-Summicorn and 90 Tele-Elmarit. (Plus, selling that wonderful 90 Apo-Summicron put me over the required amount of necessary cash to actually buy the M8.)

 

Same thing is happening again with the M8, the 75mm gets used more than the 90.

 

-g.

[wparsonsgisnet]

I am feeling that the 90 'cron will be a specialty lens for me. Based on my experienced fumbling, it'll need a 'pod (mono or tri in this case, not "i") to render the images securely.

 

I also find that the 90 is more difficult to focus than the 75. As for the 135 with the goggles, it was sold about 3 years ago. Funny: it was the first lens I bought after my initial 50mm lens and it almost never got used.

[paul_barker]

Thanks very much for your thoughts guys. Some interesting food for thought.

 

At the longer end, I was thinking about the 90 for travel, just getting closer in views, so super accurate framing wouldn't be so much of an issue as I would just chimp. I guess the frame is uncomfortably small for doing portraits and maybe trickier to focus, so I can see why the 75 has been suggested.

 

The 24,35,75 combo sounds a useful combo. Now I wonder lux or apo for the 75. I like the sound of octagonal circles of confusion that I've just read about on Guy's 75Vs 90 thread. hmm.

 

Over time I learnt that two or three lenses are plenty enough.

 

I'm sure you're right but, sadly (after he sent me some DMR files), I contracted the fatal disease known in the Leica world as mancuso-itus. There is no known cure.

 

So my shortlist of three lenses is now;

 

CV15 (so cheap, rude not to and if I find I really like/need that fov, funds allowing, could upgrade to a Zeiss 15)

24/2.8 Elmarit

35/1.4 Summilux

50/1 Noctilux (just because i want one)

75/1.4 Summilux

90/2 Apo Summicron Aspheric

 

... oh dear, I knew this would happen .

 

Cheers

Paul

[wparsonsgisnet]

... So my shortlist of three lenses is now;

 

CV15 (so cheap, rude not to and if I find I really like/need that fov, funds allowing, could upgrade to a Zeiss 15)

24/2.8 Elmarit

35/1.4 Summilux

50/1 Noctilux (just because i want one)

75/1.4 Summilux

90/2 Apo Summicron Aspheric

 

Paul, with regard to your list, of all the lenses you list the 35 f1.4 non-asph (if that's what you were considering) is very prone to flare. This is the single lens in your list that I would say *must* be an asph lens.

 

If you are in a situation that causes flare in the lens the image you get won't be worth snot.

 

Great list. Congratulations on your illness. The recovery process is prolonged and delicious.

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Hallo,

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[paul_barker]

Thanks for the tip Bill. I'm planning on buying new (as long as the bank job goes smoothly), or very late s/h so yes, the 35 would be asph.

 

Cheers

Paul