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lens options drive me crazy


tom0511

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I would like to reduce the number of lenses,

but with the M8 I find an argument for nearly each lens to keep it:

 

21, because my sample is so sharp (this is the lens I might sell)

24, because its the widest, without needing an external finder on the M8, I like the FOV better than that of the 28; also its a nice combo with a 50 mm lens

28/2.0 - its the availabel light standard lens on the M8

35/1.4asph My sample is sharper than my 28, and its calibrated fine, and its f1.4 (the normal available light lens)

50/1.4asph - sharp but smooth, goes great with the 24 or 28 in a combo

50/1.0 for f1.0 and the special bokeh, and the shallow DOF

75/1.4 because I find its THE best portrait lens for the M8

Tri E 28-35-50 - very flexible and quick to use for those times when you do not need a fast lens; great walkaround, outdoor, travel lens

90/2.8 some more reach than 75, smaller than 75lux, and nice compromise between speed, sharpness and still smooth

135/3.4 - will probably sell it, too hard to focus

 

 

In film times I managed to get along with just 2 lenses for some years (35+90) ,later 3 lenses (21+35+75)

 

I think the crop of the M8 and the slower wide angels make it real difficult to decide about lenses (for example 24 vs 28cron)

 

Any thoughts, help how to get out of this?

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Join the club :( I've never been able to solve this one, I just buy larger camera cases..:rolleyes: ..

It could be worse though,I have a Visoflex and that adds a considerable number of options..:eek:

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Well you are right it's hard to just have one or two lenses, but I find that the 1:2.8 / 28 and 1:1.4 / 50 seem to be a good start .. Later I would add the 35 cron/lux and 75 cron. I don't do much wide angle so I don't need to go lower then 28.

 

Oops , that's exactly what I have and I am very happy indeed with this set up. I don't think I need to invest in anything more and If I combine those lenses with the M7 and MP I can cover everything I ever do.

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Thomas, I feel the same way. There is a charm to these things: I had a 135 f2.8 with the goggles that I virtually never used and it took me 20 years to sell it.

 

Also, I thot I was going to miss the zoom of the D2 when the M8 arrived, but it turned out not to be a problem. Who knew how much fun the M8 and using all those magical lenses again was gong to be?

 

I agree about the 21 and the 135. Dump 'em. :)

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Don't ask Guy. He'll tell you that you don't have enough lenses. LOL

I didnt mention that I also still own a 50/2.8 (it was a present and normally I dont sell presents), a 35/2.0 (because it was my first M-lens and I have used it for so long) and the 15cv (because its small, good value and a good lens)

 

At least I do have no 90apo and no 75apo.

 

I feel like an adict.

 

And I am not even strong enough to sell my DMR+lenses even though I havent used it since I got my M8.

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Guest guy_mancuso
Don't ask Guy. He'll tell you that you don't have enough lenses. LOL

 

 

I was just going to excuse myself from this topic. LOL

 

Right now I am at 15,21 I sold the 24,28,35 not getting enough use,50 ,75 and 90. Actually doing better than you Tom. LOL

 

By the end of the week I may have 2 different 75's . Sick b....... I am

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I would like to reduce the number of lenses,

but with the M8 I find an argument for nearly each lens to keep it:

 

21, because my sample is so sharp (this is the lens I might sell)

24, because its the widest, without needing an external finder on the M8, I like the FOV better than that of the 28; also its a nice combo with a 50 mm lens

28/2.0 - its the availabel light standard lens on the M8

35/1.4asph My sample is sharper than my 28, and its calibrated fine, and its f1.4 (the normal available light lens)

50/1.4asph - sharp but smooth, goes great with the 24 or 28 in a combo

50/1.0 for f1.0 and the special bokeh, and the shallow DOF

75/1.4 because I find its THE best portrait lens for the M8

Tri E 28-35-50 - very flexible and quick to use for those times when you do not need a fast lens; great walkaround, outdoor, travel lens

90/2.8 some more reach than 75, smaller than 75lux, and nice compromise between speed, sharpness and still smooth

135/3.4 - will probably sell it, too hard to focus

 

 

In film times I managed to get along with just 2 lenses for some years (35+90) ,later 3 lenses (21+35+75)

 

I think the crop of the M8 and the slower wide angels make it real difficult to decide about lenses (for example 24 vs 28cron)

 

Any thoughts, help how to get out of this?

 

24 + 35 + 75 is my choice.

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I was just going to excuse myself from this topic. LOL

 

Right now I am at 15,21 I sold the 24,28,35 not getting enough use,50 ,75 and 90. Actually doing better than you Tom. LOL

 

By the end of the week I may have 2 different 75's . Sick b....... I am

 

wow, neither 24 or 28?

If I had to have only one lens it would probably be one of these to (I guess the 28).

 

Guy, are you sure you dont want to fill the gap?

 

I understand your lust for two 75s. I was even wondering to replace the 90/2.8 with the 75/2.0, but keeping the 75/1.4

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Guest guy_mancuso

I sold just the 24mm to Jamie but I am missing it . i think with my 2 vouchers the WATE and a 24mm again. I'm selling a lot of DMR lenses so I really need to cover myself on the M side. Keeping the DMR, 24 shift lens, getting a 28-90 and the 180 f2 i have and maybe a macro. Than I am covered from here to Sunday. I drive my insurance agent nuts with my changes. LOL

 

In the bag now is the 15,21,28,35,50,75,90 but that is today, Tommorrow who knows. I am a Leica lens junkie there is no doubt about it

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I was just going to excuse myself from this topic. LOL

 

Right now I am at 15,21 I sold the 24,28,35 not getting enough use,50 ,75 and 90. Actually doing better than you Tom. LOL

 

By the end of the week I may have 2 different 75's . Sick b....... I am

 

And catching too - I sold my 135 apo last year - now I am looking for one----

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I agree that the M8's crop factor does complicate lens choice - especially if, like me, you intend to keep at least one film body for future use (or back up). I'm a firm believer in keeping lens choice to a minimum and had long settled on 35, 50 and 90 M lenses as sufficient for all my film shooting needs. I also own a 28/2 which I had rarely used with my M7 but deliberately held off from selling in anticipation of using with the M8. Now that I have the M8 I no longer feel quite at ease standardising on a two or three lens selection. 28 (37 FOV) is a no-brainer but I'm not 100% convinced of the pairing with the 50 (65 FOV). The 50 is now too long as my standard lens, yet not quite long enough for typical 'long lens' use. 90 (120 FOV) is too long, in my opinion, for comfortable use on the M8. I've considered aquiring the 75/2 and moving to a 28 (37), 35 (46) and 75 (100) line-up but, if I did, I'd want to sell the 50 and then I'd be left without my favourite FOV (50) on a film M.

 

Decisions, decisions.

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I have been following these lens options and discussions for quite a while now, people asking what to buy or what to keep....

 

A lot of technical answers about speed and sharpness and extra stops...

 

I hardly ever see anybody asking for what need one uses the M8 -lenses...

That would very much bring down the amount of lenses needed I guess...

 

I feel there are a lot of collectors around who just want to fill their bags with any available lens and in the end just using 3 at most...

 

My personal bag?

 

Wide:

The Voigtlander 15mm....I do not use a viewfinder for this one... 1 day shooting/reviewing with this little beauty and you know exactly how to frame..

 

daily business use:

 

Tri Elmar 28-35-50

that is what I call a real alround lens and a keeper...

 

 

 

Nocti

I could not part from this one, this is my personal addiction

 

 

90/2 Cron APO

 

This is for me THE portrait lens...I have no problem whatever to focus with this lens..and it gives me just that bit of more distance to the subject to be unobtrusive and sharp as can be!!

 

I feel no need to fill the gaps between 15-28-35-50 and 90

 

I personaly feel that is overdone, just take a cpl of steps front or back

 

Now I hear many of you thinking....weight and size of the 3 last mentioned lenses.

Well not coming from a M history..I am used to weight and do not care, it helps me when focusing to eliminate movement.

 

The long trow of the focusring on the Nocti is for me very pleasant to use..it reminds me of the lenses of my full size ENG video cameras.(

and I do not feel to be slower in focusing then when using a standard lens.

 

This collection covers every possible need for me...

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I know from experience you you start missing a lens the moment you sell it .. even if it got little to no use so far.

I grab my 21mm Elmarit out from time to time ... just to proof to myself it's not my focal length ... keeping it is probably cheaper than selling it now with the risk of buying it again in a couple of months because an impulse at that moment tells me it's 21mm time

On the other hand .. it's an expensive lens to have unused ...... should i sell:confused:

 

Geez Thomas .... i am with you:(

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thanks guys for the anticipation!

 

I feel a little better now since I am not alone.

 

Over the next weeks I will check out if I can justify and if I am strong enough to sell (one or sopme of ) my 21,35 and maybe 90mm lenses. and probably the 135

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