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Best first option of lens for M8

biswasg

By biswasg
in Leica M8 / Leica M8.2

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biswasg

biswasg

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For my M8, I really like the Elmarit 24 asph, I wonder no one mentioned it

 

When you eventually go FF, it delivers stellar 24mm images.

From my opinion, Leica simply made the best 24, 35 and 50s.

?!

Thanks for your suggestion. One question, I understand that that M8's viewfinder is optimizes for 28mm.

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hhanebeck

hhanebeck

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I had thought about this option, but the main reasons being :

1. the M9 is two years in circulation (almost) so I could wait for a little more time and saving a little more cash to swap the M8+cash (lots of, I guess) for the M10. By that time I would have got accustomed to the rangefinder and the lens(es).

 

2. I presently use a Canon 5D2, so essentially I am seeing the Leica as a second carry always, ready to shoot camera which also produces high quality images.

 

Hi Biswasg,

 

I took the same route in regard to starting with an M8 to try RF photography before deeply buying into it. My experience has been great and I certainly recommend the M8 w/o hesitation. It is highly unlikely that you find yourself counting the days until the next M is announced and becomes available once you start using the M8.

 

In regard to lenses my experience has been that I am most comfortable with the 28 and 35 Crons. Both are great lenses and well suited for many purposes. If I had to pick one lens, it would be the 28 Cron for its excellent IQ and wider angle.

 

Cheers, Chris

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colonel

colonel

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Let me give a different take

I bought a M8 and have not enjoyed taking pictures so much for ages.

 

I wanted to purchase new lenses (I know that 2nd hand ones are great) and decided to get the 28mm elmarit and 50mm f2.5 summarit

 

The summarits are the most underated lenses. they have the latest leica non-asph optics (leica always use their past experience to perfect new glass) and are blisteringly sharp f4 and above. f2.5 is also very sharp, especially compared to nikon and canon. The cost cutting has been on the lens hood (extra), lens case (soft not hard), 1 year guarantee (in the UK non-summarit lenses have 2 year warranties - however if a Leica lens is working after 2 months its not going to break anyway) and less brass in construction (great as its lighter). Here is a typical review:

http://photo.net/equipment/leica/summarit-m-lenses/review/

50mm is my favourite focal length on FF (Canon 5Dii). On the M8 its 67mm equivalent and I like the challenge of the tighter view.

 

I have the 50mm summarit on the camera most of the time. Why 50mm-67mm ? because it can be used for 1. Portraits (flattering), 2. People, 3. Architecture and 4. Landscapes. I also like a bit more distance for street photography. Wider and you loose portraits, narrower and landscapes/architecture become more difficult. For wide angle I use the 28mm (which feels really wide after using 50mm most of the time), on the camera around 20% of the time. I plan to buy a 90mm summarit for telephoto at some point.

Here are some pics with these lenses:

 

Anyway, its my personal view. I know 35mm is really popular on the M8 and M9. For me its not my favorite as its just not wide enougth for landscapes and too "in yer face" for street photography and unflattering for portraits. But thats my 2 cents

 

good luck and you will love the M8 ;-)

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ramosa

ramosa

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And I want to something more, I tend to reach for the M8/Elmarit24 more than my M9. Unthinkable ?!

 

Interesting. Why? (Note: I have an M8 and am very happy with it. I'd love an M9, but, for me, the "want" is much greater than the "need.") Anyway, I'm interested why you'd turn to the M8 and 24 over, say, the M9 and 35.

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MP3

MP3

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Hi ramosa

 

Yes, M9 is the first to offer us true FF RF photography in digital.

It thus offers more noted, narrower depth of field, could be very appealing in subject separation.

It give us back all the Leitz/Leica lenses at their intended focal rendition.

 

However, in order to avoid all the complaints on M8 regarding the need to use external UV-IR filters,

Leica has put a 'more potent (thicker)' UV-IR filter on M9's CCD. The very refined color tones and

resolution offered by the M8 CCD is no more there.

 

You may try out a Summicron 35 v1 and a WATE on both M8 and M9, get the DNG files into

Capture One and take a good look. To note more on the difference, also look at the 100-200% crop

and you will see what I want to say.

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gab3x

gab3x

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I just got my M8 couple of weeks ago with Zeiss Biogon f2 lens and I must say that I am very happy with the combo. OK, so it is not Leica glass but the sharpness is amazing and so are the colours. F2 will still give you good 3D look with sharp transitions from in focus to out of focus areas.

 

Oh... almost forgot to mention the cost - new it is $1000 and used it probably goes for $700 or less.

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gramorris

gramorris

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Hi Biswasg,

 

I took the same route in regard to starting with an M8 to try RF photography before deeply buying into it. My experience has been great and I certainly recommend the M8 w/o hesitation. It is highly unlikely that you find yourself counting the days until the next M is announced and becomes available once you start using the M8.

 

In regard to lenses my experience has been that I am most comfortable with the 28 and 35 Crons. Both are great lenses and well suited for many purposes. If I had to pick one lens, it would be the 28 Cron for its excellent IQ and wider angle.

 

Cheers, Chris

 

Who would've thought that the 5dii was a gateway drug to Leica!! I'm two weeks in to my M8 experience with a 5dii to partner up with.

 

For the record I'm not yet at the point where I feel I can drop a load of cash on Leica glass. At some point I will have a 50mm summilux but I started with a CV 28mm Ultron. It's good wide open, very good stopped down but very prone to flare, I occasionally go looking for flare but it can be very strong.

 

I'm eying up a 40mm Nokton SC now, I'm finding the 28mm just a bit wide for a general lens. I figure if I go with the 40mm SC it's different enough that I can add a fast 35mm asph and a 50mm and still have reasons to use all 3 lenses.

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ramosa

ramosa

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Hi ramosa

 

Yes, M9 is the first to offer us true FF RF photography in digital.

It thus offers more noted, narrower depth of field, could be very appealing in subject separation.

It give us back all the Leitz/Leica lenses at their intended focal rendition.

 

However, in order to avoid all the complaints on M8 regarding the need to use external UV-IR filters,

Leica has put a 'more potent (thicker)' UV-IR filter on M9's CCD. The very refined color tones and

resolution offered by the M8 CCD is no more there.

 

You may try out a Summicron 35 v1 and a WATE on both M8 and M9, get the DNG files into

Capture One and take a good look. To note more on the difference, also look at the 100-200% crop

and you will see what I want to say.

 

Thanks for the refined feedback. The filter did not cross my mind, but should have. I really need to ponder a 35 ... but I'm also always wishing I had a Nocti. Truth is I need to get out and shoot more!

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pico

pico

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I had thought about this option, but the main reasons being :

1. the M9 is two years in circulation (almost) so I could wait for a little more time and saving a little more cash to swap the M8+cash (lots of, I guess) for the M10. By that time I would have got accustomed to the rangefinder and the lens(es).

 

Forget the M10. Leica doesn't introduce new models like Apple does. You might have a long wait, and besides I don't think it will be significantly different. My guess is that Leica's next product will be a surprise accessory line, or maybe different viewfinder magnifications, the laser-lit frame, and body armor (kidding). Nothing to really wait for. IMHO there is a big difference between the M8 and M9. Go M9. Be happy now.

 

M9 with a used Summicron 50mm. Seems that almost everybody goes back to buy a Summicron. :)

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lct

lct

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The 28 mm Elmarit is one fine modern lens. I have it on my M8 most of the time.

Hi George. You mean the Elmarit asph i guess. Great little lens for contrasty results. For more reach with a close fingerprint i'd suggest another affordable lens, the latest Elmar-M 50/2.8. High contrast, smooth bokeh, it is my favorite 50 for sharp close-ups:

http://tinyurl.com/3zrthok

http://tinyurl.com/3zawgm5

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george +

george +

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Yes lct (and hello again - long time no hear from you), I meant the asph. A relatively inexpensive Leica lens. And more forgiving than the 35 lux ASPH, which is my other favorite. And the third? An old 35 lux from 1971. And the new Summarit 75.

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santdtman

santdtman

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I started with the 28asph as well - a great and reasonable priced lens. little bit much contrast for my taste, but sharp and great to start with. Got a 50mm Summicron (Vs IV) and 90mm Summicorn later. Also great lenses, specially the 50mm is a very sharp and fast lens.

 

Usage: approx. 50mm 50%, 28mm 35% and 90mm 15% of all pictures taken...

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