snowfun Posted June 17, 2011 Share #1 Posted June 17, 2011 Advertisement (gone after registration) Given a limited budget I have a choice: Either a used M8/M8.2 with a Voigtlander 35f2.5 skopar (could possibly stretch to a Zeiss) OR Leica Elmarit 28f2.8 coupled to a Sony NEX5 or Panasonic GF1. Nothing serious, just fun travel photography. Done the Nikon DSLR and H'blad 6x6 stuff and now wanting something portable and convenient yet with the best possible image quality. Any thoughts appreciated! Best wishes, Tim Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted June 17, 2011 Posted June 17, 2011 Hi snowfun, Take a look here Choice: body or lens?. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
bill Posted June 17, 2011 Share #2 Posted June 17, 2011 Tim, welcome. Some basic thoughts. Normally, I would say that it's all about the glass, but in this case and given your stated choices I shall take a slightly different tack. The CV lens is a good one and a good starter lens to boot. The Leica lens is better, but I wouldn't team it as you suggest. If you want to "get into" Leica, then I would get the M and the best glass your budget can stretch to right now. You can always change in the future, but with the M body you have the "platform" for the "system". BTW, I use the CV 35 2.5 and Zeiss Biogon 35 in preference for their performance and rendition. It all depends on what you want to achieve. Regards, Bill Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
stunsworth Posted June 17, 2011 Share #3 Posted June 17, 2011 Leica body and Voigtlander lens IMHO. One of the easier decisions I'd have to make, I speak as someone who has an M8 and a Panasonic GF1 that I've tried using with Leica lenses. The M8/Voigtlander is faster and easier to use. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff S Posted June 17, 2011 Share #4 Posted June 17, 2011 Easy for me and nothing to do with the brand; rather with the viewing experience. How I see (and focus) the subject is the first and most important issue when I choose a camera. If that doesn't suit, nothing else matters...literally. In your example, the M would present the only viable option...for me. YMMV. Jeff Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ErikP Posted June 17, 2011 Share #5 Posted June 17, 2011 Given a limited budget I have a choice: Either a used M8/M8.2 with a Voigtlander 35f2.5 skopar (could possibly stretch to a Zeiss) OR Leica Elmarit 28f2.8 coupled to a Sony NEX5 or Panasonic GF1. Nothing serious, just fun travel photography. Done the Nikon DSLR and H'blad 6x6 stuff and now wanting something portable and convenient yet with the best possible image quality. Any thoughts appreciated! Best wishes, Tim M8 and a Voigtländer 35/1.4! The 1.4 is quite a bargin. This will give you the joy of an M and give you time to pick up Leica glass over the years. Regards Erik Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Telyt2003 Posted June 17, 2011 Share #6 Posted June 17, 2011 Given a limited budget I have a choice: Either a used M8/M8.2 with a Voigtlander 35f2.5 skopar (could possibly stretch to a Zeiss) OR Leica Elmarit 28f2.8 coupled to a Sony NEX5 or Panasonic GF1. Nothing serious, just fun travel photography. Done the Nikon DSLR and H'blad 6x6 stuff and now wanting something portable and convenient yet with the best possible image quality. Hi Tim , welcome, for me it was the same: started with a used M(6), but no M lenses at first. Before I had used a "Voigtländer" (Cosina) Bessa R (not bad, but the focusing often became unaccurate). Thus, my first lenses for the M6 were the Color-Skopar 35/2,5 and the Nokton 50/1,5 which I had used before on the Bessa. Only later, I afforded M lenses, at first a few used ones (90, 135 mm) ... The Nokton 50/1,5 was still my only 50 mm lens when I bought the M8. Finally, as already said, it is decisive what camera concept suits you more, not to start necessarily with a Leica M lens. If a NEX or G(F) would better suit you, then I would not see the point in buying an M lens at first. Best, Telyt2003 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mbray Posted June 17, 2011 Share #7 Posted June 17, 2011 Advertisement (gone after registration) For me, it was a cultural shift from Canon DSLR to a more instinctive and perhaps "old-fashioned" way of creating images, the way I had been brought up. It was the M8.2 body that provided that change, not the lens. As time has progressed, I have been able to buy some decent M lenses, but to start with a 1960s Summicron 50mm provided enough to start the process of seeing images in a way that went back to early days with a Zorki 4K as a 12 year old, then a Pentax and then a Canon A1 (which I still have for sentimental reasons). Camera bodies that just happen to use Leica M lenses are not the same as using a Leica M body - it is the way of working that is so important - instinctive and natural as opposed to automated and somehow synthetic. Martin Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
stoxa Posted June 17, 2011 Share #8 Posted June 17, 2011 I've used the GF1 with leica/voightlander m fit lenses & didn't stay with it, just didn't work as well. To get the best from these lenses' the m8, imo, is the best way to go, with the best lens you can afford. Although, for travel & fun, the GF1 & Next with own lenses would be just fine anyway! ann Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
stoxa Posted June 17, 2011 Share #9 Posted June 17, 2011 "next," whoops, nex! ann Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
otto.f Posted June 17, 2011 Share #10 Posted June 17, 2011 In principle always the lens above the body. In this case however, given the way you specified it, the M8 with the CV because I'm not that impressed by the Elmarit 28 and by 4/3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
earleygallery Posted June 17, 2011 Share #11 Posted June 17, 2011 The mantra is, it's the glass that matters. But, I disagree. And actually, so do lots of others but they won't admit it. Why use a Leica when a Zorki or Bessa will do the same job? It's just a light proof box with a shutter after all. For me, Leica is about the camera AND the lens. I have an M2 and my favourite lens to use with it is the 35mm Skopar. I've compared it with a Summaron and Summicron and honestly, at 5X7 print size, you can't tell them apart - or at least I couldn't (with given subject matter and light conditions, just to caveat). Yes they some differences, but not in a better/worse way, just very slight differences in colour/contrast (which could be evened out in photoshop anyway). Do I still aspire to a Summicron? Of course I do! But unless you're going to be very critical then the Skopar will serve you very well. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wstotler Posted June 17, 2011 Share #12 Posted June 17, 2011 Given a limited budget I have a choice: Either a used M8/M8.2 with a Voigtlander 35f2.5 skopar (could possibly stretch to a Zeiss) OR Leica Elmarit 28f2.8 coupled to a Sony NEX5 or Panasonic GF1. Have both. Buy the M8 and an older Summicron 35mm f/2--just buy the 35mm second-hand in decent condition. You'll have to hunt, but you can find one. That way you have Leica glass on a Leica body. Try Tamarkin, KEH, and Bergen County Camera. Speak with a human. Make it clear you want one that works, not a collector's piece, but with clean glass. The reason I'm suggesting this is that CV won't ever be Leica. This may not matter when you get into the game, but you may be eyeballing that CV later and thinking: "Man, if this were only a real Summicron." In terms of Summicrons, everyone has an opinion about versions to get, etc. Buy a used one that is available and that you can afford. That said, M8 plus CV is better, IMO, than something else plus lens. These were shot with a 1953 Elmar 5cm, at the "worst" (softest, etc.) aperture of f/3.5. The lens is in what would be considered "poor" condition by a collector but is completely OK in terms of useability. And character. It was very affordable, too: Elmar 5cm f/3.5 (1953) - a set on Flickr Anyway, think about it? Cheers and good luck! Will Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ramosa Posted June 18, 2011 Share #13 Posted June 18, 2011 Get an M8 and a used Elmarit or Cron 28. This will gain you entry into Leica M, which--for me--was a dramatic step forward and learning experience in photography. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
CharlesL Posted June 18, 2011 Share #14 Posted June 18, 2011 Agree with those who walked away from m4/3 + manual lens. Still use an Olympus E-P1 plus M-mount lens for specialized situations, but precise focus is difficult and not fun while traveling. It takes a little while to learn the rangefinder procedure. Not difficult, just practice. So if you will travel soon, maybe hold off. Judging only from Web posts, the Fuji X100 would be very nice for fun travel photography, and good image quality - but no growth path. However, if you have time before you travel, the M8 + a lens is the way to go. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
piotrka19 Posted June 18, 2011 Share #15 Posted June 18, 2011 I have G1 and M8 and some CV and Leica glases. Dont think !. Just buy M8 and CV (for ex. 28/2). photopiotrka Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
framestore Posted June 18, 2011 Share #16 Posted June 18, 2011 a used M8 with new 28 Elmarit ASPH would be my choice. I love the feel and looks of it. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
piotrka19 Posted June 18, 2011 Share #17 Posted June 18, 2011 a used M8 with new 28 Elmarit ASPH would be my choice. I love the feel and looks of it. Agree Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
-Lss- Posted June 18, 2011 Share #18 Posted June 18, 2011 M8 and a Voigtländer 35/1.4! Truly a great combo, especially for anyone who has a small budget after the body purchase. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_livsey Posted June 19, 2011 Share #19 Posted June 19, 2011 Snowfun, despite the balanced and mature replies above did you really think that posting in the M8 forum would produce a majority not in its favour ? On cost surely the option one (M8) budget would buy other/better/more lenses for option 2 ? I would vote for M8 but then I would as a happy owner but if your criteria is fun, not serious, travel and you want quality and pocketability, I do on holiday and have done Venice with a 'blad and three lenses the only upside being the gondolier who saw the 'blad and moved people to sit me at the front much to my embarrassment, I would look at this with apologies for taking you off site, I am looking, always looking Olympus XZ-1 Review Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.