Just one lens with an M8

[IWC Doppel]

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I would be very interested to see those with a bunch of lenses or have tried several would put their views on which ONE they would keep if they had to.

 

Or to spin it another way, knowing what they know now if you started again which lens would you buy as your sole companion and why

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[nick.edwards1]

Hello IWC Doppel,

Don't know if I qualify as I only have three lenses - not sure what a 'bunch' is.

 

The 28 Summicron Asph is THE lens for me on my M8. Yes I would have to buy this again without hesitation with current knowledge (had them all for several years now).

Probably the best lens i've ever had.

 

For the record my other 2 lenses are 50mm Summilux Asph and 90mm Summarit.

The lens that I could most do without is the 50mm - But I like it on my MP.

 

Best regards,

Nick.

[LeicaBraz]

For an M8 a 35 mm.The 1.4 one.

[Studio58]

I have the 75 Summicron APO ASPH on mine. Perfect for portraits... The M9 accommodates my other lenses. So essentially, the 75 is a permanent fixture on my M8

[SJP]

Summicron 28/2 ASPH, because it is the equivalent of 35 mm field of view on the M8 which I find the most versatile focal length for indoors (parties, events), great for panoramas, street shooting, easy to focus, small, and optically one of the best lenses Leica makes IMHO.

[pgk]

I would happily keep either the 35 or 50 as I would be satisfied to use either as a standalone lens. I had the 28/2 and didn't like it. So you won't get a definitive answer and what is right for others may not prove to be right for you.

 

FWIW I have 21, 35 and 50 lenses. Of these the 21 probably gets slightly less use and possibly the 35 most, but I cannot say that I consciously favour the 35 over the 50.

[lct]

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It would be a small and fast enough lens that i can rely on at all apertures w/o significant flaw. The 28/2 is a bit too bulky for my taste, the 28/2.8 asph is too slow for a standalone lens, my favorite 50mm lenses are not wide enough for this purpose, let alone telephotos, the M8.2's framelines are not accurate enough for the 40/2, the 35/2 v4 and 35/2.5 are a bit soft at full aperture so i would probably keep the Summicron 35/2 asph as the best compromise in spite of its contrasty bokeh.

[tobey bilek]

Impossible to have just one, but 35 2.0 V4 or 35 2.0 ASPH would be the choice.

 

The ASPH if you ever get an M9. The V4 or some previous version to save some money.

I have the 50 2.8 and 90 4.0 last versions and there is a difference in the pics with digital. The new one seem to have a "bite" or snap the older glass does not have.

 

If you just want something to tide you over until you get more cash, a used CV 35 will do.

 

Or think about a Zeiss 50 2.0 or classic 1.5, or 35 2.0 or 35 2.8 all great lenses.

 

The whole problem right now is finding one of anything. Tamarkin Camera has two V4 35 2.0`s .

 

Forgot about the Summarit lenses. 35 is same price as V4 , but it is new and you will lose more value if you sell.

[e1k3]

I guess first decision is the one on focal length. Best versatility depends on what you photograph most. For me its landscape and people in their surrounding. So for me the 35 equivalent focal length 28 is most versatile on M8.

I tried both, Elmarit 28 Asph and the 28 Summicron.

The Elmarit is small, light, super-sharp, contrasty and amazingly flare free.

The Summicron is still a compact lens, super-sharp, less contrasty (which I prefer especially for B&W), has a nice bokeh and of course has one stop advantage, which allows for narrower depth of field.

For me the ONE lens setup on M8 is the 28 Summicron.

[WestMichigan]

Out of my own 'kit': If I had to stick with only 1 of them, I would choose my 28mm Ultron. That's because the old adage about Leica M's and the 35mm Focal Length being a match made in heaven is completely true. As has been noted already in this thread, a 28 performs as a 35 on the M8. (37.24 to be exact)

 

My Lens 'Kit' is as follows:

28mm f1.9 Voigtlander Ultron LTM

40mm f2 Minolta Rokkor C (Licensed 40mm Summicron C clone)

75mm f2.5 Voigtlander Color Heliar LTM

90mm f2.8 Elmarit (circa early fifties)

 

I am a disabled person living on a small pension, but I had a one-time windfall and put together as 'full' a M lens kit as I could within the amount I could devote to the endeavour.

So far almost exclusively used the 28mm Ultron cuz just physically and operationally transitioning from my long acquired EOS habits has proven a fair bit of a challenge. A fun one, but I decided sticking with one lens would make getting up to speed with my M an easier task.

Richard in Michigan.

[don_panko]

+1 for the 35 f2 Summicron. It's always on my camera and it gets the job done when there isn't time to select a different focal length lens.

[IWC Doppel]

Thanks guys, very helpful

 

I will try really hard to shoot as much as possible before Xmas when I have to give back the 35 Summicron MkIV, this will allow me to see how I get on with 35 and 28

 

It's useful to hear that the 35 get's votes as does the 28, I'm enjoying both and didn't want to pick up a 35 if I find one at a good price (yeah right !) if I should look for something else to a accompany my 28 Summicron

 

Keep the thoughts coming were all different I know

[tah]

For me the M8.2 and the CV 28/1.9 Ultron are a very good match. For b/w that is.

Flickr: Mr.Mansen's Photostream

[jlaw]

for me will be 28mm with M8, frame line less distracting compare to 35mm on M8.

[bmc]

+1 for the 35 f2 Summicron. It's always on my camera and it gets the job done when there isn't time to select a different focal length lens.

 

+2

[bmc]

It would be a small and fast enough lens that i can rely on at all apertures w/o significant flaw. The 28/2 is a bit too bulky for my taste, the 28/2.8 asph is too slow for a standalone lens, my favorite 50mm lenses are not wide enough for this purpose, let alone telephotos, the M8.2's framelines are not accurate enough for the 40/2, the 35/2 v4 and 35/2.5 are a bit soft at full aperture so i would probably keep the Summicron 35/2 asph as the best compromise in spite of its contrasty bokeh.

 

nailed it.

 

when ever i have the 28/2.8 i miss the speed of the 2.0, but its so bulky that id prefer to use the 50 2.0, but then i find myself always needing to back away from my subject because of the M8 crop factor. the 35/2.0 really is a nice compromise on the M8.

[squarenegs]

My one and only lens would have to be a 24mm.

For me, on the M8 it's wide but not too wide.

It's just right at a a 32mm equivalent (35mm frame) local length.

Oh, and if were an f1.4 Summilux 24mm!

[wda]

Currently I am really enjoying using my 50mm Summicron (latest) on my M8 and getting superb results. However, if forced to use only one, it would have to be my 35mm Summicron, but the 50 is rather nice for portraits; or my 75mm Summarit for a far reach.

 

But why one lens? It defeats the object of having a system body.

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Hallo,

Look here: Leica M

[ocean2059]

I will definitely go with Summicron 28 ASPH.

[Stateowned]

I would say +1 for the 28mm summicron ASPH, i love this lens on my camera, its so easy to take pictures with..

 

if you want shallow DOF just climb onto your subject and use f2.0 as close as posible.. or just set to hyperfocal distance to have everything as sharp as possible..