mtberfrombothell Posted January 18, 2012 Share #1 Posted January 18, 2012 Advertisement (gone after registration) I finally gave in to my Leica lust that has been brewing for a few years since I saw the M8 in a shop in NY. I've never tried a rangefinder before but so far I'm loving it. I only have a voigtlander 40mm as a lens right now but I'm hoping to save some dough to get a 50mm summcron or maybe a Zeiss 50mm f2. I have to say that the quality is so good. It has a different look compared to the files I get from my 5d mark II. I'm not getting rid of my 5dii as it is my landscape and macro gear but for travelling and around town photography the M8 is the one for me. So if i can only afford a single lens what would you recommend for street photography and casual portraiture? Is the Zeiss 50mm planar good enough? Thanks Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted January 18, 2012 Posted January 18, 2012 Hi mtberfrombothell, Take a look here Finally got an M8. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
Karlumix Posted January 18, 2012 Share #2 Posted January 18, 2012 Congratulations on getting the M8. I hope you enjoy yours as much as I am enjoying mine. I got one last Summer after shooting primarily with a Panasonic L1 with the 14-150mm and 25mm Leica-D lenses. I find I make fewer shooting errors (wrong settings) with the M8 and the resulting images require less correction in Lightroom (cropping, color balance, exposure, tilted horizons, etc.) Why this is the case I can not explain, but perhaps it is because I shot of the experience of shooting with a M4-P many years ago or because I hate devices that try to be too smart. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted January 18, 2012 Share #3 Posted January 18, 2012 Welcome to the forum As for lenses; excellent choice, but a seriously dangerous question - You will be hard put to find a rangefinder lens that is not good - but a vast number that are highly interesting. If you want to be saved - burn your credit cards... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jippiejee Posted January 18, 2012 Share #4 Posted January 18, 2012 I can highly recommend the 28mm f/2.8 elmarit lens for street and travel. It's one of the more affordable lenses in the Leica line-up, and tack sharp. Excellent with the 1.3x crop factor of the M8. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mtberfrombothell Posted January 18, 2012 Author Share #5 Posted January 18, 2012 Jaap, I'm worried that my bonus that I'm expecting soon will end up in the hands of the Leica dealer here BTW are all the photos in your website taken with the Leica M9 with no filters whatsoever? Those are amazing. When using my 5DII I always have to carry my filters as I don't feel confident without them but with the M8 I'm so tempted to just carry just the M8 with one lens for any photography including landscape. Here's a link of some of my photos from my "other camera". 500px / Allan Orbigo Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted January 19, 2012 Share #6 Posted January 19, 2012 Thank you. I use a mix of M8, M9 and DMR Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff S Posted January 19, 2012 Share #7 Posted January 19, 2012 Advertisement (gone after registration) Lens choices are quite personal. I suggest determining if you need any addition FOV(s) given that you have the 40 already. Use your frame preview lever, and your feet, a lot to assist. You may find that the one lens is all you need for now. It's all about your style and preferences, nobody else's. Beyond FOV, there are of course other factors governing choices, ranging from speed to optical characteristics, etc. Again, this is personal, but for me the final print is the only way to gauge differences in rendering, which might be less than you think given the progress with printers, papers, inks, PP software, etc. You can get a loaner lens from a dealer, or rent before purchase. Using it is the only true barometer. You asked about filters...be sure you use a UV/IR filter with any lens on your M8 (except possibly at night); otherwise you're not optimizing your results. Jeff Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
fWord Posted January 19, 2012 Share #8 Posted January 19, 2012 Well, what the hell took you so long?! Just kidding man. When it comes to lens choice, I'd agree that determining your preferred FOV is an initial consideration, followed perhaps by desired lens speed. Would an f/2.8 suffice or do you want f/2 or faster? The 35mm Summicron ASPH is a fantastic lens on the M8 for FOV of approximately a 50mm lens, a little close to your current 40mm. That FOV didn't ride well with me however so I went wider for a 28mm lens that now gives FOV of approximately a 35mm lens. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
andym911 Posted January 19, 2012 Share #9 Posted January 19, 2012 I would go with a used 35mm Summicron...cant really go wrong if it for general photography..... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
framestore Posted January 19, 2012 Share #10 Posted January 19, 2012 So if i can only afford a single lens what would you recommend for street photography and casual portraiture? Is the Zeiss 50mm planar good enough? Thanks Welcome to the forum. You'd say A lens at this time but you'd probably ended up with a several leica lenses in the coming months, as many of us. I highly recommended you to try 28mm or 35mm first before buy. Many would probably recommeded you of the Leica Summicron 2/35 or even Summilux 1.4/35. My first choice with digital M was Elmarit 2.8/28 then 2/35, 1.4/50, 2.5/75, 2/90 then SA 3.4/21. Choice of lenses are vary in style, price and personal taste, so try them before you buy, then you will soon find yourself the perfectly one to fit to your skill and style. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
GBR66 Posted January 20, 2012 Share #11 Posted January 20, 2012 To answer your direct question....yes Zeiss Planar is very good and well regarded. It is probably worth you subscribing to Sean Reids "Reids Reviews" where he has done comprehensive tests of most RF lenses on the M8 and M9. On my M8 I loved the Voigtlander 35 2.5 and 50 1.5 which were my first lenses...I now have a mixture of different manufacturers lenses and still think that the best of the Voigtlanders are fantastic value for money. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wda Posted January 20, 2012 Share #12 Posted January 20, 2012 Jaap, I'm worried that my bonus that I'm expecting soon will end up in the hands of the Leica dealer here .... o You are indeed fortunate. The world is your oyster! Why not visit Leica Mayfair or similar store and try the various Leica options. Failing that, you have been given plenty of advice regarding alternatives. Most of all, enjoy your new camera with one lens. It does concentrate the mind. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
maccaco Posted January 20, 2012 Share #13 Posted January 20, 2012 Welcome! Enjoy the wonders of the M8! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lct Posted January 20, 2012 Share #14 Posted January 20, 2012 […] I only have a voigtlander 40mm as a lens right now but I'm hoping to save some dough to get a 50mm summcron or maybe a Zeiss 50mm f2. […] if i can only afford a single lens what would you recommend for street photography and casual portraiture? Is the Zeiss 50mm planar good enough?... What's the problem with your CV 40 if i may ask? Only asking this as it is rather unusual to use a short tele (50 will become 66 as far as FoV) as a single lens. If you're not satisfied with the sharpness of your CV 40 at medium apertures, it is probably caused by focus shift so you might prefer the Summicron-C 40/2 of the M-Rokkor 40/2. Otherwise, if you really need a 50, both Summicron and Planar are very good indeed. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Ming Rider Posted January 21, 2012 Share #15 Posted January 21, 2012 I would agree with other posts. The 40mm is a good alround focal length for the M8, which is near as dammit a 50mm. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mtberfrombothell Posted January 21, 2012 Author Share #16 Posted January 21, 2012 You know guys I think you are right with the 40mm CV that I have in the sense that it is really good. I tried to get some photos today of some grocery items and I love the outcome. I don't if I can share it here or somewhere in this forum. I love the way that the subject pops plus the B&W conversion is so nice. At least for me. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted January 21, 2012 Share #17 Posted January 21, 2012 Just put them in the photoforums. That is why they are there. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
IWC Doppel Posted January 23, 2012 Share #18 Posted January 23, 2012 I am really enjoying wider glass at the moment the perspective with 21 or 24 is wonderful IMO 21 I have no problem framing using the whole viewfinder with a little a check at the frame extremes. I am finding more gut and less careful framing is bringing dividends at the moment when I have been using a lens for a while Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
WestMichigan Posted January 23, 2012 Share #19 Posted January 23, 2012 You know guys I think you are right with the 40mm CV that I have in the sense that it is really good. I tried to get some photos today of some grocery items and I love the outcome. I don't if I can share it here or somewhere in this forum. I love the way that the subject pops plus the B&W conversion is so nice. At least for me. There is a perma-link at the top of our little corner of L-camera-forum which will take you to the big thread for M8 Photography. Always a great place to share M8 Images. R. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
designed Posted January 28, 2012 Share #20 Posted January 28, 2012 For the first year, all I had on my M8 was the Zeiss 35/2 Biogon T*, which is an excellent lens. To me, the 35mm focal length with the 1,33 crop proved to be a pretty good match for my eye. But since you already have the 40mm CV, can't see much point in changing. A 21 or 24mm might be a good idea. I got the 21/2.8 Elmarit this summer and it's a bit difficult to guesstimate the framing but the image quality is excellent - apart from the magenta color cast in the middle of the frame with the IR filter. Congrats on your choice and happy shooting with both of your cameras! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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