colonel Posted January 28, 2012 Share #1 Posted January 28, 2012 Advertisement (gone after registration) Hi, I want to build a lightweight "value"kit for someone to take on travel (in the UK) I can get an M8 for around £1,500 (although I have been offered a M8.2 at around £500 more, it doesn't seem worth it for the sapphire glass, unless anyone has another opinion) I am now looking for lenses. I know everyone will say second hand but there is next to nothing decent I can find in the UK. Of course if I see something I will jump on it. The choices for new are: 1. Voigtlander Nokton f1.1 2. Zeiss f1.5 3. Zeiss f2 4. Leica Summarit f2.5 The Nokton gets disparate reviews. Lumious landscape thinks it quite good above f2 and usable below for a dreamy type look. Ken Rockwell seems to think its completely useless! If it was sharp above f2 it would seem to be quite good, as f1.1 would be available if needed for style or light. The Zeiss f1.5 has some reported focus shift issues. It also deosn't see terribly sharp below f2.8. The zeiss f2 seems a standout lens at the moment. No one has anything but praise. I am steering towards this one, although I would have liked a bit more light. The Leica Summarit is excellent. I have used it before. However the Zeiss f2 is half the price and the sharpness and contrast seem to be outstanding. In a bit of a muddle What views do you guys have and have I left any lens out ? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted January 28, 2012 Posted January 28, 2012 Hi colonel, Take a look here Best value brightish 50mm for M8 ?. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
Lindolfi Posted January 28, 2012 Share #2 Posted January 28, 2012 Perhaps you should include the Voigtlander Nokton 50/1.5 on your list, it is LTM, but can be used with a ring to M mount. The Nokton 50/1.1 is a good lens, it just is not as good as the best 50mm lenses. When it is calibrated, it is very sharp, there is focus shift, some barrel distortion and some field curvature (no problem on the M8) but on average I get good results. For the single lens, I think you should have a good reason to choose f1.1, since it also makes the lens quite voluminous. Perhaps f1.4 or f1.5 is a better idea. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
colonel Posted January 28, 2012 Author Share #3 Posted January 28, 2012 Perhaps you should include the Voigtlander Nokton 50/1.5 on your list, it is LTM, but can be used with a ring to M mount.The Nokton 50/1.1 is a good lens, it just is not as good as the best 50mm lenses. When it is calibrated, it is very sharp, there is focus shift, some barrel distortion and some field curvature (no problem on the M8) but on average I get good results. For the single lens, I think you should have a good reason to choose f1.1, since it also makes the lens quite voluminous. Perhaps f1.4 or f1.5 is a better idea. the size and weight is a good point although 428g doesn't sound too bad Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
kokoshawnuff Posted January 28, 2012 Share #4 Posted January 28, 2012 Summarit and the Zeiss f/2 are both wonderful modern lenses, and seem undervalued. The current Summicron ver IV (which is the same optical design since 1979) is great, and I see plenty of used options out there for similar or even lower prices than what you have on your list of four. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff S Posted January 28, 2012 Share #5 Posted January 28, 2012 (although I have been offered a M8.2 at around £500 more, it doesn't seem worth it for the sapphire glass, unless anyone has another opinion) FWIW, the revised frame lines are by far the most valuable aspect IMO (also available for separate upgrade on the M8). Jeff Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jbcollier Posted January 28, 2012 Share #6 Posted January 28, 2012 If you are looking for compact then nothing beats a 50/2.8 Elmar. The late ones are very,very good optically. Forgive me for asking, but you do realize that a 50 is a short "tele-photo" not a "normal" lens, right? On an M8, my main lens would be a 28. To each his own, mind. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
WestMichigan Posted January 28, 2012 Share #7 Posted January 28, 2012 Advertisement (gone after registration) Perhaps you should include the Voigtlander Nokton 50/1.5 on your list, it is LTM, but can be used with a ring to M mount.The Nokton 50/1.1 is a good lens, it just is not as good as the best 50mm lenses. When it is calibrated, it is very sharp, there is focus shift, some barrel distortion and some field curvature (no problem on the M8) but on average I get good results. For the single lens, I think you should have a good reason to choose f1.1, since it also makes the lens quite voluminous. Perhaps f1.4 or f1.5 is a better idea. Don't forget! A nice plus with an LTM Voigtlander is the incredible ease of 6 bit coding it - just get an ltm-to-m adapter with the dimples for coding it milled right in. My experience with Voigtlander Lenses is limited to the 28mm f1.9 and the 75mm f2.5, but I would unhesitatingly reccomend at least trying lenses from them. Also!! reidreviews.com was an incredible resource for me when I was planning my M8 outfit last year! There is a small subscription fee to access the treasure of info Sean Reid has available there, but it is so definitely worth it. I even renewed my subscription a couple weeks ago and I won't be buying things again for ages and ages. Sincerely Richard in Michigan Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
colonel Posted January 29, 2012 Author Share #8 Posted January 29, 2012 reidreviews.com was an incredible resource for me when I was planning my M8 outfit last year! There is a small subscription fee to access the treasure of info Sean Reid has available there, but it is so definitely worth it. I even renewed my subscription a couple weeks ago and I won't be buying things again for ages and ages. Sincerely Richard in Michigan just read reid reviews of med fast 50mm lenses seems that the zeiss f2 is a bit of a bargain! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
tobey bilek Posted January 29, 2012 Share #9 Posted January 29, 2012 You realize 35 mm is normal lens for crop sensor M8, not 50 mm ? The best value is Zeiss or Summarit in 35 or or 50. For brightish I assume you mean F2 which leaves Zeiss for new Older used Leica lenses. If by value, you mean well made and fast and cheap. No such thing. Zeiss is a lessor mechanical quality, but the optics may be close to Leica. CV, well I have no love for them at all. Maybe they have improved. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
don_panko Posted January 29, 2012 Share #10 Posted January 29, 2012 +1 for a 35mm as the best focal length if you can only have one lens. Older Leica Summicron f2 is always on my camera. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pgk Posted January 29, 2012 Share #11 Posted January 29, 2012 M8-2 & Summarit. I have M8 & M8-2, the 8-2 is IMHO worth the extra - it feels more refined and operates rather more smoothly. The Summarit is a late design, small and nest - perfect for travel. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lct Posted January 29, 2012 Share #12 Posted January 29, 2012 Do you really "see" in 75mm? If so, the last Elmar is the best 50/2.8 and the Planar 50 is said to be a very good lens but i have no experience with it. If not, what you should look for is a 35 or a 28 IMO. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
gbealnz Posted January 29, 2012 Share #13 Posted January 29, 2012 If you want compact and lightweight, the collapsable Elmar M 50 would the best I reckon. Gary Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
paolodeluca Posted January 29, 2012 Share #14 Posted January 29, 2012 I used to own a VC 50mm f1.1 and I sold it after 1 month... - too heavy (to carry around) - too big (to be a rangefinder lens) - really bad at f1.1 (if I buy a 1.1 lens then I would like to use it at 1.1) I bought a Zeiss 50mm 1.5 Sonnar and it's a magnificent lens... - super tiny and light - I can't complain about the performance, I would buy it again if I had to Have you considered the VC 40mm f1.4? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
stefano60 Posted January 30, 2012 Share #15 Posted January 30, 2012 thinking a bit outside the box, if you want REALLY GOOD value for money, you should/could consider a Jupiter 8 (russian copy of the Zeiss Sonnar 50/2). i used to have one on my CL, used it on the M8 too, wonderful lens ... i might have been lucky, they say quality could be inconsistent at times, but i thought it was a very good lens (and if one considers its price, then it is an excellent lens). somebody mentioned 35 or 40 ... i would also recommend the Voigtlander 40/1.4; i almost never took it off my M8 during my last trip to India; sold it to buy the Nokton 50/1.1, and just bought another one, it was that good (i love the Nokton, but it IS kind of big and heavy, maybe it should not be your first choice for a 'get around' camera). Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
delander † Posted January 30, 2012 Share #16 Posted January 30, 2012 I noted the comments about the Zeiss C-Sonnar. It does have focus shift between f1.5 and f2.8 but it is not difficult to learn how to adapt to it. It's advantage is the dreamy look it can give to images when used wide open. That being said focus at f1.5 can be nailed easily once you have learnt the lens. A days practice at the most. Is it as sharp as the Summilux ASPH at f1.4? not quite, is it as sharp as the Summicron at f2 I would say so. However it is not a cheap lens costing rather more than the F2 Zeiss Planar, but less than the Summicron. I still love mine. Someone wrote that the Zeiss lenses were not constructed as well as Leica lenses, I don't see this for the C-Sonnar. Overall for a lens which is good value for money and superb quality and straightforward to use I would have to go with the Zeiss Planar. Jeff Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
FlorianM Posted January 30, 2012 Share #17 Posted January 30, 2012 One very important aspect is to decide just how much speed you need. There is a big difference in the technical challenge when designing an f2 vs an f1.4 lens (nevermind a 1.1 .....). The same money will buy a top notch f2 lens, or a lesser f1.4. Of every lens mentioned, I second the Sonnar (asuming you want new). You have to spend far more to get better quality, and Zeiss will optimise the focus for f1.5 free of charge. I have more on this on my blog (sig). Cheers! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
don_panko Posted February 1, 2012 Share #18 Posted February 1, 2012 I need to make a plug again for a 35mm Summicron and this time because it is a Leica lens. If you want Leica image quality characteristics then only Leica glass will do that and the 35mm is the perfect size for the camera. It just feels right and it produces the images that I expected. I have many other lenses (not Leica) that do the job very well but if I was to only have one lens it would have to be Leica glass. Another viewpoint to consider in helping the OP make a decision. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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