bull40 Posted February 19, 2012 Share #1 Posted February 19, 2012 Advertisement (gone after registration) Hello, my friends. Which lens for an M8, and I'm assuming 35mm for FOV crop factor, most closely duplicates the quality and feel or fingerprint of the latest 50 'cron on a film M or R? I have researched all I can find on the net, and reading between the lines of Mr. Puts' Lens Compendium, I am now leaning to the 35 'cron IV, or last PRE-ASPH M. I can tell the current ASPH is probably a much technically better lens, but I am concerned it may be too sterile in its fingerprint to produce the look that I know and love. For some background on me, I shot exclusively from 1985 through 2008 on R series. My absolute favorite lens has been the 50 R 'cron, last version, which defines for me the look I visualize in my head. Film has become too impractical to use, except for the occasional roll of Tri-X that I process and print at home. So, when the Holy Grail R10 project was killed off, I moved to Nikon DSLRs. I've become absolutely miserable using them, and it's showing in my work. So, I'm making the commitment to move to a digital M. I've decided to start with the M8 as I transition over to the rangefinder life, and assuming all goes well, will likely add an M9, which will mean adding more glass again. As I'm writing this, I'm wondering if I should just start with an M9 to avoid two sets of lenses. Anyway, I would appreciate your experiences and opinions on the 35 issue. Thanks! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted February 19, 2012 Posted February 19, 2012 Hi bull40, Take a look here Which 35 on M8 closest to 50 'cron?. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
toyfel Posted February 19, 2012 Share #2 Posted February 19, 2012 As I'm writing this, I'm wondering if I should just start with an M9 to avoid two sets of lenses. Anyway, I would appreciate your experiences and opinions on the 35 issue. Thanks! You already know the answer Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bull40 Posted February 19, 2012 Author Share #3 Posted February 19, 2012 Toyfel, I know, you are probably right. I'm just not ready to admit to myself that my Leicaddiction is that severe. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
WestMichigan Posted February 20, 2012 Share #4 Posted February 20, 2012 Well, in objectivist terms, the proper answer to your query is: Which ever lens is in closest proximity! :-) Sorry, couldn't resist the easy joke hanging right out there to grab. Richard in Michigan Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bull40 Posted February 20, 2012 Author Share #5 Posted February 20, 2012 Richard, being a former Michigander myself, I should have expected the sarcasm from you. ;-) It is an artform best mastered during the long, dark and frigid winters, I think! Fortunately, my family here in the other peninsula state down south, has learned to tolerate, and even embrace it at times. But seriously, upon further research on related threads here and elsewhere, I find myself leaning more towards the Summarit. I'm thinking that losing half a stop may not be a deal killer, although I love shooting available light. I am concerned about the compactness of it; I had tried one at a dealer on an M8 a few years back and thought at the time it felt a bit fidgety. Maybe I should just get a Holga... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ecar Posted February 20, 2012 Share #6 Posted February 20, 2012 Thought about a Summicron-C (or M-Rokkor) 40mm? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
tobey bilek Posted February 20, 2012 Share #7 Posted February 20, 2012 Advertisement (gone after registration) Have not tried the new 35 ASPH, but I am satisfied with my version IV on my M8. The corners could be a little sharper more open than 5.6. What will happen to it on an M9 is a ? The other lenses I am using are 21 2.8, 28 2.8 V3, 50 2.0 from 1969, 50 2.8 M, 75 1.4, 90 4.0 macro, 90 2.0, and I will probably try out my 135 4.0 one of these days. Be warned colors are not correct if you do not use the uv/ir filter. And the problem is more than blacks going off. Specially bad in tungsten light. Once you add the filter to get the color correct, then you get into the cyan/green corner issue 35mm and wider. Now you have to code the lenses or use cornerfix or make up your own solution which is what I did. Those issues go away with the M9. I do not know what you do not like about Nikon lenses because the latest G lenses for full frame are excellent. Put them on a D700 and what is not to like. Nikon colors are pretty neutral unlike Leica which can be weird at times. and it is not a WB problem. Blue skies go cyan and I fix in photoshop. Without photoshop to fix all the problems, this camera would be in the bin. However when you finally get it right, which took me 2 months, the results are excellent. If I did not have a stable of lenses and M experience first, I would have given up and sent the camera back. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
GLAUMAX Posted February 20, 2012 Share #8 Posted February 20, 2012 I would say the C-Summicron 40 or the Minolta Rokkor 40 (same lens). Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
WestMichigan Posted February 20, 2012 Share #9 Posted February 20, 2012 HiYa... :-) I would say you are spot on regarding our cold winters making us a sarcastic bunch o' folks up here! As for the Summarit, I cannot comment beyond saying they are likely much easier to find than summicron if the laments I read about low dealer inventories and high used lens prices are accurate. Well, that and you can probably get a house full o' Holga's for the price of a Summi or a Summarit even. ;-) I personally prefer as much lens speed as I can afford, but that aligns with my penchant for available light photography. If you are likely to shoot mostly at more modest apertures then in all sincerity give a Summarit a whirl if they are in your budget. I have seen truly lovely images produced with them - unequivocably so. Further, the only real 'complaint' I recall hearing about them is their not being fast lenses and imho that is only a complaint if one needs the lens to do that. Posters, including me, are pointing you to check out the 40mm Summicron c and it's twin (yet not) the 40mm Rokkor c. The image quality is very nice, the price is even nicer, and is indeed worth evaluating if 'value' is a part of your lens consideration process. The prices have ramped up a fair bit now that the lenses have been more broadly discovered, so to speak, but still a bargain compared to most any summicron or summarit one might consider. FWIW: My early impression is that my 40mm Rokkor C (summicron twin) has about the same imaging characteristics and bokeh as my 50mm Summicron R does on my EOS 20D. I don't know if that is of any help, but I thought I'd kick that out there. Good Luck with your Lens shopping. Richard Richard, being a former Michigander myself, I should have expected the sarcasm from you. ;-) It is an artform best mastered during the long, dark and frigid winters, I think! Fortunately, my family here in the other peninsula state down south, has learned to tolerate, and even embrace it at times. But seriously, upon further research on related threads here and elsewhere, I find myself leaning more towards the Summarit. I'm thinking that losing half a stop may not be a deal killer, although I love shooting available light. I am concerned about the compactness of it; I had tried one at a dealer on an M8 a few years back and thought at the time it felt a bit fidgety. Maybe I should just get a Holga... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bull40 Posted February 20, 2012 Author Share #10 Posted February 20, 2012 Tobey, Thank you (and all the posters) for your advice and experiences; unfortunately, you've raised some more concerns for me. I've been pretty happy with the Nikon sensors, glass and results, while I can get absolutely lost looking at a great photo done with Leica glass exhibiting that classic "Leica look," that has never happened with my Nikon DSLR shots. My biggest issue has been with both the size and weight issue and dealing with the myriad of menus and modern function controls. I never upgraded my older R bodies to the R8/9 for that reason. Further, I'm now seeing that I'm spending all my time in camera settings setup and losing my "vision" and joy of shooting. Still making some technically good, but uninspired images, and hating the process. In a perfect world, I'd either still have access to good local labs or Leica would have delivered the M9 sensor and functionality into an R5/6/7 body. Neither of these are going to happen, though. And further yet, Photoshop is a nightmare for me. I get on well with computers and software, but Photoshop is a miserable struggle for me, so your comments regarding the extra work you're experiencing in PS with an M8 really concerns me. I'm looking to simplify my workflow and make it as close to film as possible. I've heard good things about Apple Aperture, wondering if it would be a better fit for me. Apologies for rambling on, but I think I'm experiencing more anxiety in this decision than when I finally (reluctantly) decided to give in and go digital the first time. I'm about to just decide to limit myself to b&w film and pulling my darkroom equipment out of their storage boxes... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bull40 Posted February 20, 2012 Author Share #11 Posted February 20, 2012 Ecar and Glaumax and Richard, Thank you for your suggestions regarding the 40 'cron. I've heard some good things about them but I'd prefer to be more on the short side of 50mm than the long, FOV speaking. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
edgeofthewolds Posted February 20, 2012 Share #12 Posted February 20, 2012 Does the 35mm lens used on my M8 to produce this image approach the sort of image look that you want? On the processing point I simply converted the DNG RAW file in Lightroom 2 to grayscale and slightly altered contrast, brightness, greyscale mix and applied a very slight touch of sharpening. No prizes for guessing which 35mm lens it was, but all thoughts on this welcome! Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/173089-which-35-on-m8-closest-to-50-cron/?do=findComment&comment=1932644'>More sharing options...
bull40 Posted February 20, 2012 Author Share #13 Posted February 20, 2012 Nice image. I'm going to guess a CV or ZM if you're making us guess... ;-) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bull40 Posted February 20, 2012 Author Share #14 Posted February 20, 2012 On closer inspection with an actual computer display, (I was on my smartphone when I first saw this) This is looking very clean to me, probably just a bit too clean for my taste. It may well be the difference from digital file as compared to film like Tri-X. If this was shot with "classic" Leica glass, it may be the ample lighting and subject matter that is fooling my eye, and it certainly wouldn't be the first time I've been made a fool. ;-) So, I'm sticking with my initial guess, as I'm still not feeling what I define as Leica look or fingerprint. Very nice capture, nonetheless. Thank you. I'm looking forward to reading other's opinions and finding out the "winning answer." Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
edgeofthewolds Posted February 21, 2012 Share #15 Posted February 21, 2012 John, well done - you win! It's the Voigtlander 35mm color-skopar which I use pretty much all the time on the M8. I am very happy with it, especially at the price which means that I can also afford to have a 75mm Heliar and a 90 mm Apo lanthar which makes a nice line up.. Thanks for your kind comments about the image - it was superb light that day inside Knole, but very wet and overcast outside, ideal for interior shots in a place like that. I hope you find the answer to your quest Regards Michael Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mustafasoleiman Posted February 21, 2012 Share #16 Posted February 21, 2012 the summicron 35 v.4 is a fantastic lens, at 155g the lightest 35 summicron and quality wise, at least my copy, very similar to the aspheric, so much so that I sold the newer aspheric as it was much heavier and bulkier. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bull40 Posted February 21, 2012 Author Share #17 Posted February 21, 2012 Michael, So glad I won the competition! My opponents were tough, but... oh, wait. I had no opponents! Ha. Mustafa, Thanks for your input, the more I research and images I look at it, the most likely I think the v4 'cron will give me the look I desire. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
edgeofthewolds Posted February 24, 2012 Share #18 Posted February 24, 2012 Dear John, I have just acquired a Summaron 35 f3.5 which, on a preliminary assessment, is really amazing on the M8. Will try to post an image or two when I have a spare moment. Hope your quest is going well, Regards Michael Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted February 25, 2012 Share #19 Posted February 25, 2012 If you are going for a Summaron try and find a 2.8 A good improvement over the 3.5 and approaching the quality of the first Summicron. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bull40 Posted February 25, 2012 Author Share #20 Posted February 25, 2012 Thanks for all of the input. At this point I'm really leaning towards ditching digital all together and going back to my first love, film. After three or four years of dealing with Nikon DSLRs and banging my head against the wall fighting with Photoshop, I think it's time to unbox my old wet darkroom and be truly happy again. I was hoping that a M digital would satisfy me, and it would on the capture side of the equation, but I am positively miserable on the PP side of things. I've got a freezer full of film, and can't wait to get out and enjoy photography again! Thanks again, John. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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