X1 + M8.2 + which lens?

[budhudson]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

Hello all

 

Following on from my 'in for repair' comments i have had more of a play with the D-Lux 4 and realise that whilst it is a decent camera it is not in the same league IQ wise as the X1. Nor is it my idea of an ideal companion. What it has made me realise, though, is that i do have a selective need for some zoom capability as well as some macro function as well

 

So my quandry is now as follows and please bear with me on this -

 

I will probably look to an M8.2 (not an M8 as i would always be thinking about the .2 i am missing) to compliment my X1.

 

This is irrespective of the May announcement and i accept that this could also develop into an M9 in the future but lets stick to M8.2 for this topic (realistic in money terms at present)

 

My perspective is that i can get a used M8.2 plus a lens (or two) for the price of the body of the M9.

 

I have never owned/used a DSLR so am not comparing an M to this so wont be aware of the lack of AF speeds (X1 is fast enough for me) zoom capability, video and other things i just dont/wouldnt use. I know the M is a manual camera and i am familiar with the rangefinder system. My DSLR comment is purely showing that i am not 'tainted' by other technology so will be effectively starting clean

 

Before the X1 i used my pocket Panasonic TZ8 but now realise how lacking the IQ is vs the X1. Even the D-Lux is way short

 

So my question is this (hinted in the title). What lens would i look to get with an M8.2 to compliment my X1?

 

Generally the X1 for landscapes/carry round and pocket camera shooting with the new M8.2 for part zoom 70% and macro 30%

 

I appreciate this is probably covered in other threads but mine is specific to the M8.2 and its lenses alone

 

Budget for lens(es) say circa £1500

 

Thanks in advance

 

Mark

[nippa]

Are you also considering the Fuji XPro-1 with Leica Glass?

[budhudson]

Thanks for the answer but no

 

Purely Leica M8.2 hence the specific nature of the post

 

Mark

[lct]

...What lens would i look to get with an M8.2 to compliment my X1... for part zoom 70% and macro 30%... Budget for lens(es) say circa £1500...

Unless you intend to use early lenses for Visoflex, the only way to do macro with current Leica M lenses is to acquire the superb Macro-Elmar 90/4.0 but it will give you some long reach on the M8.2 (120mm equiv. 24x36) and will cost you more than GBP 1,500 on the s/h market.

Leica Camera AG - Photography - LEICA MACRO-ELMAR-M 90 mm f/4

[budhudson]

Thanks for the macro observation

 

I could get round macro needs another way for the time being so lets remove the macro requirement

 

Just a 'general use' lens to complement the lack of zoom for the X1

 

Thanks in advance

[wattsy]

35 Summicron ASPH.

[Manolo Laguillo]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

Hello all

 

Generally the X1 for landscapes/carry round and pocket camera shooting with the new M8.2 for part zoom 70% and macro 30%

 

Mark

 

Zoom capability with a Leica M?

The only possibilities, and they are not really zoom lenses, would be the 28-35-50 (MATE) or 16-18-21 (WATE) tri-elmar lenses. But then you are way over your budget.

The X1's focal length is like a 35mm on full frame.

The M8's sensor has more or less the same size as the one from the X1.

In what direction do you want to got? Wide or tele?

[lct]

...I could get round macro needs another way for the time being so lets remove the macro requirement...

OK so the 35mm equiv. FoV is covered by your X1 already.

If you want more reach below 90mm you could envision either a 50mm (aka 66mm on the M8.2) or a 75mm (aka 100mm on the M8.2).

Withing your budget, the best Leica offers are the Summicron 50/2 (or Summarit 50/2.5) and Summarit 75/2.5. You cannot go wrong with either lens. Beware that the 50/2 could possibly be replaced by an asph version according to persistant rumors floating around.

[brill64]

a 35 fov on an m8.2 is equivalent to a 50 in full frame 35mm terms because it also has a cropped sensor. this is a very useful focal length. the 24mm on the x1 is equivalent to a 35 so you already have that. a 50 might just be your best bet. you may wish to compliment it later with a reasonably priced, second hand 90 elmarit if you find you still can't get close enough but since your background is not coming from a dslr, you may find that you rarely use it.

[budhudson]

All

 

Thank you very much for the answers - finally some good information and pointers in the right direction

 

I should have made my needs more clear in the first post so try to consider this

 

The D-Lux 4 i have on loan at present gives me just about (but not quite) enough zoom capacity for my needs (perhaps the D-Lux 5 would so that is the range). I am not looking to acheive telephoto type zooming so apologise if i mislead anyone

 

As for macro, then this can be discounted at this stage as the potential use is virtually nil compared to other 'regular' use. I can use the X1 for the limited macro i would need in the near term (when i get it back)

 

Does this alter suggestions for lenses to date? Budget can be increased but is not endless so back to you guys

 

Mark

[lct]

If you don't need telephoto, the Summicron 35/2 asph or Summarit 35/2.5 are the ways to go as far as new lenses are concerned. I prefer the 35/2 for its speed and the 35/2.5 for its OoF rendition but it is a matter of tastes. You cannot go wrong with either lens as usual at Leica's.

Leica Camera AG - Photography - LEICA SUMMICRON-M 35 mm f/2 ASPH.

Leica Camera AG - Photography - LEICA SUMMARIT-M 35 mm f/2.5

[wda]

Mark, I would definitely go for a 75mm Summarit (equates to 100mm) which, paired with the X1 (35mm), would cover a wide range of subjects.

[budhudson]

Again, thanks for the comments and suggestions

 

Will be looking into things in the coming days so will bear these in mind

 

A bit early to ask but - what would be the next lens to get to make the set complete?

 

I suppose one from the last 2 replies would cover most bases?

 

Mark

[lct]

Yes two Summicron (f/2) or Summarit (f/2.5) 35 & 75 would make a great combo.

[budhudson]

All

 

Thanks again for the comments

 

Time has moved on a little and a change in thought process (as well as a money shift) leads to me currently thinking of an M9 with a 50mm summicron for starters

 

Any good as a compliment to the X1 or will they be too similar?

 

Thanks in advance

 

Mark

[tdavis]

X1

 

50mm f/2 APO-Summicron-M

 

M Monochrom + V-Luz 40 to follow as data becomes available :-)

-Tim

[budhudson]

Is this a yes or no?

[ramosa]

35 Summicron ASPH.

 

If you have an interest in this lens for your M8.2, let me know because I have a new one at sub-msrp for sale.

[Ruhayat]

Since you already have 35mm f2.8 equivalent on the X1, I'd say the perfect lens on the M8.2 would be the 50mm Summilux (becomes a 75mm FOV). That would be a nice and compact 2-lens walkaround package that should cover maybe 90% of your needs.

 

Other than that, suggest you look at the Tri-Elmar for a pseudo-zoom.

[Advertisement]

Hallo,

Look here: Interesting Leica gear