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Leica M-E

benedict297

By benedict297
in Leica M9 / M-E

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Thank you all for the replies. I pulled the trigger today.

 

Still deciding on what lens to get im thinking either 35 summicron or 50mm summicron. Ideally I would like to get the new nokton voigtlander which has yet to ship yet and a leica 35mm

 

What were your first lenses?

 

Also - do you guys use half cases? or how do you travel with your camers?

 

Thank you

 

Congrats on the purchase. Stick with it and you'll be rewarded:)

 

35mm and 50mm tend to be the most popular options for RF cameras, with my preference being 50mm (but I tend to like long vs wide). As already mentioned, the Zeiss 50mm f/2 Planar is a spectacular lens and it's fairly cheap (at least in Leica land). The Voigtlander 50mm f/1.5 is another fantastic lens (I have the older LTM version; there's a new one out now with a M mount). The cost is about the same as the Zeiss, however they both have different renderings. On the long end, both the Voigtlander 75mm f/2.5 Skopar (no longer produced, but many vendors have new old stock on hand) and the Leica Elmarit-M 90mm f/2.8 are spectacular lenses. On the wide side, I only have experience with Leica Elmarit 28mm f/2.8 (current production) lens (a fantastic lens, though contrast is on the higher side) and the discontinued Voigtlander 35mm f/2.5 Skopar which is very nice, but low contrast.

 

As for the two problems you mentioned, I've experienced one lockup since purchase (Dec 2009). Dust on the sensor is pretty much unavoidable. LR does a fantastic job in cleaning up the dust, and cleaning the sensor isn't a big deal (though nerve wracking the first time). Nothing ruins a fantastic print when a frakking magnified dust spot pops up on a large print;(. Be sure to do a few passes in post cleaning up spots for files you intend to print.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk 2

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hhmrogers

hhmrogers

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...................Still deciding on what lens to get im thinking either 35 summicron or 50mm summicron.............. do you guys use half cases? or how do you travel with your camers? ..................

 

My best lens (yes, I have done some tests) is a screw thread 5cm collapsible Summicron but I don't use it much on my M_E; it lives mostly on my IIIg as it has done since 1959. Almost as good are the 35mm and 50mm Summarits which I use most of the time. I really don't miss the slightly larger maximum aperture of the Summicron with digital.

 

I don't use a half case but normally hang the M-E under my coat which is handy with such compact lenses. After 6 months the only marks are brassing where my fingers go. However those Luigi half cases look so beautiful............

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I only use a case/bag for transportation. Otherwise the M9 stays naked. It's really comes down to preference, since I do not think half cases provide against serious damage.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk 2

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colonel

colonel

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Hi, Just joined this Forum. I am thinking of getting an M-E. I honestly would say I would prefer the new M but I don't want to wait that long at this point in time. I tried an M-E at the store and its quite primitive to say the least ( I usually shoot a Nikon D700). However, it took a while to get used too but having looked at some of the pics I took at the store on a computer, and they looked very nice in deed.

 

Thank you

 

"Primitive" is what Leica is all about. A simple workflow to concentrate on composition and light (aperture, focus and speed).

 

This is what Leica aficionados love more then anything (well maybe the size / weight mix as well).

 

Make sure you are happy to live with this.

 

Also note the ISO performance of the ME doesn't compare to the D700.

 

Best Rgds

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jonogilmour

jonogilmour

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I also have the M-E and both the 50 Summicron and the 35 ASPH Summicron.

 

Bought the 50 with the camera and love the combination to death. A 50 is much easier to use than a 35 simply because it's easier to get a single subject within a tighter frame, so the images are more consistently good.

 

I went and got the 35 about a week later and it's been on the camera since; not because I like it better than the 50, but because I am finding it more difficult to take excellent photos and want to practice. Overall I think they're different, not superior or inferior to each other.

 

If I were to choose between them, I would go the 50, because:

 

  • Optically they're both the same in terms of sharpness, etc. to my eye, but the 35 is more expensive.
     
  • The focus tab method on the 35 is a little more difficult to get used to than the ring focus on the 50, but practice makes perfect as with all things.
     
  • The metal slide out hood is preferable to the 35's latch on hood, but the latch on hood does let you use the excellent rubberised cap which is great for protecting both the hood and the lens from small bumps.
     
  • The 35 is smaller, but not to such a degree that you'd choose it over the 50. Both are extremely compact and equally gorgeous to look at.

 

I will say this however: whilst I find the 50 easier to use and all that, when I get a great shot with the 35 I find it is often superior to almost anything I've taken with the 50. Composing with the 35 is much more difficult, but when you nail it it's a very rewarding experience.

 

One other great thing about the 35 is that when you look into the finder, almost everything you see will be in the shot. The frame lines are quite far into the sides of the M9/M-E finder. On the flip side, the 50 frame lines do allow you to see beyond the bounds of the photo.

 

I bet what I've said doesn't help you choose at all. I think if you are willing to pay for the 35 ASPH, do it. You can always get the cheaper 50 later on.

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sblutter

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Am getting a new M-E cuz I love my ageing M9 so much. It'll be put away until the 9 eventually dies. The dust issue is easy in Photoshop - no big, have never needed to actually touch the sensor.

 

I regularly exhibit M9 prints up to 60" long side that would please even the most critical pixel peeper - what more can I ask for?

 

5DM3 only gets used for macro and video. Heavy & noisy...

 

Am a 40 yrs M user.

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Philjh

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The Summarit 35mm and 50mm are wonderful lenses, cheapest of the Leica range but not inferio, don't overlook them.

I was going to buy the Cron 50 with my M-E but the shop was offering a package of M-E with Summarit 50 at a huge saving and I've never looked back. I was also going to get a 35mm Summarit until the shop leant me the Tri-Elmar 16-18-21. I realised that a 35mm was a bit near in mm to the 50, which I have found to do most of what I require, however the 21mm f3.4, with Zeiss finder, would open up new possibilities and take my photography in new directions.

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My first lens is a 50 summilux asph. If that is out of your budget I would go for the 50 summicron. If you dont mind having a zeiss, the 50 planar is an on par lens with the summicron- but very different character, you will have to compare yourself.

 

You ofcourse can get the 50/1.5 zeiss sonnar and have it re calibrated to shoot wide open, or the latest 50/1.5 nokton.

 

If you want more vintage lenses, my option would go to a version 2 summilux 50 non-asph, or a 50/2 summicron (any version will do).

 

I tried to like the 35mm FL, but I never got the feeling. However if you'd like to go for that 35 FL the latest 35/1.4 summilux asph FLE is definitely the best out there. Second option would be the 35/2 summicron asph or non-asph, or the voigtlander 35/1.4 "classic" single coating.

 

My current lens set up: 50/1.4 summilux asph and ver 1. 15/4.5 super wide heliar voigtlander.

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bernd_muc

bernd_muc

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Thank you all for the replies. I pulled the trigger today.
Congratulations! :) I did in March.

 

Still deciding on what lens to get im thinking either 35 summicron or 50mm summicron. Ideally I would like to get the new nokton voigtlander which has yet to ship yet and a leica 35mm.

 

What were your first lenses?

I actually already bought a couple of lenses some years before I actually bought the camera - I just knew that I'd buy one one day :rolleyes: So I got a 28 Summicron and a pre-asph 50 Summilux - really, really good deals from the bay and the classifieds here. When I bought the M-E I got the 21 Super Elmar with it as I like wide angle shots (maybe I should have taken the 18 but then I thought that I might just get the 15 Heliar for extremes if I really need it ... or just feel like buying it :rolleyes:). For portraits I just went "cheap" and got the 90 Summarit.

 

If I hadn't had anything, I think I would have definitely bought the 50 Summilux ASPH as my first lense. Definitely a Summilux because you just gotta have a Leica low-light lens.

 

how do you travel with your cameras?
I am just looking into bags, too ... It most probably will either be a Billingham Hadley Digital or a Kalahari Kaama 14. The Kalahari is very small, though, and the larger ones are just a bit too large already ... but they look pretty cool. You might need to mail order it from Germany, though. Generally I am looking for a "simple" bag ... not so easy to find, though.

 

Enjoy your M-E!

 

Bernd

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Bernd

Check out some of the offerings from Domke, specifically the F-5X_ series. I use theF-5XB in olive. It's simple, very well made. It's got room enough for a M9 with lens attached (90mm Elmarit-M), room for an additional lens, and a small amount left over for a wallet, iPhone, or memory card holder plus extra battery. You can easily have carry three lenses (one on the M and two stored) if you use smallish lenses (Ziess 50mm f/2 Planar and smaller). It'll also fit a Canon 5DMK2 with 28-135mm lens, with no room to spare.

That being said, I'm thinking about getting the F-5XC, because I want to tinker around with speedlites. The F-5XB will snugly fit a M9+lens and a medium sized speedlite (Canon 430ex).

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jonogilmour

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Congratulations! :) I did in March.

 

I actually already bought a couple of lenses some years before I actually bought the camera - I just knew that I'd buy one one day :rolleyes: So I got a 28 Summicron and a pre-asph 50 Summilux - really, really good deals from the bay and the classifieds here. When I bought the M-E I got the 21 Super Elmar with it as I like wide angle shots (maybe I should have taken the 18 but then I thought that I might just get the 15 Heliar for extremes if I really need it ... or just feel like buying it :rolleyes:). For portraits I just went "cheap" and got the 90 Summarit.

 

If I hadn't had anything, I think I would have definitely bought the 50 Summilux ASPH as my first lense. Definitely a Summilux because you just gotta have a Leica low-light lens.

 

I am just looking into bags, too ... It most probably will either be a Billingham Hadley Digital or a Kalahari Kaama 14. The Kalahari is very small, though, and the larger ones are just a bit too large already ... but they look pretty cool. You might need to mail order it from Germany, though. Generally I am looking for a "simple" bag ... not so easy to find, though.

 

Enjoy your M-E!

 

Bernd

 

I carry mine in a Billingham for Leica Combination Bag - in black. It's a very stealthy bag, and the Leica version does away with the Billingham logo on the front, so it's super clean. I never noticed anybody looking at it funny. Just got the Ona Roma too, which is a really nice size - perfect for the M-E. Can't wait to throw it in my normal satchel bag and take it to uni.

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Right, got the 35mm f2 - ready to play :)

 

Question- if you put the lens hood on, do you all normally bring the rubber cap? As the plastic lens cap only fits if you are not putting on the hood. What's your MO?

 

I don't have the 35 cron but the 28 Elmarit has a rubber cap that mounts in the lens, and I do take it with me. So the cap stays on while the camera's in transit. And in my pocket if not.

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jaapv

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Right, got the 35mm f2 - ready to play :)

 

Question- if you put the lens hood on, do you all normally bring the rubber cap? As the plastic lens cap only fits if you are not putting on the hood. What's your MO?

Take the rubber cap - and buy a replacement from time to time for the lost ones.:o

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bernd_muc

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Check out some of the offerings from Domke, specifically the F-5X_ series.
Thanks for the pointer. These Domkes are actually quite nice but loud - velcro in a church is very annoying ;) I ended up buying the sage Hadley Digital.
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Guest malland

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...Also - do you guys use half cases? or how do you travel with your camers?...
With profuse apologies to all half-case fetishists, I have to say that I find them absurd. For travel I put my camera and three lenses into whatever carry-abord case I use (currenty a black, nylonVictorinx shoulder bag); when shooting I carry the camera with a short shoulder strap (braided horse bridle), which I wrap around my wrist 2-3 times for shooting, and carry one or two lenses in my pockets.

 

What I find is essential for an M9 is a Thumbs Up — without it I find there is not a good grip on the camera, which become particularly problematic for vertical (i.e., "portrait"-oriented shots).

 

—Mitch/Bangkok

Surabaya-Johnny

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