fursan Posted July 7, 2007 Share #1 Posted July 7, 2007 Advertisement (gone after registration) i mistakenly posted this query previously in a wrong forum. sorry for that. hello, i have been practicing with my new m8 and am totally hooked on rf. need much more time with the cam. i have been reading most threads and sean's reviews, but need your experienced input to clarify certain aspects of lenses ( i am thick! ). 1. buying m-mount bayonet lenses ( leica/zeiss/cv ) does not require any adapters for mounting on the m8. correct or false? 2. lenses ( leica/zeiss/cv ) upto 28mm for m8 will bring up the correct framing lines. correct or false? will this only happen with six-bit coding? 3. can use any lens ( zeiss/leica/cv ) below 28mm on m8 requires external vf. correct? 4. is six bit encoding required for all lenses? or just with infra-red filters? what if i only do bw imaging? what if i do not do six-bit coding? sorry for what might be obvious to you folks, but is perplexing to me. i cannot afford leica glass all the time!! appreciate your responses. Best regards. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted July 7, 2007 Posted July 7, 2007 Hi fursan, Take a look here Sorry..this is the correct forum. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
stunsworth Posted July 7, 2007 Share #2 Posted July 7, 2007 Hi Fahim, to cover your points... 1. All M lenses will mount with the possible exception of the Voigtlander f1.2 35mm which has a small piece of plastic at the back of the lens that causes problems with infinity focussing. If you buy from Cameraquest this will have been removed and you'll be ok - don't know about other suppliers. There are also some other lenses from Leica that don't work with the M8, there's a list on the Leica website. Also you need to be very careful with collapsible lenses, as Leica do not recommend collapsing most of those. 2/3. Lenses including the 24mm will bring up the correct framelines - one exception is the Zeiss 25mm that will bring up the wrong framelines, the mount can be replaced, but it doesn't ship with the correct one. Anything wider than 24mm will require an external viewfinder - remember to take the crop factor into account when buying a viewfinder, so if you have a 21mm lens you'll need a 28mm viewfinder, 15mm you'll need a 21mm viewfinder, etc. 4. Even if you only do b&w it would probably be worthwhile to use coded lenses as the coding will correct any vignetting - probably only an issue with wide angle lenses. If you only intend to use the camera for b&w then you'll probably not need filters - perhaps someone else can confirm this. However if you are shooting RAW and decide at a later point to use the images in colour you will probably have issues with the dreaded magenta. Hope that helps, I'm sure others will correct any errors that I've made <grin> Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
fursan Posted July 7, 2007 Author Share #3 Posted July 7, 2007 Steve, Thanks, again!! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wlaidlaw Posted July 7, 2007 Share #4 Posted July 7, 2007 Fahim, Could I add my tuppence worth to Steve's excellent advice. If you go for a CZ 21mm Biogon and want to use coding, either hand or John Milich, you will need to swap the bayonet to the 28/90 bayonet to activate the coding on the M8. The alternative is to activate by moving the frame selector to 28/90 plus a part press of shutter release, each time you switch on. The Bayonet is available direct from Zeiss, who thank goodness, I am now told take credit cards. Wilson Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sean_reid Posted July 7, 2007 Share #5 Posted July 7, 2007 Hi Fahim, to cover your points... 1. All M lenses will mount with the possible exception of the Voigtlander f1.2 35mm which has a small piece of plastic at the back of the lens that causes problems with infinity focussing. If you buy from Cameraquest this will have been removed and you'll be ok - don't know about other suppliers. Hi Steve, The current version of the Nokton actually has a modified shroud. Cameraquest isn't removing the shrouds all together, just swapping old for new. I need to write an "Introduction to Rangefinders and DRFs" article. A lot of people have these kinds of excellent questions when they are starting out. Cheers, Sean Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sean_reid Posted July 7, 2007 Share #6 Posted July 7, 2007 "hello, i have been practicing with my new m8 and am totally hooked on rf. need much more time with the cam. i have been reading most threads and sean's reviews, but need your experienced input to clarify certain aspects of lenses ( i am thick! ). 1. buying m-mount bayonet lenses ( leica/zeiss/cv ) does not require any adapters for mounting on the m8. correct or false?" True, as Steve mentioned. There are a few M lenses, however, that have restrictions on the M8. See your manual for details. "2. lenses ( leica/zeiss/cv ) upto 28mm for m8 will bring up the correct framing lines. correct or false? will this only happen with six-bit coding?" The frame lines are triggered mechanically. The coding triggers digital processing by the camera's computer. "3. can use any lens ( zeiss/leica/cv ) below 28mm on m8 requires external vf. correct?" See Steve's answer. "4. is six bit encoding required for all lenses? or just with infra-red filters? what if i only do bw imaging? what if i do not do six-bit coding?" If one is using IR-cut filters, coding is very helpful for 35-40 mm and wider lenses. It also helps with vignetting but that correction isn't always needed. If you only shoot in BW, you can ignore coding and filters if you like. I myself do not use the filters for BW work. If you work in color (with the filters) you don't really need the coding for 50 mm and longer lenses. Cheers, Sean Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
stunsworth Posted July 7, 2007 Share #7 Posted July 7, 2007 Advertisement (gone after registration) Thanks for the clarification Sean. One other thing, if you are intending to shoot in b&w and use Photoshop, try the Alien Skin Exposure plug-in. There's a 30 day trial on their web site... Alien Skin Software, LLC It's overpriced IMHO, but if you shoot RAW it does the colour to b&w conversion exceptionally well IMHO. Plus if you decide it's not for you you'll at least have 30 days to find out. If you order the physical CD rather than a download you get both PC and Mac versions which may be of interest. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
fursan Posted July 7, 2007 Author Share #8 Posted July 7, 2007 Wison, I am grateful for your advice. I am printing all these out so I can read it multiple times till it sinks in! life was much simpler with nikon, but not as exiting!! regards. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wlaidlaw Posted July 7, 2007 Share #9 Posted July 7, 2007 Sean, See my post above. If you want a CZ21 to bring up the correct coding for a 21 Elmarit or as I have mine a WATE, you do need a 28/90 bayonet or coding just does not wake up - beats me why this is but it's a fact that the 24/35 bayonet will not allow 21mm coding - weird. Wilson Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
fursan Posted July 7, 2007 Author Share #10 Posted July 7, 2007 Hi Steve, The current version of the Nokton actually has a modified shroud. Cameraquest isn't removing the shrouds all together, just swapping old for new. I need to write an "Introduction to Rangefinders and DRFs" article. A lot of people have these kinds of excellent questions when they are starting out. Cheers, Sean Sean, Yes. Please..Please..Please!! Regards. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
AGeoJO Posted July 7, 2007 Share #11 Posted July 7, 2007 Fahim, Regarding your 3rd question - The widest frame line on the M8 is indeed only 24mm, which is a little smaller than the entire viewfinder. If you have a 21mm lens, you can use the entire viewfinder to give you your framing guide. There is no need for an external viewfinder unless you go wider than 21mm. Enjoy your M8! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
fursan Posted July 7, 2007 Author Share #12 Posted July 7, 2007 Sean, Thanks for your itemized response. I think I am begining to see the light. Where I live, it is impossible to get coding done or any other sort of support. I would be grateful if you or some other member/s point me to a source that would do the coding for me. DIY is not my thing. Truly grateful for any help. Best regards. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sean_reid Posted July 7, 2007 Share #13 Posted July 7, 2007 Sean, See my post above. If you want a CZ21 to bring up the correct coding for a 21 Elmarit or as I have mine a WATE, you do need a 28/90 bayonet or coding just does not wake up - beats me why this is but it's a fact that the 24/35 bayonet will not allow 21mm coding - weird. Wilson Hi Wilson, Did you mean to address this to me? You know that I started the ball rolling with Zeiss for the alternate mount option, right? Have you seen the 21s review? Cheers, Sean Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sean_reid Posted July 7, 2007 Share #14 Posted July 7, 2007 Sean, Thanks for your itemized response. I think I am begining to see the light. Where I live, it is impossible to get coding done or any other sort of support. I would be grateful if you or some other member/s point me to a source that would do the coding for me. DIY is not my thing. Truly grateful for any help. Best regards. Which lenses? If you buy Leica lenses the factory can code them. LTM lenses can be coded with Milich LT-M8 adapters. Cheers, Sean Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
fursan Posted July 7, 2007 Author Share #15 Posted July 7, 2007 Fahim,Regarding your 3rd question - The widest frame line on the M8 is indeed only 24mm, which is a little smaller than the entire viewfinder. If you have a 21mm lens, you can use the entire viewfinder to give you your framing guide. There is no need for an external viewfinder unless you go wider than 21mm. Enjoy your M8! Horrah!! and thanks. my brain freezes past 21mm!! ( and it seems does my wallet ) best. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sean_reid Posted July 7, 2007 Share #16 Posted July 7, 2007 Fahim,Regarding your 3rd question - The widest frame line on the M8 is indeed only 24mm, which is a little smaller than the entire viewfinder. If you have a 21mm lens, you can use the entire viewfinder to give you your framing guide. There is no need for an external viewfinder unless you go wider than 21mm. Enjoy your M8! Hi Josh, ...With the caveat that the 21 mm effective field of view on the M8 is significantly wider than the full finder area. The full finder is actually close to the EFOV of a 24 on the M8. In other words, I use a 28 mm external finder for a 21. Cheers, Sean Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
fursan Posted July 7, 2007 Author Share #17 Posted July 7, 2007 Which lenses? If you buy Leica lenses the factory can code them. LTM lenses can be coded with Milich LT-M8 adapters. Cheers, Sean Sean, I was thinking of adding one or 2 zeiss lenses. Thanks. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
stunsworth Posted July 7, 2007 Share #18 Posted July 7, 2007 my brain freezes past 21mm!! ( and it seems does my wallet ) You'll probably find that the Voigtlander 21mm not only excellent, but less of a strain on your wallet <grin> The Voigtlander 15mm is also truly exceptional value, and seems to work better on the M8 that I ever remember it doing on my M6. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
AGeoJO Posted July 7, 2007 Share #19 Posted July 7, 2007 Hi Josh, ...With the caveat that the 21 mm effective field of view on the M8 is significantly wider than the full finder area. The full finder is actually close to the EFOV of a 24 on the M8. In other words, I use a 28 mm external finder for a 21. Cheers, Sean Sean, you are right, the entire viewfinder is indeed smaller than the view angle of a 21mm lens. However, the 24mm is well within the viewfinder itself and if you are not wearing glasses you can actually peer sideways into that and get a little more. While I agree that the angle of view of the 21mm is wider but the difference is not significant, not to my eyes, at least. I tested this before and really not that much of a difference in actual shots. I would venture to guess ...... maybe around 22mm . Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
fursan Posted July 7, 2007 Author Share #20 Posted July 7, 2007 You'll probably find that the Voigtlander 21mm not only excellent, but less of a strain on your wallet <grin> The Voigtlander 15mm is also truly exceptional value, and seems to work better on the M8 that I ever remember it doing on my M6. Steve, Thanks for the help you are providing me. I was leaning towards the zeiss, for no other reason than the name. but would appear that Voigtlander needs to be further researched. Do you think cameraquest would help me with the coding? Regards. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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