MATE and M8

[ArtZ]

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Just a question about the MATE and the M8.

 

I've seen in the Buy and Sell Section here a MATE on sale. I was considering to buy it. WATE + MATE seems a nice solution when you don't want to carry many lenses.

 

My question is if there's a pop-up menu under the "Lens detection" ->"On + UV / IR" setting to chose the focal lengh as with the WATE?

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[ppp]

The selection is made directly through the lens, this means that when you choose each focal (in the lens), the correction is made directly, you don't need to make any other selection in the pop-up menu. It's as if you were changing the lens (remember, it has 28-35-50 which is precisely the three positions of the rangefinder selection).

regards

ppp

[ArtZ]

Paulo,

 

But in the WATE you have a pop-up menu for vignetting and cyan (IR) corrections. I believe that with the MATE vignetting is not a problem but I'm not sure for cyan.

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[carstenw]

The MATE has a frame selection lever, and the setting of this is used by the M8 to automatically set the correct focal length, and automatically apply vignetting and IR settings to the image, without having to manually choose the focal length. This frame selection is missing on the WATE, and therefore you have to choose.

[ArtZ]

I see...

 

Thank you for the answer, Carsten. In fact, I've never had a MATE on my hands.

 

I hesitate to get the MATE (just practical and I don't have any 35mm lens) or to buy a second hand SUMMILUX 35mm (older version) in very good conditions (not coded) for 950 €. What do you think?

 

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[ppp]

Manuel,

 

Sometimes is difficult to explain the simplest questions. With the MATE, you just have to select the on+ir; as Carsten posted, the M8 automatically makes all the corrections needed for each focal length, if the lens is coded. The M8 recognizes the specific lens (with the 6bit cod), and the specific focal (through the rangefinder selector lever), and so it can attribute specific corrections depending on the focal length selected.

 

ppp

[ArtZ]

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Paulo,

 

Thank you for your answer. I've just realized you're the seller of the MATE I'm considering to buy. I'll send you an email.

[carstenw]

f/4 vs. f/1.4 would decide that one, I think. Personally, I prefer the 35 Lux Asph. The older version is not nearly as sharp as the MATE or the newer 35 Lux though, at least at the edges and in the corners. It gives very nice results, lower contrast, like many older Leica lenses. It is much more susceptible to flare too.

 

I can't imagine that you can find a MATE for €1000 though, unless it is well worn. If you can, buy it, try it, and if you don't like it, sell it. You should break even.

[pascal_meheut]

I see...

 

Thank you for the answer, Carsten. In fact, I've never had a MATE on my hands.

 

I hesitate to get the MATE (just practical and I don't have any 35mm lens) or to buy a second hand SUMMILUX 35mm (older version) in very good conditions (not coded) for 950 €. What do you think?

 

.

 

If you do not need the f/1.4 or a very compact lens, go for the MATE. Is it very convenient and quite good optically.

I'm not a fan of the results of the older 35mm Summilux but I was using it on film.

[ArtZ]

Thank you Carsten. The MATE is 1700 € and the SUMMILUX 35 is not ASPH.

 

Merci Pascal, j'ai vu le SUMMILUX hier chez Jean-Marc Francoz. Jean-Marc m'a dit la même chose que toi. En fait, j'aimerais bien un LUX 35 ASPH mais ce n'est pas raisonable. Je suis a plus de 25K euros de matos Leica depuis june. Peut-être je dois attendre jusqu'à Nöel et faire passer le message à ma femme qu'un LUX 35 ASPH serait le meilleur cadeau pour son homme

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[carstenw]

Thank you Carsten. The MATE is 1700 € and the SUMMILUX 35 is not ASPH.

 

Merci Pascal, j'ai vu le SUMMILUX hier chez Jean-Marc Francoz. Jean-Marc m'a dit la même chose que toi. En fait, j'aimerais bien un LUX 35 ASPH mais ce n'est pas raisonable. Je suis a plus de 25K euros de matos Leica depuis june. Peut-être je dois attendre jusqu'à Nöel et faire passer le message à ma femme qu'un LUX 35 ASPH serait le meilleur cadeau pour son homme

.

 

Tell her to test it for focus shift first though

[DavidStone]

I have a second-series MATE, and an excellent lens it is. It was absolutely my favourite lens on the M6. But now, on the M8, it has effectively been replaced by a 37-46-66 Tri-Elmar, which is not the lens I bought. I found that it became almost permanently fixed on the 28 setting, with rare excursions to 35 and 50, so now I leave a 28mm Summicron on the M8 and I really don't miss the MATE, so it looks like I'll be selling. Annoying, since I had it coded and got both an IR filter and the (horribly expensive) lenshood for it too. But for anyone who likes the "new" focal lengths, or will be using it on film, I'd say that it would be ideal, especially for general outdoor shots.

 

David

[gravastar]

Thank you Carsten. The MATE is 1700 € and the SUMMILUX 35 is not ASPH.

 

Merci Pascal, j'ai vu le SUMMILUX hier chez Jean-Marc Francoz. Jean-Marc m'a dit la même chose que toi. En fait, j'aimerais bien un LUX 35 ASPH mais ce n'est pas raisonable. Je suis a plus de 25K euros de matos Leica depuis june. Peut-être je dois attendre jusqu'à Nöel et faire passer le message à ma femme qu'un LUX 35 ASPH serait le meilleur cadeau pour son homme

.

If you are interested in the Summilux make sure the seller can guarantee it will focus to infinity on the M8 or allow you to return it if you find it won't.

 

I have a Canadian pre ASPH 35mm Summilux and it will not focus to infinity on the M8. The problem is caused by the shroud at the back of the lens fouling the inside of the camera. My dealer has several that appear to be OK so there is variation between them or there have been design changes. You can see the shroud is slightly longer compared to the ones the dealer has. Even though I've machined down the shroud to the extent of not offering protection to the rear element the focus still binds as you approach infinity. A few other people have also reported the problem with some lenses.

 

Bob.

[ArtZ]

Bob,

 

Thank you for the advice. I saw the lens yesterday evening when I bought the leather strap. As there was a lot of people on the shop and I wanted to take some pictures, I decided I will return on Tuesday (it's closed on Monday). The LUX (not ASPH) I saw it's "Made in Germany". He has also a Canadian one.

 

To be honest, I think I will go for the MATE or I will wait until the end of the year to get a LUX 35 ASPH chrome.

 

Cheers.

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[ho_co]

Manuel, the older 35 Summilux is pretty soft wide open. It's usable for certain types of shooting, but nowhere near the quality of the aspherical 35 Summilux. From f/2 it's fine, but if that's what you want, just get a late used pre-aspheric Summicron.

 

[Oops--I'm unaware of there being a German-made 35/1.4 before the aspheric variety--you may have a rarity there!]

 

I have the Tri-Elmar 28-35-50 and am delighted with it. It's fine wide open, if you can live with f/4. Using it on the M8 doesn't bother me even though the various effective fields of view have narrowed as David said; the same is true with my other lenses as well, so I need to look to strengthening my coverage in wider lenses.

 

So consider whether f/4 is fast enough, and whether 37mm, 47mm, 67mm is a usable combination for you.

 

In addition, since the lens is discontinued, it will probably be harder to get it later.

 

In other choice, my choice would be the MATE, though it may not be right for you.

 

--HC

[gravastar]

When you try the lens in the shop take some pictures which include bright lights or high contrast objects against the widow light at full aperture. You should easily see the coma and flare which is characteristic of the lens wide open. Then decide if that's what you want. It can be very romantic. It's rendering crispens up rapidly as you stop down.

 

Mine takes series filters which fit into the two part lens hood #12504. You can get B+W UV/IR filters to fit. I believe some versions of the lens are front threaded to take standard screw-in filters.

 

Bob.

[ArtZ]

Thank you Howard.

 

I've just seen in CameraQuest they have available the Voigtlander 35/1.2 Nokton modified for the M8.

 

Voigtlander 35/1.2

 

Is this a good 35mm lens? Do I need a special adapter to fit the UV / IR filter? Or B+W has 52mm IR filters? The price is very interesting.

 

I'm quite happy with the idea of the MATE because WATE + MATE seem a great combination for street shooting. On the other hand, I have the CRON 2/28 ASPH and a CRON 2/50 and I'm a bit afraid of become lazy and use the MATE more than what I think now. Hard to figure out.

 

Regards

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[gravastar]

If you decide to get the MATE it's probably a good idea to try for the second generation version. That's the one with the multiple "stepped" depth of field scales around the barrel. Optically both generations are the same but the mechanics of the second version were significantly improved. The first generation takes 55mm filters and the same large hood as the 21/24 2.8 ASPH, second generation uses 49mm filters and a hood with cut outs.

 

I originally had a used first generation and not only were the focal length click stops "soft" but it wouldn't activate the correct viewfinder frame lines unless I jiggled with the focal length setting. Some people have reported a similar problem after having had a first generation one six bit coded. I was told both the lens and camera would have to go to Solms for adjustment. - It's a known weakness.

 

I susequently part exchanged the lens for a second generation which I have had coded. The focal length click stops are very well defined and there are no problems with the frame lines. I'm very pleased with the optical performance of the lens. It has good resolution but slightly lower contrast than primes so it's a good sunny day lens for digital.

 

Bob.

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[gravastar]

Thank you Howard.

 

I've just seen in CameraQuest they have available the Voigtlander 35/1.2 Nokton modified for the M8.

 

Voigtlander 35/1.2

 

Is this a good 35mm lens? Do I need a special adapter to fit the UV / IR filter? Or B+W has 52mm IR filters? The price is very interesting.

 

I'm quite happy with the idea of the MATE because WATE + MATE seem a great combination for street shooting. On the other hand, I have the CRON 2/28 ASPH and a CRON 2/50 and I'm a bit afraid of become lazy and use the MATE more than what I think now. Hard to figure out.

 

Regards

.

 

The 35/1.2 is an excellent lens in my opinion - with one caveat - it's heavy and bulky. It takes standard 52mm filters so no problem there. I consider it my Noktilux™ for the M8. I find it very resistant to flare. One characteristic I like about the lens is @f 1.4 the corners are brighter than the 35 Summilux ASPH.

For an excellent comparison/review of this lens see www.reidreviews.com well worth the subscription fee.

 

Mine is an early version and I had to machine off part of the rear shroud to use it on the M8 - same problem as the 35 Summilux.

 

Bob.

[ArtZ]

If you decide to get the MATE it's probably a good idea to try for the second generation version. That's the one with the multiple "stepped" depth of field scales around the barrel. Optically both generations are the same but the mechanics of the second version were significantly improved. The first generation takes 55mm filters and the same large hood as the 21/24 2.8 ASPH, second generation uses 49mm filters and a hood with cut outs.

 

I originally had a used first generation and not only were the focal length click stops "soft" but it wouldn't activate the correct viewfinder frame lines unless I jiggled with the focal length setting. Some people have reported a similar problem after having had a first generation one six bit coded. I was told both the lens and camera would have to go to Solms for adjustment. - It's a known weakness.

 

I susequently part exchanged the lens for a second generation which I have had coded. The focal length click stops are very well defined and there are no problems with the frame lines. I'm very pleased with the optical performance of the lens. It has good resolution but slightly lower contrast than primes so it's a good sunny day lens for digital.

 

Bob.

 

Bob,

 

Thank you very much for your advices. They're very helpful.

 

Concerning the version of the MATE, I think is second version (55mm filter). In fact, there're 3 versions Leica M Lens Price Guide According to this document, the third version uses 49mm

 

You can see it at the Buy & Sell Section http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/classifieds/showproduct.php/product/242/cat/4

 

I haven't made up my mind yet. I want to see the LUX (Made in Germany) on Tuesday. I can probably take it with me for a few hours and take some pictures outside.

 

When I bought the cron 50, in june, I didn't wanted to buy a LUX 50 because I thought I would buy a LUX 35 later. I love 28mm and 35mm on a cropped sensor. I prefer to get a LUX 35mm than a LUX 50mm (I'll see later for the Nocti)

 

The Nokton seems to be a good alternative also but I don't know this lens at all.

 

I think I will be thinking about this tomorrow.

 

Bob, if you can post here one of those romantic pictures you get with your LUX 35, I will be very happy to see.

 

Thank you again!

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