Which lens to buy?

[Larwol]

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I have used an M6 with a non-aspherical 35 F1.4 and a non-apsherical 90 F 2 for years (I used the 35, 85% of the time). Recently all were stolen but insurance money will pay for an M8 and one lens. The retailer is pushing the Elmar 16-18-21 but I am not sure if that is what I want. I like the idea of the 3 focal lengths in one (because I tend to be lazy about changing lenses, though there seems to not be that much difference between these three) but am a bit concerned about the lack of speed. I have access to an old 50 F 2 (my wife's), that will need coding. To date, most of my work has been street phography, available light, and travel. I would be able to afford a second lens in about a year.

I am looking for any and all suggestions

Thanks

[farnz]

Larry,

 

Welcome to the forum! Very sorry to hear of the theft of your Leica equipment.

 

Far be it from me to entice you away from buying Leica glass but in your situation I would seriously consider some of the excellent but very reasonably priced Voigtlaender lenses.

 

For the price of a WATE (wide angle tri-elmar) you could afford 3 or 4 Voigtlaenders now and replace them with Leica glass as funds permit. I'd suggest the 15mm/f4.5 Heliar superwide, 35mm/f1.2 Nokton, 50mm/1.5 Nokton. and 75mm/f2.5 Color Heliar.

 

Failing that it is possible to obtain some good deals on 'pre-loved' Leica lenses.

 

It would be useful to know whether for example you mainly shoot portraits, landscapes, street scenes etc so that we can suggest something better suited to your style.

 

I hope this helps.

 

Best,

Pete.

[jaapv]

Good advice by Pete - and it is not needed to code that 50, unless you want the focal length in Exif.

[Larwol]

Thanks for this. In answer to your question, I have each of these three types of photography, though street photography and landscapes take most of my time. Would it make any difference to your answers if I was able to afford a second lens right now? Finally, are you saying that the difference between the Leica and Voigtlaender lenses is not significant or just that when it comes to a choice between one leica lens and a variety of others, it is better to go with the variety?

Larry

[hdrmd]

A 35mmF2 ASPH Summicron is worth considering. DR

[carstenw]

That's a hell of an insurance policy you've got! That equipment would have fetched just half the price of an M8 on the second-hand market.

 

Anyway, if you liked the focal lengths you had, 28+75 would come closest. Since you have access to a 50, you might go 28+90. The 28 Cron is a stunning lens, whereas the 28 Elmarit ASPH is quite high contrast. An alternative would be to get second-hand lenses: 28 Elmarit (non-ASPH) and 90 Cron (non-Apo-ASPH). Great lenses. If you do this, you might be able to get both now.

[lars_bergquist]

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Most people with not too extreme shooting habits find that with the M8, either a 35mm or a 28mm lens becomes their mainstay. They are of course the equivalents of a 47mm and a 37mm lens respectively, in full format terms. And, many pre-aspheric lenses work remarkably well on the M8. I have had fine results with a 21mm Elmar, a V.IV 35mm Summicron and a V.II Tele-Elmarit.

 

The old man from the Age of the Spheres

[cbretteville]

I agree with Lars. On my M6 the 35 is what I use all the time, on the M8 my 28 is what just stays on it. I've used the Voigtlander 28 f1.9 Ultron quite a bit and it is an excellent lens at an affordable price. As is, off course, the 28 Summicron-M ASPH. The Ultron is now discontinued, but still available new. If recent developments from Cosina is an indicator of the future it will be replaced by an M-mount lens with the same optical formula.

 

- Carl

[Guest stnami]

...........for a good laugh and a not so good guide

 

 

http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/leica-m8-forum/32685-top-travel-lens-set-m8.html

[stunsworth]

Given that you mainly used a 35mm lens in the past, a 28mm Summicron would seem to be the obvious choice. I've never used one myself - I have the Voigtlander equivalent - but the Summicron would be top of my list if I had the money to buy one and was only considering one lens.

 

It would also make a good companion for your 50mm lens, in fact you'd probably find that your requirments would just about be covered by those two lenses alone.

[t0tor0]

...And, many pre-aspheric lenses work remarkably well on the M8. I have had fine results with a 21mm Elmar, a V.IV 35mm Summicron and a V.II Tele-Elmarit.

 

I agree. Older lens though not as "technically perfect" as new ASPH lenses, they do have a very unique look, esp in black and white.

 

One of my favorite is the 5cm f/3.5 elmar.

[jaapv]

Thanks for this. In answer to your question, I have each of these three types of photography, though street photography and landscapes take most of my time. Would it make any difference to your answers if I was able to afford a second lens right now? Finally, are you saying that the difference between the Leica and Voigtlaender lenses is not significant or just that when it comes to a choice between one leica lens and a variety of others, it is better to go with the variety?

Larry

There certainly is a difference between Leica and CV lenses, and it is significant, otherwise the price difference would be ridiculous (some contend it is...), but having said that the CV lenses are terrific performers for their price and quite likely to satisfy many users.

Another lens to consider for your subjects is the Elmarit 28.2.8 asph, which, at Euro 1350 is a budget Leica lens of excellent quality. The slightly slower speed is offset by the fact that the M8 can be used at ISO 320 (is flm ISO400) without real loss of quality.

All arguments beyond this point are more a matter of taste and shooting style, for instance, does the 2.0 draw more subtly, is the bokeh more pleasing etc....

[guidomo]

A further vote for the 90/2 pre-A. This Summicron can be had in good condition for 600EUR and I love how it performs on my M8. Of course 90mm is quite long (120mm FF equivalent) but I really like the narrowness, the speed of the lens and how it "draws". Greatly complements a 28 for a two-lens setup in my view.

[HetDraakje]

I would say:

 

4.5/15mm Voigtlander; about 300 euro

21mm Voigtlander viewfinder; about 130 euro

adapter LTM-Leica M28 mm John Milich adapter 150 USD

filteradapter for 4.5/15mm Voigtlander by John Milich 150 USD

extra 39E UV/IR Leica Filter, free with M8 (corect me if the filter adapter needs another size)

 

2.8/28mm Elmarit Leica, about 1350 euro

extra 39E UV/IR Leica Filter, 100 euro

 

Your (wife's) 2/50mm Summicron, free

extra 39E UV/IR Leica Filter, free with M8

 

2.5/75 Summarit Leica (providing that image quality and build is good and to your liking) 1250 euro

46E UV/IR Leica Filter, 100 Euro

 

Grand Total: approx 3230 euro and 300 USD, which is about the same as 1 WATE incl a free 49 mm UV/IR filter and the 150 USD filter adapter by John Milich.

 

You will get the same angles 28 (37mm eq.) and 75 (100mm eq.) and 2 extra lenses: 15 (21mm eq.) and 50 (75eq). Of oourse the same disclaimer of JaapV:

All arguments beyond this point are more of a matter of taste and shooting style

 

 

Boen

[j. borger]

Here we go again .... the guy used 2 focal length on the M6 .... and now some are talking him into 4-6 lenses for a start.....from extreme wide angle to long tele and everything inbetween

 

My advise: get just a 28 summicron or 28 pre-asph elmarit and use it along the 50mm of your wife for a couple of months ..... ad from there if needed!!

[HetDraakje]

I stand corrected. Guess I'm still searching for my optimal combination. In that case: 28 Elmarit incl filter, and the "excess" money in a savings account.

 

Boen

[farnz]

Here we go again .... the guy used 2 focal length on the M6 .... and now some are talking him into 4-6 lenses for a start.....from extreme wide angle to long tele and everything inbetween ...

True, but with his wife's 50 and a WATE Larry would have had 4 focal lengths ...

[HetDraakje]

As the WATE can also function normally between 16 and 21 mm, it would mean an infinity of lenses, LOL

Boen

[dseelig]

If you can get a deal on the wate 4000 or under buy it you have a 50 as well. If you find the 21 setting on the wate to wide for everyday work and the 50 too tele get a cheaper 28 like a zeiss. The zeiss lenses are a step on the voigts ergonimcally and physically with out being strasphereically high priced good luck. I have a problem with the size of the faster voigts size wise. They tend to be big. David

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Hallo,

Look here: Leica M

[tbarker13]

You mention being concerned about the lack of speed on the WATE. Listen to your instincts there. If you enjoy available light, find a focal length with at least f/2 as your main go-to lens.

Some will say that the variable ISO of digital reduces the need for fast glass. But as someone who never uses a flash, I would say you will never regret having wider apertures. I just don't believe that f/4 cuts it for available light photography.