Recommend me my first M8 lens

[Jack_Flesher]

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There's an interesting thread here that discusses a lot of options in pretty good detail too: http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/leica-m8-forum/34537-lenses-what.html

 

The general consensus there is the 28 and 50's are "body caps" on the M8 with the 35 in strong standing too. Personally, if I could only have one lens for my M8, it would probably be a 35 Lux Asph. But the 28 Cron Asph and 50 Pre-asph Lux would be two strong contenders also.

 

Best,

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[leicatwins]

When you talk about all those lenses, including the non leica ones, all of them are coded with 6 digits for M8 right? When you bought the M8 did you send all of the lenses to Leica dealer to be coded? If not, what is your experience in using those non coded lenses on the M8? How about the CVs? Are they also coded?

[gmaurizio]

When you talk about all those lenses, including the non leica ones, all of them are coded with 6 digits for M8 right? When you bought the M8 did you send all of the lenses to Leica dealer to be coded? If not, what is your experience in using those non coded lenses on the M8? How about the CVs? Are they also coded?

 

The only lenses that 'NEED' coding, either by leica or by JLM adapter, or sharpie, or whatever, are 28mm and shorter focal lengths. While others benefit from coding, it is not that much. Every lens benefits from UV/IR filters, because of correct color in some conditions, and potential unsharpness in highly reflective IR targets.

If you choose not to code, you can always use cornerfix, a free software, profile your lens and live happily. While reluctant so far, Leica can add a firmware menu option to manually select your lens in the future.

[Jack_Flesher]

When you talk about all those lenses, including the non leica ones, all of them are coded with 6 digits for M8 right? When you bought the M8 did you send all of the lenses to Leica dealer to be coded? If not, what is your experience in using those non coded lenses on the M8? How about the CVs? Are they also coded?

 

I don't use the coding, and don't have issues other than the occasional magenta cast on synthetic fabric. I actually prefer the added IR on my B&W conversions and don't mind the more accurate yellow-greens in vegetation in my color landscapes.

[leicatwins]

Great news for me to go hunting for used lens. Thanks

[Daniel Ortego]

I’m also a prospecting candidate for a new M8 and I’ve been searching for techno/novice publications. Currently, I have discovered a rather old book (as of 1993); “Leica Lens Practice: Choosing and Using Leica Lenses” by Dennis Laney. Sure, it’s hard to beat the advice on this forum but I like reading more comprehensive references. In my particular case, I will have to bag the M8 initially, until I save up for my first lens. As such, I’ll have ample time to study. However, I would appreciate knowing if there is a more current book on Leica lenses, etc.

Regards, ~DD

[Guest guy_mancuso]

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Tamarkin seems to have a nice selection on books

 

http://www.tamarkin.com/catalog/products/leica/leicabooks.html

[sean_reid]

The only lenses that 'NEED' coding, either by leica or by JLM adapter, or sharpie, or whatever, are 28mm and shorter focal lengths. While others benefit from coding, it is not that much. Every lens benefits from UV/IR filters, because of correct color in some conditions, and potential unsharpness in highly reflective IR targets.

If you choose not to code, you can always use cornerfix, a free software, profile your lens and live happily. While reluctant so far, Leica can add a firmware menu option to manually select your lens in the future.

 

Actually, 35 mm and wider.

 

Cheers,

 

Sean

[rjrose]

You won't be disappointed with a 28, and the 28 Summicron Asph is a superb lens. I coded mine with a marker pen; works fine.

[jaa]

I’ll tell you my own experience. When I bought my first M in 2004, I asked a similar question on this forum (well, the old version of it). My doubts were between a 35 and a 50 and most people leaned towards the 35. I had used a fixed 50 before but never a 35 (only zooms). Anyway, I bought a 35 ‘cron Asph. About a year later, I added a 50 ‘lux Asph and, despite the fact that I love the 35, the 50 became my most used lens for street photography. I just frame that way. With the 35 I frequently discover I’m a few steps too far when I bring the camera to my eye.

 

So, how do you see the world? If you’re like me, buy a 35. If you mentally frame wider (like most M users seem to do), buy a 28 (‘cron if you want to shoot in low light).

 

Of course it won’t be the end of it. My experience again: I know now that I definitely prefer the 50 field of view. I bought an M8 a couple of weeks ago and sent the 35 for coding. It’ll certainly be most used lens on the M8. With it and the 50 for portraits, I honestly think I don’t really need anything else. I don't even like to change lenses frequently. Why did I buy a 28 Elmarit Asph then? Why did I order a CV 15? Why am I thinking about the new tele Summarits?*

 

* In due time, I’ll probably even start a thread asking whether I should go for the 75 or the 90. Only, considering past experience, I may choose the less voted option.

[Mauribix]

I would like to ask you one thing:

Have you ever used a M-camera before?Or have you ever seen a picture (or a photographer) that made you choose the RF?

After these considerations, do you prefer that soft-look of earlier Leica Lenses, or do you like a more "clinical" contrasty look of late models?

As we know, we can almost divide this pair of lenses groups, and after that, each one of us can make his choice.

I used to have late lenses the most, but as soon as i bought a 75lux my "life" has changed!

I just bought a 35lux preasph (titanium matr. 357xxx) (i prefer the 35 frame most of the time), i had a 28cron ASPH, a 35cron ASPH and other lenses...bla..bla..bla..

sorry, what i meant to say is: try to reduce the group of lenses, considering what "kind of pictures" do you like, this will be helpful and will help you to save a lot of money

(and subscrive to Sean Reid's to save extra $ too!)

 

Obviously this is my personal experience, after this dilemma it's maybe simplyer to concentrate on frames...

 

Now i use a 35lux pre-asph (one of the latest pre-asph), a 75lux and a 15CV(that is the most "clinical"). Each one of these is a Superb Lens!

It's just up to you

 

maybe with some research, with 3000€ you can find all these three lenses (or at least the 75 and the 35) in the used market!

should be a good business!

regards

Maurizio