Lenses for What?

[Guest guy_mancuso]

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Well maybe this will be a little fun than worrying about firmware that don't count. LOL

 

Anyway we always talk about lenses and in many posts we skip what we actually use our lenses for, like why are you using a 35 mm lens and what situations. I know this is always a interesting topic because everyday the same questions come to light. Which lens to buy . Well we all have are favorites and some of us have list longer than our arm. Very guility here but I rarely buy a lens without a purpose in mind or situation that i may need it. Now for me i will freely admit i have more than i may need but i do have a reason behind this madness, at least i think i do. LOL

 

Let's try something slightly different here because i find the USE of the lens that folks use them in quite interesting so this may take some effort but here goes. List your lenses and justify there use. okay this is like telling your wife why you just bought a 24mm elmarit:D

 

I will start and this teters on embrassing but I really love lenses and honestly i use them all , if not i really would not let my money sit. That's the truth i buy and sell more lenses than anyone i know. i like to try different lenses

 

12mm CV = i find this lens more fun than anything else and when traveling to cities like NY and such just a great little street lens on a walkabout. okay it is only 700 dollars and compared to everything else a bargain. Also just a great P&S style of working.

 

WATE =This is a very interesting lens and actually with any other company a lens i would avoid, let's face facts not too many great zooms that shoot as well as there prime counterparts. Okay i find the WATE a extremely good travel lens for sure but i also find it a very serious get down to business lens and yes i do use each focal length a lot which is my surpirse. Main purpose for this lens is awesome results at F 5.6 and f8 that sharpeness is very very close to a leica 21mm but the 18 and 16mm settings really set this apart from others becuase there is just not another lens at 5.6 that can preform this well . I know the CV 15mm is a great little lens but reality is it is a F8 lens . I think leica was very smart here , although i still think they need to make a 15 F4 or 18 3.4 wide angle prime at a good cost

 

24mm= I had this lens briefly and too me it is the sharpest wide angle leica makes and reason i bought it again. i can leave the WATE home on certain things and in low light use this more. Looking forward to it's arrival

 

28 cron= Simply put it is my lens cap and it is the workhorse lens. Most likely the last lens sold if i dumped this system , no question. And I love the look from it

 

35 cron= Interesting my least used lens and that has to do with focal length on the M8 , i am just not a 50mm focal length person but i do use this lens a lot for events and flash. It focuses easy and it is very sharp and does a nice job.

 

50 lux= Okay i don't care be it pre asph or asph these 50's are the best around and they have that Mandler look that we all love . i would use this and the 28 cron as mostly the street lens but the 50mm gets heavy use on commercial jobs. i trust it and it is sharp as hell when stopped down a touch. Very useful lens

 

75mm lux= To me this is the portrait lens without lighting, it just has a look that i love and i would say more a personal lens than a commercial one

 

90mm APO= When i need sharp and fast nothing can touch this one. it is the low light at F2 i need it sharp and i need to be far away from the subject. perfect podium lens if you know what i mean. i am out of the way and it delievers without the use of flash.

 

135 3.4 apo= Interesting lens been using it a lot on the commercial portaits and when i need something out there. it is extremely sharp wide open. It can be a scary sharp lens and used correctly just a flat out deadly lens.

 

 

Olympus 24mm shift lens= Great stitching lens and when i need a BIG file than this is very handy but many cases i may be on a ladder and need to lower the lens to keep lines straight ,nothing is better at this than a shift lens. Yes a bear to use on a M8 since you can't se anything but the LCD is the answer here

 

So there you have it and yes i maybe able to double up and/ or use less. But i like having a bank that i can pick what i need and go shoot. i may take everything or part of it depending on what i am doing. i also have 3 different size bags to that also which i recommend .

 

This is intended purely on fun and to get a idea why folks have what they have.

[sm23221]

After selling my 1DsII because of weight I bought an M8 and a few lenses for its portability and unobtrusiveness.

 

28/2.0 replaced my middle focal length Canon lenses, mostly for landscapes.

 

50 cron - least used lens but had to have one "just in case", perhaps for an occasional portrait.

 

90 f/4 macro - probably my most used lens because it's small and delivers excellent "close-up" and telephoto images. Believe it or not, it now replaces my Canon 300 f2.8tendonitis producing lens.

 

I'm considering a WATE but I wonder how much use it'll really get.

[Kent10D]

OK, I'll bite.

 

I won't go into specifics about each lens I own, but here's something that I think is interesting.

During the daytime my walkaround lens is either a 25 or 21. A 50 or even a 35 is too tight. At night in the city, however, I find that those lengths don't work for me and I'm much happier with a 50. I'm guessing that's because much of the surrounding environment gets swallowed up in the darkness at night and a tighter FOV is necessary to sort of crop the neither-here-nor-there stuff out. Still trying to assign an acceptable reason to "what feels right" on that one.

 

Lenses on either side of that range (i.e. 15, 75, and 90) are pretty much special-purpose.

[huwge]

24 asph (daytime walkabout), 35 lux asph (low light walkabout), 50 rigid cron (love its precision), 50 lux asph (alternative low light, especially for people), 75 lux (intimacy and beautiful wide open textures) - pictures speak better than words

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[fursan]

Am not a WA person.

 

My most used fl = 50mm; followed by 75mm for anything. Everything is but a portrait,

to me at least. Not in your face, but big enough.

 

next most used is my zm 21/4.5, but I guess 'lux 35 ( once it is fixed ) will be the lens

cap.

 

least used is the 'cron 28.

 

I could live with just the 50.

[Riccis]

I still need to acquire a few more lenses but this is my list...

 

21 Elmarit ASPH - The only lens I have yet to use but don't want to sell

 

35 lux - My workhorse lens. On any give wedding I'll use this lens for about 90% of the time

 

50 lux - For the tighter shots and some portraits

 

Noctilux - I got this baby to always use it wide open in those cavernous settings

 

I'm also looking to add...

 

28 cron - I'll use it to share the load with the 35 lux

 

75 lux - Hopefully one day I'll be able to find one to be used for portraits

 

90 cron - This will be my long glass to be used on church ceremonies where I'll need the extra reach.

 

Cheers,

 

Riccis

[jlancasterd]

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OK - me too

 

CV 15mm: I do a fair amount of industrial photography, indoors. Specifically recording the renovation or construction of large railway vehicles in small workshops. This is the only lens in my current line-up that I can use to get a shot of a whole vehicle is some locations. I also use it for interior shots of railway carriages where every degree of angle counts. It's a bonus that it delivers such excellent images.

 

I'm considering getting a CV12mm to supplement the 15. However, not being a paid photographer (I'm honorary editor of a railway preservation society magazine for which I have to provide a lot of the photographs) I can't justify (or afford) a WATE.

 

CV 28mm f3.5 and f1.9. My 'walk around' lenses for general work. I prefer the 3.5 when the light is good as it doesn't intrude into the M8 viewfinder, but the 1.9 is invaluable when the light begins to fade. They both produce excellent results.

 

CV35mm f1.7, 50mm f1.5, 90mm f2.5. For my own amusement, I like to photograph architecturally interesting buildings and will do a walk around with one or more of these focal lengths if I am on holiday in an interesting town - most recently in Prien am Chiemsee, Garmisch-Partenkirchen and Oberammergau.

[hankg]

28/2 Summicron as wide as I need -a great modern lens very sharp but not to contrasty or harsh.The M8 has made this lens an all-star in the Leica line-up.

 

50/1.4 preASPH -most used lens, beautiful rendering. Nice enough that I'm not lusting after the current ASPH. Always liked the 60 macro on the R6 this gives a similar field of view. I prefer the 50 or a bit longer range to wides for a walking around lens.

 

90/4 macro - Great for product shots and tight portraits. Makes it so I don't have to have an SLR for now.

 

Black 65/3.5 Elmar (Viso) -this lens really has a beautiful signature. But I have really limited use for the Viso off the tripod and it's going to be sold.

 

135/4 Tele-elmar another lens with a beautiful signature and outstanding performance for a reasonable price but the 90 is as long as I need and this one is going to be sold.

 

Rodenstock Rodagon enlarging lens 105/4 when the 90 can't get close enough on the bellows this gives incredible results and enlarging lenses like this can be had for $50.

 

I like to keep it down to as few lenses as possible. If I don't use it regularly it get's sold. If on the off chance I get a job that required something special like an ultra-wide I can buy a CV and sell it when the job is done, it's cheaper then renting, for macro handheld I can rent - but it's unlikely the need will arise, pretty much everything I do can be handled with a 3 lens kit. If I'm traveling I'll go with just the 28 and 50.

 

When I retire (if that ever happens) I'll get a 35 Lux and dump everything else. One lens-one camera, simple is good.

 

[Jack_Flesher]

15 Heliar --- Rarely use it, say 5%, but it is tiny cheap so sits nicely at the bottom of the bag stowed in a lens wrap until needed. When I need this wide, usually for architecture or interiors, it steps up to the plate and performs --- and contrary to Guy's, mine works great at f5.6. Stunning at f8 to 11. Just too good a bargain to pass up

 

21 CV --- the new P style. Just got this lens and it is quite good. Again small and compact and relatively inexpensive. I use this focal more frequently than the 15, say 10%, and mostly for landscapes, but sometimes intimmate street portraiture. It is RF coupled, but also decent enough DoF at f5.6 that I can just zone focus it and shoot, sometimes from the hip. This lens rides on top of the padded 15, the two taking up one lens slot in my bag.

 

28 Cron Asph. This lens is a body cap for my main M8; it is always on the camera, use for about 40% of my total M imaging. I recently upgraded from a 4th version Pre-Asph 28 Elmarit. Now the 4th pre-asph is a stunning lens and anybody who owns one will tell you that. In fact, it took me 6 months to convince myself I "needed" the Cron! In comparison, the V4 equals the Cron at f2.8 and up --- they are indistinguishable in rendering and performance, save for a slightly different bokeh signature. Here the Cron is actually a slight bit smoother, and is not overly contrasty, which frankly is unusual for an Asph design; usually the asph's are more clumpy than non-asphs and have more contrast. In the end I chose the Cron because it just paints so beautifully wide open at f2, AND I use this focal so much I could justify the 2x investment for that extra stop and extra level of rendering.

 

35 V4 Pre-Asph. I have been all over the map on 35's --- 35 Lux Asph, 35 Cron Asph, 35 Lux Pre-asph. Let me just say there isn't a bad one in the batch. I like them all, yet they all have their own set of strengths and weaknesses, so arguing about a personal favorite is pointless. I chose the V4 Cron because 1) it renders almost identically to my 50 Pre-asph Lux and 75 Lux (more on those follows); 2) I got a good deal on it; and 3) I simply do not use 35 enough on the M8 to justify owning more than one --- probably sees a 5% use, and then usually only when I head out with a single lens on the camera. If I did use the 35 focal more, I could make a case for owning ALL 4 versions! (And I would use 35 a lot more if I did not have the 28 and/or 50!) Briefly, the 35 Pre-Lux has an amazing soft/glow thing an totally unique swirly Bokeh at f1.4 and 2. At f2 the 4th Pre-Cron is very similar and both are as sharp as the asphs by f4, with f2.8 being half-way to the Aphs. The 35 Lux Asph is buttery smooth at f1.4, tightens up a bit at f2 to where it and the Cron Asph are essentially identical, thought he Cron has better contrast, and at f2.8 both Asph's are performing stunningly. Bokeh on all 4 is smooth, with the Pre-Lux being a bit clumpy wide open on distant oof subjects but butter on closer, and the V4 Pre Cron being absolutely positively the smooth-bokeh king fore or aft of main. By contrast, the two Asph's have good bokeh, but run one a leg behind the V4.

 

50 Pre-Asph Lux, last version with built-in sliding hood that focuses to 0.7 m. (Earlier versions had clip-on hoods and only focused to 1 m. Since I use this lens a lot for isolation's, the closer focusing is a big plus.) This is my other M8 body cap and is used probably 25-30% of the time. Yes the 50 Cron is a stunning lens, all 18 versions of them , but I personally find their rendering a bit too clinical. I much prefer the look of the 50 Pre-Lux. Now, compared to the 50 Asph Lux, the two are quite similar, but while the Apsh may be a bit sharper at the more open apertures, the Pre has much smoother Bokeh --- so pick your poison LOL! I simply LOVE the look of the 50 Pre-Asph Lux and would never be without it. Nuff said. PS: Re the Noct --- a great lens, but I consider it a specialty glass and only really useful over the 50 Lux because of the novelty of it's look at f1.0 (and 1.2); from f1.4 and up, the 50 Lux is a better lens in all regards at every stop --- IMO.

 

73mm f 1.9 Hektor. An old screw-mount "portrait" lens from the 30's. And I love the way it renders, but frankly is only useful as a special-effect portrait or still-life lens. Fun to use and absolutely unique signature. (FWIW and IMO, this lens produces a far more pleasing "soft" effect than the renown Thambar does on digital bodies. The Thambar is a $3500+ collectible lens and good copies of the Hektor can be had for under $1000.)

 

75 Lux. It's all been said --- and is all true. Yes, it is heavy and big and slow to focus, but the way it paints is all on its own... It is simply the creamiest bokeh with laser-sharp center at f1.4, smoothing out to clinical sharpness at f4, with all options in-between. What more can you ask for? I use this lens primarily for portraiture and isolations.

 

90 Pre-asph Cron, last version with sliding built-in smooth hood, 55 filters. I have this lens, but frankly don't use it because on the M8 it is just too long for my way of seeing. (And I will be selling it soon.) I include it here only for my comments on its performance as it basically is an excellent option at significantly lower cost than the 75 Lux for those that cannot afford or find a 75 Lux. Excellent copies can be found around $1000, but make sure you get the last pre-asph version. At f2 and f2.8 it renders similarly to the 75 Lux, and by f4 it is essentially as good as thecurrent 90 APO-Asph. (The current 90 AA is clinically sharp from wide open up, so get one of those if you want/need silly sharp at all apertures! Also, the 90 Macro is excellent if you don't need more than f4 and it focuses closer than the other 90s for isolation's even without the macro attachment.)

 

135. The current Apo is a stunner from wide open up. Again, it is so long as to be a specialty lens on the M8 and you need to guesstimate its coverage. Can be done and useful as a long lens if you need it, but IMO not a "fun" lens to use on the M8. FWIW, the last pre-asph Tele-Elmar f4 version has ergos like the current Apo, is slightly smaller and cheaper, and is almost as clinically good a performer, but with a touch less contrast. (I have one of these too, but never have used it other than to confirm it is really sharp.)

 

Cheers,

[ChrisC]

For people I use an Elmarit 24:

 

 

................. Chris

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[ChrisC]

And for landscape I use an Elmarit 24.

 

I wish I could afford another lens.

 

,,,,,,,,,,, Chris

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[TEBnewyork]

Great thread for me who is new to M's.....

 

Jack, LOL the list of what lenses you haven't owned might be shorter. But your post is absolutely perfect for me to understand the differences in some of the lenses.

 

I didn't know what focal lengths I wanted most and where to really spend the money so I got a bunch of the CV's to play around with. However a few weeks ago I added a new 50 cron and used 90 macro.

[Jack_Flesher]

Jack, LOL the list of what lenses you haven't owned might be shorter.

 

No doubt it is, and I should probably explain...

 

I was a film M shooter -- CLE's, M4's, M6's and M7's -- for several years before I "went digital" with Canon. During that time I did a lot of testing --- kind of like what Sean does now only I'm not as smart a businessman and didn't charge for it ... Anyway, because of that interest, I bought, rented or borrowed almost every M-mount version of every M lens for testing --- and even got part-way into LTM comparisons. Anyway, when the M8 hit the streets I had a leg up, and because of that prior testing knew which lenses were likely to perform to my tastes on the slightly cropped M8 sensor.

 

Cheers,

[jlancasterd]

And for landscape I use an Elmarit 24.

 

I wish I could afford another lens.

 

,,,,,,,,,,, Chris

 

Chris

 

If you don't mind using non-Leica lenses it's worth keeping an eye on the Voigtlander section of Ffordes secondhand list - they've recently had several near-mint CV 35s, 50s and 28s at about 20% less than list price. There's currently a CV15 looking for a new owner...

[cmb_]

90mm APO= When i need sharp and fast nothing can touch this one. it is the low light at F2 i need it sharp and i need to be far away from the subject. perfect podium lens if you know what i mean. i am out of the way and it delievers without the use of flash.

 

Guy, (90mm APO=perfect podium lens) If I remember correctly, on the R system you used to use the 180/2 for this, correct? Does the M 90 give you the same look? After your experience with the M now, if you shot with the R again would you opt for the 90/2 APO or the 180/2 APO for the same type of work you now use the M90? (Looks like the next R may be full frame so that may change things considerably).

[Guest guy_mancuso]

Good question Charlie i used both but the 180 more but that is a tank. What i would like really is a 135 f2 for the M. The 90mm i am still a little close and the 135 apo is a touch slow unless i went to ISO 1250 which i try to avoid becuase with color than i would have to turn to Noise Ninja and that would slow me down on some jobs. But right now the 90 apo is almost perfect for that stuff just another 8 to 10 ft away would be better. This is the one area i sortof hit a limit on my gear but I can work around it just a liitle closer than i would prefer.

 

Actually this is the kind of thread i wanted it to be is where, what and how does a certain lens do you for folks.

[innerimager]

Interesting thread Guy. I think it may help me to chime in as I'm thinking I probably have a few lenses that could find homes where they will get more use, but it's so hard to see any of them go. For one, I'm using an M8 and M7 and some of the lenses are more suited to one or the other imo. Also, I really got some excellent deals on mint used M lenses knowing that I could live with them and get my investment back. So, here goes-

CV15/4 Love it for beach landscapes where I never run into a need for an IR filter (I use IR filters on all my others) and for street/candid shooting. It stays for sure.

24/2.8 asph Not only the sharpest corner to corner wide lens I've ever used but I adore it's look. I'm using it more and more for all sorts of conditions, especially events and landscape, on my M8.

28/2.8 asph I got one of the first in a batch of M8's last November from a dealer in Boston. Getting a lens was a way of saying "thanks" and this was an obvious choice. Had no idea how hard it would eventually be to get. I love it, especially for it's tiny size. Very easy to focus quickly, very sharp, easy to carry all day. However, as I'm using the 24 a lot, and the 35, this may be one that will go. Maybe.

35/1.4 asph While not the case in DSLR shooting, I find I do like the 50-mm fl a lot for RF shooting. I do enough very low light events, like concerts, that 1.4 is very important. My most used lens on the M8.

50/1.4 asph. My lens cap for the M7.

50 noctilux. Use it almost only at f1 equally on the M8 and M7, especially for low light Iso 400 speed film on the M7.

75's both 2.0 asph and 1.4. Ditto on the 1.4 as above, my preferred portrait lens on both bodies. The cron is used only on the M8 and is a much better general use lens and I really like the effective FL on the M8. This is an example of living with lenses and deciding. I got the lux used at a great price, and used my discount for the cron. I might well let the cron go, but it's tough.

90/2.8 newest version. I like this so much it's a factor in letting the 75 cron go. Super fast focusing, sharp, great color and contrast. Use it for portrait and longer distance candids.

135 tele-elmar Got it for macro work with viso-bellows which I have yet to really try. Very happily surprised at how sharp and easy to focus it turned out to be.

400/6.5 Got it very inexpensively in combo with a Viso III and rifle grip. Just a hoot to use, excellent optics, my "action" lens for the M8.

There it is, I know I am a very fortunate guy to use and enjoy these gems.

best....Peter

[kidigital]

The 90 apo is truly a wonderful lens. IMHO, it's right up there with the 90/2 and 180/2 apo R lenses. I believe this shot from today was at 2.4 or 2.8. As Guy has mused, a 135/2 apo would be a sweet lens ... I'd have to have one of those.

 

Kurt

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[Riccis]

I would also love to see a 135/2... When I was working with the Canon DSLRs, this was one of my faves, and the longest FL I would use based on my style.

 

Cheers,

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Hallo,

Look here: Leica M

[KM-25]

28mm F/2 Summicron Aspheric, workhorse lens on the M8 as a 35mm, on my M6TTL as a 28mm. This lens is unsurpassed for my needs, wide-ish angle, F2, all good.

 

50mm F1.4 Summilux Aspheric, LHSA black Paint version, stellar on the M8, M3, MP 3 and M6TTL.

 

50mm F 2.0 collapsable, matched with my M3 it is a dream. On the M8 it is a lower contrast alternative to the aspheric and at F/ 5.6-F/11 it is darn sharp, plenty sharp in fact.

 

So that is it, that is most likely all I will ever need in Leica optics, a 35mm 1.4 aspheric would be nice for film, but I since I am building up a nice Zeiss ZF and AIS line up for the up coming D3 and D300, that is where I am putting my money.

 

The 28 cron is on my M8 90% of the time.

 

Here it is today in the Rocky Mountain News:

 

Rocky Mountain News - Denver and Colorado's reliable source for breaking news, sports and entertainment: Other Business

 

And I am pretty sure the Wall Street Journal article ran yesterday....