Lenses - Difficult to find f/1.0 & f/1.4

[arthurpreston]

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It has been difficult if not imposisble to find f/1.0 or f/1.4 lenses for my new Leica M8 - I'm a new user, and I search places like B&H, which says "out of stock" or "not in stock". Should I plan on never getting one of these lenses, and just settle for an f/2.0 for such things as 50mm, 75mm? What is the outlook? Are they so new they are just not available yet, or is the demand too great to hope to ever get one?

 

Thank you in advance for your reply.

[goodbokeh]

There is always the used lens option, which is a very good one. Keep an eye out here, the rangefinder group on photo.net which has a sales listing, rangefinderforum.com and ebay.

[JWW]

Unfortunately, with the M8 coming out, the supply of new and used lenses have gotten tight. Also 2nd hand prices have gone up from last year. For new, I believe Popflash had a 35 1.4 listed last I looked. I also recommend looking at 2nd hand lenses, but you normally have to move quick since they get snapped up if priced right.

 

Jan

[Eoin]

Arthur,

Think twice before paying full retail on Leica glass, odds are later the more you get into the system the more you'll chop & change lenses to achieve a look or fingerprint. Take the Noctilux for example the new price is twice that of 2nd hand prices and at best is the most difficult lens to use.

 

In the 75 range the 1.4 summilux is no longer made with the 75 summicron now the prime lens new. The impending summarit @ f:/2.5 is due in November is another option worth considering.