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24mm lenses recommendation

Perspectics

By Perspectics
in Leica M8 / Leica M8.2

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Perspectics

Perspectics

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Which lenses do you recommend for the biggest framelines of the M8, 24 mm? Currently my bag fits a Leica Cron 35, and a Macro Elmar 90mm. I wouldn`t mind saving some money by buying a non-Leica lense. Here are some threads on this topic already and my impression was that you struggle with coding and frameline issues with ZM and CV? Also, is there any alternative I did not mention yet? I considered 21mm also but am afraid of the extra finder needed, that seems to be a really hassle regarding focussing and framing, true? TIA for any responses!

 

Leica Elmarit-M 1:2.8, 24mm

- pricy

- coded

- framelines displayed automatically

- high image and build quality

 

Voigtlaender SC Skopar 25mm / Snapshot Skopar 25mm

- affordable

- works on M8? Adapter needed?

- coding issues?

- framelines displayed okay?

- 25mm close enough to 24mm framelines?

- quality issues?

 

Zeiss Biogon 1:2.8 25mm

- affordable

- works on M8?

- coding issues?

- framelines displayed okay?

- 25mm close enough to 24mm framelines?

- quality issues?

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stunsworth

stunsworth

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Hi Claus, I own two of those lenses - Leica and Voigtlander. The Leica is superb, maybe the best lens I have from a colour and resolution perspective. The Voigtlander is good ,especially at the price, but slower and will need a coded adaptor to work at its best.

 

The Zeiss I haven't tried, but you'll need to change the mount and have it coded - the one supplied as standard by Zeiss brings up the wrong framelines.

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hdrmd

hdrmd

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I use the Leica 21 most of the time without the external viewefinder. Since I don't wear glasses, I can see into the corners of the camera's viewfinder and frame the 21 fairly accurately. With the ability to see the shot in review, I can make any adjustments I need. This works for me, but some folks need a more accurate frame. The Leica 21mm is such a good lens that I just make do with the above method. DR

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Perspectics

Perspectics

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Hi Steve, your answer is very helpful to me. I prefer fast lenses and actually ordered the Leica already... its sold out of course like anything you`d need for the M8. I just thought why not give it a try and ask the pros in the forum and maybe get a lenses faster and cheaper... Thanks much!

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Perspectics

Perspectics

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I use the Leica 21 most of the time without the external viewefinder. Since I don't wear glasses, I can see into the corners of the camera's viewfinder and frame the 21 fairly accurately. With the ability to see the shot in review, I can make any adjustments I need. This works for me, but some folks need a more accurate frame. The Leica 21mm is such a good lens that I just make do with the above method. DR

 

Interesting! And a very cool alternative. Might even play better with my current gear, which is 35 and 90. Will consider, Thanks!

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johnbuckley

johnbuckley

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Ed's right, and you'll find other threads here on the same topic with people saying the same thing: the 24 Elmarit ranks up there with 50 'lux ASPH and the 75 'cron. Which is to say, one of the greatest lenses ever.

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wparsonsgisnet

wparsonsgisnet

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Claus, I bot my Leica 24 after reading the 24/25 review on ReidReviews. I got it used on eBay for about $1500, the same as the cost of the new 28 that I was debating.

 

All I can say about the 24 is that it is magnificent and I use it more than any other lens I have. Congratulations on ordering it, you're going to love it.

 

You might look at this:

 

*Mint*Leica M 24mm f2.8 ASPH w/6-bit, 24/2.8, fit mp m8 - (eBay item 320180639550 end time Nov-19-07 08:09:30 PST)

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robsteve

robsteve

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Claus:

 

The 24mm ASPH is stellar both on film and on the M8. I took a look back at my pictures from when I first got My M8 and found a 24mm shot I had posted here before. What struck me about the 24mm is not only is it sharp, but when shot wide open it is also fast enough to have the background go out of focus in a pleasant way. Keep in mind this was early firmware and early raw software.

 

Notice the great sharpness and contrast even though it was shot on a contrast killing and flare inducing bright overcast day.

 

L1000147-Edit.jpg

 

Here is a crop into that picture:

 

L1000147.jpg

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dseelig

dseelig

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I bought the zeiss 25 very accurate with the frame lines more sop then my lieca lenses. It intrudes on the viewfinder less then the leica 24 does. Yes it is a pain to get it 6 bit coded. Get the mount from zeiss send it to John Milch have goldberg change the mount but it is a fine lens. I love it David Mine you I own the wate 28 crom 35 luxaspheircal 50 lux and 75 lux

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innerimager

innerimager

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My feeling about the leica 24/2.8 are like Bill's. It has become my most used on the M8. It's the sharpest corner to corner lens I have ever seen with a wonderful overall look. It's wide, and sharp enough, that hyperfocal focusing works very well. I do use an external viewfinder (the voightlander 21D), and if I don't have to focus critically, I use hyperfocal and just view using the external. For critical focus, I use the cameras frame lines to keep my eye in one place. You'll love it! best...Peter

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sean_reid

sean_reid

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...costs $32.95, correct? Thanks for the hint.

 

Ed and John - Thank you for your opinion, I really appreciate it.

 

Believe it or not, the reason I mention the review is because it is relevant to the question at hand. I know some people may have trouble understanding that. I mentioned my articles in the same way when I was writing for the free sites.

 

Whether or not you choose to use sources you pay for (books, magazines, sites) is certainly up to you but a lot of the questions discussed on this forum have already been explored in some depth in various publications (electronic and print).

 

Cheers,

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wparsonsgisnet

wparsonsgisnet

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I will weigh in here. It was the 24/25 review in ReidReviews that induced me to buy the 24. This was a month before I even received my M8. As a result, I got to test the lens with film.

 

In that review, it is totally clear to me that the lens is superb. The images from all the lenses in the 21 thru 28 category led me to make this choice. All are reviewed there. If you are looking for an M-mount lens, this is required reading.

 

And, if you like spending the amount it takes to buy a Leica lens, you'll have to ignore Sean's objectivity and his presentation of images from CV lenses accompanied by comments like [my paraphrase, not Sean's words] 90% of the image, 10% of the cost. :)

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DaveB

DaveB

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I just received a second hand 24mm Elmarit by Fedex today. I've only had time to do a quick near and distant focus check, take pictures of my kitchen stove and sick daughter, but I think I'm going to like it very much.

 

I've always felt a little constrained by the 35mm and even 28mm lenses on the M8. Perhaps that's why I've had such a love affair with the little CV 15mm.

 

But the 24mm Leica is actually rangefinder coupled! After getting a rangefinder headache focusing the Noc, 90mm and 135mm; I suspect the ease of getting tack-sharp images with this lens will come as a relief. I noticed that my few pictures shot this afternoon included some as slow as 1/6sec which has me very excited.

 

Steve Unsworth has some lovely examples with the 24mm Elmarit on his blog:

 

Picture A Week » Week 33: France

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grober

grober

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Suck it up and buy the Leica lens + Leica UV.IR filter. The Zeiss 25mm is fine but there are the issues of changing the mount properly encoded and attached to the lens. Too much of a hassle!

 

CV Snapshot is OK but it's too slow (only f4) for my liking.

 

-jb

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Perspectics

Perspectics

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Believe it or not, the reason I mention the review is because it is relevant to the question at hand. I know some people may have trouble understanding that. I mentioned my articles in the same way when I was writing for the free sites.

 

Whether or not you choose to use sources you pay for (books, magazines, sites) is certainly up to you but a lot of the questions discussed on this forum have already been explored in some depth in various publications (electronic and print).

 

Cheers,

 

Sean, please don`t get me wrong! Your hint is much appreciated and I just wanted to make sure I was looking at the right place. I read some of your reviews already and liked them much, actually much better than those datasheet-style reviews. Cheers ;)

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Perspectics

Perspectics

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So many answers! Thank you very much, all of you!

 

I finally decided to stick with my Elmarit 24 order and bite the money-bullet. To me the convenience of coded, frameline-coupled lenses is already valuable and since I like my 35cron so much I`m looking forward to more pictures of such quality.

 

Thanks again!

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