Wide lens recommendations for R9

[JonathanJ]

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I just bought an R9.  Truthfully, it was an impulse purchase, done without much research at all.   I need some recommendations for wider lenses for this model.  28 mm, or even wider.  Are the lenses different for the R8 and R9 vs the other R models?  I am not a complete newbie—I have an M3 (love it), and a minilux (and i love that, too).  Thanks so much for your help!!!

[jaapv]

The lenses are exactly the same as the previous models in the R series (with the. the usual caveats for 2-cam lenses etc)

[masjah]

The 21-35 R zoom is a very good performer, as good as or sometimes better than the primes of the same focal length (of course without quite the same maximum aperture). It's nice and compact. It's one of the last R designs, so all examples are ROM lenses, which will go well with the R8 and R9. It can though still be used with R3 onwards.

 

[250swb]

51 minutes ago, JonathanJ said:

I just bought an R9.  Truthfully, it was an impulse purchase, done without much research at all.   I need some recommendations for wider lenses for this model.  28 mm, or even wider.  Are the lenses different for the R8 and R9 vs the other R models?  I am not a complete newbie—I have an M3 (love it), and a minilux (and i love that, too).  Thanks so much for your help!!!

Well done with your R9, imo it's a beautiful camera to use. And as I was typing this @masjah interrupted to recommended the very same lens that I was going to say, the 21-35 Vario Elmar.

[JonathanJ]

Thank you all so much for your help!  I really appreciate it!  I am partial to primes.  Any recommendations for a wide prime?  Thank you!!!

[rogxwhit]

Here's something of an overview that touches on compatibility - I'm sorry it's a video, but you might watch it & take notes?

I have no recommendations, but there's lots of info online.  A 28mm can go a long way as an all-rounder! 

[jaapv]

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3 hours ago, masjah said:

The 21-35 R zoom is a very good performer, as good as or sometimes better than the primes of the same focal length (of course without quite the same maximum aperture). It's nice and compact. It's one of the last R designs, so all examples are ROM lenses, which will go well with the R8 and R9. It can though still be used with R3 onwards.

 

Personally I am a fan of the Vario-Elmar 35-70 4.0, not only for its exceptional image quality, but also for a very usable "macro" setting. In fact it finds itself mounted regularly on my SL cameras.

[JonathanJ]

4 hours ago, rogxwhit said:

Here's something of an overview that touches on compatibility - I'm sorry it's a video, but you might watch it & take notes?

I have no recommendations, but there's lots of info online.  A 28mm can go a long way as an all-rounder! 

Thanks!  That helps!

[JonathanJ]

1 hour ago, jaapv said:

Personally I am a fan of the Vario-Elmar 35-70 4.0, not only for its exceptional image quality, but also for a very usable "macro" setting. In fact it finds itself mounted regularly on my SL cameras.

I appreciate it.  I will look into it.  Just haven’t used anything but primes for a while, but I am interested.  Thank you

[gbealnz]

Another 21~35 fan, and I also have the 35~70 plus others. 21~35 is a nice wide combo on the R8 I have.

[GregNski]

I also strongly recommend looking into the 21-35. It's a bit pricey, but it performs well at all focal lengths, as good as the corresponding primes IMO.

I would also recommend sticking with ROM lenses. The non-ROM lenses are cheaper, but since you spent the money for an R9 you may as well buy the lenses that were meant for it.

[JonathanJ]

13 hours ago, gbealnz said:

Another 21~35 fan, and I also have the 35~70 plus others. 21~35 is a nice wide combo on the R8 I have.

Thanks!

 

[JonathanJ]

3 hours ago, GregNski said:

I also strongly recommend looking into the 21-35. It's a bit pricey, but it performs well at all focal lengths, as good as the corresponding primes IMO.

I would also recommend sticking with ROM lenses. The non-ROM lenses are cheaper, but since you spent the money for an R9 you may as well buy the lenses that were meant for it.

Thanks, I do plan on sticking with the ROM.  Thanks for your advice

[JonathanJ]

OK, lens budget is now broken, but I went for Leica Elmarit-R 28 f 2.8 ROM Version II E55.  Can’t wait to start shooting.  Thank you all again

[Stuart Richardson]

The latest 28mm Elmarit is a good lens. I hope you enjoy it. The more recent 19mm was also a very nice lens. I am not sure how much they go for now though...it seems the R lenses went way up in price once it was possible to use them for cinema remounts or on digital cameras. I started with them before the M8 but after the rise of digital. At that time, they were much much more manageable. I can also highly recommend the 35mm 1.4 Summilux R, 50mm 1.4 E60, and 100mm 2.8 APO  but I think they are now priced to super high levels...well, at lest the 35mm and 50mm.

[dkCambridgeshire]

The R 28/2.8 Mk II is as scarce as hens' teeth and sought after. Ffordes currently list same. 

BW, dunk

[JonathanJ]

11 hours ago, Stuart Richardson said:

The latest 28mm Elmarit is a good lens. I hope you enjoy it. The more recent 19mm was also a very nice lens. I am not sure how much they go for now though...it seems the R lenses went way up in price once it was possible to use them for cinema remounts or on digital cameras. I started with them before the M8 but after the rise of digital. At that time, they were much much more manageable. I can also highly recommend the 35mm 1.4 Summilux R, 50mm 1.4 E60, and 100mm 2.8 APO  but I think they are now priced to super high levels...well, at lest the 35mm and 50mm.

Thanks for the info!  If I could just step back in time about 10 years—analog cameras and lenses were so plentiful and inexpensive, and I kick myself for not picking up a few things.  Take care!

[JonathanJ]

4 hours ago, dkCambridgeshire said:

The R 28/2.8 Mk II is as scarce as hens' teeth and sought after. Ffordes currently list same. 

BW, dunk

I can’t tell you how much I am looking forward to it!  It arrives in 2 days!

[Stuart Richardson]

12 hours ago, JonathanJ said:

Thanks for the info!  If I could just step back in time about 10 years—analog cameras and lenses were so plentiful and inexpensive, and I kick myself for not picking up a few things.  Take care!

Honestly, I think you need to go back about 15-20 to get the good R deals!

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[JonathanJ]

14 hours ago, Stuart Richardson said:

Honestly, I think you need to go back about 15-20 to get the good R deals!

You’re right.  The older I get, the faster time flies.