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If you could have just 1 camera and 1 lens, what would they be?

rick123

By rick123
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lambroving

lambroving

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Hi Sean, would you care to elaborate a little on this? I only ask because I have the same CV lens and with the M8 on the near horizon I'm begining to think about whether to keep this or perhaps replace it with the 28mm Summicron after I've got the M8.

 

Steve,

 

The 28/2 is a "killer" lens. Ask LCT on his RD-1.

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lambroving

lambroving

Posted
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William, I know and it's a lens that I've considered buying on several occasions, but I'm curious as to why Sean prefers the CV lens. To be honest if I do get an M8 I won't be rushing out to buy several new lenses ;-)

 

Hmmm... I'd say, "Trust your eyes". Not everybody has the same view of image quality. What I CAN tell you is that the 28/2 has marvelous correction for veiling glare and a "soft touch" with the light. I have no idea what Sean is looking for from a fast 28 and could personally care less. Whenever I manage a decent shot with the 28/2, I'm always very pleased with the magic it can record. No other way to express it. Rent one and you'll see. Maybe it ain't for you, but I wish my 35/2 had a similar fingerprint, as good as it is.

 

Since a "35" is your "normal" lens, as it is mine, I'd think this will be a very important decision for the M8.

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stunsworth

stunsworth

Posted
Posted

Since a "35" is your "normal" lens, as it is mine, I'd think this will be a very important decision for the M8.

Indeed it will, but there is no way I will be able to afford an M8 and a new Summicron, so the CV is going to be my standard lens for some time. In fact I wouldn't be suprised if my first lens purchase would be a 21mm to replace the CV one I currently have.

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mitchell

mitchell

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It occurs to me that digital may be the best realization of the rangefinder camera.

 

The major advantage of SLRs, aside from Macro and Tele, is that viewing through the lens gives you a better idea of what the ultimate image will be.

 

With digital instant reveiw, that advantage is greatly lessened. Instant feedback is also a powerful learning tool for getting a feel for exposure and DOF that film rangefinder users had to develope much more laboriously if at all.

 

It seems to me that the M8 has the potiential to become an even more spontaneous and unconscious extension of photographers intent than previous M's. And, possibly gain market share for Leica and rangefinders.

 

Users of the Epson will already have ideas about this.

 

Sean, and LCT, I would love to hear what you think.

 

Also LCT, would you mind elaborating on why the M8 won't suit your way of shooting as well as the Epson.

 

OK, traditionals shoot me. !:^)

 

Thanks,

 

Mitchell

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sean_reid

sean_reid

Posted
Posted
Hi Sean, would you care to elaborate a little on this? I only ask because I have the same CV lens and with the M8 on the near horizon I'm begining to think about whether to keep this or perhaps replace it with the 28mm Summicron after I've got the M8.

 

I'd try the CV first and see what you think before you spend any money. The 28/2.0 is a great lens, of course, but different lenses (as you know) suit different tastes. I didn't suggest that everyone would prefer the CV 28/1.9, just that I do.

 

Difference? The Asph. Summicrons tend to run very hot in the highlights. I prefer less contrast in that area. As you know, I've always said that there's no "best" lens per se but only one that's well matched to the way a photographer wants the camera to draw.

 

Cheers,

 

Sean

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sean_reid

sean_reid

Posted
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William, I know and it's a lens that I've considered buying on several occasions, but I'm curious as to why Sean prefers the CV lens. To be honest if I do get an M8 I won't be rushing out to buy several new lenses ;-)

 

Nor should you need to. You may be quite happy with several you already own.

 

Cheers,

 

Sean

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sean_reid

sean_reid

Posted
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It occurs to me that digital may be the best realization of the rangefinder camera.

 

The major advantage of SLRs, aside from Macro and Tele, is that viewing through the lens gives you a better idea of what the ultimate image will be.

 

With digital instant reveiw, that advantage is greatly lessened. Instant feedback is also a powerful learning tool for getting a feel for exposure and DOF that film rangefinder users had to develope much more laboriously if at all.

 

It seems to me that the M8 has the potiential to become an even more spontaneous and unconscious extension of photographers intent than previous M's. And, possibly gain market share for Leica and rangefinders.

 

Users of the Epson will already have ideas about this.

 

Sean, and LCT, I would love to hear what you think.

 

Also LCT, would you mind elaborating on why the M8 won't suit your way of shooting as well as the Epson.

 

OK, traditionals shoot me. !:^)

 

Thanks,

 

Mitchell

 

Hi Mitchell,

 

When I'm not testing a camera, I prefer to shoot with the LCD off unless I need to check the histogram. I find that chimping tends to interfere with the flow of working, sometimes one just has to trust his or her decisions and keep working w/o reviewing. That's one reason that I wish the M8 had EV and ISO controls that weren't LCD based - I'd just as soon leave it off.

 

Cheers,

 

Sean

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sean_reid

sean_reid

Posted
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BTW, this also brings up a point I've thought should be mentioned. There are and will be many photographers who are considering an M8 who do not own any RF cameras or lenses. That happened even with the R-D1. Some of those people can perhaps afford the M8 but not neccessarily the M8 and new Leica lenses. In that case, I think it's worth remembering that one can also use the M8 with many excellent older Leica lenses, CV lenses (old or new), Canon lenses, Zeiss lenses, etc. Then, as time allows, one can buy the newest Asph. Leica lenses if he or she wants and can afford to. Better that Leica should sell an M8 and then some lenses down the line than no M8 at all.

 

Is it crazy to use a Leica without the latest, most expensive Leica lenses? No, not at all.

 

Cheers,

 

Sean

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mitchell

mitchell

Posted
Posted

Sean,

 

Thanks for your response.

 

I think you are at a stage of expertise where instant feedback isn't necessary. For myself, I am still learning from "chimping." Turning off the LCD is useful too.

 

I agree about ISO and Exp. Comp. I love the arrangement on the DMR.

 

I guess when one wants Exp. Comp. on the M8, it might be fastest to switch to Manual.

 

Thanks,

 

Mitchell

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john_j

john_j

Posted
Posted

Greetings-

 

M-6's with 50 Summicrons haven't failed me in almost 20 years. At one point, I sold one of the 50's feeling it redundent only to recently buy another. It's great to travel, one with Tri X one with Provia and always knowing what to expect as I bring the camera to my eye.

 

I do like my 35 when the 50 is tight and the 90 I rarely use. With the coming of the M8 perhaps in time my thinking will change but that purchase is a ways off for me. Sure can buy a lot of film for the price of an M8.

 

Best,

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peterb

peterb

Posted
Posted

Hmmm interesting question. Today my choice is digital. No question about that. So with the question posed I have two possibilities:

 

The first possibility is the new M8 with the f4 Tri (umverate) Elmar that yields the equivalent 21, 24 and 28mm lenses. With the M8s base ISO of 160 and promise (based on my pixel size calculations) of lower noise images at even higher ISO's this lens would allow wide angle shooting at low light which I would find very useful. I've been using rangefinders for years and, sadly, sold my M6 and (idiotically now in retrospect) my 35mm and 90mm lenses for the Digilux 2 (which has now after several experiments with a smaller more pocketable camera been joined by the Lumix LX1 which I shoot RAW and have been very pleased with the results). Still the rangefinder way of seeing things has been my preference for the last 18 years. Plus, the Digilux 2 as well as the wonderful 16:9 formatted LX1 are utterly silent and perfect for stealth shooting. I heard the quicktime sounds of the M8 and, while I agree with Sean Reid that it's not too intrusive, utter silence is hard to beat in some situations. And the chick gzzzzzick that the M8 has, quiet is it is, might, under some conditions still be a bit much for folks. Especially during repeated shooting. (Like in a theater, for example.)

 

That said, the Digilux 2, even with its horrid EVF, re-minded me that on occaision, I miss an SLR. The images are quite dynamic if not as intimate as you can achieve with the rangefinder. Now I'll propose the other camera/lens combo possibility: the yet to be seen Sigma SD14 with (if Sigma in their infinite wisdom made it possible) the Leitz 21-35mm Aspherical Vario Elmarit (while retaining the LX1 for stealth and rangefinder like practice). Here I'd have the Sigma SD14 with hopefully improved RAW performance with what I suspect is a full frame 14 MB Foveon sensor. No mosiaic. Good as the Kodak CCD sensor is, I would love to see how an improved Foveon sensor with it's THREE layers of silicon, each point for point taking the three primaries at once though pixels that are even larger than the M8's sensor has, would perform with an outstanding Leitz optic attached.

 

Low noise. And extraordinarily sharp, detailed and bokeh laden images.

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gareth_c

gareth_c

Posted
Posted

It's easy as I have limited knowledge and this is my current set-up which I am in love with!

 

Epson R-D1 and 35mm Summicron (4th gen).

 

I may change my mind when I get my hands on an M8 but I have a feeling I will prefer the ergonomics, dials and hide away screen of the R-D1. I tend to never have the screen out when shooting, only when having a quick look when grabbing a drink or at the end of the evening.

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gareth_c

gareth_c

Posted
Posted
BTW, this also brings up a point I've thought should be mentioned. There are and will be many photographers who are considering an M8 who do not own any RF cameras or lenses. That happened even with the R-D1. Some of those people can perhaps afford the M8 but not neccessarily the M8 and new Leica lenses. In that case, I think it's worth remembering that one can also use the M8 with many excellent older Leica lenses, CV lenses (old or new), Canon lenses, Zeiss lenses, etc. Then, as time allows, one can buy the newest Asph. Leica lenses if he or she wants and can afford to. Better that Leica should sell an M8 and then some lenses down the line than no M8 at all.

 

Is it crazy to use a Leica without the latest, most expensive Leica lenses? No, not at all.

 

Cheers,

 

Sean

 

I was an RF virgin until I purchased the Epson. At the time finances were tight so I purchased a very aged 35/3.5 Summaron and a CV50/1.5.

 

I have since purchased a second hand 4th gen 35 Summicron but there is little chance that I would sell the Summaron. First it isn't really worth selling and secondly it produces interesting (and soft) lenses which are perfect for some instances. Its also tiny and beautifull built.

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