Best lens for R8 and DMR set

[hobbsr]

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Hi,

 

Considering the option to pick-up a used R8 and DMR back was wondering what would be the best starting out lens? I tested the 50 f2 and liked it was slightly soft wide open but still gave a great feel to the images.

 

Mainly looking to add this system in for weddings and portrait work also need wide but not super wide for some fine art projects.

 

Thanks for your help.

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[winsoft]

Very good tele-lenses are

- Apo-Macro-Elmarit-R 2.8/100 (all-round, = 137 mm @ DMR)

- Apo-Elmarit-R 2.8/180 (Portrait!!! = 246 mm @ DMR)

 

Wide-lenses:

- Elmarit-R 2.8/28 (standard, = 38 mm @ DMR)

- Super-Elmarit-R 2.8/15 Asph. (= 21 mm @ DMR)

 

Architecture:

- PC-Super-Angulon-R 2.8/28 (= 38 mm @ DMR, best at 1:11)

[topoxforddoc]

I'd get a 28-90 asph. OK it's a zoom, but it's a cracking lens. It sits on my R9/DMR 90% of the time. Here are some shots with it.

 

Best wishes,

 

Charlie

[hobbsr]

Hi,

 

Well the zoom looks great I believe that if this is the one I am thinking of it is well over $4k in price how does this compare with he 50 f2 which is $500? I know that maybe a silly question. I am not asking about reach but IQ.

 

Rodney

[robsteve]

At f4, the 50mm Summicron will probably be as good as any other lens out there. Is it a current 50mm Summicron that you see at $500? The current versions will have ROM and 55mm filter threads.

 

A good standard lens on the DMR is the 28mm Elmarit-R, latest version. This is the version with the built in hood and takes 55mm filters. There is one for sale on the getDPI forums that I once owned and used on the DMR. The 28mm is very sharp right from f2.8.

 

FS/T: Leica 28/2.8 VII ROM + custom adapter - The GetDPI Workshop Forums

 

In regards to the 28-90mm zoom, the 28mm Elmarit would be better than the zoom in the 28mm setting and the 50mm Summicron would be as good or better.

 

Robert

[pascal_meheut]

I too like the 28mm/2.8 last version as wide-angle on the DMR. The 21-35mm zoom is convenient to use and quite good too.

 

For portrait, the 50mm are ok but I prefer the 60mm/2.8 Macro.

Other excellent and not so expensive lenses I use are the 35mm/2 and the 135mm/2.8.

 

And in the expensive category are the 15mm/2.8, the 90mm/2.0 AA, the 180mm/2.8 and the 280mm/4.

 

 

The only lens I've been disappointed with is the 19mm/2.8 current model (I tried 2 of them). It is excellent on film but not so good in the edges on the DMR before f/8.

[topoxforddoc]

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Rodney,

 

The 50 cron is a great lens. The 35-70/4 ROM lens is very good too, although it's limited by its f4 max aperture.

 

What are you after? A set of reasonably priced prime lenses or one lens for most situations. If it's the fomer, then Rob's suggestion of a 28 elmarit, 50 cron would be great with say a 90 elmarit or a 80 lux (more expensive) if you need the longer focal lengths.

 

Personally with the weight of the R9/DMR, I try to limit the amount of glass I carry!!

 

Charlie

[andybarton]

Another vote for a late model 28 Elmarit with ROM. I also enjoy using my first gen 19mm Elmarit and a 1970s 90 Summicron is a fabulous lens.

 

A current 50 Summicron goes for around £250 - £300 tops here, so $500 is about right.

[platoali]

I've the 28-90. Although I'm happy with the results, but the max aperture 4.5 on 90 is too slow for indoor use,Specially handheld portraits in normal lights.

 

The lens is also heavy and big.

[topoxforddoc]

Platoali,

 

Yes the 28-90 is slow at f4.5 at the 90 end. But you can still take portraits etc indoors. My top picture is taken in the operating theatre (or OR) and is hand held at 1/60th at f4.5 at 90mm focal length. I've just taken some pictures this afternoon of my 7 year old son at 1/30th f2.8 28mm indoors. Ok it's not the same as using a prime, but it's manageable.

 

Charlie

[platoali]

Well, It seems that you have steady hands. ;-)

[paulmoore]

Hi,

 

Considering the option to pick-up a used R8 and DMR back was wondering what would be the best starting out lens? I tested the 50 f2 and liked it was slightly soft wide open but still gave a great feel to the images.

 

Mainly looking to add this system in for weddings and portrait work also need wide but not super wide for some fine art projects.

 

Thanks for your help.

 

If you want an inexpensive but beautiful lens the 50 summicron is it.

I am in the process of putting mine up for sale on this site.

The next lens for value is the 28mm I use that a lot.. I would start with either of these two. followed by a 135mm.. again a fine lens, undervalued.

[dfarkas]

My favorite lens on the DMR is the 35 cron. Just so nice to handle, easy to focus, razor sharp, close focusing, minimal distortion, nice bokeh.... I'm surprised that I'm the first to recommend it.

 

My DMR kit was 19, 28, 35 cron, 60 macro, 90 APO, 180 2.8 APO, and 2X APO. Great combo. My favorite was, of course the 35, followed very closely by the 90, then by the 19.

 

You really can't go wrong with any of the current R lenses. Just a great system.

 

Here are some samples. In order: 19, 28, 35, 60, 90, 180.

 

David

[hunterits]

David:

 

Thanks for showing the images with the different lenses....very nice.....My vote is for the 28~90 if I only have one lens to use...it is heavy, but so is the whole system....interesting discussion and very informative!

 

John