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New M 18mm - sample photograph


stunsworth

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I had the chance to try the new 18mm lens for an hour or so this afternoon. I was told that the lens is pre-production, but is representative of the lenses that should ship next month.

 

I'm reviewing the images - I took 150 in all - and this was one of the first ones. It's in b&w for two reasons. The dealer - Stephens in Manchester, thank you David - didn't have the matching IR cut filter, and I forgot to switch off processing for an IR cut filter in the camera. So this gentleman has a lovely purple jacket, and the corners have a wonderful colour cast to them.

 

Here's a full frame and 100% crop. No sharpenning or added grain.

 

Overall conclusion? The lens has 'buy me' written all over it.

 

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The lens is back with the dealer I'm afraid.

 

Here's another inside Manchester Cathedral. This one was wide open - though 1/20th at ISO 640. DOF is pretty deep, as expected at this focal length, but there's still some out of focus detail.

 

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As chance would have it, when you look up from the end of the guitar in the first photo, you can see an anagram of the word which crossed my mind when I realized that I want this lens but will have to live on bread and water for a year or two to afford it.

 

Very keen to see it on a proper full frame sensor like PanF or Plus X

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Here you go, David... Full Frame, M7 18mm f3.8 Kodak EPP 100, scanned (on a non 35mm dedicated scanner)

The third one, I just stepped back a few feet, from where I took the second!

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Here you go, David... Full Frame, M7 18mm f3.8 Kodak EPP 100, scanned (on a non 35mm dedicated scanner)

The third one, I just stepped back a few feet, from where I took the second!

 

I am having Dejavu. Didn't Andy Barton post some similar shots a few years back. I assume this is out in front of the Leica shop :)

 

Robert

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Didn't Andy Barton post some similar shots a few years back. I assume this is out in front of the Leica shop

 

Robert, yes the dealer is on the mezzanine floor of this building. A bit of an odd location as it's not immediately obvious how you get to the shop <grin>.

 

John, you didn't pick up the lens at around one or clock did you?

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OK, I only shot 8, one's a bit shaky, so here's the rest...

Steve, post some more M8 pics!

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I keep thinking "This doesn't look much different from my 21 - what's the point?"

 

And then I remember that it is 3/4s the price of even the 21 f/2.8, and half the price of the 21 f/1.4. If one doesn't already have a 21 and the trade of 3mm extra width for f/3.8 is OK, it does make sense.

 

I've been shooting my 21 Elmarit stopped down to f/3.8 in low light, and shooting with my 15 c/v and cropping to "18mm" - to see if I could live within the 18's parameters as a way to simplify my gear - less having to choose between fast or wide on the fly.

 

Thus far - I think I'm going to have to hold out for at least a 16mm f/3.4. If I need fast, f/4.5 and f/3.8 don't cut it, and if I want wide, neither 18 nor 21 get there for me.

 

Then again, if a 16 f/3.4 comes in at $4,800 (or worse)......!

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I keep thinking "This doesn't look much different from my 21 - what's the point?"

 

And then I remember that it is 3/4s the price of even the 21 f/2.8, and half the price of the 21 f/1.4. If one doesn't already have a 21 and the trade of 3mm extra width for f/3.8 is OK, it does make sense.

 

I've been shooting my 21 Elmarit stopped down to f/3.8 in low light, and shooting with my 15 c/v and cropping to "18mm" - to see if I could live within the 18's parameters as a way to simplify my gear - less having to choose between fast or wide on the fly.

 

Thus far - I think I'm going to have to hold out for at least a 16mm f/3.4. If I need fast, f/4.5 and f/3.8 don't cut it, and if I want wide, neither 18 nor 21 get there for me.

 

Then again, if a 16 f/3.4 comes in at $4,800 (or worse)......!

 

If you need a 16, for the difference in price, just get a s/h WATE. They seem to go for about £2500 although I picked up my one s/h from Ffordes for less than that.

 

This lens seems to perform as well as the WATE. The sharpness at f4 with the WATE is so good that the benefit of stopping down further is arguable.

 

Either way, a s/h WATE or this 18 are going to be a great investment if you want a true wide angle for the M8 and with the WATE you have the versatility of 3 focal lengths.

 

LouisB

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