The perfect lens trio for the M8?

[michael friedberg]

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Greetings,

 

I'm a newbie here --this is my second post. I'm not a newbie to Leica, though, since I bought my first one in 1975 and used them in the '70s, 80s and a little in the 1990's. I gave up on film photography about 10 years' ago, so the new M8 is literally the camera I've been waiting for all my life. Mine should arrive tomorrow with a little luck.

 

Since I'm starting over, I get to start over with lenses, too. And because of the extension factor, normal focal length concepts don’t apply. So my question is what three lenses provide the best versatility for a camera of this type? I realize that much depends on personal style and preferences, but I'm looking for a well-rounded trio for every day shooting --effectively, for street photography.

 

Here’s my initial thinking

 

Elmarit-M 28/2.8 ASPH –because it’s new, it’s super-small and mates perfectly with the M8,

 

Summicron-M 50/2 –a classic lens, relatively inexpensive, impeccable optics and it comes in chrome –a nice lens with a chrome M8. But at an effective focal length of about 67mm it’s neither fish nor fowl.

 

APO-Summicron-M 75/2 ASPH –effectively a 90mm telephoto, and a great lens

 

My problem is at I’m unsure about a wider lens (21 or 24 –especially the latter, being close to the 28). And a 35/2 or 35/1.4 is a great lens, but very close to both the 28 or 50.

 

How’s my thinking? Other suggestions?

 

Thanks.

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[Guest guy_mancuso]

I wish I had the real answer for you, i bought them all to figure it out. ROTFLMAO

 

Seriously though if i was going for three the 24,35 and 75 or the 28,50 and 90

[grober]

I like your #3 selection but I'd go wider with the first two: a 24/25 and a 35 then the 75 for a minimal trio.

 

-g

[grantray]

My problem is at I’m unsure about a wider lens (21 or 24 –especially the latter, being close to the 28)

 

Actually, the 21 effectively IS a 28 with the crop factor, (27.93 to be exact). The lens unfortunately brings up the 28 lines, but the viewfinder edges work as a "frame." Much like the Zeiss Ikon viewfinder works when using the 25 Biogon. Still, adjusting how you interact with the camera when framing an image is necessary, and if you wear glasses you'll want a separate finder.

 

(The sound of two pennies in the well.)

 

-grant

[LJL]

Agree with that spread. I went with the Zeiss 25/2.8 Biogon for the wider end of things. Although it pulls up the 28mm framelines, I ignore them and use most of the finder for framing. I also went with a CV 35/1.2 ASPH Nokton and a CV 50/1.5 ASPH Nokton until I decide which Leica I may settle on. The final lens is still a toss-up, but I am leaning toward the Leica 75/2 APO, as I think it will make an excellent portrait lens with wonderfully shallow DOF wide open. (BTW, all three, not counting the future 75, cost less than the 28/2.8 Elmarit. Great way to decide what FOV you want to use before breaking the bank.)

 

LJL

[carstenw]

I have chosen essentially the same set, and will get the Voigtlaender 15mm for the wide end, and the Leica 21mm if I feel that something is missing later on. The nice thing about this set is that it translates really well to a film or FF M, should that become an issue later.

[pascal_meheut]

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I made the exact same choice: 28mm, 50mm/2, 75mm/2. I also bought the 24mm. I would have gone for the 21mm but the need to use an external viewfinder was a deal-breaker for me.

[tom0511]

My problem is at I’m unsure about a wider lens (21 or 24 –especially the latter, being close to the 28)

Actually, the 21 effectively IS a 28 with the crop factor, (27.93 to be exact). The lens unfortunately brings up the 28 lines, but the viewfinder edges work as a "frame."

I also nearly own them all.

When I was looking through M8 viewfinder I thought the 28mm frame most compfortable, the 24mm frame usable but allready not that easy to see. I dont think that the whole viewfinder works that great for 21mm. I think its to tight.

 

I also would rather get a fast CV-lens versus a slower Leica lens in regards of 28 and 50mm. Meaning I would rather get a 28/1.9 and 50/1.5 CV than a 28/2.8 and 50/2.0 Leica. (just in case 28/2.0 and 50/1.4 Leica seem to expensive).

 

About 28 and 24 I am not sure. if this should be my widest lens I would probably go for the 24.

 

Also I think you really have to get an idea what you shoot. Indoor/outdoor, wide angle or normal, do you like more compressed portrait (75-90mm) or better to include the surrounding (35-50mm), etc. etc.

[rfleica]

28/1.9 or 2, 50/1.5 or 1.4 and 90/2apo for me. at the wide end i'll use a 15 heliar with a 21mm finder. but i will be interested to see how the zeiss 18mm with 24mm finder will work out.

[Liaonet]

I have photos posted form everything form a 21mm to a 135mm both old and new

 

Flickr: Photos from Bill Liao

 

I find the 35mm f1,4 summilux to be my new favorite lens and I also used my Noctilux with great effect.

 

I find using the 21mm and keeping both eyes open I get a very good idea of the capture area without the need for the supplimentary view finder.

 

I did not ice some veyr slight vignetting on the 21 as mine is pre the lens detection system.

 

Bill

 

Ps.

For those obseesed as I am I also pave posted a shutter noise sample

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