kkc Posted July 16, 2009 Share #1 Posted July 16, 2009 Advertisement (gone after registration) Hi all, I'm new to Leica and this forum. Coming from SLR/DSLR (Olympus/Canon mostly) I am seriously considering an M8 for leisure use -> to enjoy photography as a hobby again My intended use for the M8 would most likely be street, snapshots, landscape, and family. 35, 50, and 135 are some of my most used focal lengths on my 135 SLR systems. I also use uwa (down to 16) for landscape. I'm pretty much decided on going with digital as i'd been converted for almost a decade. With these in mind, what ONE lens you'd recommend me to go with the M8? Len's on my mind include 28cron 35cron/lux 24lux. Last but not least, as this is not an business/professional investment, budget is also sth i need to be wary of... what is your suggestion? thanks! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted July 16, 2009 Posted July 16, 2009 Hi kkc, Take a look here First lens for M8. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
stunsworth Posted July 16, 2009 Share #2 Posted July 16, 2009 I know this sounds stupid, but it depends what you expect your second lens to be IMHO. The two combinations I've found the most useful are 24mm and 35mm, or 28mm and 50mm. So if you anticipate going wider with a second lens, buy a 35mm - ASPH Summicron or Summarit if you want to spend less. If you anticipate going longer then buy a 28mm Summicron, or Elmarit if you want to spend less. Personally for a single lens I'd buy a 28mm - I have the Elmarit and it's a superb performer and I find its angle of view on an M8 closely matches the 35mm that was my favourite focal length on the film M system. One other thing, if you are shooting at f16 you'll gain in DOF at the expense of image quality, if you already knew that I apologise. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
yanidel Posted July 16, 2009 Share #3 Posted July 16, 2009 welcome to the forum ! We just had a thread on the topic of 24, 28, 35 It can be useful for you to read because it shows a lot the pros and cons of each. http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/leica-m8-forum/91585-anyone-went-24-35-kit-28mm.html I think 28 Cron or 35 Lux are good first lenses. Depend if you are more into 35 or 50mm equivalent. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ecar Posted July 16, 2009 Share #4 Posted July 16, 2009 Personally for a single lens I buy a 28mm - I have the Elmarit and it's a superb performer and I find its angle of view on an M8 closely matches the 35mm that was my favourite focal length on the film M system. Fully agree with that. The Elmarit 28mm produces outstanding photos, it's small, and its price is as reasonable as it gets for Leica:rolleyes: I'd say it's ideal for street photo and snaphsots. If you need longer (ie, closer to 50mm full-frame equivalent), I'd go for the 35 Cron. Of course, there are also CV alternatives, but if you're buying a single lens, it would be a pity not to get a Leica one... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
kkc Posted July 16, 2009 Author Share #5 Posted July 16, 2009 I know this sounds stupid, but it depends what you expect your second lens to be IMHO. The two combinations I've found the most useful are 24mm and 35mm, or 28mm and 50mm. . Steve, this is a good angle to look at it! I suspect I'd like (and can only afford) a more economical uwa for my 2nd lens (sth like the Voigtländer 15mm f/4.5) if I find a good deal on a 2nd hand m8+first lens... having said that i'd mostly likely go with a single lens kit for quite some time! i'm leaning towards 28 also (for the 35mm semblence)... how do u rate your 28 Elmarit? would you recommend buying used over new? (or vice versa?) thanks! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Julian Thompson Posted July 16, 2009 Share #6 Posted July 16, 2009 I would suggest the 35 cron. If you get the Elmarit you'll not be able to have fun with a super fast speed. (Although it's a super lens of course!). If I don't know what the heck to expect when I go out and I'm taking the M8 as part of a fun day where I don't want other bags or lenses to worry about I stick the 35 cron on. It's deadly good. I never come back disappointed - it's perfect! I also have a 21mm Elmarit and 75 cron - the three work brilliantly but if I had to keep only one it'd be the 35 cron without a doubt! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
stunsworth Posted July 16, 2009 Share #7 Posted July 16, 2009 Advertisement (gone after registration) ...how do u rate your 28 Elmarit? would you recommend buying used over new? (or vice versa?) I rate the Elmarit very highly indeed. I bought mine new, but if a reputable dealer had a used sample I wouldn't worry about buying that. I'm referring to the latest ASPH version by the way - there was an earlier non-ASPH version that you sometimes see for sale used. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
kkc Posted July 16, 2009 Author Share #8 Posted July 16, 2009 welcome to the forum ! We just had a thread on the topic of 24, 28, 35 It can be useful for you to read because it shows a lot the pros and cons of each. http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/leica-m8-forum/91585-anyone-went-24-35-kit-28mm.html I think 28 Cron or 35 Lux are good first lenses. Depend if you are more into 35 or 50mm equivalent. excellent thread! i should use the search function next time before asking sth which should have been asked many times over... followed the discussion and excellent samples gave me confident i CANNOT go wrong with any of these choices!! however i'm still clear as mud what i will get for me... lol 24 elmarit, 28 cron, 28 elmarit, 35 cron, 35 lux ..... have too many excellent choices i guess is a nice problem to have if only i can afford to buy a few of these excellent glass! i guess i've changed from leaning on 28 to torn between 28 and 24.... i guess i'm finding 35 on M8 would be a bit too narrow for me Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
yanidel Posted July 16, 2009 Share #9 Posted July 16, 2009 i guess i've changed from leaning on 28 to torn between 28 and 24.... i guess i'm finding 35 on M8 would be a bit too narrow for me I feel one of the big advantage of a M8 over the DSLR is the framelines. Especially the space that is around it that allows much better composition and anticipation. While the 24mm is a wonderful lens in image quality, its framelines basically converts the finder in a DSLR type, you see what the area the picture will cover. The 28mm has more space around it and this is what eventually led me to buy one yesterday. If 35mm is too tight (I feel a bit this way too), 28mm should then the next best choice IMO. I would go for a Cron, F2 makes a lot of difference in selective focus (ability to blur backgrounds) and low light. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
toyfel Posted July 16, 2009 Share #10 Posted July 16, 2009 For a one lens solution with the M8 I´d recommend the 28mm Cron. It´s a superb compromise in terms of speed, size, resolution, angle of view and lens signature which is not matched (in my opinion) by any other lens. Only the price is hard to accept. If bulk and price were of no concern I´d consider the 24 mm Lux (haven´t used it myself though). Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
efftee Posted July 16, 2009 Share #11 Posted July 16, 2009 My first lens was the 35 Cron. For me, it's not too long, not too wide, compact enough to stay on my M8 and make great pics. It's still one of my favorite lenses now. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ptarmigan Posted July 16, 2009 Share #12 Posted July 16, 2009 I just bought the M8 (I also use a D2x) and opted for the 35mm Sumicron ASPH. I expect I will eventually end up with 24mm and 75mm lenses as well but then I'm not a wide angle nut. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ecar Posted July 16, 2009 Share #13 Posted July 16, 2009 28mm should then the next best choice IMO. I would go for a Cron, F2 makes a lot of difference in selective focus (ability to blur backgrounds) and low light. Agreed (I own one alongside the Elmarit - and a CV 28 f/2...), but I still find the price difference hard to justify, unless you use/need f/2 frequently (which I do, but that may not be the OP's main purpose)... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
michael_b_elmer Posted July 16, 2009 Share #14 Posted July 16, 2009 My intended use for the M8 would most likely be street, snapshots, landscape, and family. 35, 50, and 135 are some of my most used focal lengths on my 135 SLR systems. what is your suggestion? thanks! 35 'Lux Asph. You will love this lens which IMHO is without doubt the most versatile lens in the M-system. On the M8 35 mm corresponds to 50 mm which has always been regarded as the standard focal length for Leica film cameras. And the 1.4 opening makes this lens really useable, not only for available light, but also for shooting with fast speeds in daylight and for creating blurred background, when one so wishes. The 35 'Cron asph is also a great lens, but it is only f: 2.0, and in practice this makes a difference, so that the Cron is not as versatile as Lux, if it is your only lens. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
noah_addis Posted July 16, 2009 Share #15 Posted July 16, 2009 i guess i've changed from leaning on 28 to torn between 28 and 24.... i guess i'm finding 35 on M8 would be a bit too narrow for me That was my opinion. The 28 'Cron was my main M8 lens for a while but now I much prefer the 24. I have the Summilux, but the 24 Elmarit ASPH is a wonderful lens. Throw in a 50 later on and you'll have an amazing two-lens kit. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
tbarker13 Posted July 16, 2009 Share #16 Posted July 16, 2009 I fought this for a long time, but recently decided to get the 28 summicron as my primary lens on the M8. I love 35mm lenses on film bodies. And while I still like them on the M8, they just aren't wide enough for me. I prefer the size/price of the elmarit asph, but prefer the signature/aperture of the summicron. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jvan01 Posted July 16, 2009 Share #17 Posted July 16, 2009 My first two lenses for the M8 were the 50mm Summicron (latest version) and the 28mm Elmarit ASPH. They're both superb and a great combo, probably 80% of all your shooting can be done with these focal lengths. If I ever win the jackpot I'd maybe think about a 28mm Summicron, but I feel the increased pricepoint-to-extra stop ratio of that lens (Keep in mind that the 28 Cron is the priciest f/2 lens of any mount on the planet) were just not justifiable in my case. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wda Posted July 16, 2009 Share #18 Posted July 16, 2009 Hi all, I'm new to Leica and this forum. With these in mind, what ONE lens you'd recommend me to go with the M8? Len's on my mind include 28cron 35cron/lux 24lux. Last but not least, as this is not an business/professional investment, budget is also sth i need to be wary of... what is your suggestion? thanks! kkc, taking your last qualification of your requirement, viz cost, I would definitely go for the 28mm Elmarit. I endorse all that has been said about it. For your need, it is quite fast enough, particularly indoors at higher ISOs. 640 gives good results in indoor ambient light. Outdoors, you will rarely need f/2. Combined with the M8 you would have the most compact package and delight in its simplicity and low bulk. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
cfc247 Posted July 16, 2009 Share #19 Posted July 16, 2009 Some great advice here so far. I currently shoot 28, 50 and 90. In terms of drawing, handling, and overall usefulness, the 28 cron' is certainly my choice if I have to walk out the door with one lens. When shooting in a situation where I will need to have some more distance from the subjects and even portraits, I will take either the 50 lux or 50 Nokton. One lens choice--if you can afford it, go for the 28 cron. If you want to save up for now, the 28 elmarit or a CV 28. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
khiromu Posted July 16, 2009 Share #20 Posted July 16, 2009 For one lens, I would go with 28 cron or elmarit. For two lenses, however, I prefer 24/35 combo than 28 plus another one... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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