adebartolo Posted August 12, 2009 Share #1 Posted August 12, 2009 Advertisement (gone after registration) I joined the Club today sort to speak. I bought a spanking new M8 and a 28 f/2.8 Elmarit M. Golly I hope I did the right thing. Well I know I did at least for me with the M8. Just wondering how smart I was on the 28 f/2.8 wondering still if I should have bought the 28 f/2 ? Any one care to comment? I can return the lens! Tony Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted August 12, 2009 Posted August 12, 2009 Hi adebartolo, Take a look here New M8 and 28 Elmarit M. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
St Clair Posted August 12, 2009 Share #2 Posted August 12, 2009 Congrats! I have a 28mm Elmarit along with a Nokton 50mm f/1.1 and 40mm f/1.4. If the Elmarit was my only lens I would find it too slow as at f/2.8 it struggles in low light without a flash especially with the M8's poor high ISO. So, if it is your only lens I would think that the 28 f/2 would be better, that lens is killer and I'd love to trade up to one someday. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sfokevin Posted August 12, 2009 Share #3 Posted August 12, 2009 Congrats2... I did the exact same thing when I bought the M8 a year ago... I find the Emarit excellent... I have look at the Cron occasionally when I have a touch of GAS... but the increased size with the hood has always put me off... I would suggest you invest the extra cash in another lens like 50mm Nokton St Clair mentions or as I have the 50 Lux I find the Emarit the perfect lens cap - small and versatile.... A great base to build your lens collection from... And I don't care what anyone says... There is NO bad lens for the M8 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rogwp Posted August 12, 2009 Share #4 Posted August 12, 2009 Exactly what I started with, and a great combination it is. I did not find the lens too slow, but that depends on what you photograph and when. Take your time to get to know the lens and what it can do. I have added to it with old Leica lenses 90/2.8 and 50/1.5, a new 18/3.8 and a CV12mm. The later being my favorite. For the difference in cost between the 50/2.8 and the 50/2.0 you could probably buy another lens (used or CV). Enjoy, not fret:). Roger Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
thompsonkirk Posted August 12, 2009 Share #5 Posted August 12, 2009 That's what I started with too, & found the Elmarit to be the wrong lens for me, primarily because it was too contrasty, but also because it was too slow. I'd always used a 35 as my most-of-the-time lens on a FF film Leica. On the M8 I tried the Elmarit for equivalent focal length & for 'Leica economy,' if there is such a thing. Then I supplemented it with the older/better model of the CV Ultron for larger aperture. The outcome was that I all-too-often had the wrong lens on the camera. I've been much happier since trading those lenses & some other stuff for a Summicron. If it's new & your dealer will exchange it for full value now, that might save you from losing later when you have to sell it or trade it in. Just one person's experience/opinion. Kirk Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff S Posted August 12, 2009 Share #6 Posted August 12, 2009 Take pictures, lots of pictures. See if you like them. If not, decide if problem is you or the tools you're using. Otherwise, be happy. Congrats on your purchase. Jeff Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
akiralx Posted August 12, 2009 Share #7 Posted August 12, 2009 Advertisement (gone after registration) I sold the 28 Summicron to get the Elmarit... very good lens, I don't regret my decision. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
efftee Posted August 12, 2009 Share #8 Posted August 12, 2009 sfokevin is, of course, right; there is really no such thing as a bad Leica lens. But since I don't use a flash, or tripod, I personally find that the extra f-stops to be worth the slightly bigger physical size. If you make a lot of pictures in available light, I'd say get the fastest lens that you can afford. I bought my 35 Cron for its compact size only to eventually trade it up to a 35 Lux. And when I can find a good deal on the 24 Lux, I'd trade my 24 Elmarit for it too. In the long run, I'd have spent more money than getting the Luxes in the first place. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
adebartolo Posted August 12, 2009 Author Share #9 Posted August 12, 2009 Thank you for all your replies! Well it does seem that the 28 cron would have been the preferred choice unfortunately it is beyond my means at this time unless of course I wanted to live with only one lens. When budgeting for my New M8 I wanted to have a pair of lenses. I am hoping to buy the 75 f/2.5. Should I return the Elmarit and upgrade to the 28 f/2 and forgo the "long" lens for the time being? On another note I see many of you using Voigtlander Lenses. I know they can be had in a Leica mount but will they work, I mean what is this business of "Coded" lens. I did notice the markings on my 28 and was wondering what are they there for and if you go for the sake of economy to a Voigtlander what will I lose by not having the coding? I also have a Nikon system and have used both Zeiss ZF and Voigtlander lenses with excellent results. Once again your comments appreciated. Tony Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted August 12, 2009 Share #10 Posted August 12, 2009 Depends on the focal length. If you go 35 mm or longer coding is not necessary. For shorter lenses it is either code or use Cornerfix. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
adli Posted August 12, 2009 Share #11 Posted August 12, 2009 I have the 28 Elmarit and I really like it because of the compact size (and that it is a great lens of course). I would keep it and buy a 50 cron or a more exensive 75 cron in addition. Then you have compact lens which you can put on the camera and carry it with you without any hassle, and you will have a nice portrait lens in addition (the cron). Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lct Posted August 12, 2009 Share #12 Posted August 12, 2009 ...When budgeting for my New M8 I wanted to have a pair of lenses. I am hoping to buy the 75 f/2.5. Should I return the Elmarit and upgrade to the 28 f/2 and forgo the "long" lens for the time being?... I own both 28/2 & 28/2.8 asph and prefer the former but differences between them are small really and you'll feel better with 2 lenses than with a single one for sure. Also the little Elmarit is a pleasure to use so i would go for the latter if i were you. You'll have one of the best 28 ever made either way. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ivar B Posted August 12, 2009 Share #13 Posted August 12, 2009 Stefan Daniel told me in June that the 2.8/28 ASPH is Leicas best selling lens, so people really like it. In his Leica M8/M8.2 book, author Brian Bower says that his nr. 1 lens choice for the M8 is the 2.0/28, and the 2nd the 1.4/50 ASPH. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
gfspencer Posted August 12, 2009 Share #14 Posted August 12, 2009 Great combination! Congratulations. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonoslack Posted August 12, 2009 Share #15 Posted August 12, 2009 Thank you for all your replies! Well it does seem that the 28 cron would have been the preferred choice unfortunately it is beyond my means at this time unless of course I wanted to live with only one lens. When budgeting for my New M8 I wanted to have a pair of lenses. I am hoping to buy the 75 f/2.5. Should I return the Elmarit and upgrade to the 28 f/2 and forgo the "long" lens for the time being? I wouldn't - I traded my elmarit in for a 'cron early this year - I don't say I regret it, but although they are different, I don't believe I've got any better pictures with the 'cron. Obviously if you need the speed . . . otherwise, I think the tiny elmarit is pretty great. I also bought a 35 summarit recently - which is a great lens - if you asked me whether it was better to have a 75 summarit + 28 elmarit, or a 28 'cron . . . . I'd go for that lovely pairing every single time. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
delander † Posted August 12, 2009 Share #16 Posted August 12, 2009 My original M8 I bought with the 28 elmarit asph and the 50 cron. I now have also the 28 cron and the 50 lux. The 28 cron has a rather massive lens hood so I often go with the 28 elmarit. I have also kept the 50 cron which is a classic and I actually use that in preference to the 50lux again because of its size. I do like small lenses. It is very difficult to advise others, the lenses are all good. Jeff Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
woody Posted August 12, 2009 Share #17 Posted August 12, 2009 I use the 28/2.8, 50/2.0, and 90/2.8 on my M8 and this makes a good package. I really like the 50/2 on the M8 for portraits. I also have the SF24d flash. This package is quite compact and effective. I have been thinking about a 50/1.4, but I'm not sure if I'll be good at focussing so tightly in low light. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wda Posted August 12, 2009 Share #18 Posted August 12, 2009 I joined the Club today sort to speak. I bought a spanking new M8 and a 28 f/2.8 Elmarit M. Golly I hope I did the right thing. Well I know I did at least for me with the M8. Just wondering how smart I was on the 28 f/2.8 wondering still if I should have bought the 28 f/2 ? Any one care to comment? I can return the lens! Tony Unless you want to do a lot of low-light photography, the Elmarit is all you need in that focal length. For occasions when light is too low for conventional photography, you can always increase the ISO setting. If noise become an issue, there is software which minimizes its effect. Where subject movement is not a problem, I occasionally use a tripod indoors or even the excellent Leica table tripod and ball and socket head. The latter is so small that it goes with me on longer trips. I bought my 28 Elmarit with my M8 and also added the 75 Summarit, both being excellent. When I feel the need for a faster lens I use my older 35 Summicron. Only you can decide the range of lenses you ultimately need and that is largely dictated by your photographic interests. Enjoy your new purchase; it will give you priceless pleasure and you have global support in this place! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
fotografr Posted August 12, 2009 Share #19 Posted August 12, 2009 If I were to just have one lens with the M8, it would be the 35 Summicron ASPH. Of course, it depends on the kind of shooting you do, but there isn't really all that much difference in focal length between the 28 and 35, but you gain the advantage of the extra speed of the 35/2. It is a very compact lens and you can generally find excellent used samples at good (for Leica) prices. I bought one about a year ago for $1600 and it is my most used lens. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ecar Posted August 12, 2009 Share #20 Posted August 12, 2009 I'd keep the Elmarit and use the money saved towards another purchase. Unless you need the extra stop and/or don't like its contrast compared to the Cron, it's not worth the price difference IMO. I own both and the Elmarit is the one that tends to be used more often due to its compact size - the Cron only gets used in lower light situations. Another lens you may consider is the much more affordable CV 28/2. Some will say (rightly - although this is barely noticeable in real world photography) that it's softer in the corners than the Leica lenses, but I feel this is more than offset by a very subtle rendering of tones and colors. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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