Some light relief?

[Gerard]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

Some light relief from all the M9 threads with a used M8 question; I have funds to afford either an M8 with 28mm Summicron ASPH or M8.2 with 28mm Elmarit ASPH. Which do you feel would make the best investment?

I'm currently leaning toward the M8/f2 combination as I've seen such beautiful shots with the cron, and I like taking shots with limited DOF. But would the M8.2 be a better investment, and the f2.8 just as pleasurable to use?

[innerimager]

From an "investment" perspective- get the cron/M8. You will be putting more funds toward a lens that will hold it's value, even possibly increase it's value, rather than a body that will lose value (both the m8 and m8.2 will lose value). And from an aesthetic point of view....get the cron/m8! I had the elmarit asph, a very fine lens, and now the cron, a truly great lens. best.....Peter

[lars_bergquist]

I agree with Peter. The 28mm Summicron is destined to become a classic. And you will soon come to need the speed, when you start finding out what this lens does indoors!

 

The improvements that the 8.2 brings are marginal in any case. Just see to it that you get the latest firmware version, the one with discreet shutter cocking.

 

The old man from the Age of Brass

[noah_addis]

An easy choice--I'd definitely go with the M8 and 28 Summicron. It's a wonderful combination.

 

I've been using two M8 bodies for all of my professional work. I recently got a loaner M8.2 and while it's a nice camera, it's not all that much of an improvement in my opinion.

 

The framelines are more accurate at most distances, but, especially if you use only a few basic lenses, it's relatively easy to get used to the framelines in the M8 and composition becomes second nature and quite accurate.

 

The shutter is quieter, but in a room with average ambient noise I think it's a small difference. It definitely seems quieter to the photographer with the camera a few inches from his ear, but for people a few feet away the difference is quite small. Both cameras are very quiet, especially in discreet mode.

 

While it seems like a superficial thing, I'd say the sapphire glass is a nice improvement. I've found the M8 screens somewhat easy to scratch, so I keep stick-on screen protectors on them so they don't get too much wear. I don't generally care if my cameras get worn, but a scratched LCD is distracting to look at.

 

I also like the black paint finish, but the M8's black chrome may be more durable.

 

The M8.2 definitely is a marginal improvement over the M8. But in terms of image quality they're identical. And given the choices you presented, I'd definitely choose the M8/28 Cron.

[zimboom]

I was facing the same predicament not long ago, went with the m8/28mmScron, no regret fantastic lens and body.

Bernard;)

[dpattinson]

M8 + summicron.

 

Once the M9 is out, the new price of M8.2 will most likely fall and that will have a direct impact on the SH price (assuming, as I do, that they continue to make it as an entry-level body).

That should mean that if you did want to trade up in future, you would lose less on the M8 compared with the likely drop in M8.2 price. Although, you would likely be even better advised to wait for second hand M9's and trade the M8 at that point.

[SJP]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

M8 + cron

[Ecar]

M8 definitely the way to go. M8.2 only a marginal improvement and more expensive.

I own both the Cron and the Elmarit. To my eyes, they render quite differently.

If you like the way the Cron renders, go for it by all means: it's a wonderful lens.

However, if you like high-contrast glass, don't need the extra stop, and would rather have a small, unobtrusive lens, the Elmarit merits very serious consideration.

This would also save you quite a bit of cash for another lens purchase (CV for example).

Just my 2c.

[leica007]

An easy choice--I'd definitely go with the M8 and 28 Summicron. It's a wonderful combination.

.

 

Noah, what's the best 3-lens combination [both focal length and aperture wise] for docu photography?