ezc203 Posted October 11, 2009 Share #1 Posted October 11, 2009 Advertisement (gone after registration) Hi guys, Recently joined the Leica world with the purchase of the M8 and a 50mm f/2.5 Summarit lens. Both are excellent and I'm enjoying them thoroughly. However, I'm eager to work with other lenses. An suggestions on which lenses to buy? And also, what to look for when I'm buying used lenses? Any help from seasoned users will be greatly appreciated! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted October 11, 2009 Posted October 11, 2009 Hi ezc203, Take a look here What to look for when buying USED lenses?. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
luigi bertolotti Posted October 11, 2009 Share #2 Posted October 11, 2009 Welcome to the forum! I bought MANY used Leica lenses for about 30 years... here are my advices about: 1) First of all, GLASS : open completely the diaphragm, and inspect with attention looking through the lens with a spot light in front of the glass: problems can be scratches, microcracks, fingerpints, damaged coating, foggy areas that can be due also to degradation of the glue used to cement gless elements together (a typical problem of some very old lenses) : also, for old lenses, the froblem of fungus can arise. 2) Focusing movement : it must be smooth over the whole rotation, and the upper-lower ends of the rotation must coincide with the respective markings on the distance scale 3) Diaphragm blades : they must look of uniform coloring : darker areas can mean lubricant's presence, which can be a no problem for the image quality, but better if they are absent. 4) Diaphragm ring, its movement must be smooth and if with stop/clicks, the clicks must coincide right with the f stop markings (this, too, is a frequent issue in very old lenses); small residual movements over the max and min aperture markings are to be considered normal. 5) Of course, the lens must focus correctly... and the only sure way is verifying it (on a body with well calibrated rangefinder) with one of the usual focus test charts; the RF coupling cam must be "clean" with perfectly smooth surface. Finally... buy from a reputable seller: most of my used lenses were bought from some of the top european specialized resellers: you don't pay the best possible price, but you can trust about how they describe the lens and all of them apply correct return policies (and can also provide a guaranteed restoration/CLA if needed). About your lens set... well M8 + Summarit 50 leaves many choices open: personally I'd go for a pair 24+90: lot of possibilities (new, used, CV, Zeiss... in case with 25 instead of 24), with huge breadth of budgeting... : you can go from 800 $ about (CV 25+90) to almost 10 times that amount (Leica 24 f1,4 and 90 f2). Quick freeride considerations : - I discovered this year that 24 is a very useful focal on M8, and my Elmarit 24 asph is outstanding. - You probably find very good your Summarit 50, I appreciate a lot my Summarit 75... and there is a Summarit 90... - There are lot of Leica 90s used at good prices. - CV 25 (which I never tested) has a very appreciable compactness: Elmarit 24 is big and heavy. - In the forum, I noticed that the CV 90 (Apo Lanthar) is a seldom reported lens : I wonder why. Finally... being a newbie and having to define your lens set... subscribe to Reid reviews (I'm not associated with him) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nicoleica Posted October 11, 2009 Share #3 Posted October 11, 2009 As a footnote to Luigi's excellent advice. If you look through the lens from the rear, whilst pointing it towards a light source, you will see in great detail even the slightest of marks and scratches on the lens surface. Though be warned, this can be quite disturbing at times, and can give one the impression that the lens has been cleaned with a Brillo pad. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dpstjp Posted October 11, 2009 Share #4 Posted October 11, 2009 As a footnote to Luigi's excellent advice. If you look through the lens from the rear, whilst pointing it towards a light source, you will see in great detail even the slightest of marks and scratches on the lens surface. Though be warned, this can be quite disturbing at times, and can give one the impression that the lens has been cleaned with a Brillo pad. Nothing wrong with a Brillo pad... ;-) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wda Posted October 11, 2009 Share #5 Posted October 11, 2009 ezc, Welcome to the forum. You have already received excellent advice above. If you are tempted by private sales, beware, particularly as you are new to Leica. The exception is the Sales and Wants on the Leica Forum. Always handle and test before you buy. That is not easy when you buy at long range. Don't be tempted to buy very old lenses without advice. Older wide angle lenses need to be 6-bit coded (like your Summarit), so factor that cost into the purchase price. (Search the forum for threads on coding older lenses.) Regarding additional lens choice, so much depends on your photographic needs. I guess you will almost certainly need a wide angle lens of which there are many. My first choice for the M8 would be a 28mm. If you can find a near-new current Elmarit you would be very satisfied. Your 50mm already acts like a short portrait lens on the M8, so you might consider the 90mm Summarit to extend your reach. Above all, shoot plenty and enjoy your M8. There is a steady learning curve initially. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nicoleica Posted October 11, 2009 Share #6 Posted October 11, 2009 Nothing wrong with a Brillo pad... ;-) Please remind me to never buy a lens from you! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
shootinglulu Posted October 11, 2009 Share #7 Posted October 11, 2009 Advertisement (gone after registration) Nicole..You're a hoot..:D Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ezc203 Posted October 11, 2009 Author Share #8 Posted October 11, 2009 Thanks for the great advice guys. Really appreciate it. Originally, I was planning on added to my lenses with a 24 or 35 and a 90, for now. Which is very similar to your recommendations. So.. Thanks for reassuring me! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jbgeach Posted October 12, 2009 Share #9 Posted October 12, 2009 Hi guys, I am in a very similar situation. I just purchased an m8, my first two lenses are the voigtlander 21mm f/4 new and summicron 50 f/2 used. I bought the used lens from Adorama in the US, so I hope it is in good condition. Anyway, thanks for the advice. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
spylaw4 Posted October 13, 2009 Share #10 Posted October 13, 2009 Just to throw something else into the melting pot for you to consider! Check to see whether a 75mm (100mm on the M8) or 90mm (120mm on the M8) suits you better. Also consider the 24mm Elmar-M f3.8 ASPH (32mm on the M8) which is an extremely good lens. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woody Campbell Posted October 13, 2009 Share #11 Posted October 13, 2009 All of the foregoing advice is excellent. In addition budget about a month and about $100 to send the lens to Don Goldberg or another reputable repair person to be cleaned, lubricated and adjusted. This will put the lens in like new optical and mechanical condition. I do this with every used lens that i buy just for peace of mind. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
K I Posted October 13, 2009 Share #12 Posted October 13, 2009 I am also new to the forum and had similar situation when i first bought my M8.2. Rather than risking it at the time, i settled for the Summarits except for the 35mm plus added the Elmarit 28mm, all new. They are all my favorites especially the 75mm, not to mention the price point of the Summarit range. I personally need peace of mind when it comes to this level, no time for disappointments, i'd rather be out shooting with confidence. Thanks to everyone's advice here on used Leica lenses, very informative. KI KI Photography Blog Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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