ZM Distagon 18 with M8 - good combination?

U

user237428934

User deletion pending
Local time
12:14 AM
Joined
Feb 4, 2008
Messages
2,669
View My Gallery
I am thinking about a wide angle lens for my new M8. On my M6 I used the CV 25 a lot and I don't need a much wider focal length.
I think the Distagon 18 has a perfect focal length for me and I could even reuse my 25mm finder. The CV 15 is much cheaper and much lighter but would be a little bit too wide for me.
I didn't find much informatione about the Distagon in combination with the M8. Are there other disadvantages than weight and size and the heavier price tag?
 
Forget the CV 15, the combination of the M8 and the ZM 18/4 Distagon is great. The lens is wickedly sharp and produces beautiful files as all the Zeiss lenses do on the M8. I would suggest that you purchase the 18mm replacement flange from John Milich. It is made from brass and etched with the notches for proper coding of the lens, and allows the M8 to apply the proper edge correction with the UV/IR filter.

Get it and enjoy it!

Some examples - http://www.pbase.com/keithbg/image/95758032

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=90031

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=84914

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=84681

Please note, this lens does not vignette. I added it for personal preference.
 
Last edited:
Thanks for those Keith (and thanks to Tom for asking the question) but I really don't need another lens in my arsenal... even if the price is so reasonable.. and the images look great... and would provide me with, effectively a 24mm field of view... and probably has that great Zeiss look....

I hate you both for putting this stuff up here 😀

Dave
 
If the 18mm couples to the rangefinder that in itself is a big advantage over the CV15 especially for close, critical focusing with small aperatures - like wide open. 😀

I really like the 21mm biogon and also the CV 15 - sharp, not a lot of vignetting on the M8, and the price is right. Keep in mind the 15 is just 1.5mm wider on each side of the frame - so not a whole lot of difference in the angle.

Please post some photos with the 18mm if you go that route.

O.C.



tom.w.bn said:
I am thinking about a wide angle lens for my new M8. On my M6 I used the CV 25 a lot and I don't need a much wider focal length.
I think the Distagon 18 has a perfect focal length for me and I could even reuse my 25mm finder. The CV 15 is much cheaper and much lighter but would be a little bit too wide for me.
I didn't find much informatione about the Distagon in combination with the M8. Are there other disadvantages than weight and size and the heavier price tag?
Click to expand...
 
Really great pics there Keith!

Hard to really compare the 18 vs the 15 though... the 18 on the M8 means more of a 24mm. The 15 means more of a 20mm.

Will have to think about getting the ZM 18 - really like the 24mm FOV...
 
The 18mm lens out of the box brings up the wrong framelines for the M8 (24/35 IIRC). Zeiss will change out the mount for no charge - the 28mm framelines (and 6-bid coding) need to be activated in order to fool the camera into thinking a WATE is mounted.

In any case, once these adjustments were made, the 18mm ZM quickly became one of my favorite lenses on the M8 - 24mm equivalent.

Look here:

http://photo.net/photodb/folder?folder_id=800040
 
Last edited:
As I said in my post above, I highly recommend getting the lens mount from John Milich and having it switched out. It brings up the proper framelines and you code the lens as if it was a WATE. Works fantastically!

BillBlackwell said:
The 18mm lens out of the box brings up the wrong framelines for the M8 (24/35 IIRC). Zeiss will change out the mount for no charge - the 28mm framelines (and 6-bid coding) need to be activated in order to fool the camera into thinking a WATE is mounted.

In any case, once these adjustments were made, the 18mm ZM quickly became one of my favorite lenses on the M8 - 24mm equivalent.

Look here:

http://photo.net/photodb/folder?folder_id=800040
Click to expand...
 
BillBlackwell said:
The 18mm lens out of the box brings up the wrong framelines for the M8 (24/35 IIRC). Zeiss will change out the mount for no charge - the 28mm framelines (and 6-bid coding) need to be activated in order to fool the camera into thinking a WATE is mounted.

In any case, once these adjustments were made, the 18mm ZM quickly became one of my favorite lenses on the M8 - 24mm equivalent.

Look here:

http://photo.net/photodb/folder?folder_id=800040
Click to expand...

Will have to check with my sources then... I too like the 24mm POV 🙂
 
kbg32 said:
As I said in my post above, I highly recommend getting the lens mount from John Milich and having it switched out. It brings up the proper framelines and you code the lens as if it was a WATE. Works fantastically!
Click to expand...

what is the cost? Is it a new mount or did you have to send the old one in?
 
IContact John Milich at - jm[at]milich[dot]com

After he sends you the new mount, about $150, it is machined brass, go to a qualified repair tech and have the mount switched out, you now have an extra one, and code the lens as if it is WATE.

ChipNovaMac said:
what is the cost? Is it a new mount or did you have to send the old one in?
Click to expand...
 
I have the 18 Distagon ZM since it came out, and I love it on the Leica M8.
If you have a lot of $ and could wait for 2-3 months more, i would be curious what Leica is going to offer at this focal length at the next PhotoChina.
 
A Leitz lens would probably cost a bundle compared to the Distagon, and I doubt it would perform any better. The ZM is a fantastic lens.

The Milich ZM mount for the M8, yes while expensive, is truly well made and accurate. It has the notches cut so you can code the lens. It does make a difference when usung the UV/IR filters, as it cuts out the cyan vignetting.

Anyway, the ZM is available now and is well worth it. Why loose great picture oppurtunities? Geet it!
 
BillBlackwell said:
The 18mm lens out of the box brings up the wrong framelines for the M8 (24/35 IIRC). Zeiss will change out the mount for no charge - the 28mm framelines (and 6-bid coding) need to be activated in order to fool the camera into thinking a WATE is mounted.

In any case, once these adjustments were made, the 18mm ZM quickly became one of my favorite lenses on the M8 - 24mm equivalent.
Click to expand...

I don't understand it. Why is it important to get the 28mm framelines? Why should the camera think a different lens is mounted???
For this lens I don't need any framelines at all because I would use an external finder.
 
Last edited:
Philippe D. said:
I have the 18 Distagon ZM since it came out, and I love it on the Leica M8.
If you have a lot of $ and could wait for 2-3 months more, i would be curious what Leica is going to offer at this focal length at the next PhotoChina.
Click to expand...

Dear Philippe,

Why compete with the Tri-Elmar? Unless they're planning an f/2.8...?

And be fair: not EVERYTHING at photokina is Chinese-made!

Cheers,

R.
 
Hello Roger,
Roger Hicks said:
Why compete with the Tri-Elmar? Unless they're planning an f/2.8...?
Click to expand...
"Tri-Elmar" ... What is that ?
Or as Summicron ?
Bulky and very expensive. 😛
And be fair: not EVERYTHING at photokina is Chinese-made!
Click to expand...
Wait till September for the photochina. 😉
I bet well over 50% will come from there.
And not the best, for sure.
 
tom.w.bn said:
For this lens I don't need any framelines at all because I would use an external finder.
Click to expand...

Yes, you do need the correct framelines. Otherwise it won't do you any good to code the lens as a Tri-Elmar. Due to the wrong framelines the camera will not recognize the coding as such.

Btw, i have both lenses, the 18mm Distagon and the CV 15mm Ultra wide Heliar. Both are outstanding lenses. Since their characteristics are completely different, both are worthwhile having.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom