Might be getting an M8 and have a CV 1st lens questions

[Keyne]

So I think my wife might have purchased me an M8 as an early christmas gift (YAY) but I am wondering what would be a good first lens purchase. After reading many many posts here and on other forums I am somewhat more confused than ever.

Couple of parameters:

- I like to shoot travel and started shooting some street photography.
- I like fast primes which seems like a good fit for an M8 that isnt the best at higher ISOs
- I would love to get a Leica lens eventually but for now I like the price point of the CV lenses... I was really hoping to only spend about $600 for the lens.
- I need a lens to use with the camera when it arrives so I can check it within the return and warranty period. Therefore, looking around or waiting for used to gear to showup on the market for this first lens could be risky. Instead I would rather buy this first lens new or used from a reputable dealer and have it available ASAP to test the camera.

Based on the above criteria I was thinking a great first choice would be a CV28 f2 bought new from Cameraquest (so I can return it if necessary). However, after reading about focus shift, etc. I am think maybe thats not a good choice and I should either go with the CV35 1.2 (More $$ but be happier) or a Zeiss 28 f2.8 (again more dollars....).

Overall I am hoping to build out a kit with a fast 28, 35, and 50 with maybe a 15 and 75 as well. However, I am coming from Micro4/3rds so I want to try different focal lenghts relatively inexpensively to make sure I know what I want.

Is the CV28 f2 really that bad a choice for a first lens?

 

[back alley]

try to find a clean 28/1.9...no focus shift, plenty sharp. not too big but nice and fast.

 

[hteasley]

I don't have experience with that lens, but I'll put my bid in for the Zeiss 35/2,8 C-Biogon. Nothing I don't love about that lens.

I recently got a CV 35/1,4 Nokton (multicoated), and while it's not the sharpest lens, I like the pictures I get from it. Certainly cheaper than the C-Biogon new, in any case.

 

[Stephen G]

CV 50/1.5 is a killer lens, and a steal for the price.

 

[Darshan]

Are you sure your wife didn't get a lens too? Maybe THAT is the surprise, cuz you already know about the camera...😀😀

 

[thompsonks]

No, IMO you don't want a 50 for a 1st lens for M8 – the equivalent focal length is 67mm.

Of the CV lenses that have been mentioned, 28 f2 & esp. 50 1.4 would alsd be poor choices, because they focus-shift.

All the other suggestions are sound. Used Ultron 1.9 would be nice. You might find one with a coded mount. Also a used 35 Summicron: over budget but a keeper.

I hope you don't let anyone talk you into 28 Elmarit. Lots of used ones around, but too contrasty; IMO not as nice as equivalent & less expensive Zeiss.

May I suggest you subscribe right away to ReidReviews? Fine reviews of lenses for Leica. $35 subscription, but you'll save muchmore than that!

Kirk

 

[jaapv]

No, IMO you don't want a 50 for a 1st lens for M8 – the equivalent focal length is 67mm.

Of the CV lenses that have been mentioned, 28 f2 & esp. 50 1.4 would alsd be poor choices, because they focus-shift.

All the other suggestions are sound. Used Ultron 1.9 would be nice. You might find one with a coded mount. Also a used 35 Summicron: over budget but a keeper.

I hope you don't let anyone talk you into 28 Elmarit. Lots of used ones around, but too contrasty; IMO not as nice as equivalent & less expensive Zeiss.

May I suggest you subscribe right away to ReidReviews? Fine reviews of lenses for Leica. $35 subscription, but you'll save muchmore than that!

Kirk

I used to have the Zeiss - nice lens. But I bought a 3rd generation Elmarit 28 and that imo is considerbly nicer. Better microcontrast, less clinical look, better bokeh.

 

[efix]

The Nokton 50/1.5 is indeed a very very good lens, I absolutely love it on the M8, and you can bet your a$$ I won't ever give it away 🙂 The 67mm-equivalent f-o-v might be a bit restrictive, though, if it's your only lens. The Nokton 35/1.4 isn't everyone's cup of tea as it is a "character" lens - it does exhibit focus shift (quite heavily in some copies, moderate in others, mine was terrible) and has a rather "classic" rendering with visible distortion and rather unpleasing bokeh (which is of course a matter of personal taste, I admit - some seem to like it). The Nokton 35/1.2 is reported to be a killer lens, large and heavy but optically excellent. Judging from pictures publicly available it indeed is. If size is not so much a matter, I'd go with that one. If you want a wider field-of-view, I think either an 4th version Elmarit 28, a Zeiss 28/2.8 or an Ultron 28/1.9 might be the way to go, but keep in mind the Ultron is 1/3rd the price of the Zeiss or the Elmarit.

In the end, you're going to buy and sell lenses anyway, until you found a setup you like. So maybe you should just get one that fits into your budget, see if you like it and eventually move on from there.

 

[noimmunity]

I'd suggest a Nokton 40/1.4. Gives you speed, doesn't shift, is compact, has good bokeh above f/2, a normal FOV, fits your budget (leaving room to stretch for a 21 or 25, even!), and with the framelines of the M8 will pretty much match the 35 FL except at minimum distance.

 

[dfoo]

First you need to decide whether you want a 35mm or 50mm equivalent lens as your first lens. For 35mm equivalent 28/1.9 is a decent lens. It blocks part of the finder though which I dislike immensely. An alternative would be an elmarit or CV 28/3.5. For a 50mm equivalent 35mm summicron is the cats meow. If you want a CV then 35/1.7 ultron is apparently a strong performer.

 

[Keyne]

Thanks for all the help thus far. What about a CV 35 1.4? That seems to get better reviews than the other CV lenses and is M-mount unlike the 28 1.9 that requires an adapter. Are there any downsides to using a screw mount with an adapter? I was thinking it might even be easier to use one because I could code the adapter and not the lens itself.

 

[f16sunshine]

Another vote for the 40mm Nokton. 40mm is perfect for the M8. You can easily modify the flange to bring up the 35mm frame lines which is a very nice fit. It's a compact fast sharp modern lens. Perfect starting point.

 

[ferider]

try to find a clean 28/1.9...no focus shift, plenty sharp. not too big but nice and fast.

What he said. If you like 35 in full frame, the 28/1.9 must be the ideal M8 lens. No focus shift, no distortion, nice bokeh wide open and very sharp at f4.

Roland.

 

[rpsawin]

FYI...
The M8/8.2 crop factor is 1.33. I made this reference chart to help me with lens selections. The left column is the 35mm focal length and the right is the "factored" length. Personally, I find I use my 28mm & 35mm the most on my M8.

I hope this helps,

Bob


35mm - 1.33 Factor
18 24
21 28
24 32
25 33
28 37
35 47
40 53
50 67
75 100
90 120
135 180

 

[Keyne]

What about a Zeiss 35/2.8 Biogon? Would the 2.8 be too slow? I want to make sure I can get some nice OOF bokah.

 

[Damaso]

I use the 35 f1.7 on my M8 with very good results...

 

[f16sunshine]

Very nice!

I use the 35 f1.7 on my M8 with very good results...

 

[tbarker13]

Well, if you really want fast (at least 1.4), you are going to get it easiest (cheapest) with a 35mm or 50mm lens.
And for a first lens, a 35mm is generally a better option than a 50mm because of the crop factor.
So if you opt for a 35mm lens, you'd be best served looking at the CV 35/1.2 or CV 35/1.4. They are very different lenses, but certainly both have their pluses - which are well-documented throughout this forum.

If it were me, I'd pick one of those two as my first/only lens. Personally I'd go with the 35/1.4, because i prefer to keep things small and compact.

 

[Damaso]

Thanks! The lens is a great value for the money as you can see...

Very nice!

 

[dfoo]

35/1.4 is soft at all apertures and has barrel distortion. Zeiss 35/2.8 isn't that compact. V3 or V4 is smaller and doesn't have those annoying 1/3 click stops either.