75mm or 90mm on the Leica M8?

[bherman]

Hi;

Thinking about a telephoto for my M8. I realize that there is a 'crop factor' of 1.33x, so the 75 is really a 100, and the 90 is really a 120. I do have a 1.4x Viewfinder Magnifier, but is a 90mm really "too much"?

Thanks

Brad

 

[ramosa]

Brad: There are lots of posts on both 1) tele lens choices and 2) viewfinder magnifiers.

Tele lens choice between 75 and 90: I split the difference and got a Rollei Planar 80mm. I like the rendering and that the focal length is really about 106mm (per M8 cropping). Deciding between a 75 and 90 is really a matter of how you shoot and what other lenses you have. In this latter regard, some think 75 is too close to 50. (If I hadn't gotten the 80, I'm sure I would have gotten a 90.)

Viewfinder magnifiers: I recommend that, if you buy one, you buy it from a top seller (e.g., B&H), so you can return it if you don't like it. I tried the Leica 1.25x and 1.4x and decided that I really don't need them. I returned them both without any hesitation. (That said, my eyesight is still pretty good and I really like to downsize the amount of equipment that I need to deal with.)

 

[tbarker13]

I've tried at least 3 different 90s and 3 75s on the M8. In the end, I find the 75 to be best for my own eye. I don't have to use an eyepiece magnifier (which I hated, when I had one) - something I did need with a 90.
Great lenses out there in either FL, so just find one that works for you.

 

[Damaso]

The 90 on the M8 is a great tight portrait lens. The 75 is great too but by no means is the 90 too much

 

[Bavaricus]

Brad: choice first in line depends on your likes and dislikes in focal lenght. Just try it and switch your VF from the 50/75 mask to the 28/90 and decide.

ramosa: you're a happy guy, there were only < 200 pc made of the Planar 80!

 

[ferider]

Two additional things to consider, Brad: you can have f1.4 in 75, and Summicron and Summilux 75mm have 0.7m min. focus.

 

[Phil_F_NM]

The new CV 75mm f/1.8 is a fantastic lens on the M8, in my opinion. I see myself using it on the M8 most of the time when shooting with two bodies; 1 M8, 1 M9. M8 for the longer lenses, M9 for the wides.
The 75 f/1.8 is the first 75mm lens I've owned, though I've gotten to play with the Leica 75s which are bigger and heftier than the CV. The Leica Summarit 75 and the CV 75 f/2.5 are smaller still and surely nice to carry daily.
As the focal length has a FOV of a 100mm lens, it's hitting that sweet spot for portraiture that the 105 Nikkor does in full frame. I have one of those as well and love it very much but it is a large and heavy lens. A formidable weight on an M9 for carry.
I think any of the 75mm lenses are excellent on the M8 and really am liking the new CV 75 f/1.8 myself.

Phil Forrest

 

[seakayaker1]

The new CV 75mm f/1.8 is a fantastic lens on the M8, in my opinion. I see myself using it on the M8 most of the time when shooting with two bodies; 1 M8, 1 M9. M8 for the longer lenses, M9 for the wides.
The 75 f/1.8 is the first 75mm lens I've owned, though I've gotten to play with the Leica 75s which are bigger and heftier than the CV. The Leica Summarit 75 and the CV 75 f/2.5 are smaller still and surely nice to carry daily.
As the focal length has a FOV of a 100mm lens, it's hitting that sweet spot for portraiture that the 105 Nikkor does in full frame. I have one of those as well and love it very much but it is a large and heavy lens. A formidable weight on an M9 for carry.
I think any of the 75mm lenses are excellent on the M8 and really am liking the new CV 75 f/1.8 myself.

Phil Forrest

+1 on using the CV 75/1.8 with the M8! Love this lens!

Life is Grand!

Dan

 

[Tom Niblick]

I'm a huge fan of the 90. I have both the 90 tele elmarit and the 90 elmarit M. The 90 makes a great head and shoulders lens on a M8 and a good close up lens. Actually, it sees more action on my M8 than it ever did on my M4. In most cases my M8/90 combo replaces my DSLR with either a 105 DC or 80-200 zoom.

 

[woodleica]

The 75mm summarit is a fantastic lens on the M8 and I've gotten some of my best portraits using it.

 

[tbarker13]

I'd have more examples if my M8 weren't off for repairs for the past two months.
But here are a few shots with the 75/1.8.


Either at f 2.8 or 4.

Either at f 2.8 or 4.

And one shot wide open, with foliage in the background just to see how it rendered.

 

[Nick De Marco]

Great photos Tim, especially 1 and 2.
I love the CV 75/1.8 too, which I originally bought for film, but shall now also use for any telephoto work on my M8.2. 100mm equiv is more than enough for me.

 

[nex100]

I was contemplating a 90mm summarit vs a CV 75/1.8 and in the end I got a 90mm summarit. The lens is not light but the package is still considered to be small. The edge to edge sharpness at infinity at F2.5 is amazing. Lens is easy to focus but if needs critical focus then you will need a magnifier.

 

[Artorius]

Why not both or...

Why not both or...

Why not use them both. I use the 75, 90 and 135 with my M8. I like them all.

 

[jarski]

100 equiv. here, currently using CV75/2.5. if going full frame one day, probably get 90/100 and sell 75, which is then too close to 50.

 

[mathomas]

I don't find it to be too tough to handle a 90mm on the M8. I don't shoot it that often, but when you need the reach, you need it. I currently have a Konica M-Hexanon 90mm f/2.8, and I shoot without a magnifier (though I would kinda like to have one).

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