Decisions, decisions (newbie here)

alien8 said:
I think the only issue I have with the 40 approach (apart from the view being less wide than the 35) is that the camera doesn't have frame lines for it, and I'd prefer not to have to deal with an external finder, which I think would slow me down white a bit. Cheers.
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Don't bother with that, when I checked the 35mm framelines match my 40mm just about perfect on distances over a few (2-3) meters. The framelines are very conservative and you'll end up with a lot more on the negative than you expected if you use the 35mm. The only "problem" is that you'll have to bring out a file and take a millimeter off a flange on the 40mm lens mount to make the 35mm frames show up.

I started with a 50/2, bought a 90/2.8 and a 25/4, sold the 50, bought a 40/2 and then another, older 50/2 DR. Which do I use the most? 40mm by far, probably 90% of the time. I'm actually considering selling one or two of the other lenses (but I can't decide which ones).

IMHO, the 40/2 is one of the most underrated M-mount lenses. I've also read that it has a signature very close to the 35/2 IV ("king of bokeh") but since I don't own one I haven't compared.
 
.JL. said:
I have used the v4 35 summicron for several years, and it's still my main lens. I trust x-ray's opinion that the zm 35/2 is both optically and mechanically superior, and was tempted to make the switch many times. The reasons not to do so are size, weight, and that I am too familiar with the controls of the v4. At this point, I don't want to worry about getting used to the 1/3 click stop aperture ring for my main focal length. If I am starting the M-system today, yes I would likely go for the Biogon.

photos with v4
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When I say the Biogon is better it's nothing that would knock you over. the differences are slight and to most peoples shooting there is virtually no difference. If you're shooting at f2 all the time and enlarging to 20 inches and a darn good photographer then you may see the difference. If you have a v4 and like it then stay with it. IMO I didn't like the ergonomics of the v4 and had focusing mount problems but optically it mafe fine images. Do I see a difference, only slight differences at widest apertures in very large prints.
 
The CV II is a great little lens, expecially when you consider the price. At this time, the 35 is the focal length I use as walk-around lens. And I really like compact lenses.
So for me, it's either the CV II or the pre-asp summicon IV, which I am currently using.
I had a biogon for a while and it was certainly a nice lens. But all things considered - image quality, size and weight) the summicron just fits me better.

But if money is an issue, I think you are onto something with the idea of CV lenses. You could pick up three different focal lengths in CV glass and be quite happy with the image quality.
 
alien8 said:
Okay, I think these posts have helped to clarify my thinking a little. It's a choice between laying out fairly big $$ for the biogon or saving some and getting the pancake II, which would probably allow me to get another voigtlander in a different focal length, or just save for something later. I've had trouble finding any complete reviews of the pancake II. Mr. Putts doesn't seem to have reviewed it for example.
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That was my dilema too (saving and getting several CV lenses OR spend more and get a Zeiss) until I find an excellent Planar 50/2 on eBay at MatsuiyaStore last weekend.

If I did not spend the money on the Planar I would have purchased Voigtlander lenses. Btw as you are in Montreal check Camtec Photo on Notre-Dame. They have the CV 35/2 PII in stock and it's cheaper than to get it from the USA.

I have not tried this lens but it gets excellent reviews here and on photo.net, all I can say from handling it at Camtec is that build quality is excellent... and boy this lens is tiny!
 
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ocean7 said:
If I did not spend the money on the Planar I would have purchased Voigtlander lenses. Btw as you are in Montreal check Camtec Photo on Notre-Dame. They have the CV 35/2 PII in stock and it's cheaper than to get it from the USA.

I have not tried this lens but it gets excellent reviews here and on photo.net, all I can say from handling it at Camtec is that build quality is excellent... and boy this lens is tiny!
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Really? Cheaper than getting from the US, even with today's exchange rate? That would be very interesting to me. Usually photo equipment is much cheaper to get from the states. I'll have to go to camtec and check it out!
 
Michiel Fokkema said:
Hi,

According to Erwin Puts the ZM is wide open as good as the Summicron v4.
http://www.imx.nl/photo/zeiss/the_new_zeiss_zm_lenses_2_t.html
How do you guys know the ZM is better than the asph. Summicron?

Cheers,

Michiel Fokkema
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40 years of shooting Leicas professionally and owning both the Zeiss 35 and asph Summicron. Over the years I've owned and shot the v1 summilux 35, v1 summicron 35 and v4 summicron 35. I'm not basing it on what someone said or wrote but on personal experience under demanding conditions.

I don't think Putts has any of his photography on his site anymore but it's very obvious the guy doesn't know a good image from a bad. He's a numbers technician and that's what's important to him. His testing examples technically were very poor not to mention the lack of aesthetics. If he posts poor images technically I hesitate to believe his testing methods are any better. The images that were in his gallery were no better than his testing sample images and I would assume a person would put what they feel is their best work as an example of what they know and can do. If this is the case then he doesn't know much photography and doesn't have much of an eye.
 
Wow, I just check their site and you are right, Philippe, they have very good prices compared to others in Canada: Their site

Much cheaper for me than importing from the US. I'll have to visit them asap.
 
alien8 said:
Wow, I just check their site and you are right, Philippe, they have very good prices compared to others in Canada: Their site

Much cheaper for me than importing from the US. I'll have to visit them asap.
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Sure. The 35/2 PII is CA$ 300 plus taxes, Cameraquest sell it for US$ 319 plus US$ 40 shipping. If you are lucky it will go through customs without a fee but otherwise you'll have to add taxes on top of that. Mind you Stephen at Cameraquest has a LOT more in stock than Camtec but for the CV pancake the local store is a no brainer.
 
x-ray said:
40 years of shooting Leicas professionally and owning both the Zeiss 35 and asph Summicron. Over the years I've owned and shot the v1 summilux 35, v1 summicron 35 and v4 summicron 35. I'm not basing it on what someone said or wrote but on personal experience under demanding conditions.

I don't think Putts has any of his photography on his site anymore but it's very obvious the guy doesn't know a good image from a bad. He's a numbers technician and that's what's important to him. His testing examples technically were very poor not to mention the lack of aesthetics. If he posts poor images technically I hesitate to believe his testing methods are any better. The images that were in his gallery were no better than his testing sample images and I would assume a person would put what they feel is their best work as an example of what they know and can do. If this is the case then he doesn't know much photography and doesn't have much of an eye.
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I take Putts' write ups with a grain of salt.
 
Rhoyle said:
Whatever lens you get, you're going to be amazed at how much better wide-angle photography is with a rangfinder over SLR. Use and enjoy!
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In what way? I'd appreciate it if you can elaborate a little.
 
Alien, look through the viewfinder of your M6 and decide which view you like the best, and then buy a 35mm or a 50mm lens. And, when it comes to 35s, be ready to pounce at the first Konica Hexanon 36/f2 you see come up. I have one, and it's a magnificent lens... sharp even wide open! 🙂

Otherwise, to be quite honest, any lens will do (except for the Jupiter 12, due to its large rear element), because I don't think there's a bad lens out in the market.
 
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