First lens set for M8: what would you do?

[keithdunlop]

Greetings,

So I'm taking delivery of my first M8 next week and I'm still undecided about my initial lens set. The M8 will accompany my D3 for wedding work and will be used primarily for low-light wide-angle preparation and chapel shots were the DSLR AF does not perform as well as I'd like.

I really want my primary lens to be the 28/2.0 Summicron, but the price pretty much blows my complete budget. Alternatively, I can pick up three Zeiss lenses (18/4.0, 25/2.8, 50/2.0) and save a lot of money. The 25mm would get the most work, but the 2.8 speed defeats my intended purpose for the M8.

By taking advantage of the UK lens rebates I can get the M8 and 28/2.0 for $5,538.00. The lens alone would save me nearly $1,800 over US retail prices. It seems dumb not to take advantage of the current rebate coupled with the GBP exchange rate, but it leaves me with just a single lens.

However, for $5,400 I can get the M8 body with Zeiss lenses of 18/4.0 and 25/2.8, and for $600.00 more add the Zeiss 50/2.0.

Therefore, the choice is to have a more complete kit and sacrifice speed, or get what I really want and have only one lens for now (and built out the rest of the kit later). I need to keep my total budget to around $6,000.

What would you do?

 

[Bill Blackwell]

Think about it...

If this is the extent of your problems you're doing pretty well, I would say.

 

[tmfabian]

i'm a huge practitioner of the one body one lens dealy, so I don't find anything restricting about picking up the 28/2 as an only lens for the time being, especially since you've stated you want it for low light wide angle work, although with the crop the 28 may not be wide enough for you.

in my gut, i'm gathering from what you're used to it may be a better idea to go the zeiss route, and the 18 will come in handy when a 28 just isn't wide enough in smaller rooms.

 

[Keith]

Have you considered the 28mm Ultron at f1.9? It's very happy on an M8 'cause it aint little' ... and it's performance seriously belies it's price.

 

[noimmunity]

The M8 will ... be used primarily for low-light wide-angle preparation and chapel shots were the DSLR AF does not perform as well as I'd like.

Therefore, the choice is to have a more complete kit and sacrifice speed, or get what I really want and have only one lens for now

As a rule, you should get what you really want now, or you will inevitably go through the process of buying something, finding it isn't what you want, and eventually selling it, perhaps at a loss. But what you probably really want is the Leica 25/1.4 . :bang:

May I suggest that you seriously consider the Nokton 35/1.2 . The moderate wide becomes a normal on the M8, but it will have all the speed and impeccable performance without focus shift on the M8 at all apertures that you want.

 

[Bill Blackwell]

Have you considered the 28mm Ultron at f1.9? It's very happy on an M8 'cause it aint little' ... and it's performance seriously belies its price.

The 28mm Ultron f/2 (in M mount) ‘aint so bad either - and it is small... It performs almost as well as the Summicron overall and rivals its performance wide-open.

If you go the CV/Zeiss route, do yourself a favor and get your lenses coded - your M8 experience will be much closer to "love" in your love-hate relationship with it. Contact John Milich (JM@milich.com).

 

[figfoto]

one lens you may want to look at is the 24mm. little wider than the 28, excellent d o f at f2.8, gotten really good crops making it [for me at least] a great one lens only. budget permitting the 24mm and a 50 1.4 lux together covers everything you may run into.

 

[figfoto]

forgot, with the M8 you don't need the external finder for the 24mm.

 

[Nh3]

Why would you use the camera with the cropped sensor for wideangle?

But then again what do I know...

 

[Ken Ford]

I've always thought a Tri-Elmar would be a great lens to keep on an M8 most of the time!

 

[Al Kaplan]

If you're used to working with a DSLR you might find that the rangefinder experience just doesn't work for you at all. Some people have trouble going back and forth between RFDR a SLR on a fast paced shoot. Then there's the "cropped sensor" issue turning your wide angles into not so wides. Finally, wedding photography is the last place where there's an advantage to shooting with the very latest apochromatic aspheric pricey lenses. You just don't need that level of micro-contrast, and the brides could care less. In fact a lot of brides would be more likely to fawn over some dreamy looking photos of themselves shot with an old uncoated 50mm Summar used wide open at f/2. You'll save a fortune on diffusion filters.

Until you're positive that a rangefinder is for you I'd suggest getting an M2 film body, a couple of older "dreamier" lenses, and get your film scanned by the lab.

 

[keithdunlop]

Why would you use the camera with the cropped sensor for wideangle?

But then again what do I know...

Because Nikon doesn't make a wide angle lens faster than 2.8, and the full-frame rangefinder option to the M8 doesn't exist.

 

[keithdunlop]

If you're used to working with a DSLR you might find that the rangefinder experience just doesn't work for you at all.

Actually, up until a few years ago all I shot with was a pair of M7's. I also used to have a SS M3 that I dearly miss. The rangefinder philosophy is a far better fit for my personality and style, but sometimes it's the right tool for the job and sometimes it isn't.

 

[Bill Blackwell]

I've always thought a Tri-Elmar would be a great lens to keep on an M8 most of the time!

This is my normal kit (the discontinued 35/50/28 Tri-Elmar, that is). This lens is getting hard to find - and it will cost you a few bucks if you do find it (which is why I didn't mention it earlier in this thread).

 

[dof]

Just to share my own experience here, I've found that the combination of the M8 with the 28mm Summicron is very good for shooting small groups and events. I debated getting a 24mm lens when making my own choice, but the larger maximum aperture won out. I can't say that I've regretted the decision.

Bear in mind that I've never been a huge fan of wide angle shooting, especially for people shots where faces and mid drifts are likely to gain unflattering distortion. The effective 36mm field of view is both wide and long enough for most situations in which the rangefinder camera is the ideal tool.

-J.

 

[Steve Ash]

You will keep your lens for a long time. Go for your desire.
I love my Summicron 28 btw.

Regards
Steve

 

[Tom Niblick]

$5,538 for a M8/28 Cron... go for it.

I have a Zeiss 21/2.8 that I use for landscape and architecture. Good lens but not something I'd use for wedding work. The Zeiss 25 is reputed to be even sharper and more contrasty.

I, for one, do not have a problem using a M8 and a DSLR. I often shoot hanging out of helicopter doors with a 70-200 Zoom and a M8 with a 21 mounted. One gets the close ups, the other gets the whole scene. The combo would work as well in other stressful situations, like weddings. But for weddings, the 28 cron would be my first choice on the M8 and a 24-120 (or 24-105) on the DSLR.

Tom

www.kauaisprintmaker.com

 

[BigSteveG]

I'd return the M8 and buy a Yashica Lynx for $30.00!!!! Oh, don't forget...you'll need a UV filter as well.

 

[HenningW]

As others have said, get what you really want. That, you'll never regret.

I use 28mm more on my M8's than any other focal length. Mostly I use the Summicron, and when I'm outside in good light the Tri-Elmar for this FOV. If you want wider, get the 15 CV. It's really inexpensive, so no real loss if you decide to sell it and a very good performer on the M8. Nearly a match for the WATE. For a longer lens, there are many 50's available that are decent and affordable. A good 28 that is fast is another matter.

On the 28's, the two fast CV lenses each have their problems, and I didn't like either. The focus shift is too strong on the new lens, and the corners never did come in properly. This was even a specially selected lens. The older Ultron had too much flare and was a bit 'muddy'. Cosina makes some fine lenses, but these are not them.

Henning

 

[gavinlg]

get an ultron 28mm f2 instead of the summi and the zeiss 25, and then follow up with a planar 50mm and an 18mm zeiss. Best of all worlds!