Lens advice please

[Gawain Hewitt]

Hello,

So after many years of wanting one, I have finally found a way of affording an M8 (not M8.2) and would appreciate some advice on my choice of lens.

Currently I am looking at a second hand Leica Summicron 35mm f2. It is a 1992 German model.

I am happy with the focal length, and provided I can use it wide open the aperture is great too. The fact it is compact is also good for me.

What I would appreciate views on are:

This is the only lens I would be able to afford for a very long time (buying this system will clean me out) can anyone think of any reasons to look at something else. The price is £699 to give you a context of my budget.
Is it worth sending it to leica to have it 6 bit encoded? If I don't how does that work?
Are there framelines for this focal length? I am unclear as to whether I would be using the "35mm" frameline or a "42ish" to allow for 1.3x.
I have been using a 35mm Zeiss ZK f2 of my Pentax for a few years and love it, so in a way I am looking for something similar but slightly wider (which it would be with the 1.3x on the leica). So in a way the obvious choice would be the ZM zeiss, however I would like a Leica lens really.

Also is there a leather case i can get along the lines of the luigi case, but that covers the lens as well while looking good? (I really like the D Lux 2 case for example)

Many thanks for your time and I look forward to joining your ranks as a rangefinder user.

Regards

Gawain

 

[f16sunshine]

In that price range I would look for a 2/35 biogon. I kept mine over the latest version Summicron. Zeiss color and contrast/microcontrast pulled me. If you want a bit wider the biogon 2.8/25 may be a better companion to the reflex Distagon you are using now. Look for a later one that brings up the 24mm franelunes in the m8. Excellent sharp lens even WO.

 

[user237428934]

For the 35mm lens you have the 35mm framelines. The crop-factor ist already included in the calculation of the framelines.

 

[Gawain Hewitt]

In that price range I would look for a 2/35 biogon. I kept mine over the latest version Summicron

I've certainly been attracted by the biogon. Is it worth getting it encoded, or is it easy enough to work with as it is? I have no idea what this coding does to be honest!!

 

[johannielscom]

...I have been using a 35mm Zeiss ZK f2 of my Pentax for a few years and love it, so in a way I am looking for something similar but slightly wider (which it would be with the 1.3x on the leica). ...

😕 35mm x 1.3 = 45.5mm That's not wider than the 35mm Zeiss ZK, that's narrower!😱

I have no hands on experience with the Summicron 35mm, sorry about that, I'd like to see shots here though, always nice🙂

 

[Gawain Hewitt]

😕 35mm x 1.3 = 45.5mm That's not wider than the 35mm Zeiss ZK, that's narrower!😱

I have no hands on experience with the Summicron 35mm, sorry about that, I'd like to see shots here though, always nice🙂

Sorry I should have explained that my pentax has a 1.5x crop factor, so my 35mm ZK distagon is essentially a 52.5 lens on that camera.

G

 

[ampguy]

with the latest firmware

with the latest firmware

coding won't do much other than specify that you have a 35mm lens in your EXIF file info.

A UV/IR filter will help if you shoot color, and certain black synthetic materials.

I've certainly been attracted by the biogon. Is it worth getting it encoded, or is it easy enough to work with as it is? I have no idea what this coding does to be honest!!

 

[Photon42]

I've certainly been attracted by the biogon. Is it worth getting it encoded, or is it easy enough to work with as it is? I have no idea what this coding does to be honest!!

Coding gives the camera information about the lens used. There are several advantages to it:

- you have the information in your EXIF data
- the camera is able to remove vignetting
- the camera is able to remove vignetting and a potential color cast from UVIR filters

Coding is commonly advised for lenses of 35mm and below, if an UVIR filter is used. The latter is used to get rid of unwanted color efforts (e.g. magenta cast on black fabric, but not limited to that). Some claim the use of the filter leads to sharper images (I use them all the time, and have never bothered to verify it).

My advise is: Buy an UVIR filter and use it all the time. With the Biogon 35, you may get away w/o coding. I've coded mine permanently - it's a very nice and affordable lens. Search for the John Milich to get additional information.

Cheers
Ivo

 

[Ron (Netherlands)]

Cron 35, just bought it about 3 months ago and is now my preferred standard on the M8.2. Really love it! Paid Euro 920 (comes near your price in GBP?). I feel no need for 6 bit coding (used the 35 so much that I have sold my cron 50 - which was the latest addition btw.

 

[Gawain Hewitt]

Thanks everyone for your time and information.
I have decided to go with the Summicron, as I figure it's a good buy, and if i don't like it would be easy to sell for similar money to what I am paying.
Looking forward to my new rangefinder setup!
Thanks again
Gawain

 

[JWW]

Good decision. If that is the Version IV pre asph, that's one of my favorite lens for the M8 and a good single lens. In time you'll get the urge to add others. When I bought mine used, the previous owner used a marker pen to ink the coding. After a year of using it, it hasn't rubbed off so never bothered with sending it in for coding. Make sure however, regardless of coding, to use UV/IR filters so you get accurate colors.

 

[Eric T]

The 35s mentioned above are great but you must get a CV 15mm f/4.5 lens.
Terrific fun for street photography.
Eric

 

[Gawain Hewitt]

Good decision. If that is the Version IV pre asph, that's one of my favorite lens for the M8 and a good single lens. In time you'll get the urge to add others. When I bought mine used, the previous owner used a marker pen to ink the coding. After a year of using it, it hasn't rubbed off so never bothered with sending it in for coding. Make sure however, regardless of coding, to use UV/IR filters so you get accurate colors.

Yes it is the Version IV pre aspherical.
The urge to buy new lens will be upon me very soon I'm sure, but that's not part of the deal with my wife...

And yes must get the IR filters.

15mm CV lens does sound like fun.

Let's see how I fare!