M8 but no leica lenses. Odd?

I've used Leica glass for over 40 years and when I got my M8 I decides to try the Zeiss 21mm f2.8 Biogon, big mistake, any of my 40 year old lenses is sharper than it. I will never buy anything but Leica glass again. Too those that have never tried Leica glass and rave about their CV's & ZM's, you don't know what your missing!
 
rolleistef said:
How do you manage with wide angles? If you need a fast enough 28 equ. do you have a 18/2.8 at reach?
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I rarely shot that range even with zooms. I just jump on the M8 from 28mm to the CV 12/5.6 and 15. Have ASPH 24 on order.
 
Patman said:
I've used Leica glass for over 40 years and when I got my M8 I decides to try the Zeiss 21mm f2.8 Biogon, big mistake, any of my 40 year old lenses is sharper than it. I will never buy anything but Leica glass again. Too those that have never tried Leica glass and rave about their CV's & ZM's, you don't know what your missing!
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Will you sell me your Zeiss 21mm 2.8 cheap?
 
Patman said:
Too those that have never tried Leica glass and rave about their CV's & ZM's, you don't know what your missing!
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I had Leica glass for my M6 and M3 (the mid-90s 21mm Elmarit, 35mm Summicron and 1970s 50mm Summicron) but sold all my M equipment several years ago to concentrate on the R system. When I bought an M8 I decided to use CV lenses until I had worked out which focal lengths I liked best and would then buy the appropriate Leica lens.

Guess what? The CV lens set I've assembled produces such good results that I really can't see any difference from what I'm getting with the Leica lenses (the 21-35 and 28-90 zooms) I use with my R8 and DMR. I therefore intend to stick with CV lenses for the foreseeable future. I certainly wouldn't have been able to afford so many lenses if I hadn't bought CV. They are very good value, and even more so bought secondhand from a reputable dealer such as Ffordes
 
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I posted this elsewhere although after reading this thread, I felt that some of it may apply from a new guy's perspective.

..."After reading hundreds of posts and asking hundreds of questions together with "Reids Reviews", "Erwin Puts" and those boring ass Leica pdf files (I read them all), I was left with two viable directions based on advise from a true lens guru. He said, I could aim for a “lens set” or a “lens collection”. He allowed me to learn from his mistakes and now I’m 2/3rd complete. In order of precedents, I went with 28/50/21...". Yes, I did in fact choose to go with Leica simply because I was able to find more information on their performance than with other brands.

If I had to do over again, I may well have opted for a different brand although I personally like the direction I’m heading, aside of course from being broke!"
Regards,:D
 
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When I shot LF, I used a mix of lenses, Nikkor, Rodenstock, Fuji...never once really cared what or who made the lens, just knew that was what I needed for image field and could afford. With the M8, it is mostly the same, I have CV, Zeiss, Leica lenses, there are so many other factors leading to final image quality, the viewing media - monitor or print, how the image is post processed, whether it was shot handheld or on a tripod, what brand a particular lens is, is most likely the least important factor. ...and I have actually tested lenses I was going to buy side by side and did the same post and printing, and in most cases if there are ANY differences they are extremely small and not always going to the most expensive lens as being the best....
 
Lens choices are a personal choice based on a boat load of factors including, image quality, cost, how it handles, size, etc... including prestige of branding.

So no... I don't think it is odd. Buy whatever makes you enjoy the camera.. regardless of the branding. It is no more odd than a Canon or Nikon shooter with a set of Sigma lenses. Every brand has their "hits" and "misses".

I have a mix of Leica and C/V with a Zeiss lens being considered for my next purchase.
 
Well I certainly seem to be headed toward a very diversified kit. I'll probably end up with one or two Leica lenses. The rest will be Nikon, CV and hexanon.
Over time, I'm sure this will continue to rotate.

I do appreciate all the input and assisting me with recognizing what i already know to be true.
 
Wow, a Leica glass bashing thread! Cute but unrealistic.

Everybody knows that Leitz lenses are the best in the world.
 
i worried about both buying an M 8 'cos autistically rather than artistically , it was the only digital camera which I could connect to , AND that my lenses were a superb Fed collapsisble which betters my 50s Elmar and Summitar , and that I prefer that vintage look .

My Leica Digilux 3 is now fitted with what must be the smallest ex-50mm , 100mm telephoto ever - an ex-Zenit 3 39mm I 50 , and I love it !

I was advised by those here just to do what's right for me , not to get hung up on the what should be etc .

I have now indulged in a Voightlander 35mm f 2.5 Classic , which I understand to be discontinued / improved - who cares ? I love it !

dee
 
When I hear some of you more seasoned photographers talk about lens qualities, it reminds me of those who indulge in wine tasting. Frankly, I doubt that my camera skills will ever match that of the lenses I use. My photos will either be in focus or not. Hopefully, I have learned something along the way with respect to composition and timing.
Regards,
 
Certainly it is true that if you are happy with the results it makes no difference which brand lenses yo use. However, why choose the M8 as the platform and not use any Leica lenses/ ( except for price considerations). It is the M8 that has the problems that require the various workarounds. I use leica lenses from the sixties that work well, and I have two CV lenses that are adequate. Still ,it is the leica glass that keeps the mystique alive, not the aggravating M8. DR
 
The beauty of the M8 is the choices it gives you. 90+% of the time I have a 35mm Summicron IV on mine, but the Voigtlander 15mm is usually in my bag if I need it.

Before I got the M8 I went to Mexico with the RD-1, and in a possibly misplaced desire to minimize loss in case of Robbery I had a $5 Russian 50mm mounted. It took great pictures, but for some reason I never have put it on the Leica. Probably would restrict myself to B&W, as the filter ring on the Industar is busted, but it is neat to have the option.

For me, the three-dimensional quality of images from the Leica lenses is a thing of beauty.
 
Patman said:
As soon as I replace it, it's yours.
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Too late, someone made me a very good offer and I now have a Zeiss 21 mm. Hope you find your replacement and a buyer, Patman.

Requisite camera porn:
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Requisite test shot:
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