m9 lens choices

[nobbylon]

OK, those with m9's. how good is the pre asph 50 lux on it? the 35 pre asph lux? the v.4 cron 35 and lastly a 50 v.5 cron. I'm seriously considering one now. I would prob sell off my m6 and a couple of my lenses to reduce my outlay. Keep my m2 for film backup. I'd love to try one out for myself but my local dealer, Henny's doesn't have one i can try. Honest opinions please from those that use these lenses on an m9. thanks j

 

[tightsqueez]

I have used the 35 Cron IV and the 50 Cron V with the M9.

The 35 Cron IV is a dream on the M9. I absolutely love it. However, the 50 front focuses like it's no one's business. Funny thing is that it tests out fine with most of my film cameras (M6, MP, M7). Not sure what the issue is but my copy is worthless on the M9. My 75 Cron is even worse with the M9, as it front focuses with all my film cameras (needs adjusted so it really has nothing to do with the M9).

The biggest problem that I have found is that many of my lenses will not focus correctly with my M9; some back focus, some front focus. If you could, I'd recommend testing the lenses you want to use with the camera. I emailed Golden Touch about adjusting the 75 Cron and she wouldn't do it - she had recommended sending my lens along with the M9. NO WAY I am sending 40k worth of glass along with the M9 to NJ!

I consider myself blessed that my 24 Lux, 35 Cron, 35 Lux ASPH and Noct all focus fine with my particular M9.

Funny but I don't really miss many of those other lenses. Consider my view on the world simplified.

 

[jaapv]

The way you tell it it is probably a simple matter of having the offending lenses adjusted. I would contact DAG if I were you. Lenses should be adjusted to a reference body, not your M9, and if needed the body against a reference lens. That is the only way to get consistency in a larger system.

As to the question of the OP. In my experience lenses that perform well on film will yield as good or better results on the M9, provided they are properly set up. Btw, if you want to shoot your lenses on an M9, just turn up in Hoogvliet (my practice) with them and an SD card.

The tolerances in the film era could be much, much larger than they are now on a sensor camera. The sensor is adjusted to 1/1000th of a mm. A value a film, through its physical thickness and its lack of flatness can't even approach by a large margin. That makes the difference in critical lens adjustment.

 

[nobbylon]

Jaap,
that's a very nice offer, thank you. I know they are short supply but one would think that if you are prepaired to spend what these cost that Leica would organise for dealers to have at least 1 demo model.
As you probably know, I'm mainly a D700 shooter for digital but I'm thinking an M9 with a couple of lenses would compliment, not replace my Nikon. I've always been impressed and satisfied with the glass on my film M's and if they look similar on the M9 then I will order one. I'll PM you,
best regards john

 

[Roger Hicks]

My pre-asheric 35 Summilux is as much my standard lens on the M9 as it is on film.

Cheers,

R.

 

[nobbylon]

Roger,
I've never liked the pre asph 35 shots i've done on film so i'm interested to see what the digital ones look like. This is the one lens I will probably sell!
regards john