Newbie Lens Choice Questions

[Graeme]

I'm seriously thinking about an M8, and trying to decide which lens (or lenses if I feel like bankrupting myself) I should get.

I took a look at the camera at the weekend, and a 50 mm seems to be a good size for me. Ideally I'd like to add a longer lens, and (probably) a wider lens. But the short term plan is to go with the 50 initially, and see what I think.

Of course this leads into a few questions:

What are considered to be the sweet spots in terms of lenses for the M8? I've seen a few postings that rate the 75 mm for example.

I've got four options at 50 mm: The Summarit, Summicron, Summilux and Noctilux. What are the trade-offs between these? Is the Noctilux usable as an only lens, or is it too limited (only for low light, small depth of field)?

Going back to relative quality, the RG Lewis in the UK are offering a discount on buying multiple Summarit lenses. I could buy all four for the post-price rise cost of (for example) a WAT-E. Would that be a sane option for a newcomer to Ms?

Any thoughts on the WAT-E? Is the slow speed an issue? Is the Frankenfinder that cumbersome to use? Given the large, impending price rise, would it be worth buying now if I can still find one? Or should I stick to primes instead?

If anyone could point me in the direction of reviews, or even ask me some probing questions to make me think a bit more, then that would be appreciated.

Thanks!

Graeme

 

[Tony C.]

Hi Graeme,

Welcome to the club! You have some obvious variables to consider, including focal length preferences, type of photography which you like to practice, and the amount of money which you are willing to spend. You would be well advised to search the forum using various keywords relating to the different lenses, as you will find a great deal of useful information using that method.

I will add that choice of lenses is really a very personal decision. For example, I love the Noctilux because of the way it draws, its narrow depth of field, and low-light capabilities. However, a fairly large majority of M8 owners would (correctly) advise you to go with the Summilux as a much better all-around fast lens, not mention the price differential.

Choosing the focal lengths which suit is not necessarily an easy task, in part because of the crop factor. I bought a 28mm Summicron, a lens which many M8 users absolutely love, but sold it as I found it to be an 'in-between' focal length. I have since replaced it with a 24mm, which is clearly a wide-angle lens, and I prefer it.

I could go on, but you get the idea. Enjoy the process, and feel free to ask any specific questions which you might have.

 

[Gabriel M.A.]

I'll play Leica-basher Devil's avocado: get the 50mm f/2.5 Voigtlaender-Cosina Snapshot-Skopar. It's cheap, new, and with it you can get an idea if 50mm is the right focal length for you. It has a focusing tab, and you won't be thought of as a newbie snob!

 

[Digital Dude]

Hi Graeme,

...I bought a 28mm Summicron, a lens which many M8 users absolutely love, but sold it as I found it to be an 'in-between' focal length. I have since replaced it with a 24mm, which is clearly a wide-angle lens, and I prefer it.

I could go on, but you get the idea. Enjoy the process, and feel free to ask any specific questions which you might have.

Ok, I'm new too and I have my M8 on order. I've been reading like crazy in order to narrow my option for a "first" lens. In fact, I was looking at the Cron-28 although my initial choice was the 24mm. So, help me understand “in-between focal length”. I’m not sure what that really means.
Regards,

 

[Ronald M]

Standard focal lengths are 35 50 90. In between is greater than 35. less than 50. Also 51 to 89.

Because of the smaller sensor, you need wider lenses to get the same look or angle of view. that would be 24,35, and 50 or 75, one being too short, the other too long.

Do you need a fast lens? If you fancy low light work. If not get something

If you want critical sharpness, get a new design. If you want something softer but not really that soft, get something from the 70`s or 80`s

For a really classic look. Summarit or 3.5 Elmar or Summar. Maybe a Summitar.

 

[Tony C.]

Ok, I'm new too and I have my M8 on order. I've been reading like crazy in order to narrow my option for a "first" lens. In fact, I was looking at the Cron-28 although my initial choice was the 24mm. So, help me understand “in-between focal length”. I’m not sure what that really means.
Regards,

As I'm sure you know, the M8 sensor has a crop factor of 1.33. In practical terms, that means that a 28mm lens is actually equivalent to a 37mm lens (and 50mm equals 67mm, etc.). Now, for many users, the 37mm focal length is appealing, but to my eye, it is somewhere in-between wide and 'normal'. For my purposes, a 35mm lens on the M8 (equivalent to 47mm) provides a more natural perspective.

So for wide-angle, I use a 24mm Elmarit, and for extreme wide a CV 15mm. Please understand that these are only my personal opinions, and you will find many M8 users who use the 28mm 'cron as their "lens cap". It is, by the way, a superb lens, but its perspective just didn't appeal to me.

 

[Digital Dude]

Street Lens

Street Lens

Thanks to those who replied with a well worded and easy to understand perspective. Based on this information, it would appear that my first choice of the 24mm Elmarit is the way to go.
Regards,

 

[Hacker]

Thanks to those who replied with a well worded and easy to understand perspective. Based on this information, it would appear that my first choice of the 24mm Elmarit is the way to go.
Regards,

Good choice, and I have been looking for one for some time now but no stocks everywhere.

 

[etrigan63]

Sean Reid has many excellent lens reviews on his site Reidreviews. Sean charges an annual subscription fee, but the reviews are well worth the price of admission.

Personally I have an all-CV lens lineup. CV 40mm F/1.4 Nokton (my "lens cap"), CV 25p f/4, and I am adding a 75mm Color-Heliar to round it out.

 

[Graeme]

Thanks for the suggestions. You've given me a few more things to think about.

I'm interested in low light photography, which makes the Nocti more attractive, but suspect that the Summilux would prove to be a better all-round lens.

 

[Gabriel M.A.]

Thanks for the suggestions. You've given me a few more things to think about.

I'm interested in low light photography, which makes the Nocti more attractive, but suspect that the Summilux would prove to be a better all-round lens.

Don't let Kiu read your sentence!

I love my 50mm Summilux. That, and chocolate. And s3x. 😉