Preferred Focal Length on an M8?

Preferred Focal Length on an M8?

  • 50mm

    Votes: 55 12.4%

  • 35mm

    Votes: 190 42.8%

  • 28mm

    Votes: 153 34.5%

  • Other

    Votes: 46 10.4%
  • Total voters
    444
Bobfrance

Bobfrance

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Hi Gang,

I'm trying to rationalise my lens line-up to suit the M8's sensor size and viewfinder.

The main lens on my Hexar RF has been a 50mm Planar, which is now feeling too long on the M8 but I can't quite decide which to go for next.

I guess 35mm would be the logical choice but I fancy perhaps going a little wider to perhaps 28mm. My only reservation, is that being a glasses wearer, I only just get the 28mm framelines in the viewfinder and not much else. So to help me with my choice I'd like to hear what lenses you all favour and why.

Many thanks!

Bob.
 
I call this "focal length creep." GAS due to the crop factor is hard to avoid. I recently fell prey to it big time.

I voted 28. Now that I have an f/2 option at 28, it is possible for me to vote this way.

I tried to make 35 my main lens, largely because the extra stop can be crucial on the M8. But I prefer the 35 efov. When I could finally get a 28 that was faster than 2.8, could focus reliably on the M8, and not obstruct the VF, I found the lens for which I was looking.
 
Sorry guys. I think I subconsciously omitted the 24mm as the framelines aren't really glasses friendly. Perhaps I ought to give contacts another go.

Kuvvy: I think for an everyday shooting lens the Skopar is a bit basic for me. No RF coupling, so no parrallax correction and it's screw-mount so I need to use an adaptor. Does anyone know if there's any issues coding screw-mount adaptors? Or if you can buy them ready coded?

Noimmmunity: You're right - the dreaded focal length creep GAS!

I think so far I'm favouring the Zeiss 28mm f2.8 Biogon. Something f2 would be nice but I need to limit my costs.
 
35mm Lux because :
- the finder lets a lot of space outside the framelines which helps anticipate and compose very well, that is to me one of the big advantages of rangefinders.
- at 1.4, you will have significantly more capability to throw backgrounds off at up to 7 meters.
- I find perspectives and proportions much more pleasing than 28mm in streets shots.
- it is not too close to 24mm and makes a great combo with it.
- it can go landscapes, portraits and street shots.
- very well balanced on the M8 (size, handling)
 
Sorry - I had to be difficult and vote 'other'. My favourite at the minute is 40mm. The Summicron-C is a corker. The 35mm M8 frameline is accurate enough, but I also use a Voigtlander 50mm Kontur finder which works a treat.

I've taken the vast majority of M8 pictures with the Zeiss 25, which is a very natural mid-wide angle, and an exemplary performer.

I'd also give a shout out to the CV 75mm - good reach, good speed, but the frameline inaccuracy is more annoying than with wider lenses.

And I've just picked up a CV 12 which is good fun. Who said cropped sensors have to limit your wide angle choices?
 
My first lens for the M8 was the 50 Summicron, and it's still my favorite. I like the flattened perspective, the bokeh, and the tight crop of a 50 on the M8, as there tends not to be too much open (wasted) space in the images.
 
Still top dog is the 50mm, but the 35mm is a close 2nd. Never been much for 28 and wider. Even on the M8, I stick to the basics, 35-50-90. I have 4 50's, but have put 2 of them up for sale. Hopefully two is enough.
 
I would suggest a Biogon 2/35. Recently just picked up the M8 after years of RD-1 (who will also stay also). The Biogon 2/35 on the Rd-1 was always fantastic. Great for Street or Portraits and of course landscapes. The Biogon 25 is a great lens and converts nicely to about a 35. The extra DOF was at times a disadvantage as Isolation could become less dramatic. Of course the Lux or Cron would make willing substitutes for the ZM lens. I just do prefer the color and OOF area of the Biogon over the Summicron or Elmarits. The Lux is too heavy for me just to gain one stop.
 
I had to go with the 40mm on the M8 as well. Many complain that it's neither here nor there. However the crop factor places 35mm as not quite long enough and the 50mm, while at 67 is still a great effective FOV, isn't quite as useable as it is on a film/"full frame" camera.
 
I vote for the 35mm...

I vote for the 35mm...

...yep. 35mm.

...But I could easily be swayed to a 28mm. The only focal length that doesn't work for me is anything above 75mm.

I second the suggestion of the 28/2 CV.
 
I pick the 28mm, which has a 61° angle of view on the M8, an angle I find very useful and intuitive. I was delighted when I found that's what it worked out to... Same view as the favorite 75mm on my Pentax 67 and the 60mm on the Fuji 645. And for that matter, also the 25mm on Olympus Pen. Good for all-round carry.
 
I always leaned toward 35mm lenses with my film Ms. But I seem to like them on the M8 just as well.
Right now, I'm using 35 lux pre-asph and a 35 UC hexanon. I do have one 28mm lens, but will probably end up selling it.
 
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