Thinking of getting my first Leica, advice on lenses please

[robinandcamera]

Hi

This is my first post here 🙂


I've had a 5D mkII for about 6 months or so now and I'm finding more and more as I develop in to street photography that I just grab my LX3, the 5D is just gathering dust now to be honest. I've only been into photography for a year now, so I have totally missed the whole rangefinder thing in starting out, I went Canon 450d -> 5D mkII.


Given that the M9 has just been announced, the M8.2 should soon be within my price range if I sell my 5D and lenses. I love the LX3 I have, the small size, the quiteness, the non pro look etc, so I think I'm destined for a Leica M series. However if I was to buy a used M8.2 I'd have little cash left over for glass at this stage.

Could anyone point me to or explain to me a little more about the M series lenses and what other non leica alternatives I could look at that work out a bit cheaper to start with?

I'd be after a focal length/s suitable for street when paired with the 1.3x sensor of the m8.2. What recommendations would you make for something like a 24mm or 28mm to start out with, I don't know what the good lenses are and which ones to avoid.

I don't think I'll be able to stretch to leica glass as I start out, so what other good options do I have??

Thanks for the help

Robin

www.shotsfromthesmoke.com

 

[kshapero]

Start with a Voigtlander 28/3.5, it is cheap very sharp and small. Even later when you can afford Leica or Zeiss glass you will always be glad you have this jewel. Don't for get the M adapter. See Cameraquest for more info. Welcome aboard.

 

[robinandcamera]

Start with a Voigtlander 28/3.5, it is cheap very sharp and small. Even later when you can afford Leica or Zeiss glass you will always be glad you have this jewel. Don't for get the M adapter. See Cameraquest for more info. Welcome aboard.

Thanks, what's your view on the Voigtlaender 25 mm / F 4,0 Color Skopar Pancake, I see it on their site. Do you know how much the 28mm's tend to go for?

Someone on DP review suggested the Zeiss Biogon 25mm/f2.8 ZM and the Konica M-Hexanon 28mm/f2.8. Any views on these?

 

[kshapero]

All good lenses. Zeiss will cost more. Keep in mind there will no 6-bit coding on these lenses.