Using the Zeiss ZM25 lens on the M8

[Grober]

As you may know, the Zeiss ZM 25/2.8 lens on the M8 brings up the 28mm frame and not the more desirable 24mm frame. I sent a query about a solution to this problem to Carl Zeiss AG and received an answer today in which the company acknowledges the problem and states they were "checking the technical feasibility of exchanging the mount in order to use the Biogon T* 2,8/25 ZM with a suitable viewfinder frame in the Leica M8." They went on to say that they'll develop "a practical solution" in case an exchange of lens mounts is not be possible.

I use this 25mm lens often and have great hopes for it on the M8 where it'll become, in effect, a 33mm lens. If I hear anything more from Zeiss, I'll pass it along.

(Hope to have my M8 on Monday or Tuesday!)

-g

 

[Nachkebia]

Why would they want to change lens mount? alot of people still and will use film cameras years and decades to come 🙂

 

[Grober]

Why would they want to change lens mount? alot of people still and will use film cameras years and decades to come 🙂

I considered this of course. However, with any film camera I would ALWAYS use the accessory Zeiss 25/28 viewfinder when shooting. The M8 offers the wonderful bliss of shooting with a ZM 25 Biogon (in effect, now a 33mm lens) and having to use NO accessory viewfinder. I always prefer to minimize needless clutter in the accessory shoe when using any Leica M.

Having the Biogon converted permanently to work seamlessly on the M8 is what I seek. As many already know, my shooting days with film will only decline over the years ahead and will never increase.

-g

 

[Nachkebia]

Yes but fortunatly that does not apply to everyone 🙂

 

[grantray]

From what I recall, the 25 is about the size of the entire frame of the ZI window, so I don't really see any harm in Zeiss switching out or modifying mounts. Also, I look forward to their possible solution as I'm in the same boat as Grober.

-grant

 

[Andy Aitken]

You could always get out the file. Shave a bit off the appropriate lug and your 25mm will bring up the 24/35 frameset on the M8 - and the 35/135 set on most other M's. Given that NO film M has framelines for 24mm you'd have nothing to lose.

 

[Grober]

You could always get out the file. Shave a bit off the appropriate lug and your 25mm will bring up the 24/35 frameset on the M8 - and the 35/135 set on most other M's.

Andy hasn't witnessed my metal-working skills, has he? Nope, no filing for me: I would surely mangle the mount beyond recognition!

I'll wait for Zeiss to offer up a solution. Hopefully in the next few months.

(Imagine the glee of the Zeiss employee who has the mission of obtaining an M8 for company use!)

-g

 

[msadat]

that is a shame, i want to use the 25 with the m8 without a finder.

 

[rvaubel]

....my film days will only decrease and never increase.......

Yes but fortunatly that does not apply to everyone 🙂

Well, almost everyone. I still love film but I find myself doing less and less. Let's face it, in 30years film well be a media that few people have ever seen except in museums. Sad but true.

Rex

 

[Dougg]

Yes, even on a film camera, having the 25mm bring up 28mm frames is not very useful, and showing 35mm frames instead is not less useful either. 🙂 Somewhat surprisingly I think this frameline issue was not well-thought by Zeiss in the digital context.

 

[Nachkebia]

....my film days will only decrease and never increase.......



Well, almost everyone. I still love film but I find myself doing less and less. Let's face it, in 30years film well be a media that few people have ever seen except in museums. Sad but true.

Rex

For mass market and for mainstream? yes it will be, it already is, but who said I am one of those? Actualy more people abandon film more stylish it becomes 😀

 

[jgeenen]

Prior M8 there was no need for specific framelines brought up for a 24mm lens.

Leica decided way in the past to use the 35/135mm mount for their 24mm lenses (the reason is obvious - the 35/135mm mount does not engage the frame selection mechanism, it stays in the resting position).

Zeiss (or Cosina) instead took the 28/90mm mount for the 25mm Biogon. Why? Easy - at that time Leica hadn't demonstrated at all how they would challenge the cropping issue.

With M8, Leica decided to replace the 135mm framelines with 24mm framelines - and bingo! Leica has marvellous framelines for 24mm and Zeiss lenses show up differently.

How to solve this issue?

a) Wait for Zeiss - may be, they offer a mount exchange.
b) Use a file and do the same as with the 40mm Summicron to "convert" mount to show up the 35/135mm framelines.
c) Do nothing and use the M8 viewfinder border as a good estimation for the 25mm viewing angle.

All solutions are suitable for non-digital use - simply as nobody cares which framellines are visible with a 25mm lens.

 

[willie_901]

Why don't you just chimp away like everybody else? I really don't understand why you are concerned. Just keep taking photos until you get what you want. Delete the others. The frame lines are irrelevant.

 

[Grober]

that is a shame, i want to use the 25 with the m8 without a finder.

You can. You just need to mannually hold the frame selection lever to the 24/35 frame.

I'll be doing this myself until Zeiss comes up with a solution.

I will NOT be butchering the lug on this Biogon with a file: I'm a photographer not a precision metalsmith.

-g

 

[Gary B]

ZM25 on M8

ZM25 on M8

My usage problem with using the 28 ZM on my M8 is the intrusion into the 24 frame line area. It seems to cut out about 15% of the lower right corner of the frame. As sharp as the lens is, and it is very sharp. I have gone back to using my 25 Canon, that I did use on other Leicas with a ext. viewfinder. It is not as crisp, but most of that can be made up for on the computer. I have had made 20x30 prints from the 25 Canon that I am happy with. Maybe I just have to get use to it as I have other things. Nothing is perfect.

Gary B.

 

[sreidvt]

My usage problem with using the 28 ZM on my M8 is the intrusion into the 24 frame line area. It seems to cut out about 15% of the lower right corner of the frame. As sharp as the lens is, and it is very sharp. I have gone back to using my 25 Canon, that I did use on other Leicas with a ext. viewfinder. It is not as crisp, but most of that can be made up for on the computer. I have had made 20x30 prints from the 25 Canon that I am happy with. Maybe I just have to get use to it as I have other things. Nothing is perfect.

Gary B.

Do you mean the 25 ZM? If so, I'd suggest looking at the CV 25 which is an excellent lens on the M8 if you don't mind zone focusing.

Cheers,

Sean

 

[Gary B]

ZM 25 on M8

ZM 25 on M8

Yes I did mean the ZM25. And yes I also have the CV 25 but I do like to focus close and take photos close up to force the perspective. The CV 25 is a great lens that I have used for a number of assignments where I needed the angle, was shooting colour and was not very close to the subject. Hope this helps someone.

Gary B

 

[Xmas]

Guys

People with frame problems on M<8s use elastic bands to hold or wedge the frame selector... works until you supply of spare bands run out. Zeiss may have a solution by then.

Noel

 

[Grober]

Zeiss now tells me that they will change the mount on my ZM25 to a ZM25 mount, thus invoking the 24/35 frame on the M8 and solving my framing problem. Zeiss fee: 40 Euros; shipping extra. (I still have the 6-bit coding problem.) I wish Zeiss could do the work here and not only in Germany.

Living as I do in the USA, I'm weighing the added costs of roundtrip shipping that I must bear plus the U. S. Customs fees on the lens when it comes back.

I haven't decided what to do: sell the lens or send it to Zeiss for a mount change.

-g

 

[sreidvt]

Yes I did mean the ZM25. And yes I also have the CV 25 but I do like to focus close and take photos close up to force the perspective. The CV 25 is a great lens that I have used for a number of assignments where I needed the angle, was shooting colour and was not very close to the subject. Hope this helps someone.

Gary B

That's the catch, for sure. I'm looking forward to the new RF-coupled version.

Cheers,

Sean