What is good for travel?

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kensaw

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I am a very new RF player. I have been using Canon 1DsMII for almost 3 years already and has been a really happy user. But now looking at smaller and lighter package for my travels. I am looking at getting the Leica M8.

What would be 2 good lens to go with? Does the F2 and F2.8 really makes a lot of difference?

All suggestions truly appreciated. Thanks!
 
Probably 24-50, as that corresponds to my favourite 35-75 combination on film.

On the other hand I don't have a 24/25mm, so I use 21-50. (I've had an M8 for two years and have just got an M8.2)

Cheers,

R.
 
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The 35mm summicrons make for a small package, especially the preasph V4. The ASPH is slightly heavier and longer. The 35mm lux is a great lens but heavier and longer (especially with hood). If you like a little wider lens the 28mm summicron, used without a hood, makes a fairly small package. All great lenses.

Jan
 
I am very happy with the CV 28, it is a good focal length and really good quality for the money! I often add the CV 15, and a zeiss 50.

I kind of like the CV-lenses because they give a lot of quality for the money - any setup with an M8 is valuable anyway, and I often visit areas where I have to keep an eye in my back...
 
kensaw said:
I am a very new RF player. I have been using Canon 1DsMII for almost 3 years already and has been a really happy user. But now looking at smaller and lighter package for my travels. I am looking at getting the Leica M8.

What would be 2 good lens to go with? Does the F2 and F2.8 really makes a lot of difference?

All suggestions truly appreciated. Thanks!
Click to expand...

Yeah f2.8 and F2 are a big difference if you are planning on shooting in low light. If so then a 1.4 might be worth consideration.

I got an M8 and a Voight 28mm F2.
I have mostly been using it at night and the F2 is a bit limiting, but am pretty happy with the results, but there is some flare.
Usually I end up at a minimum of ~1/8 at f2 going up to 1/30.
With a 2.8 that would be 1/4 sec and with an f1.4 1/15 sec.
This is a big deal if there is movement in the scene.
Daytime no problem.

The lens does seem good for day and is pretty small size wise, and I usually shoot at 5.6 unless I need a different DOF.
The 28mm seemed pretty short at first but I am finding that I am either getting well into the scene, or the scene becomes 'in context' as there is background in it around the central feature. Using borrowed SLRs (I have never owned one personally) I had mostly had 'isolated' pictures when I was using a zoom.

I think if 'money were no object' then a 24 f1.4 would be worth considering as a 1 lens solution, or a 35mm f1.4 .

I also started using a 50mm, which initially seemed pretty zoomed. But I am getting used to it though, and it offers some stand off distance.

I've pretty much figured that a 35mm would be good, and maybe a 24 or even 21... rather than the 28.
For a 2 lens solution a 21 and 35 might be good for wider scenes, or 28/50.
A 35 and either 50 or 75 if you prefer more of a narrow scene.

But it begs the question what are planing on shooting?

The 28mm seems to be a good travel lens.

So do you really need 2 lenses to start out with?
90% of my last trip was shot using the 28mm. No flash, and 80% night shots. (~10% I was really happy with, and with ~ 30% keepers)
 
the faster the better in 35mm photog says Roger Hicks (paraphrased)...

On trip to Costa Rica rainforest i brought 28mm/2.8 (V4) just in case. wound up using it 90%, unless it was too slow in which case i shot w a 50 summilux pre-asph.

[on M6]
 
It depends on what you shoot, but for the M8, the two lens kit I would suggest is the Elmarit 24/2.8 and Summilux 50/1.4 ASPH. That would give you roughly 35mm and 75mm FX focal lengths covering most eventualities. For a one lens kit I would suggest the Summilux 35/1.4 which gives you around 46mm full frame. All are tremendous lenses, the Elmarit is a bit slow but you will be amazed at the IQ.
 
For daylight I would strongly recommend the Tri Elmar which gives you the versatility of 28, 35 and 50 at the twist of the barrel. For low light, either the 35 or 50 lux Asph if you "see" in a telephoto kind of way.
 
HKHoward said:
For daylight I would strongly recommend the Tri Elmar which gives you the versatility of 28, 35 and 50 at the twist of the barrel. For low light, either the 35 or 50 lux Asph if you "see" in a telephoto kind of way.
Click to expand...

I also use the tri-elmar for convenience, and also take along one of the faster lenses in 35 or 50 for low light or reducing the depth of field.

Usually also pack the incredibly small CV15.

That's basically a 3 lens travel kit, fast, wide and tri-elmar.

Best Rob
 
For travel with the M8 I usually take the following:

- 25mm Zeiss ZM
- 50mm Noct./Summicron/Elmar or C-Sonnar.

This, in combo with my D-lux 3 or Ricoh GRD II, gives me the versatility I need for the type of stuff I usually shoot.

Works for me, everyone is diffeerent however :)

Kent

ps- The 35mm Summicron is also a very nice choice on the M8.
 
kensaw said:
I am a very new RF player. I have been using Canon 1DsMII for almost 3 years already and has been a really happy user. But now looking at smaller and lighter package for my travels. I am looking at getting the Leica M8.

What would be 2 good lens to go with? Does the F2 and F2.8 really makes a lot of difference?

All suggestions truly appreciated. Thanks!
Click to expand...

I'm was in the same situation. Using the 1DsMII since end 04 and looking for a lightweight RF setup to take on the road. Jump in RF in Mar this year and never looked back.

Initially, I was considering the M8. But after reviewing it, I went for 2 X Epson R-D1/s instead. If I can take only 2 travelling lens, it will probably be the 28mm summicron and 50mm summilux. Quite managable and fits into my working bag when I travel.

Oh... and I'm from Singapore too! :D

Cheers,
 
was really looking for a Summicron 28/2 for my M8. But drop the whole idea when i found a good condition Bokeh King.:D
 
If only two lenses, I would probably go on travel with
28mm F2 (CV or Summicron based on budget), eventualy 35mm too.
50mm F2 (Used Summicron or Summilux based on budget)
Good balance of weight and speed.
2.8 is too slow at night. Going lower than 1/15 has too much impact on sharpness (if important to you)
 
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