Thanks Sean. Good news on the 15/4.5. I've been having a great time using it on my M2. Sharp lens and no distortion that I can see! A bit wide though. :-)
My favorite lens on the FF is the 21/2.8 Distagon. The 15 on the M8 should be just a hair wider.
Battery for the M8 - Leica order number 14464
It shows up at Adorama but I cannot tell if it is in stock. You can add it to the cart. Might be worth a phone call to see if they actually have it.
It doesn't show up at B & H.
Also shows up at other places when I Google it.
I have been following this thread since the begining, subscribe to Sean's site, and read everything I can get my eyes on regarding the M8 and associated lenses. I am still trying to decide whether to get the M8 and, if I did, which lenses would suit me best.
For me, the vast lens choices is a double edged sword. Choice is good, but making the choice is the hard part. I am handicapped because I didn't know anything about the various M lenses before I started researching the M8 a few short weeks ago. There is so much to learn, so many opions to consider, I wonder if anyone has made up a lens cheat sheet they would share. A quick cross-reference to the different Leica models (summilux, summicron, etc.) versus serial numbers for 6 bit coded, Zeiss, CV, reasonable used prices versus new prices, pros/cons for image quality (bokeh, sharpness, vignetting, etc.). I am sure some people have this info in their head and don't need a cheat sheet, but I am far from being one of them. I admit to enjoying the research involved, but I also admit I wouldn't mind a short cut to this learning curve.
An example of what I am talking about is the comparison chart in Sean's review of ultra-wides for EOS on his site.
If I knew more about the lenses and their fair market new/used value, then I would start looking for some of the gems in local photo shops, flea markets, or online in preparation for a possible M8 purchase.
I can understand if nobody wants to post a M lens cheat sheet because as the demand goes up so does the price. There is no doubt the M8 is greatly increasing the demand for M lenses. Therefore, the only advantage one has in the market is knowledge.
I have been a member of this forum for many more years than my post count would indicate. I am not usually one to post questions here because I can usually learn what I need by following the posts of others. However, the M lens choices are to many and costly to make without more information.
It looks like I shall be the one discordant voice in this forum. I pre-ordered the M8 in June but the more I read about it, the more I doubt whether it is the right camera for me. I am definitely not a "street photographer"; I do mainly macros in nature, architecture, landscapes, travel photography. I have a long RF experience with the IIIb, M3, and M4 and had made quite a few macros with the IIIb and the NOOKY attachment on Kodachrome 25 - it was not a good solution, nor is the current Macro Elmarit for the M series.
When I could finally afford it, I swapped the IIIb for (in chronological order) Exakta, Alpa Reflex , Nikon F, F3, F100, F5), although I also kept an M3, later M4, which have mainly been sleeping on a shelf. I was one of the first to get an R9+DMR in July 2005 and I love the results but not the weight and bulk.
Now I was one of the first on the bandwagon to pre-order an M8, pushed by the general enthusiasm on this and other fora . My present equipment is R9+DMR, Digilux 2 , FX01 aka c-lux as carry-always and Nikon D200 when I need auto focus).
I now wonder whether the M8, good as it may be technically, will be my cup of tea. By now I am accustomed to zoom lenses and the D2 with its 2.0/28-90mm lens seems ideal when I do not want to carry the weight and bulk of the DMR system.
I do not need high ISO performance, I learnt to use Kodachrome 25 and super fine grain document film for maximum resolution: ADOX KB14 (25 ISO) thin emulsion ultra high resolution, Agfa Dokupan (10 ISO) developed to a gamma of 0.7-0.8). Now I use the digitals mostly at ISO 80-100 to get the best results.
As I said, I am not sure that ordering the M8 was really a good decision. Do others have the same sort of doubts?
c5gowin wrote:
I have been following this thread since the begining, subscribe to Sean's site, and read everything I can get my eyes on regarding the M8 and associated lenses. I am still trying to decide whether to get the M8 and, if I did, which lenses would suit me best.
For me, the vast lens choices is a double edged sword. Choice is good, but making the choice is the hard part. I am handicapped because I didn't know anything about the various M lenses before I started researching the M8 a few short weeks ago. There is so much to learn, so many opions to consider, I wonder if anyone has made up a lens cheat sheet they would share. A quick cross-reference to the different Leica models (summilux, summicron, etc.) versus serial numbers for 6 bit coded, Zeiss, CV, reasonable used prices versus new prices, pros/cons for image quality (bokeh, sharpness, vignetting, etc.). I am sure some people have this info in their head and don't need a cheat sheet, but I am far from being one of them. I admit to enjoying the research involved, but I also admit I wouldn't mind a short cut to this learning curve.
An example of what I am talking about is the comparison chart in Sean's review of ultra-wides for EOS on his site.
If I knew more about the lenses and their fair market new/used value, then I would start looking for some of the gems in local photo shops, flea markets, or online in preparation for a possible M8 purchase.
I can understand if nobody wants to post a M lens cheat sheet because as the demand goes up so does the price. There is no doubt the M8 is greatly increasing the demand for M lenses. Therefore, the only advantage one has in the market is knowledge.
I have been a member of this forum for many more years than my post count would indicate. I am not usually one to post questions here because I can usually learn what I need by following the posts of others. However, the M lens choices are to many and costly to make without more information. ...Show more →
I good start would be to get the Leica Pocket Book published by Hove. It lists all the lenses up to date of publishing - I have the 6th ed. There may be a new one with the asph lenses. They also publish a companion price guide which has a page by page list of prices in 3 currencies. If you want more details on the lenes get Lager vol II. The Leica M Compendium though getting dated is good for a beginner.
Good Luck!
Edited by fish_shooter on Oct 26, 2006 at 09:42 PM GMT
sreidvt wrote:
Guy and other people who own the 15/4.5...I have good news. I just began some informal tests of this lens on the M8. Vignetting is minimal even wide open. Resolution seems very good on center wide open and decent in the corners. Center is about the same at F/8 but corners sharpen up. No CA at all that I can detect.
I wish it was RF coupled. It's not true that DOF ever replaces intentional focus. Very nice little lens though. Does much better on M8 than on Epson.
Added new section on moire.
Cheers,
Sean
It seems the Zeiss 15/2.8 ZM lens is not rangefinder coupled either. From the ZM lens manual:
"The focusing ring is not coupled with the camera’s rangefinder.
Therefore, it is not possible to focus with the
camera‘s viewfinder."
The APO 75 measures 58mm at the shade according to my calipers... Does that mean the Kaiser 58mm push-on will fit, or should I get the next step up, the 60mm one?
fish_shooter wrote:
Rangefinder and SLR cameras are not mutually exclusive. Ideally one should have both!
I will definitely keep the DMR for "serious" work.
The M8 would take the place the Digilux 2, when I do not want to carry the weight and bulk of the DMR system. But it would be significantly heavier and bulkier than the D2. To cover the same focal lengths as the D2, I would need 24,28,35,50,75mm lenses. It would also be slower because of the time for changing lenses.
I would get better file quality - provided snow does not enter the body when changing lenses, or I do not slip on the mountain … It does not seem to be a dream setup for traveling light, mountaineering, biking, skiing and I now fear it might end up on a shelf like the M4.
Peter,
I have used the M6 a lot for mountaineering. Is fine for me.
For skiing and biking I prefer a small digicam which I can put in a pocket though.
It would be slower for changing lenses BUT it would be much faster regarding shutter lag. You also could get a 28-35-50 Tri-Elmar (like a 35-66 on the M8) if lens changing is an issue for you.
Guy and Sean,
feel yourself responsible that I just ordered the Leica 24mm.
I just wated the shortes focal length which still works with the internal viewfinder.
Will get it next week. Sgould also be nice for the rd1.
t_streng wrote:
Guy and Sean,
feel yourself responsible that I just ordered the Leica 24mm.
I just wated the shortes focal length which still works with the internal viewfinder.
Will get it next week. Sgould also be nice for the rd1.
t_streng wrote:
For me the basic kit would probably become 24 + 50 and I also filled in a lot
In the end I will have to find out which lenses work best for me on the M8.
By the way, anybody here who uses the 24 on an rd1 and with wich finder?
I've just got an R-D1 and 24mm lens and asked this question on RFF. Advice at the moment is try the camera without first then see if you miss an external VF.
Guy Mancuso wrote:
This is the one lens that Sean, Chuck and Jack suggested strongly get . So given there experience with the M i had too. Plus I'm a sucker for a great lens . Also really it is the widest lens with frame lines. I still think the basic kit is 24,35,75 than fill in if needed. I just filled in a lot. Really for me the Zeiss 21 was the extra lens but the price was right to try
I will carry all my lenses in a VERY small light bag, but will probably walk around photographing with a 24mm ASPH mounted, and ZM 21mm and 35mm in my pockets, with rest of bag and kit in the car.
Dave
Hey, wait your turn Guy. NO sob stories allowed to cut in line. Mark Norton's even told them that he'd fly over to Solms to save Leica the shipping bill.
Maybe a game we can play while we wait is to see who can tell the best sob story...
NO sob stories allowed to cut in line. 