21 or 24mm for M8 ?

[Mark D]

My M8 came today :D

Right now my lenses are 35 , 50 and 90.

So I need something on the wide end either a 21 or 24 ?

What I want this lens for is Sci-Fi Conventions where I will be taking pictures of people in costumes. I would like to be able to get most if not all of the person/costume from fairly close to the person. These conventions tend to be packed and shots tend to be taken at close range.

Which would you choose and why ?

Thanks

Mark

[rolo]

I suggest for all portraits, whether candid or posed, it will be preferred to rely on the viewfinder framelines for quick and reliable shooting.

The M8 has framelines for the 24mm and in my opinion swings the selection firmly to the 24mm.

I have already bought one in anticipation of M8 being available and it is a stunning lens.

[Sailor Ted]

21mm = 28mm
24mm = 32mm

Tough call for your intended use. On the one hand 28mm is a nice wide angle. On the other hand 32mm will present your subjects from a more pleasing perspective and you'll not need to use an accessory finder.

[peter_n]

Leica thinks the 24mm will be a hot M8 lens; they jacked the price up a few hundred dollars recently.

[tbarker13]

I went with the 21 (non asph version).
I had the 24mm, but sold it. Obviously it is a great lens.

My reasoning may be odd, but I didn't want every focal length in the range. I have the 50 non-asph lux, a 35 asph lux along and a 28 ultron.

So I went with the 21 over the 24, for the wider view. But I have no plans on using the accessory finder. I'll just approximate based on the full frame. It seems close enough to me.

[summilux]

wider is better, because you can always crop in digital realm easier than film days.

[johnkuo]

I don't have experience with the 24, but I'm very impressed with the performance of 21/2.8ASPH on my M8. You can see some of my first shots here:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/johnkuo/339418024/

[Leicaiste]

John,

Did you compare the full frame of the finder with the coverage of the 21/2,8 Asph. ?

Is it the same as with a 28mm finder ?

Lucien

[EricC]

I swapped my 21mm asph for the 24mm asph because of the built in framelines on the M8, also at 32mm it is just slightly wider than the 35mm on a film body.

Good luck in your decision, it's a nice one to have to make they are both excellent lenses.

Regards
Eric

[Grober]

Don't overlook the Zeiss ZM 25/2.8 and 28/2.8 lenses.

The ZM 25 will NOT pull up the "correct" 24mm frame in the M8. Zeiss is aware of this problem and may be evaluating a service to take previously purchased 25mm Biogons and convert their mounts to one that does work more effectively with the M8. (When used on a film camera, one would most probably use an aux. viewfinder so who cares what frame the ZM 25 invokes on a film camera?)

The Leica 24mm Elmarit is a fabulous lens but it comes at a very dear cost. The ZM lenses may be an attractive alternative for you.

-g

[AGeoJO]

The frameline of the 24mm is well inside the entire viewfinder. While it is true that the widest frameline on the M8 is 24mm but the entire viewfinder basically represents the coverage for the 21mm and that focal length on the M8 being 28mm is perfect for landscape.

[Mark D]

Well, I ended up going with the 24mm. The main reason being that with my eyesight I really need the 1.25x magnifier to get a good focus. The down side is that it makes it even harder to see the edges of the view window for framing. The up side is that I can put the money difference toward the CV15 for a super wide.

Thanks for the replies.

Mark

[johnkuo]

John,

Did you compare the full frame of the finder with the coverage of the 21/2,8 Asph. ?

Is it the same as with a 28mm finder ?

Lucien


The actual coverage of the 21 is slightly more than the full viewfinder. I have the 21-24-28 finder, but I haven't used it yet. I prefer not having to use the external finder.

[MP Guy]

either way you will be very happy with your choice. I find the 24 to be my normal lens now and it stays on the camera most of the time. However, the 21 is an amazing lens as well.