M8 : 28mm & 35mm users ?

[yanidel]

I take 80% of my shots with the 35mm Summicron at F2 or F2.8
Yet, in street shooting I find it more and more too tight especially when the scene/subject is headed towards me and a very quick framing is needed. It results in cut feet and approximative compositions due to hesitations.

I had bought the CV25mm as I thought it was a good spacing with 35mm but F4 is too slow, especially for thin DOF that I like and I get confused by having 24mm and 35mm lines in the finder. So it looks like the new CV 28mm Ultron could be a good solution (Summicron is way out of my budget). Yet I am a bit reluctant to buy it as it kinds of look like non-sense to use both the 28mm and 35mm in the same kit, being so close.

Do any of you use both 28mm and 35mm the M8 as main lenses in your kit ? Can you share your experience and why such a choice ?

[nksyoon]

What about the Zeiss 25/2.8? Popflash sells it with a modified mount for the right framelines on an M8.

I have both 28 and 35mm lenses but rarely carry both at the same time. It depends on the other lenses I carry at the time. For example, I might carry 15-28-50 or 21-35.

[Peter Klein]

I use both 35 and 28 on the M8. The 35 is my "normal" and the 28 is my "moderate wide." You might consider the 28/1.9 Voigtlander. Unlike the newer 28/2, it doesn't focus shift. It's lower contrast than your Leica lens, but very usable with a little bit of curve adjustment.

--Peter

[boy_lah]

Same boat here. I love the 50 on the m8 which is my portrait lens (efov 67mm). Don't like 35mm on the m8 much (then again, not fan of 50mm on m7 either) so i'm looking at either the 21mm or 25mm which will give me more like efov 28mm or 33mm. only prob is you need one that is specifically modified for m8 ie. can't use it on my m7. Also, f4 is a tad slow for me.

So...still considering:
21/4 (efov 28mm) - slow but usable if need be. a LTM version easily modified for m8
25/2.8 (efov 33mm) - only works with m8 if i get the modified version.
28/2 (efov 38m) - some reported issues with m8

My priorities are a fast (f2.8 acceptable, f2 preferred), compact and near 35mm efov.

Peter - re CV 28/1.9 - is that a big lens? I wasn't a fan of the nokton 35/1.2 even though it produced beautiful photos.

[Dingo]

I have unforgettable memories with the M8 + J12 (screw mount) combination :

An example which was posted before in other thread :

[/quote]

[DC1030]

most of the time i use the elmarit 28/2.8 (pre asph.) or the summicron 35/2.0. i also got me a summilux pre asph which is usable at 1.4 only in very special cases. So i mostly prefer the 2.0 which also has the advantage to be able to focus to 0.7 meters.
The voiglander 21/4.0 often stays at home because it has 4.0 as largest aperture.
Same with the 35/1.2 because it is too big...

[boy_lah]

Some pix...Konica Hexanon 35/2 UC LTM

[urban_alchemist]

For my M8 I use a 35mm Summilux ASPH and a 28 Elmarit 2.8 (latest version).

The Summilux is a wonderful lense, even on the M8.

The Elmarit, however, is a lense I love to hate. It seems to lack that Leica 'glow' - I blame it on being overly contrasty, and at 2.8, when coupled with the M8's metal shutter, I find it too slow.

I've been eying the 28 Summicrons for a while now, but they seem to be holding up pretty well in value

[J. Borger]

28 and 35mm are not too close on the M8.
I know for sure because i use the 35mm summilux pre-asph for streetshooting all the time and can't get used to the 28mm focal length for this at all.
I have a 28mm summicron sitting here on the shelf for a year now .... trying and trying it ... great lens in all posiible ways but the focal length does not suit me at all.....
Moral of the story ... try a cheap 28 to find out if it suits you!

[jaapv]

For me, the step between 35 and 28 it too small. I had the 28 Elmarit asph, but sold it, because I always went to 21 on the M8. And in retrospect, looking at the images I took, I tend to agree with Urban Alchemist regarding its character, excellent though it is technically.

[nksyoon]

Originally Posted by boy_lah

Peter - re CV 28/1.9 - is that a big lens? I wasn't a fan of the nokton 35/1.2 even though it produced beautiful photos.

Not Peter, but here's a pic (from cameraquest.com) with both lenses - the 28/1.9 is a lot smaller and lighter than the 35/1.2.

[kbg32]

My "go to" lenses for the M8 are the 21/2.8 Elamrit and/or the ZM 18/4 Distagon. Depending on how wide I want to go. The 21 Elmarit non apherical is my normal lens. Wonderful subtle character.

[boy_lah]

Originally Posted by J. Borger

28 and 35mm are not too close on the M8.
I know for sure because i use the 35mm summilux pre-asph for streetshooting all the time and can't get used to the 28mm focal length for this at all.
I have a 28mm summicron sitting here on the shelf for a year now .... trying and trying it ... great lens in all posiible ways but the focal length does not suit me at all.....
Moral of the story ... try a cheap 28 to find out if it suits you!

whether a efov is too short/long for you is a very personal thing. I live in London and 35mm suits me better. When in 'larger' places with more open space e.g US / Australia - I prefer 50mm.

To try and see what efov suits you is definately good advise.

Originally Posted by nksyoon

Not Peter, but here's a pic (from cameraquest.com) with both lenses - the 28/1.9 is a lot smaller and lighter than the 35/1.2.

cheers! still looks like a big lens but not as big as nokton 35/1.2

Originally Posted by kbg32

My "go to" lenses for the M8 are the 21/2.8 Elamrit and/or the ZM 18/4 Distagon. Depending on how wide I want to go. The 21 Elmarit non apherical is my normal lens. Wonderful subtle character.

How do you get around the 6bit coding thing + ir cut? I assume the Elamrit maybe coded already but the ZM would not be. Did you get the mount modified or just don't use 6bit nor IR cut?

I find i need the 6bit and ir cut not so much for the vinyetting or corner cyan shift but more for a general magneta cast - many of my pix without ir cut just looks 'off'. And this is using my 35mm and 50mm lens not wide like 21mm. Any thoughts / experience?

[Tom Niblick]

The 35 Summicron is my main lens for my M8 with a 21/2.8 ZM as my wide. Like the OP, I find that too many times I'd like a lens that splits the difference. Wearing glasses, the 24 frame is too hard to see, so that leaves a 28.

Now I do have a M mount CV 35/2.5 boxed with a hood in excellent condition that I'd love to trade for a black CV/28/3.5 if anyone is interested...

Tom

printmaker@hawaiilink.net

http://www.kauaisprintmaker.com/

[furcafe]

I use the 28/2 Sumicron (used to use the CV 28/1.9 Ultron) w/the 35/1.4 Summilux all the time on my M8, just like I use a 35mm w/a 50mm on my film bodies. I don't think the 2 focal lengths are "so close" @ all.

I only wish Leica or Cosina was offering a 28/1.4 (Leica's forthcoming 21/1.4 & 24/1.4 are too wide for me), as f/2 is too slow for much of what I shoot w/digital (low-light color).

Originally Posted by yanidel

Do any of you use both 28mm and 35mm the M8 as main lenses in your kit ? Can you share your experience and why such a choice ?

[yanidel]

In the end, I bought the 28mm Ultron today ! I went on Les Champs-Elysées for a quick try out in terrible weather. First impressions are great, 28mm is not too close to 35mm and it meets exactly the purpose I bought it for. My first keeper was way off focus ... you can see it here : http://blog.yanidel.com/2008/12/02/wind-flurries-on-les-champs-elysees/
But in the end, I like the result as it shows the atmosphere this real sh...y weather night
(note that the M8 resisted well some water ...)

[DwF]

Congrats! You can't go wrong with the 28 Ultron 1.9
If I had to pick one lens for the M8 it would be a 28. Which 28 is a matter of preference as this thread shows. I also love the 21mm Elmarit pre-asph as KBG32 mentioned.

Happy shooting on the Champs!

David

[danhefner]

I have both 28mm and 35mm lenses, but I wouldn't -usually- travel with them because they are so close (28+50 or 21/24+35 would be more typical).

Honestly, a prime reason to have both is for different kinds of photography. I have gotten into street photography this year, and I find that 28mm is my favorite for that type of stuff. I usually stop down to 5.6 or so (sometimes 8), and don't even always frame the picture (shooting from the hip, literally). Unless the light is super-contrasty, then I favor the Leica 28mm Elmarit 2.8. It draws well enough but it's SO unobtrusive, which is a big deal in taking candid shots.

For most other types of shots, I prefer 35mm on the M8. I greatly like the Summicron f2.0 (my first lens), but (this week!) I will acquire the 35 'lux f1.4 and probably sell the summicron. The reason? I like composing so much with shallow depth of field and take a lot of shots indoors with available light. I find myself shooting wide open often with my 50 summilux, and I too often find myself wishing I had that at 35mm.

[danhefner]

I have both 28mm and 35mm lenses, but I wouldn't -usually- travel with them because they are so close (28+50 or 21/24+35 would be more typical).

Honestly, a prime reason to have both is for different kinds of photography. I have gotten into street photography this year, and I find that 28mm is my favorite for that type of stuff. I usually stop down to 5.6 or so (sometimes 8), and don't even always frame the picture (shooting from the hip, literally). Unless the light is super-contrasty, then I favor the Leica 28mm Elmarit 2.8. It draws well enough but it's SO unobtrusive, which is a big deal in taking candid shots.

For most other types of shots, I prefer 35mm on the M8. I greatly like the Summicron f2.0 (my first lens), but (this week!) I will acquire the 35 'lux f1.4 and probably sell the summicron. The reason? I like composing so much with shallow depth of field and take a lot of shots indoors with available light. I find myself shooting wide open often with my 50 summilux, and I too often find myself wishing I had that at 35mm.

[cam]

yanidel -- congrats!

if you ever want to try out a 21mm on the M8, send me a PM.

i have a 21/2.8 Elmarit that has been sitting in a drawer for months. i got it in the deal with my R-D1, used it once and declared it too big, too slow, and too boring. stupid me -- i tested it out on my fourth day with the Epson when i really had no clue whatsoever.... i possibly may love it now, though size and speed is still likely an issue.

so i'm taking it out again to see how i like a 21mm on the Epson in practice, rather than worrying about the character of the lens. (i still think i need something faster than f/2.8 so this is an issue i'm checking as well.) anyway, an open invitation for you to borrow it for a few days if you start getting a hankering for something wider.

[yanidel]

Thank you Cam for the nice offer.
I already own a CV21mm F4 though and independent of size and speed, I don't like using external viewfinders and it is too wide for my taste.
I went to the UK this weekend and experimented more with the CV28mm, mostly at F2 so I can get my cherished blurred backgrounds
It is just a great lens, and very good combo with the 35mm. Particularly useful when streets are tighter and it also gives another kind of drawing.
thanks again and by the way, we could meet anyway in Paris some time and see who wins the shutter noise competition between M8 and R-D1

[cam]

glad you're enjoying it! i'll be interested in seeing more!

as for the shutter competition -- we already know but any excuse to get together with somebody who understands my obsession....

btw, tried the M8.2 and it was lovely. the discreet shutter really is a dream come true.

[meven]

It is actually 50/50 for me between the 28 and the 35 on the M8. I use the Nokton 35/1.2 and the Ultron 28/2. The Ultron is becoming one of my favorite lens so the ratio might soon change.

A usual kit for me would be Ultron 28/2 and Heliar Classic 50/2 (they have similar character and go together perfectly) or Kobalux 21/2.8 with Nokton 35/1.2 and Heliar 75/2.5.

Cam- You might struggle finding a faster 21mm lens (I guess you already know that), the only one available is the new summilux 21/1.4 and everybody knows its high price!!!!! I suggest you try the Kobalux 21/2.8, it is a fantastic lens. You can see a photo of that lens mounted on a Leica CL HERE. It gives you an idea of its size.

[benkelley]

Since I got the 28/2 Ultron, I find that I don't use a 35mm very much anymore–I don't really see a need to carry it around. I take a 40mm summicron instead... tiny & nice, just a bit closer, and right on with the 35mm framelines on the M8!!!

Ben

[cam]

Originally Posted by meven

Cam- You might struggle finding a faster 21mm lens (I guess you already know that), the only one available is the new summilux 21/1.4 and everybody knows its high price!!!!! I suggest you try the Kobalux 21/2.8, it is a fantastic lens. You can see a photo of that lens mounted on a Leica CL HERE. It gives you an idea of its size.

cool! thank you for the link -- just my size! i wish there were more pics from the actual lens, though, as it's hard to find its "footprint." i'm not actually married to the 21mm. i love 28mm on my GRD, but i can get closer and have more control of the framing than on the Epson. i'm guessing the 24/25 would be more to my liking, but 28mm could satisfy (that's why i'm eavesdropping on this thread.

when i got to test out the Leica 28/2.8 vs. the 28/2 (both asphs) in the bowels of a camera store, i much preferred the look and handling of the Cron (despite it weighing more). it balanced better on Epson and in my hand and the difference of what i could get between f/2 rather than f/2.8 was seemingly huge.

so i will look at yanidel's experience with the Ultron (even though he's gone over to the dark side with a smaller crop factor ). my biggest bugbear with the CV lens are those damned focusing levers. i am still recovering from last elbow surgery and have difficulty with the twists and turns of my wrists, not to mention control of my shutter finger. f/1.9 sounds sweet, though....

(oh -- and the new Luxes??? they have my name on it! if i thought of getting one, though, that would mean i probably wouldn't be able to afford an M8.2 until the M9 came out )