Which lenses for 35mm equivalent on M8?

[mugget]

Hi folks,

I have been thinking about buying another lens for my M8, something a bit wider to give me the 'classic' 35mm field of view. Here's the back story - I used to have a Canon 1DMkII and used a 50mm lens as my 'walkabout' lens, so when I sold it and went to the M8 I went for a 50mm Summilux mainly because that is a focal length that I was used to, especially since both cameras have a 1.3x crop sensor.

So the question is - what are my options when it comes to achieving a 35mm equivalent on the M8? By my calculations I should aim for a 27mm to get the closest possible, but seems like I will need to compromise. Oh, one other thing - I would like to buy used and not spend too much.

I'll list below the options that I've found, along with approximate used prices.

• Voigtlander 25mm f/4 - $420 (This actually looks like a new price?)
• Voigtlander 28mm f3.5 - just had a quick search online but not much success finding any of these??
• Carl Zeiss 25mm f/2.8 - $1,000
• Leica 28mm Elmarit (f/2.8) - $1,000
• MS Optical Perar 28mm f/4 - $700 (The very far left-field oddball option... price is for new.)
• Canon 28mm f2.8 - $500 (Screw mount and would require adapter.)

What is the opinion on much older lenses, say a 1970's 38mm Elmarit? Honestly I don't care about some paint wear or scratches on the body. Actually I suppose I shouldn't be too concerned, my Summilux is a 1970's model anyway and I am floored by the image quality (or maybe I'm just not very picky). My only concern is that the Elmarit I have my eye on has neither front or rear lens caps, so I hope they're sturdy as it must have been stored like this as well... also 'cleaning marks' on the front glass. But this is by far the cheapest option... maybe a good cheap introduction to using 35mm? I figure I can always sell easily without much loss if I don't like it anyway.

From what I have seen & read about the Canon 28/2.8 it seems like a great performer as well...

I don't necessarily expect the same performance as my Summilux, I suppose I am happy to experiment a bit because I have only used a single lens on my M8 so far.

Interested to hear some other opinions. Are there any other screw mount lenses that I should consider?

Cheers

[LukeT]

I just went through the exact same thing as you.

I ended up getting the CV 28/2 Ultron... I'm very happy with it.

Exceptional build quality, focus is fast and smooth, not much noticeable viewfinder blockage.
And more importantly, image quality and sharpness is all there.

For the price, you really cant go wrong with the Ultron.

[canetsbe]

I can attest to the M8 / 28 Elmarit. Really the best IQ combo of any digital camera i've ever used. Stupidly good rendering. However the one thing missing was low-light capability. The Ultron may be the best choice, as it is less expensive and you get an extra stop.

[Scheelings]

Carl Zeiss 28mm is what I bought - in my long list of lenses its the easiest to use and provides stunning images. It's also compact. Used prices are more like $700 compared to the 25mm.

[mugget]

Cheers for the replies. I know it's a real mix of different types of lenses, but I have no idea really about what is out there and just listed whatever I could find.

I will get a subscription to Reid Reviews and hopefully be able to learn about the in's and out's, ergonomics, use etc. I think that will answer alot of my questions. Then the final question will be - should I buy cheap now just to try out the 35mm look, or save and get what I really want...

Just a side question - for those of you who came from 50mm (LukeT?), how did you find the 35mm equivalent?

I have actually been using a 65mm equivalent field of view using the 50mm lens on the M8, will probably be quite a bit different for me!

[Lss]

Originally Posted by mugget

Are there any other screw mount lenses that I should consider?

Voigtländer 28/1.9 Ultron. Reasonable price and great image quality.

[Austerby]

I'm very happy with my Voigtlander 28/2 on my M8.


Together on a sunny afternoon in Paris by Vidwatts, on Flickr

[rdeleskie]

Another vote for the Zeiss 28mm 2.8. Sharp as a tack, lovely colour rendering.

[jsrockit]

I'd use the V4 elmarit, the MS Optical 28mm, or the CV 3.5.

[jippiejee]

My 28mm elmarit asph hardly comes off my M8. It's just such a fine combo.

[burancap]

Originally Posted by mugget

• Voigtlander 25mm f/4 - $420 (This actually looks like a new price?)

This was my choice, coming in ~33mm.

Inexpensive, well made, compact, and seemingly sharp everywhere. Only possible gripe is the potential slowness.

[Ben Z]

With my M8 I used a V.4 (e46-filter) 28 Elmarit, and the Voitlander 28/1.9 Ultron screwmount+adapter. Both lenses I found exceptionally pleasing. Having owned a V.3 Elmarit in the past and couldn't tell it from the V.4 (prefer the smaller footprint of the latter) I would extrapolate my recommendation to include V.3 as well.

What I really wanted was the 28 Elmarit-ASPH because of it's small size, but an opportunity came along to get the V.4 for half the price of the ASPH because it has a small 2-3mm hairline scratch in the front coating (previous owner believed forum postings that Leica's modern coatings are scratchproof and that UV filters were too degrading).

[Larry H-L]

I would avoid the C/V 28mm f3.5.

While it is a fantastic lens on film, it vignettes significantly on digital bodies.

I use a 28 Elmarit v3 on an RD-1, works wonderfully, not too expensive these days.

[kdemas]

I really enjoy the Zeiss 25/2.8 on the M8, superb lens. Framing is a little odd, I use the entire viewfinder view as an approximation.

[mugget]

Well I have been reading up on Reid Reviews, which BTW is a great resource for anyone looking to find out how different lenses will operate and render an image. In fact there is an article written just on the subject of 28mm lenses on the M8 - just what I had been asking about.

My thoughts at the moment - I am leaning towards a smaller lens, trying to avoid any frameline blockage if possible (those types of things are all mentioned on Reid Reviews). So I will just see what I can find and keep my eye out...

One thing is for sure - If I ever find a Canon 28/2.8 I would like to just snap it up. Seems like a very interesting lens... maybe some would say 'poor image quality' by modern standards, but then again, there isn't a modern lens that will create a photo that looks quite the same. An interesting one I'd like to take a look at.

Other than that, I will be trying to look for a beat up used lens, for the money savings. Pretty sure I will really like the 35mm FOV, but gotta try it for myself first...

Edit >> I didn't hit refresh before replying, alot more replies since I last looked... cheers all for the extra info.

[Rob-F]

I like the 28mm focal length on my M8.2, because the framelines are very easy to see in the finder when wearing glasses. And I'm always wearing glasses. The precise equivalent is 37.3mm. I have not tried my 25/2.5 CV on the M8.2 (why not? Sounds like a good idea). If they will bring up the 24mm framelines, that could be a good thing, because said framelines are a bit undersized on the M8 for distances longer than close-up (not the case on the M8.2), so that should help what you get to be a tiny bit closer to what you saw (compared to a 24mm lens). The equivalent for the 25mm would be 33.33mm. So it's a choice of going a little wider than 35mm, or else going a little tighter. Me, I've been using the 28 as my normal walkaround lens.

[semordnilap]

I have a 28/2 Ultron that I've been meaning to put up in the classifieds. It's an excellent lens–I just managed to get my hands on a 28 cron a while back.

[twopointeight]

I use a Skopar 3.5. Mine is well corrected for the M8.2 using the Coder Kit. And it makes the body/lens package very compact. Its a daylight set-up, but I have no problem shooting low light at 640 iso with the Skopar wide open and a 1/30 or lower. All depends of course.

[noimmunity]

I had a summicron 28/2 and essentially traded it for some cash and a new Elmar 24/3.8 . Couldn't be happier! If you don't need the speed, the Elmar is exceptional for shots where you want even detail across the frame, incredible fidelity, excellent flare resistance, and a little bit of magic.

[mugget]

Great info - cheers all.

Well one more thing has occurred to me - all the white I've been reading up on these different lenses, but the reviews all cover the newer gear. For example the Elmarit ASPH, not the older examples that I have been considering (v2/3?). It still gives a good idea for the lens generally as far as size, usage etc., but I'm sure the 'look' would be a bit different.

What are the opinions concerning the 24 and 28mm equivalent field of view? I am leaning towards 28mm, is that closer to a 'natural' FOV as we would see it in real life?

I'm less concerned about fast lens now, I am thinking the best solution will be to use a flash for whenever I need more light. (That will be another discussion in itself!)

Who knew there could be so many things to consider!

[Rob-F]

Originally Posted by mugget

What are the opinions concerning the 24 and 28mm equivalent field of view? I am leaning towards 28mm, is that closer to a 'natural' FOV as we would see it in real life?

I think the 28mm FOV on the M8 does make for a natural FOV. But the 24mm isn't that far off from it; it's a 32mm equivalent, so still in the "natural" ball park. But I like wide, and lately I have thought that I ought to spend some time shooting with the 24mm, even though I can't see the bright line frame, I could guesstimate where the edges of the picture are. I can do it with the 24 on the M6, so why not with the M8?

[mathomas]

The 25mm Zeiss is insanely good.

[oldoc]

I have used the Zeiss 25, the Zeiss 28, the Canon 28, and the Elmarit 28. The Elmarit 28 was my favorite...until I got the Summicron 28. I don't think there is any comparison.

[huntjump]

Originally Posted by mathomas

The 25mm Zeiss is insanely good.

Very much agree. However, it isnt nearly as small as the cv 25/4 so keep that in mind. Definitely consider the Zeiss 25mm

[noimmunity]

Originally Posted by huntjump

Very much agree. However, it isnt nearly as small as the cv 25/4 so keep that in mind. Definitely consider the Zeiss 25mm

Size is another advantage of the 24 Elmar. Sean Reid calls it an exceptional lens. If you do a search, you may also find Tom A.'s high praise for it (and he has always loved the ZM 25).

With a little patience, used copies below US$2000 can be had. Another possibility is to get in line for an order from the UK for delivery to the US (thus saving 20% VAT while avoiding import duties). By luck my number in the waitlist came up just weeks before another insane Leica price increase, which combined with delivery outside the EU saved me a bundle on a new lens even in comparison with US prices (that are already lower than UK/EU prices).

The difference between a 24 and a 28 is considerable in terms of the lens' use. 24 has much greater DOF, which can be an advantage for fast use and composition.

For landscape, there is no question that the 24 Elmar is much better than the 28 Summicron, which cannot match the sharpness of the former at both near and far distances.