1st Leica lens
- Thread starter Enzokoh
- Start date
My first and most used lens is 35 Summicron ASPH. In my M8 it becomes almost a 50mm due do crop factor, but I love it in my M4-2 as well. If you're using full frame you can't go wrong with either a 35mm or 50mm, but for me my go to lens is still my 35 cron.
nelson-tan
Senior Member
Depends on your budget, and which digital body you're using. On a crop factor body, a 35mm lens will be closer to a 50mm focal length equivalent. I've been using a 35mm lens on a M8.2, and I really like the results. On a full-frame body, I still think a 35mm lens will work well since you'll need a slightly wider lens for your family portrait as well.
If budget is not a concern, consider the 35mm f/1.4 ASPH. If budget is tight, get the Leica 35mm f/2.5 Summarit which delivers amazing bang for the buck, as well as a compact size.
This following image is shot with a 35mm f/1.4 ASPH on a Leica M8.2. You didn't mention your son's age, but shooting a active toddler with a rangefinder is really a challenging exercise!
If budget is not a concern, consider the 35mm f/1.4 ASPH. If budget is tight, get the Leica 35mm f/2.5 Summarit which delivers amazing bang for the buck, as well as a compact size.
This following image is shot with a 35mm f/1.4 ASPH on a Leica M8.2. You didn't mention your son's age, but shooting a active toddler with a rangefinder is really a challenging exercise!
hookonclassic
Senior Member
Depends on your budget, and which digital body you're using. On a crop factor body, a 35mm lens will be closer to a 50mm focal length equivalent. I've been using a 35mm lens on a M8.2, and I really like the results. On a full-frame body, I still think a 35mm lens will work well since you'll need a slightly wider lens for your family portrait as well.
If budget is not a concern, consider the 35mm f/1.4 ASPH. If budget is tight, get the Leica 35mm f/2.5 Summarit which delivers amazing bang for the buck, as well as a compact size.
This following image is shot with a 35mm f/1.4 ASPH on a Leica M8.2. You didn't mention your son's age, but shooting a active toddler with a rangefinder is really a challenging exercise!
Nice beautiful picture of your family you have captured.
TS has a new M9, so I reckon 35mm Summicron ASPH like Imaji stated, a small and good starter lens to Leica if you are slightly budget conscious, if not, go for the 35mm Summilux ASPH like nelson-tan mentioned, you won't go wrong with this lens.
However, for family portrait, 50mm focal length is preferred. Once you decided to embark further, go for the 50mm Summilux ASPH, the perfect lens for digital M9. If you don't prefer the contrasty and sharp rendition of ASPH, you can then try the pre-ASPH like what Dr. Gommy recommended. Different stroke for different folk.
Royale With Cheese
Senior Member
hmm.. ZM Sonnar? & Leica pre asph 35mm F1.4?
or venture into the Land of the Rising sun... save money along the way but u only got min. 1m focusing distance
Canon 50 f1.5 Sonnar ($500USD), Canon 50 f1.4 (Japan Lux - $250USD)
Canon 35 f2.0 (Japanese bokeh king - $250-500 USD)
Canon 50 f1.2 (wild swirly bokeh and thin DOF)
Nikon 50 f1.4 (Another good Sonnar copy. Excel at portraits)
Konica Hexanon 28, 35 and 50 f2.0
Zeiss 25, 35, 50
For head shots, consider - Leica 90 Summicron, 75 cron, 75 Lux, Canon 85 or Nikkor 85 f2
Personally, I love the 50 Summilux pre-asph and 35 cron f2.0 ASPH
Had the 50 lux ASPH sold it and now got the pre-asph
Ultimate Portrait lens - Leica Noctilux!
Canon 50 f1.5 Sonnar ($500USD), Canon 50 f1.4 (Japan Lux - $250USD)
Canon 35 f2.0 (Japanese bokeh king - $250-500 USD)
Canon 50 f1.2 (wild swirly bokeh and thin DOF)
Nikon 50 f1.4 (Another good Sonnar copy. Excel at portraits)
Konica Hexanon 28, 35 and 50 f2.0
Zeiss 25, 35, 50
For head shots, consider - Leica 90 Summicron, 75 cron, 75 Lux, Canon 85 or Nikkor 85 f2
Personally, I love the 50 Summilux pre-asph and 35 cron f2.0 ASPH
Had the 50 lux ASPH sold it and now got the pre-asph
Ultimate Portrait lens - Leica Noctilux!
Hacker
Senior Member
Agree fully. :thumbsup::thumbsup: I consider this lens the ultimate all rounder.
My son bday is approaching and after spending a fortune on my new camera im now not ready to spend so much again on lens.As mention from Zoom.Those alternative lens from canon,nikon and other 3rd party brands where would i be able to find it?and do i need a converter or adapter to mount it on the digital leica?i do not mind a used one for the time being and save up more $ for a better one in the future.I should be taking just my son and relatives for the bday party.What lens should i buy for a digital ff rf given minimum budget?
Enzokoh,
Important thing to consider is what kind of lens you want. This depends on:
+ What are u going to take? color/bw? portrait? landscape? street?
+ What kind of look do you like? vintage/classic look? modern look?
+ What focal length that you feel comfortable with? You can try to use frameline preview lever to see what suit your eyes and your shooting the most. Some ppl like 50mm, some like 35mm more, some like wider lenses... YMMV.
+ Do you like big or small lens?
Know what you want first, then you can narrow down the recommendations. Money later
Most old lenses, new lenses can be mounted on M9 without difficulty. No worries about that.
Important thing to consider is what kind of lens you want. This depends on:
+ What are u going to take? color/bw? portrait? landscape? street?
+ What kind of look do you like? vintage/classic look? modern look?
+ What focal length that you feel comfortable with? You can try to use frameline preview lever to see what suit your eyes and your shooting the most. Some ppl like 50mm, some like 35mm more, some like wider lenses... YMMV.
+ Do you like big or small lens?
Know what you want first, then you can narrow down the recommendations. Money later
Most old lenses, new lenses can be mounted on M9 without difficulty. No worries about that.
Hmm,i would like to take color and modern picture for my son.want something very lively and vivid for him.im also not sure about my focal length too?as for size of lens not any issue to me,im fine with either.i currently has a 24mm f2.8 and its very wide in a way.i think its suppose to shoot landscape n street photography and not really suitable to shoot my son i suppose.or maybe its me who doesnt know how to use it,im quite lost
and im also not sure what focal lenth mean?
and im also not sure what focal lenth mean?
artspraken
New Member
Enz,
First question is focal length: 35mm or 50mm?
(If you already have 24mm, you may want 50mm for better variance. 35mm and 50mm are both flexible lenses. The difference is two-steps forward/back. 35mm is 2 steps closer to landscape, and 50mm is 2 steps closer to portrait.)
If you taking pics of a single subject (ie. your son only), then 50mm for you. If you are taking pics of more than one subject, then 35mm is more flexible.
After you answer the first question, you can then consider what other choices there are.
If budget and waiting time are no concern, the best digital lenses are:-
. Summilux 50mm ASPH - sharpest lens wide open ever, all round closest perfect lens
. Summilux 35mm ASPH (released July 2010) - optimised for M9, many samples of pics online.
(Both require queue on waiting list to buy, and 2nd hand resale market very seldom you can find for resale.)
If your budget is 2,000, you are looking at Summicron, not Summilux. There are many different variations of each model, so look carefully. There are many websites and Leica collector guidebooks that explain the difference in lenses. do research carefully and dun buy the wrong thing. Most people keep their lenses very well (coz its so damn expensive!), so the resale market is fairly safe. But you need to know what you are buying and what you want.
First question is focal length: 35mm or 50mm?
(If you already have 24mm, you may want 50mm for better variance. 35mm and 50mm are both flexible lenses. The difference is two-steps forward/back. 35mm is 2 steps closer to landscape, and 50mm is 2 steps closer to portrait.)
If you taking pics of a single subject (ie. your son only), then 50mm for you. If you are taking pics of more than one subject, then 35mm is more flexible.
After you answer the first question, you can then consider what other choices there are.
If budget and waiting time are no concern, the best digital lenses are:-
. Summilux 50mm ASPH - sharpest lens wide open ever, all round closest perfect lens
. Summilux 35mm ASPH (released July 2010) - optimised for M9, many samples of pics online.
(Both require queue on waiting list to buy, and 2nd hand resale market very seldom you can find for resale.)
If your budget is 2,000, you are looking at Summicron, not Summilux. There are many different variations of each model, so look carefully. There are many websites and Leica collector guidebooks that explain the difference in lenses. do research carefully and dun buy the wrong thing. Most people keep their lenses very well (coz its so damn expensive!), so the resale market is fairly safe. But you need to know what you are buying and what you want.
artspraken
New Member
Enzokoh,
okay I recommend to you 50mm Summilux pre-ASPH. cost more than 2k. should be quite many on resale market.
review here
http://web.me.com/videoman69/Steve_...ICA_50_SUMMILUX_1.4_PRE-ASPH_LENS_REVIEW.html
pics here
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=72956
REASONS WHY:
1. I think you want a 50mm coz you are primarily shooting your son
2. I assume you like a soft classic look wide open, which is what 50 pre-asph is famous for. (if you like razor sharp lens for modern look, then this recommendation is not for you)
3. F1.4 is fast, good to take ur son. F2 Summicron is slower but abit sharper
4. 50 pre-asph got crazy bokeh, other lens dont have. it got a special leica glow.
5. 50 pre-asph is basically same 50 ASPH (but not as sharp when wide open), but pre-asph is half price of ASPH
6. 50 pre-asph relatively easy to find on secondary resale market.
7. focus to 0.7m - means can get closer to your son. Other lenses like Noctilux focus to 1m only, so distance is sometimes a problem
okay I recommend to you 50mm Summilux pre-ASPH. cost more than 2k. should be quite many on resale market.
review here
http://web.me.com/videoman69/Steve_...ICA_50_SUMMILUX_1.4_PRE-ASPH_LENS_REVIEW.html
pics here
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=72956
REASONS WHY:
1. I think you want a 50mm coz you are primarily shooting your son
2. I assume you like a soft classic look wide open, which is what 50 pre-asph is famous for. (if you like razor sharp lens for modern look, then this recommendation is not for you)
3. F1.4 is fast, good to take ur son. F2 Summicron is slower but abit sharper
4. 50 pre-asph got crazy bokeh, other lens dont have. it got a special leica glow.
5. 50 pre-asph is basically same 50 ASPH (but not as sharp when wide open), but pre-asph is half price of ASPH
6. 50 pre-asph relatively easy to find on secondary resale market.
7. focus to 0.7m - means can get closer to your son. Other lenses like Noctilux focus to 1m only, so distance is sometimes a problem
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artspraken
New Member
Enzokoh
Alternatively, if you do not require F1.4 in speed, you can also try F2 Summicron 50mm. This should keep within $2k budget
This is a good example. If you lurk around buy & sell in clubsnap or go peninsula alan foto, u shld be able to find one. Buy resale is good enough. no need buy brand new.
http://www.clubsnap.com/forums/showthread.php?p=6455194#post6455194
Another good option is Cosina Voightlander Nokton F1.1. That is a very good alternative to leica, for approx 1.2k you can get a resale one. if u want to buy new, chiif can order one for you, just abit more nia.
Alternatively, if you do not require F1.4 in speed, you can also try F2 Summicron 50mm. This should keep within $2k budget
This is a good example. If you lurk around buy & sell in clubsnap or go peninsula alan foto, u shld be able to find one. Buy resale is good enough. no need buy brand new.
http://www.clubsnap.com/forums/showthread.php?p=6455194#post6455194
Another good option is Cosina Voightlander Nokton F1.1. That is a very good alternative to leica, for approx 1.2k you can get a resale one. if u want to buy new, chiif can order one for you, just abit more nia.
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