First lens for a Leica M9
- Thread starter lowjason
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hookonclassic
Senior Member
Get a 35mm f2 Summcron ASPH for the start. Price is cheaper than 35mm f1.4 Summilux FLE by almost half. Very compact and general lens for everyday shooting.
Or
If you prefers the 50mm focal length, the 50mm f1.4 Lux pre-ASPH (E46 filter), a great value lens that is not too pricey.
Then....
Slowly explore the whole wide range of LTM (vintage) and M (modern) mount lenses...
May your journey be filled with joy and fun...
Resolution and sharpness are merely two of many factors to consider, and a comparison of resolution or sharpness was not the point of that 5 way 50mm comparison anyway
Resolution? That would be the rigid cron isn't it? Oh yes, a 50/2 test is definitely on the cards!
New2digital
Member
lowjason said:
Great discussion with lots of technical info to digest. However, my recommendation to Jason is based on what he wrote in opening this thread and that is,
A. he is UPGRADING from a FF camera.
B. he is comfortable with a 35mm prime.
and that he asked "does it mean that 35mm .... Is a natural choice for " him
I too came from FF 35mm background but that was with film cameras and I had also upgraded to MF before I called it quit when digital begun to "overwhelm" film as the new media. Since he is upgrading, he is likely to continue to look for upgrades as he moved to RF. He is already preparing to commit on about the most expansive 35mm RF camera system. So I reckon should he take any 35mm other than the Summilux, he will always have this nagging question in his mind, shouldn't he bite the bullet and get the Summilux in the first place, with so many good things already written about this particular lens on the Internet. It would only be a question of when he would "upgrade" again to this Summilux should he not buy it in the first place. Well, of course budget is always a major factor in such decision. As I wrote earlier, I went this route with the 35 Summilux as my first lens for my M9 and I am extremely happy with it even after two other lens later.
Then....
Slowly explore the whole wide range of LTM (vintage) and M (modern) mount lenses...
May your journey be filled with joy and fun...
Great advice there!
A big part of the RF fun is actually exploring the vintage lenses! Don't forget to pick up one or two film M's along the way!
haha, my exact sentiments, it is most likely that I will get either the 35 or 50 Summilux since the reviews are really great! quick question, can the 35 summilux also be used on a 5DM2? If it's possible, that will make my choice easier as I can have an option to sell my 35L and use the 35 summilux on the 5DM2 as I don't have intention to sell my DSLR yet. I tried to google, but I have not seen any review of the 35 summilux on a 5DM2 at all.
New2digital
Member
lowjason said:
It is not possible. For a lens to be fitted to a camera, the distance between the lens mounting to the sensor/film surface (called Registration) must not be shorter than the Registration of the camera. M-lens has a Registration of 27.8mm while that of the Canon DSLR is in excess of 40mm. The M lens has a shorter Registration than the Canon DSLR, so No Way.
Thanks for the clarifications guys! No wonder I cannot find a single review in the internet.
kentwong81
Senior Member
I'm thinking to get a M9-P and am wondering whether to choose the Leica Summilux 50mm f1.4, 50mm f2.0 or the 35mm Summilux f1.4 FLE. Budget is a main issue and hopefully the 1st len I buy for my MP9-P is not wrong.
artspraken
New Member
there is no right or wrong choice for lenses.
since u say budget is main issue, then buy whatever u can afford.
if budget is an issue, i think u should buy M9 instead of M9P. Later if got any problem or you got extra cash, then send for M9P upgrade. No point getting M9P right now unless you really want the sapphire LCD, or the bragging rights. M9 is pretty much the exact same camera. Why spend extra on M9P?
if budget is an issue, reconsider if you really need a Lux (F1.4). For Leica lenses, you are spending an exponentially greater amount for the extra stop. For 1 lux, you can usually buy 2 crons. Roughly, that 1 stop difference costs a cron! If you are always shooting in good light, do you really need a lux?
If budget is an issue, reconsider if you really need Leica lens. You can do just as well with Zeiss or Voightlander if you do not pixel peep.
Next is 50mm and 35mm, is up to you to choose. There is no right or wrong lens. Focal Length is a personal choice.
since u say budget is main issue, then buy whatever u can afford.
if budget is an issue, i think u should buy M9 instead of M9P. Later if got any problem or you got extra cash, then send for M9P upgrade. No point getting M9P right now unless you really want the sapphire LCD, or the bragging rights. M9 is pretty much the exact same camera. Why spend extra on M9P?
if budget is an issue, reconsider if you really need a Lux (F1.4). For Leica lenses, you are spending an exponentially greater amount for the extra stop. For 1 lux, you can usually buy 2 crons. Roughly, that 1 stop difference costs a cron! If you are always shooting in good light, do you really need a lux?
If budget is an issue, reconsider if you really need Leica lens. You can do just as well with Zeiss or Voightlander if you do not pixel peep.
Next is 50mm and 35mm, is up to you to choose. There is no right or wrong lens. Focal Length is a personal choice.
Get a 50 cron as the first lens. It was my first and it took me some time to get use to the shallow dof. Then I upgraded to a 50 c-sonnar f1.5.
If you don't mind you can get a 50 c-sonnar as it is cheaper than a leica but a superb lens on the m9. f1.5 for shallow dof and f2.8 for sharp images
If you don't mind you can get a 50 c-sonnar as it is cheaper than a leica but a superb lens on the m9. f1.5 for shallow dof and f2.8 for sharp images
dun get suck into it after reading it tho... be warned. :sweat:
kentwong81
Senior Member
Hey thanks! I've bought a Leica M9 and silver Summilux 50mm f1.4 ASPH yesterday. Totally falling in love with rangefinder, but it takes time to practise and get used to it before coming up with great results.
congrats on your new rf!!kentwong81 said:
achieving "great results" is also subjective... just enjoy the journey and taking pictures with your rf.
feel free to share your pictures, essays, experiences, questions and gear here...
artspraken
New Member
Reviews
many newbies tend to start with Ken Rockwell and Steve Huff. Both are opinionated, and not very objective. In a good way because their writing is easy to read and in particular Steve Huff uses alot of eye candy. However, some of their opinions are not necessary correct. Steve Huff tends to be overenthusiastic and sometimes overindulgent in superlatives. Ken Rockwell is, well, Ken Rockwell. If you think he's serious, pls read his website about 'Leicaman'.
Actually, RF is not about correct or incorrect. There is alot of subjectivity and personal taste involved. The important thing about a review that is sufficient information is provided for the reader to arrive at their own judgment. In this I have 2 recommendations:
First is Sean Reid. He runs a clunky paysite which does very very detailed reviews with so many pictures for comparisons you can judge for yourself and build your own opinion without relying on others. I leave you to google for Sean Reid's paysite yourself as I believe our moderators are sensitive about hyperlinking to other paysites.
Second is Erwin Puts. His website is free but not fantastic. He writes like a doctor, and can bore you to sleep. What newbies should get is Erwin Puts' Leica Compendium new edition. That tome is the bestest and most comprehensive text on leica. Expensive book but I highly recommend it.
Choice of Lens
It is easy for Steve Huff to recommend the newest ASPH lenses for M9. But he assumes everybody likes sharp images. Although it is true that M9 really brings out the cutting edge sharpness of ASPH lenses in a way that film cannot, it is also true that it is personal taste whether one prefers an image to be sharp or soft. There is sharp modern look and the classic soft look.
Anybody buying a new lens for M9 needs to decide if they prefer the modern sharp look or classic soft look. If you like the classic soft look, there is no need to spend loads on an ASPH lens (which is often bulkier). Some old LTM lenses are very much cheaper and give a classic soft look with alot of character. For eg, the 'classic soft look' type of lens is often favoured for portraits of women because they draw in a way that is very forgiving of skin blemishes, and/or give an aura or glow to the subject.
So before rushing into ASPH lenses, ask urself : sharp or soft?
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reviews by nature are opinionated. i am not going to kid everyone. i said it is a useful reference... but i certainly did not say we should base our buying decisions from it.
and in case you really want to know... i don't use leica lenses, strangely. i prefer the old LTMs. so i guess i answered your challenge for sharp or soft?
a good suggestion to do your research so that you know what you're looking for and what you're buying.
btw...
Sean Reid : Welcome to ReidReviews (paid site)... i don't know why the mods have got problems with "other paysites"... not that we pay to signup for CS.
Ken Rockwell : KenRockwell.com: Photography, Cameras and Taking Better Pictures
Erwin putts : New site
Steve Huff : Steve Huff Photos - Real World Digital Camera And Lens Reviews
i am not endorsing these sites, but these are just the ones that you had mentioned in artspraken's post. and as artspraken rightly pointed out, each with unique content, each is a different read. these and more review sites have been linked and referred to in this forum on discussion topics on RF cameras, lenses, etc...
unfortunately, giving ppl a single option of a link to a paid site (which you have no affiliation to, other than being a member) might do little for someone who does not have an account...
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