What lenses

[chrisli]

I recently bought the Fuji X100 and beginning to enjoy taking photos with it and is getting the hang of Street Photography. I am thinking of getting myself a Leica M8, but not too sure what focal length of lenses to go with. The current Fuji is a 23mm with a APSC sensor but find it a little too shot for portraits or even when you need a tighter crop you have to go pretty close which might not be ideal on certain situation.

Any advise from friends out there who are better experienced using RF.

Thanks.

 

[Royale With Cheese]

I think 35mm lens will suit you. On the x1.33 crop sensor, should work out to be about 47mm

 

[chrisli]

I think 35mm lens will suit you. On the x1.33 crop sensor, should work out to be about 47mm

Thanks for your input, what would you recommend for portraits.

 

[gommy]

M8 has 1.3x crop factor and I love the 50mm on M8 for portraits.

 

[chrisli]

M8 has 1.3x crop factor and I love the 50mm on M8 for portraits.

That means I should be quite comfortable with these 2 lenses, the 35mm and 50mm..

Thanks alot guys for the advise.

 

[magicianhisoka]

I use 75mm for headshots. Using a magnifier helps

 

[chrisli]

I use 75mm for headshots. Using a magnifier helps

Thanks for all your advise... looking forward to learn more from you guys..

 

[newghost]

its a slippery slope from here...
get the 50mm for a start...
when you find it too narrow...
move on to 35mm...
then you'll look at how a lens draw...
the sharpness...
those swirly bokeh...
then perhaps a floating element...

 

[Yoricko]

A 35mm lens would be approximately 46mm on the Leica M8.

The Cosina Voigtlander 35mm ƒ2.5 P-II is a great moderate contrast lens with excellent center resolution; pretty damn cheap too.

Don't forget your UV/IR cut for works in colour.

 

[artspraken]

its a slippery slope from here...
get the 50mm for a start...
when you find it too narrow...
move on to 35mm...
then you'll look at how a lens draw...
the sharpness...
those swirly bokeh...
then perhaps a floating element...

I dont find 50m narrow. I find 35mm too wide sometimes.

There is more 'story' in 35mm. There is more art in 50mm.

 

[chrisli]

A 35mm lens would be approximately 46mm on the Leica M8.

The Cosina Voigtlander 35mm ƒ2.5 P-II is a great moderate contrast lens with excellent center resolution; pretty damn cheap too.

Don't forget your UV/IR cut for works in colour.

What does this mean UV/IR cut, I am new to Leica, I read somewhere you need to have a UV/IR filter but I can't remember what is the purpose, and why do we need them, do I need buy it separately or does it come with it.
Thanks.

 

[ray_stinger]

What does this mean UV/IR cut, I am new to Leica, I read somewhere you need to have a UV/IR filter but I can't remember what is the purpose, and why do we need them, do I need buy it separately or does it come with it.
Thanks.

The M8/8.2 has an inherent flaw in that the sensor comes with a relatively weak IR filter. Therefore, images taken from them will exhibit IR characteristics, especially on black surfaces - it will appear to be magenta. To counteract this unintended "feature", you would have to add a UV/IR filter on each of the lens that you attach to the camera. This filter is not included with the lens when bought new. In addition to providing IR filtering, these filter also serve as a UV protection filter i.e. dual purpose, hence the name UV/IR filter. Beware that these filters can be quite expensive, especially those with uncommon diameter (shall leave that to more Leica pros to advise you on).

 

[newghost]

I dont find 50m narrow. I find 35mm too wide sometimes.

There is more 'story' in 35mm. There is more art in 50mm.

hmmm, not everybody fullframe like you sir "art"! (joking only!)

 

[rosewood1969]

There is more 'story' in 35mm. There is more art in 50mm.

well said bro! +1

 

[chrisli]

The M8/8.2 has an inherent flaw in that the sensor comes with a relatively weak IR filter. Therefore, images taken from them will exhibit IR characteristics, especially on black surfaces - it will appear to be magenta. To counteract this unintended "feature", you would have to add a UV/IR filter on each of the lens that you attach to the camera. This filter is not included with the lens when bought new. In addition to providing IR filtering, these filter also serve as a UV protection filter i.e. dual purpose, hence the name UV/IR filter. Beware that these filters can be quite expensive, especially those with uncommon diameter (shall leave that to more Leica pros to advise you on).

Thank you for the thorough explanation.. will keep this is mind, about the filter I mean.

 

[artspraken]

Focal length is very personal. You need to choose based on type of photos you shoot.

On m8, to get 35mm you need a 28mm lens

On m8, to get 50mm the closest u need is a 35mm lens

 

[chrisli]

Out of topic question, is the Fuji X100 considered a Range Finder .... even though it has an OVF but does not focus like an RF.

 

[amritsg]

Out of topic question, is the Fuji X100 considered a Range Finder .... even though it has an OVF but does not focus like an RF.

Seems like you've answered your own question, does it focus like a rf? Nope, hence no it isn't. What is special about rfs is it's focusing mechanism.

And I would also suggest the 50 mm focal length for you, its now up to you whether you wanna bite the bullet and pay big now, or end up paying big soon when you get poisoned with the lenses with big holes aka summiluxes and so on.

 

[Yoricko]

If all that matters is the retro look, you can keep the X100. It's a nice camera.

You don't need a rangefinder camera to do 'street photography'.
Heck, people do 'street photography' with a MF box camera.

Why not you personally get a feel of the cameras before plunging in?
Weigh the pro and cons against your own needs, and ignore what others have to bloody say.

 

[aomoon]

i love 50mm lens on M8 because it gives me the "extra zoom" due to 1.3x factor to be 65mm (i.e no need to approach subject in the face but still gets the full effect).
I also got a 28mm lens to give the 35mm look but utilized as I love 50mm deep deep.

So my advise is to stick to 1 lens for a long period of time (regardless of focal length) and just shoot and get to know your lens well.