Marie Meyer
Leading Member
Which lens would you recommend for an M9 for someone who is new to Leica world and manual focusing in general? It would be for general/travel photography - not portraits.
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Recommended first lens for an M9?
- Thread starter Marie Meyer
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Bashir Lunat
Senior Member
I think,I would recommend 35mm focal length,a kind of allrounder.
Only you can decide about your budget. Choice is from one of Voigtlander, Carl Zeiss or native Leica. The cost around from £275 for a VM 35mm F2.5.
Irakly Shanidze
Veteran Member
That, of course, depends on your budget.
If $4500 does not scare you, and you do not mind used, Tri-Elmar is the best all-around travel lens. it is three lenses in one.
If budget is a concern, Zeiss Biogon 2/35 ZM, or Zeiss Planar 2/50 ZM are the best options in terms of the price/performance ratio. Used pre-aspheric Leica 2/35 and 2/50 are just as good.
If you are planning on shooting in low light conditions, Zeiss 1.4/35 is the best "budget" option (that means, $2000). Otherwise, be prepared to pay twice as much for the Leica 1.4/35 Summilux, or $3500 for 1.4/50 Summilux.
If $4500 does not scare you, and you do not mind used, Tri-Elmar is the best all-around travel lens. it is three lenses in one.
If budget is a concern, Zeiss Biogon 2/35 ZM, or Zeiss Planar 2/50 ZM are the best options in terms of the price/performance ratio. Used pre-aspheric Leica 2/35 and 2/50 are just as good.
If you are planning on shooting in low light conditions, Zeiss 1.4/35 is the best "budget" option (that means, $2000). Otherwise, be prepared to pay twice as much for the Leica 1.4/35 Summilux, or $3500 for 1.4/50 Summilux.
I would have to go with a 35mm. Little bit wider than the 50mm, not quite so critical as you get accustomed to rangefinder focussing and wonderfully crisp and sharp. Unless you need a very large aperture, the Summicron would be my suggestion. Might easily end up as your only lens.
Marie Meyer
Leading Member
less clinical... more character... gorgeous with a capital G
That ticks a lot of my boxes!
That ticks a lot of my boxes!
Marie Meyer
Leading Member
Sorry, I should have included something about budget in my question.
I think I'd like a Leica lens, because the point here is to pursue the "Leica look" and the "Leica colors". If there are third party lenses that deliver that, I'd like to hear about them.
The 35 Summilux 1.4 ASPH (pre-FLE) was recommended above as being less clinical, having good character, and being a known-good pairing with the M9 sensor. It looks like they can be had for ~$4,000, so let's set that as my budget.
I think I'd like a Leica lens, because the point here is to pursue the "Leica look" and the "Leica colors". If there are third party lenses that deliver that, I'd like to hear about them.
The 35 Summilux 1.4 ASPH (pre-FLE) was recommended above as being less clinical, having good character, and being a known-good pairing with the M9 sensor. It looks like they can be had for ~$4,000, so let's set that as my budget.
Should be able to find one less than 4k dollars I think.
GBP but its lots less than 4k - http://www.richardcaplan.co.uk/eCommerce/product.aspx?cat=67&prod=6578
GBP but its lots less than 4k - http://www.richardcaplan.co.uk/eCommerce/product.aspx?cat=67&prod=6578
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Marie Meyer
Leading Member
How strongly do you feel about FLE vs not-FLE?
Irakly Shanidze
Veteran Member
actually, I feel even stronger about pre-ASPH 1.4/35. It is like having two lenses in one, as at f/2 and wider it has a completely different character (leica glow, pastel colors) than at f/2.8 and smaller. On top of that, it is 1/3 of the size of any aspheric 35 summilux.
Irakly Shanidze
Veteran Member
The thing about pre-FLE is that it can have a focus shift not entirely compensated by a change in DOF while stopping down. This is a serious problem on M9 and a nuisance on later cameras that have EVF option.
Marie Meyer
Leading Member
Irakly Shanidze
Veteran Member
Yes, that's the one. Make sure you get one with a dedicated 12504 hood, as the lens does not have a filter thread, should you need to use a filter. The hood is a two-piece design. It can be taken apart, and there is a secret compartment for a filter 
Now, speaking of filters... M9 is much better than M8 in keeping IR out, but in low light indoors conditions with very low color temperature sources IR contamination is still a problem. It is effectively solved by an IR-cut filter, and I highly recommend getting one. The 12504 hood takes non-existant series 7 filters, but a regular 48mm will do.
Now, speaking of filters... M9 is much better than M8 in keeping IR out, but in low light indoors conditions with very low color temperature sources IR contamination is still a problem. It is effectively solved by an IR-cut filter, and I highly recommend getting one. The 12504 hood takes non-existant series 7 filters, but a regular 48mm will do.
I have this lens and like it much but it is not a lens a would recommend to a newcomer with respect because it is soft at f/1.4 and flares a lot. If you're after a 35/1.4 Leica lens, i would not rule out the current Summilux 35/1.4 FLE which has not the focus shift problems of the previous asph version. It is more bulky than the pre-asph version though and is less forgiving than the latter on portraits. Different beasts definitely, i would try them both before deciding if i were you.
Best,
LCT
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Irakly Shanidze
Veteran Member
I agree that 1.4/35 pre-ASPH takes some getting used to, but I would really refrain from calling it soft wide open, unlike the first chrome version. It has a glow, but maintains sharpness across the field. Flare is very predictable and can be avoided, or used.
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Irakly Shanidze
www.shanidze.com/en
www.artphotoacademy.com
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Irakly Shanidze
www.shanidze.com/en
www.artphotoacademy.com
I agree with Irakly, you do have a very special lens with a stunning out of focus area too. Very smooth and nobody will tell you its not sharp as it is.
The FLE is great too though, just 50% more and wouldnt be my choice.
The FLE is great too though, just 50% more and wouldnt be my choice.
tony field
Forum Pro
Your lens of choice should be chosen for angle of View and needed aperture. I have a number of very old Leica lenses from the 1960s and find them to be excellent. My single new Summarit f 2.5 is very fine. I would have no issues recommending essentially any new Leica lens or some of the older Summicron lenses. Of course you might require an F-1 .4 or an F1 lens to accommodate some of your shooting needs
On the whole I would select a single lens in the 35mm range. In particular the 35mm F2 Summicron is a good versatile choice for General shooting.
--
Charles Darwin: "ignorance more frequently begets confidence than does knowledge."
tony
http://www.tphoto.ca
On the whole I would select a single lens in the 35mm range. In particular the 35mm F2 Summicron is a good versatile choice for General shooting.
--
Charles Darwin: "ignorance more frequently begets confidence than does knowledge."
tony
http://www.tphoto.ca
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Eric Boe
Leading Member
You may wish to consider a 28 as well for general travel. There is a reason Leica chose that focal length for the Q. The 28/2.8/ASPH and 28/2.8/ASPH-II are both super sharp, compact lenses. The 28/2.0 and 28/2.0/II are also very well regarded and in your price range.
Of course a 35/2.0/IV, 35/2.0/ASPH, or 35/2.0/ASPH-II would be a nice setup as well, just a little more constraining in angle.
You are not obligated to spend a full $4k to get a great Leica lens. Maybe a 28/2.8/ASPH and a 50/2.0/V would make a nice pair. Or the modern Summarit/2.4 or 2.5 offerings as well. Just not quite as shallow on depth of field.
Perhaps a lens rental is in order. See what works best for you.
Eric
Of course a 35/2.0/IV, 35/2.0/ASPH, or 35/2.0/ASPH-II would be a nice setup as well, just a little more constraining in angle.
You are not obligated to spend a full $4k to get a great Leica lens. Maybe a 28/2.8/ASPH and a 50/2.0/V would make a nice pair. Or the modern Summarit/2.4 or 2.5 offerings as well. Just not quite as shallow on depth of field.
Perhaps a lens rental is in order. See what works best for you.
Eric
Rodrigue Zahr
Veteran Member
A 28mm elmarit
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