Has anybody used the Leica M 18mm?

[henrikfoto]

I just got my Leica M9 and need some help to choose the right lenses.

I need a wide lens and consider the 18mm.
Has anybody tried this or maybe someone has some other lenses to recommend?  

I am also thinking about the APO-Summicron-M f2/90mm ASPH or the Summarit-M f2,5/90mm.
Is the Summicron worth the double price?


Henrik

[Jost von Allmen]

Hi Henrik
I got the Super-Elmar 18mm last february together with my M9 and can say that I'm extremely happy with it!
Compared with any other super wideangle lens I own and use (including the great Nikon 14-24mm) it shows very even performance into the corners, is amazingly sharp already at open aperture and especially shows very good resistance against flare (see the attached file).

[attachment=22481:Pano10_47.jpg]

I often use it for stitching very wide panoramas as well.
With the older firmware it showed an often discussed magenta shift into the corners, but with the current firmware (1.116) this is gone.
Together with my Summicron 2/35mm ASPH. and the 2,5/75mm Summarit it makes a fantastic combination for travelling and hiking.
IMHO currently there's nothing better available considering weight, size and file quality (assuming you have a good DNG-workflow).

I think if you're really into extreme wide angle photography and are aware of the limitations of the M9 system (speedwise, rangefinder framing and focussing precision... ) you can't go wrong with it!

You can find more information about Leica lenses on Erwin Putts page http://www.imx.nl/photo
or on http://diglloyd.com and http://www.reidreviews.com/reidreviews/ (these two are worthwhile pay sites)

Good luck

Jost

[henrikfoto]

Hi Henrik
I got the Super-Elmar 18mm last february together with my M9 and can say that I'm extremely happy with it!
Compared with any other super wideangle lens I own and use (including the great Nikon 14-24mm) it shows very even performance into the corners, is amazingly sharp already at open aperture and especially shows very good resistance against flare (see the attached file).

[attachment=22481:Pano10_47.jpg]

I often use it for stitching very wide panoramas as well.
With the older firmware it showed an often discussed magenta shift into the corners, but with the current firmware (1.116) this is gone.
Together with my Summicron 2/35mm ASPH. and the 2,5/75mm Summarit it makes a fantastic combination for travelling and hiking.
IMHO currently there's nothing better available considering weight, size and file quality (assuming you have a good DNG-workflow).

I think if you're really into extreme wide angle photography and are aware of the limitations of the M9 system (speedwise, rangefinder framing and focussing precision... ) you can't go wrong with it!

You can find more information about Leica lenses on Erwin Putts page http://www.imx.nl/photo
or on http://diglloyd.com and http://www.reidreviews.com/reidreviews/ (these two are worthwhile pay sites)

Good luck

Jost

Thanks a lot! Very interesting. What raw-converter do you like to use for the M9? Capture One?

Henrik

[Jost von Allmen]

Thanks a lot! Very interesting. What raw-converter do you like to use for the M9? Capture One?

Henrik

My preferred converter actually is Capture One Pro!
I have compared the results with Lightroom 2.7 and find that Capture One Pro produces better detail and color.
Another bonus is the possibility for optical corrections (even the superb Leica lenses sometimes need it..).
I have not used LR 3 yet so can't comment on that.
All the camera profiles Cature One provides are usually very, very good.
I also use NIK Silver Efex Pro: The M9 files look wonderful and are very suitable for black and white conversions.

Another important aspect is the automatic lens detection system for the M9, it really makes sense to have older lenses coded and set detection to automatic.
The DNG files get treated quit a lot within the M9 already: Vignetting and color casts are well corrected.

Good luck