Leica and M-mount users

[groovyone]

Alright, I am about to cave. I want to ease into the M-mount world. Currently I have a NEX-5 and may soon be adding a NEX-7, and I already have the M to E adapter.

What are some good sources for M lens information? I know many lenses had a lot of versions, some better than others, and some are just duds like some of the Voightlanders.

Any links or suggestions are very welcome.

[d2creative]

one of the best places to get reviews on M and M-mount lenses (like zeiss) is Welcome to ReidReviews
But you have to pay for it. Although he does have some free samples.

Alternatively you can check out the leica forums
Leica User Forum - Das weltweit größte Leica Forum

Oh, and Steve Huff does some nice reviews too.
Steve Huff Photos - Real World Digital Camera And Lens Reviews

[groovyone]

Yeah, Reichmann on Luminous Landscape says RR is well worth it. I should do that.

Does he go over the older gear too?

Stovall was the walking book on this stuff.

[Tom]

Wayne has a lot of knowledge.

[d2creative]

Originally Posted by groovyone

Does he go over the older gear too?

Some older stuff. But typically what he'll do is a review of fast 35 mm lenses, and then pick a handful of the more popular options to review, which will include a mix of current and recently out of print lenses from both Leica and other third party makes.

[ChuckW]

Erwin Puts, Home has a lot of information on Leica lenses. He also publishes a Leica Compendium book. One caution, he can be difficult to interpret at times.

[groovyone]

Originally Posted by ChuckW

Erwin Puts, Home has a lot of information on Leica lenses. He also publishes a Leica Compendium book. One caution, he can be difficult to interpret at times.

That was the name I was trying to remember. I think I have his page marked on my home computer.

[tml]

You should consider Zeiss ZM lenses as well. They are great alternatives to the much more costly Leicas.

Tri

[groovyone]

Originally Posted by tml

You should consider Zeiss ZM lenses as well. They are great alternatives to the much more costly Leicas.

Tri

The two I have been eyeing are the Zeiss 35/2 and 50/2 to start.

[tml]

Considering the crop factor of the Sony, I would consider the 25/2.8 + 50/2, or just the 35, depending on your style of shooting.

[KenJulio]

yeah, I agree, the ZM 35/2 is nice................................ *hint hint* :D

[venchka]

There are very few bad rangefinder lenses.
Any Leica Thread Mount (LTM) lens + LTM > M adapter will mate correctly with the Leica M mount. Most of my lenses are LTM from Canon & Nikon & Konica. They work interchangeably on my Canon LTM body and my Leica M body.
Join The Rangefinder Forum. Be prepaired to find more information than you wanted to know.
My lenses and I are available for tryouts on any weekend when I am in Houston. Focal lengths from 28mm to 135mm. WARNING: If you try my Dual Range Summicron 50/2.0 you will be forever spoiled.
Good luck.
Wayne

[d2creative]

I REALLY REALLY want the Leica W.A.T.E.
Anybody got $6k i can borrow?
When you consider it's 3 lenses in one, at ONLY $2k per lens, it's a pretty good deal!

[tml]

Good luck, Dennis. I still want to live in my house!

Tri

[Dobick]

foreword -- I don't own anything leica or m and the only 35mm film shooter I have is a kodak with a fixed 40mm lens.

but...

I have read some really nice things about the voigtlander/cosina stuff