Leica Super-Elmar-M 18 mm

[mwalker]

Leica Super-Elmar-M 18 mm

I'm thinking about doing more landscape stuff for a while. Anyone have this lens on a M9? any examples? Is it too wide?

 

[thedigitalbean]

I have one for the M9. Whether its too wide is probably a matter of personal taste. My preferred focal length for landscape work is around 24mm but I've had occasion to need wider.

Here's one image, un-cropped, taken on an M9:

 

[thedigitalbean]

Here's another with the 18 SEM:

 

[Jan Brittenson]

For landscapes I think the WATE is the perfect tool. While 18 is a good sweet spot, sometimes it's not wide enough to separate the foreground. Both lenses are compact and excellent at all apertures; the only reason to stop down either is for dof. Some people use the Frankenfinder (I don't, though I have one), others use an 18mm finder; I use a CV 21mm finder (old plastic style). The CV finder's edges are about 15-16mm, it has framelines for 21, and 18 is halfway between. In fact, they used to sell it without framelines as a 15mm finder. But an 18mm Zeiss or Leica finder is a good option, too, then just adjust the lens a little wider or tighter for framing purposes.

I like to shoot by first finding the camera placement that gives me the perfect scale relationship (perspective) between foreground and background, then adjust the focal length for precise framing - this is where a zoom lens really shines. For static subjects like landscapes this is a non-issue, and lens speed doesn't matter, but you can't shoot people stuff the same way.

 

[mwalker]

It doesn't look to wide. I bought it so Ill shoot it in a week or so
beautiful images Aravind

 

[francishmt]

I had it before and thought it is a good lens. My only problem with is was the wavy distortion. It really annoyed me.

If I am to buy another one, I might consider the Zeiss 18mm which is supposed to have better distortion control.