I'm testing lenses like David is, but I am also getting comfortable with the differences between the M8 & M9. My "new" look lens is the 21 'Lux. Trying to decide 21 or 24 as my main go to, either way it will be 'Lux. Noct is on order to also test out.
This is the 24mm Elmarit ASPH, a great lens.
And one from the 21 'Lux
Chuck,
First off, I want to thank you for taking the time and effort to critique my shots and to assure you that it is taken in the spirit with which it was given, i.e. an honest and straightforward attempt to be helpful. As you know I am back to the M system after an unsuccessful first try with the M8 and while I think I'm doing better I know there's room for improvement. Getting good solid advice from an experienced shooter is hard to come by. People are, understandably, reluctant to critique other folks work for fear of offending them.
For those that don't know Chuck as well as I do I'd encourage you to check out some of his images. Chuck is, IMHO, one of the best M shooters out there... and not too bad with 35mm and MF either
What I like about Chuck's work is that he captures emotion and character. The shot of the tow truck guys is a good example. The attitude of the driver and the look of the passenger tell a story. I think I know a little something about who Ted and Al are from this image... and I'm not sure I'd want them helping my daughter if her car broke down on a deserted country road at night
The portrait of the guy in the civil war jacket and his girlfriend is terrific. You have an uncanny ability to put your subjects at ease and get them to project themselves.
To put it in perspective for those who don't know Chuck, he and I went to Atlanta some years ago to get our MF kits and wound up at a diner with some friends in the wee hours of the morning. While the rest of us stayed at the table eating Chuck wandered the diner sitting at other people's booths, chatting them up and getting them to agree to let him take their picture. I watched him overcome their reluctance and allow him to take their photos. And at 3am, or whatever time it was, I can assure you they weren't all in a touchy/feeley mood. Before we left there wasn't a single person in that place that Chuckk didn't shoot... including the cook and the waitress if I remember correctly. Those shots alone could have made a coffee table book and if you can find them Chuck, I'd encourage you to post them for others to see.
The reason I mention this is because I think it's critical to understanding Chuck's work. He's an up close and personal guy... much more so than I am. And because of this Chuck gravitates towards wide and super wide lenses. While that 21 lux looks to be a fantastic lens I'm not sure I'm the right guy to shoot with it. The 35mm and 50mm focal lengths are more comfortable for me. They allow me to keep my distance and not feel like I'm invading someone's private space. My good friend Roger Dunham, who is also a superb Leica M shooter, also gets in much tighter than I do. I think the ability and confidence to do that takes time... and I'm not quite there yet. As Robert Capa once said... "If your pictures aren't good enough, you're not close enough."
The only nit I've got with the shot from the 24mm is that I don't find the background rendering pleasant. I know you were shooting these two to get a feel for your preferred focal length but I think you'd do well consider getting the new 24 lux. If you're going to help me spend my money on wider lenses then at least I can try to return the favor
I hope some of the folks on this forum find this kind of dialogue informative and that Chuck and I have posted in the right place. For those that think it should have been in the image critique forum... my apologies.