Leica M8 with Taylor Hobson 2inch f/2 Anastigmat

Does not come out very often but thought I would exercise the Taylor Hobson Anastigmat on the M8.

Even just looking at, the 16 blade iris is something to behold. Does produce a lovely circular aperture rather than hex or octagonal.
Smooth operation no click stops on the aperture ring, infinitely variable which works very well with the M8 metering when in manual. You can get the exposure just as you like. Distance scale is in imperial "Feet" only. Close focus 3.5 feet. For the Leicaphiles out there or the curious the f stops work in reverse. f16 to the left f2 to the right. Also for those that care, the lens collapses into the M8 with not issues.

I can see me using this lens more often as I am very happy with the results.
On the M8 it looks like this.

 Hmm blades.

Above images taken with Ricoh GR.


Some snaps taken in late afternoon light.

Couple of shots taken long after daylight had gone to bed.

 Have to say rather quite the atmosphere here. Bumped the ISO up to 640. f2 @ 1/45 handheld.

Leica M8 with Voightlander 15mm

Really need to use this camera and lens combo more often. Really can throw up some shots. Cracking lens, small, light weight,very well made good to look at. Some would say it's a bit slow, yes it is, if you are a low light shooter. If not, not a problem at all. Focus is .3m to 2m infinity. Push it to f5.6 and anything further away than 1m is pretty much in focus. Talk about point and shoot.

This version is the LTM version. Lighter and cheaper than the M version. Screw on an LTM to M adapter and job done. Many £££ saved. This is not range finder coupled so zone focusing only. But hey, everything is in focus anyway.

Obviously there are no frame lines. So a little practice is required to hone your own composition skills. What I have found, is whilst looking through the viewfinder of the M8 if you move your eye around the extremities of the viewfinder that is what will be taken. The max you can see, will be recorded. And some.

If you are working up close then you can expect the usual characteristics you would expect with a 15mm lens.

I think this is a very underrated combo. Especially as Leica do not produce anything like this lens no matter how many £,000s you give them.

So here we are at the pic point. Straight out the cam no fiddling.

Leica M8 with Leica Summar again

Have always liked this lens, uncoated, slight cleaning marks on front element, flares like a bitch if you are not careful, ancient style f numbers on aperture ring, but lovely smooth focus, small and light and by default cheap. This example was made in 1934 and works as well today as it probably ever did. How many of today's lenses will still be in regular use in 80 years time.
Just like the look and feel you get with vintage lenses. Still, cranking it up to f5.6 + and sharp enough for me.

Here is a selection of shots taken whilst out and about.

 No fiddling. Straight out the cam.

These taken at Wistow.

 And to finish on something completely different.