28/2.8 4th gen Elmarit-M vs Biogon ZM

[HAnkg]

I am looking for a 28mm for my soon to arrive M8. I liked the look of the 28/2.8 Biogon ZM in Sean Reids review of 28's. It takes the same 46 filter as my 50/1.4 Summilux M and is fairly compact. Cheaper then any of the Leica 28's even the pre-ASPH Elmarit used. I owned the 50/1.4 (and 75/1.4 and 35/2 4th gen) when I used to shoot with Leica but never had anything wider then 35. Anyone able to compare the Zeiss to the 4th gen Elmarit-M?

I am looking for very smooth transitions from sharp to a very soft OOF, similar to the 4th gen 35/2 or the pre-ASPH 50/1.4.

While we are comparing how about the 75/2 vs 75/1.4. I understand the 75/2 along with the 50/1.4 ASPH are spectacular but I would sacrifice a little perfection for that old school signature. After all, hand held the last generation of Leica optics is still in a pretty elite class. In the comparisons I have seen on Seans site between the Zeiss and Leica ASPH I am more liking the softer Zeiss drawing. Any examples and experience would be appreciated.

 

[Sailor Ted]

HAnkg,
I could not find IV Gen images however lots of shots from the III Gen. Perhaps they are similar- I don't know but here's a link:

http://www.flickr.com/groups/86731438@N00/pool/tags/LeicaElmarit28mmf2.8III

You may want to take note of this group or join and contribute your images to the pool. We are compiling a library of images sorted on lens type. This should be a real asset in a few months time, especially as more photographers join and share their M Mount lens images. I hope this helps.

 

[triplefinger]

i don't know about the 28 BUT i prefer my ZM 35 and 50 over their Leica counterparts.

 

[Turtle]

I cannot comment on the Leica 28 directly, but the 28 Biogon I have is very nice indeed. Smallish, easy to use, super flare resistant, very sharp and good value compared to Leica. Very pleased with it indeed. You are quite right, the lenses do look the same from 28-35-50 that I have. Very high resolution and eveness of resolution across the frame, good contrast but not excessive.

I would love to get my hands on a 25 and 21, but suspect I will wait for teh 21 4.5 as I will not be needing the faster aperture of the 2.8, preferring compactness. I amnot familiar with issues pertaining to use on the M8 in terms fo the various corrections required by the camera, but as a stand alone lens the 28 biogon is great. According to teh MTFs the 25 is the clear winner but in use the 28 is plenty sharp.

 

[Nachkebia]

Don`t know about 35mm but I prefer summilux 50 asph over zm50 🙂