28mm Leica alternative?

[venchka]

I can't add anything to the 28mm M-Hexanon praise except....

Why does Leica charge so much for Konica quality?

OH, and the lens does not flare.

 

[leicashot]

Honestly, if you want a Summicron 28/2 ASPH, there is NO alternative...only bettered somewhat in speed by the new 24mm f/1.4 ASPH which equals the Summicron at f/2, at f/1.4! I recently tested the Summilux and it's on my list to get.

I own the Summicron and it barely sharpens up when stopped down....and it's very very sharp across the while frame wide open. Until you can afford the Summicron, get the VC 28/2. It's similar in size, has the same max f-stop and is relatively cheap. Then the transition to your future summicron will be easier.

Good luck with your decision.

 

[Avotius]

I have the Zeiss 28 f2.8 biogon, its a really great lens and typically the one that is on my camera when the Zeiss 21 f2.8 biogon is not on there. Its a good lens but you pay a price for it, and it seems the Voigtlander 28mm f2 lens is better all around value, but it lacks that...."zeissness".

 

[Turtle]

I would be really interested to see side by side shots of the V4 Elmarit and the Biogon or hear from users of them both. Same size and speed etc...

 

[peewee]

Ampguy, that's very kind. It would help to see some shots taken with the Hexanon 28.
I think getting cheapish, reasonable quality, used, is a good idea. Hopefully i won't lose too much when it comes to affording the Cron (if ever).
Does anyone have an idea of the price of a used Hexanon?
Thankyou very much for your help.

 

[mikenic]

My experience is the same as b.espahbod's.

I have been impressed with my Elmarit-M 28 2.8 Pre-Asph and it was my M8 "lens cap" on a recent trip through Singapore and Malaysia.

Perhaps one stop is not too high a penalty to pay for a top quality genuine Leica lens, which should be a good deal cheaper than the Summicron. Depends on you and your photography needs though.

I carry a very compact and lightweight monopod I made up to provide a stable easy to carry platform to minimise shake on some key shots.

Good luck with your choice.

 

[johannielscom]

Get Krosya's M-Hex, you wont regret it. I shoot this from my M8 a lot and there is nothing better except the 28mm ASPH. See my site for a demo shot, First one up on the page

 

[peewee]

The M Hex does look good. Seems like they are hard to get hold of though.
Thanks a lot.

 

[Uwe_Nds]

Why does Leica charge so much for Konica quality?

QC, which other manufacturers are outsourcing to the customer?:angel:

Cheers,
Uwe

 

[Krosya]

The M Hex does look good. Seems like they are hard to get hold of though.
Thanks a lot.

I like all Hexanon lenses - and 28 is great:

 

[Krosya]

Also, check these two threads:
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=48164
pics from the one above made me get Hex in a first place.

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=67423

 

[venchka]

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showpost.php?p=518690&postcount=16

 

[Ben Z]

That's a bit naive to say. While a filter provides a protective purpose, technically, it changes the optical formula of the lens. Leica, like most manufacturers doesn't design their lenses to accompany a filter. The filter is an addition to the optical design that can change the outcome of the image in various ways depending on the shooting conditions.

Flare, internal reflections and colour variences are just a few of the potential issue that can come with using a filter. Personally, I use high quality filters on my lenses, but then there are times, especially with UV-IR when they 'need' to come off to avoid potential issues.

I could be wrong, but the above info is based on my own experience.

Thanks for the good laugh...at my age being accused of naivete feels great 😀 Of course there are instances where a filter (especially an uncoated or single-coated one) will cause obvious problems and needs to come off (unfortunately, with the M8, taking the IR filter off tends to cause equal or worse problems). What I was refering to was the tendency for some people to take a haughty attitude toward anybody who used a UV filter aside from those peculiar instances to protect the lens from scratches, and claimed that Leica coatings were virtually unscratchable.

 

[leicashot]

Thanks for the good laugh...at my age being accused of naivete feels great 😀 Of course there are instances where a filter (especially an uncoated or single-coated one) will cause obvious problems and needs to come off (unfortunately, with the M8, taking the IR filter off tends to cause equal or worse problems). What I was refering to was the tendency for some people to take a haughty attitude toward anybody who used a UV filter aside from those peculiar instances to protect the lens from scratches, and claimed that Leica coatings were virtually unscratchable.

Yeah that is funny if the previous owner had thoughts like that ;-)

 

[ampguy]

I'll take some photos with mine today

I'll take some photos with mine today

which I think is still in the classifieds (need to sell some lenses). The range of these is $700-$900 or so depending on condition and what's included.

There are usually a couple on the auction site in this range. It's good to get the original hood, as it's very cool, after screwing in (46), it rotates about 45-90 degrees to ensure the vented support portion never blocks your view. Never seen anything this innovative from other round hood vendors.

Ampguy, that's very kind. It would help to see some shots taken with the Hexanon 28.
I think getting cheapish, reasonable quality, used, is a good idea. Hopefully i won't lose too much when it comes to affording the Cron (if ever).
Does anyone have an idea of the price of a used Hexanon?
Thankyou very much for your help.

 

[sepiareverb]

As someone for whom the 28/2 ASPH is a real favorite (perhaps my most used lens), I'll second the 28/2.8 ASPH. Quite similar in drawing, and will certainly hold resale value well once the time comes for the 2.0. I've shot with the ZM, both the ASPH Leica 28's and a V2 28/2.8- the ASPH's are top notch.

28/2.0 ASPH on FP4+

 

[Kid Cruces]

Another vote for the Kobalux 28/3.5 I am not wealthy,& lucked into mine a few years ago. I love the super sharp images, compactness, & ease of operation. I'm through looking for a 28 lens.

 

[ampguy]

some snapshots from the M8

some snapshots from the M8

All snaps here are JPGs straight out of the camera, all settings on standard, if the image is monochrome, I switched from color to monochrome, the basic exif info shows, some shots were ~ 1/10th, most all apertures were 2.8, some f4.0.

Ampguy, that's very kind. It would help to see some shots taken with the Hexanon 28.
I think getting cheapish, reasonable quality, used, is a good idea. Hopefully i won't lose too much when it comes to affording the Cron (if ever).
Does anyone have an idea of the price of a used Hexanon?
Thankyou very much for your help.

 

[leicashot]

Ok let me contribute with some Summicron ASPH images of my own from a feature I started shooting today in Hollywood.

All shot on M8 at ISO 160/f-8-f/11

 

[Haigh]

I have the CV Ultron 28 1.9 and I use it for b&w. It is so good that I make the prints from it myself in order to bring out the fine tonality and sharpness of this lens.