28mm or 35mm summicron asph?

[b&w]

i'm torn between these 2 lenses. aside from difference in FOV (film / 1.33x) and price, also similar in construction, would appreciate some user feedback on the head-to-head performance of the 2 lenses.

i also appreciate that there are alternatives to these lenses such as the CV ultron (1.9 and 2.0) and the zeiss biogon... but would like to stick to the comparison between the two (28mm vs 35mm) summicron-asph, pls.

 

[Bill Blackwell]

There are other considerations besides price and FL. The 35mm Summicron is about two-thirds the size compared to the 28 (E39 vs. E46 - not to mention the 28's larger shade), but the 28 is one of Leica's sharpest lenses. While I have never done a direct comparison between the two (I have both) I think my preference would be to the 28 only because I prefer the wider POV.

 

[peter_n]

What is your proposed use? For allround I would recommend the 35/2 ASPH, it is so small and has excellent performance.

 

[sepiareverb]

Despite the similar names, these are very different animals. The 35 has more distortion than is generally noted, where the 28 has very little. Neither has enough to matter in practical use. Both are fantastic right out to the corners, but the 35 has better contrast.

The 35 is indeed small, but not tiny- a very good lens in the hand. The 28 is bigger, the hood is awfully big (but pretty unnecessary) but handles like a dream- think of the 50/1.4.

I have and use both, but the 28 is more often on my cameras.

EDIT- I have altered this to fix a typo- as is likely known, but not caught by any here- the 35 has the better contrast of these two.

 

[Bob Michaels]

b&w: This is a simple no-brainer. Pick the focal length you like best. That is the most critical distinction between lenses. Nothing else comes close.

 

[35mmdelux]

The 35 has more distortion than is generally noted, where the 28 has very little.

the 35 has more distortion? Never heard of or seen this in my photos.

 

[Rayt]

FF: 35mm; 1.3x crop: 28mm

 

[b&w]

thanks all for your advice and comments.

they are both excellent lenses, and although i appreciate the advice that i should choose the focal length that i like best, i was hoping for more inputs on the performance and IQ of the lenses, preferrable head-on-head comparisons.

from what i have gathered thusfar in the thread,

i size matters - 28cron is larger, esp with the hood on. 35cron handles better.
ii image quality - 28cron has better contrast, and possible handles distortion a little better.

 

[sepiareverb]

i size matters - 28cron is larger, esp with the hood on. 35cron handles better.
ii image quality - 28cron has better contrast, and possible handles distortion a little better.

I've corrected a typo in my post from last night- the 35 has the better contrast- Was trying to give one positive for each lens. My apologies.

the 35 has more distortion? Never heard of or seen this in my photos.

Again, not enough to matter in most use.

The 35/2 ASPH @ 2.8

The 28/2 ASPH @2.8

 

[icebear]

According to the wall shots posted before the 28 shows some serious vigentting 😉. Get over yourself any get whatever your prefer and suits your style and the objects you shoot most. Both lenses will not limit you to create decend photos.

 

[b&w]

I've corrected a typo in my post from last night- the 35 has the better contrast- Was trying to give one positive for each lens. My apologies.

thanks for the clarification...

it took me a while, but i finally figured that the brickwall shot with the 28 was rotated 180 when compared to the 35 shot. the vignetting appears quite significant even at 2.8 for the 28cron.

 

[b&w]

okay... in a last attempt to move to away from the "it depends on what FL you are most comfortable with"... although i appreciate the truth in the statement, but it is not what i'm wondering about in the differences in these 2 lenses at this time.

forwarding on some of the previous comments on the thread, might anyone be able to share anything on the center and edge sharpness / contrast between these 2 lenses? thanks.

 

[35mmdelux]

RE: distortion/curvature --

Interesting -- tks

 

[Livesteamer]

If you are choosing between two ASPH Leica lenses, you will have trouble finding meaningfull advantage of one over the other. I have the 28 f2.0 Summicron ASPH and the 35 Summilux ASPH. Both superb. Probably better than most of us will ever need. Joe

 

[Ivanskavinsky]

If you are choosing between two ASPH Leica lenses, you will have trouble finding meaningfull advantage of one over the other. I have the 28 f2.0 Summicron ASPH and the 35 Summilux ASPH. Both superb. Probably better than most of us will ever need. Joe

Fully agree they're both way better than me😀

I have the 28cron on M8 and the 35cron on M4P, essentially the same (my favourite FoV) on both and both operate pretty flawlessly. I think it still comes down to personal preference for FoV.

 

[b&w]

thanks all for your inputs, some have been most helpful and enlightening.

i had the opportunity to try both. and some had mentioned earlier, there really was little between the 2 lenses, other than the expected differences of FOV and DOF.

both are very useable focal lengths on both film and digital (1.33x and 1.5x). so after much internal debate, i finally decided to get a 28cron. i'm really enjoying the lens... but oddly, there's a big hole at the bottom of my pockets...

leaving this thread open in case others would like to post up more test shots so that others can benefit from.

 

[katgut@earthlink.net]

Perhaps I'm naive, but I'm shocked at the barrel distortion presented as what is claimed to be one of the world's finest lenses. I thought the 35 would do better.

 

[ijohnnyz]

Perhaps I'm naive, but I'm shocked at the barrel distortion presented as what is claimed to be one of the world's finest lenses. I thought the 35 would do better.

I'm am also a bit surprised, but that amount of distortion will hardly be noticed in most photos and is easily corrected in Photoshop. I stumble upon this thread while looking for a people within their environment lens that exhibited low distortion and the 28 seems perfect (w/o post-processing). The vignetting can also be easily corrected, but I love the look. I already have a 50mm so the 28mm will round out my kit. I guess what I'm trying to add to this post is get a focal length that will complement and add perspective to your currently owned lens kit. I will probably get a 35mm in the future for one-lens outings.