28mm project

[BillBingham2]

......Assume I should avoid the cheaper E version?
..

I can't speak to the quality of the E, but when the E Series came out the plastic-haters had a field day.

While I've heard good things about the 28/2 I have never had one. I've tried several other Nikkors and was underwhelmed.

The 28/2.8 AI-s has spoiled me from pulling the trigger on a mirrorless system. I'm hoping Nikon gets it right this time. Fine system the Nikon 1, but not what I was looking for.

B2 (;->

 

[Montag006]

no i don't. i only collected a list of historical 28mm lenses, out of curiosity.

actually, i own only a few very pedestrian representatives of this focal length, like the leitz elmarit M ver. II (which i prefer over the ver. III), ZM biogon, super takumar, or a tokina RMC II.

Sebastel,
could you explain why you prefer a version II over a III?
I had a version III years ago and loved it..
Of course I parted with it...:bang:

David

 

[sebastel]

I see! I thought that was your personal collection 😱 😀

i wish it was.

Sebastel,
could you explain why you prefer a version II over a III?
I had a version III years ago and loved it..
Of course I parted with it...:bang:

David

sure.
first of all, it's that little bit more compact that makes the difference, so it "sneaks" into usage more easily.
of course, you may prefer the ver. IV then, or the asph. or the zm biogon, which i also like a lot.

then, it's the rendering.
honestly, there is not too much of a difference between all the 28mm lenses available for M. f8 and being there still rules in order to take pictures.
i had the v. III for a while, and found it an excellent lens, but i couldn't tell its results from the biogon's, which i preferred between these two (->compactness). on the other hand, there is a little bit of a difference between the elmarit v.II and the biogon, that in my eyes makes them both worth keeping.

now if you asked me which of these two i'd keep (elmarit v.II or zm biogon), that would be a difficult question ...

 

[Tompas]

I like the lens in my Ricoh GRII. You can't get it without the camera, though, and it's strictly speaking a 18mm lens...

 

[oftheherd]

The 28mm focal length has never been a favorite of mine. However, here are the 28mm lenses I own and use:

Asahi 28mm f/3.5 Super-Multi-Coated Takumar (49mm filter)
Nikkor 28mm f/2.8 AIS (52mm filter)
Nikkor 28mm f/3.5 pre-AIS (52mm filter)
Nikkor 28mm f/4 PC (72mm filter)
Vivitar 28mm f/2.5 lens with M42 mount (67mm filter)
Vivitar 28mm f/2.5 lens with TX mount (58mm filter)
Zeiss 28mm f/2 Distagon T* ZF 2 (58mm filter) (my personal favorite)
Zeiss 28mm f/2.8 Biogon for Contax G rangefinder (46mm filter)

28mm Lenses by Narsuitus, on Flickr

What is that Fujica camera. I can't quite make out the model number. Just curious as I have both the ST 801 and ST 901. Funny, I lusted for the 801 for a long time because of the 1/2000 shutter speed. I don't think I have ever used that speed. Nor the camera much either. The 901 does so much more of what I want.

How did you like the TX mount lenses? I have several and liked them.

I didn't mention the Fujinon 28mm lens as this seemed more a question of RF lenses. When I got mine, at the first opportunity, I took it in place of the 28mm Yashikor I mentioned. I came across a shot that I thought would look great, that I would take into the sun. I mounted the Fujinon and looked through the viewfinder for where I would place the flair. I was astounded and disappointed to find there was none. 😛

 

[zuiko85]

Was reading over this thread and realized I didn't even have a 28mm lens, just 35 and 24 (and only one each of those).
.....Or so I thought.
From somewhere a picture formed in my mind of a table at a photo show and a T-mount adapter for my Pen F (film) camera I wanted. It was $5 and attached to a Soligor 28mm f2.8 lens. Well I wanted the T-mount but when I got home just tossed the lens in a box of photo 'stuff' that I'll get around to sorting out later.
Maybe I should dig it out, mount it to a full frame body, think I'll use the Fujica ST 605n, and see how it does.

 

[Tati]

I hesitated for a year before buying my GR. Thought I would never like the 28mm. Learned to love the 28mm with a ricoh GR and its aps-c sensor. So much so, that I then bought a panasonic 15mm f1.7 for my m5vII. Ok. It's 30mm, but close enough. And then Fall 2016 I bought the nikon 28mm f2.8 ai-s for use with my nikon d700. It's the close focus one.

Good luck with your project. Sounds like fun. I can shoot tight, really up and in close my little GR. Hardly a person notices or cares.



170701_boy.sunglasses.bw2_000628 by Morris, on Flickr

 

[Montag006]

i wish it was.



sure.
first of all, it's that little bit more compact that makes the difference, so it "sneaks" into usage more easily.
of course, you may prefer the ver. IV then, or the asph. or the zm biogon, which i also like a lot.

then, it's the rendering.
honestly, there is not too much of a difference between all the 28mm lenses available for M. f8 and being there still rules in order to take pictures.
i had the v. III for a while, and found it an excellent lens, but i couldn't tell its results from the biogon's, which i preferred between these two (->compactness). on the other hand, there is a little bit of a difference between the elmarit v.II and the biogon, that in my eyes makes them both worth keeping.

now if you asked me which of these two i'd keep (elmarit v.II or zm biogon), that would be a difficult question ...

That is interesting and makes sense, thanks for the explanation.

 

[narsuitus]

What is that Fujica camera. I can't quite make out the model number.

Fujica ST705 35mm SLR

 

[narsuitus]

How did you like the TX mount lenses? I have several and liked them.

I had two TX mount lenses (both were 28mm lenses) and two TX mount adapters (one for Nikon F bodies and one for M42 bodies). They worked well and I liked them. I never understood why the TX mount was not more popular.

 

[charjohncarter]

Nick, I was going to jump all over you if you didn't mention the Pentax 28mm f3.5 screw mount (Super Takumar)(but you did mention it). It is one of my favorites, and has been since I bought it in 1970.

You should look at Henry Wessel's you tube videos and his images on Google search. He uses an M model Leica with a Canon 28mm LSM lens (mostly TriX). He is one of my favorites, to me he is the greatest California living photographer.

 

[alvarossorio]

I would include in your list one of these two:

PENTAX SMC 28 f2 (filter diameter 52 mm)
ZEISS CONTAX 28 f2 (filter diameter 55 mm)

Both nicknamed as "Hollywood" for their 3D rendering.

Both are excellent performers. None of them is cheap and both are hard to find, the CONTAX is sold today in NIKON and CANON mount.

 

[farlymac]

I've got the Leica Elmarit-R 28/2.8, and really like its flare control (my avatar was shot with it). Unfortunately it's holed up at Leica NJ at the moment awaiting repair.

I've several other 28's, but the Leica really stands out among them.

PF

 

[mretina]

This is what I would do if I looked at a list of 28 28s

1. Elmarit R 28/2.8 v2
2. Elmarit M v3
3. Zeiss Biogon 28/2.8 G
4. Super Takumar 28/3.5
5. Nikon 28/2 AI
6. Nikon 28/3.5 pre-Ai
7. Nikon 28/3.5 RF
8. Zeiss 28/2 Distagon C/Y
9. Zeiss 28/2 Distagon ZE
10. Voigtlander Skopar 28/3.5 LTM
11. Ricoh GR1v
12. Canon 28/2.8 LTM (Winogrand's main lens)


from my lot, adding lens I do not own (having a bias towards LTM)


13. Summaron 28/5.6
14. Tessar 28/8
15. Orion 28mm
16. Zuiko 28/2 or 28/3.5 for OM
17. Angenieux 28/3.5 retrofocus for Alpa/Exacta
18. Summicron- M
19 Hexanon-M 28mm
20 Rokkor-M
21 Komura 28/3.5 LTM
22. Hektor 28/6.3 LTM
23. Minolta 28/3.5 LTM
24. Canon 28/3.5 LTM
25. Kobalux 28/3.5
26. Ultron 28/1.9
27. Distagon 28/2.8 QBM, C/Y
28. Canon 28/2.8 FD

 

[Out to Lunch]

Zeiss Biogon 2.8/28. Great lens.

 

[rodt16s]

I can loan you a 28/2.8 AiS

 

[Nick De Marco]

Many thanks for the further posts and suggestions.
Plus, I love the photo Tati, and appreciate you directing me towards Henry Wessel, charjohncarter - I like his work

Thanks for the offer on the Nikon, rodt16s - but I decided to buy a used one from eBay.

I'm still looking for the latest Elmarit M ASPH though.... I am so tempted to buy one but I can't see the justification when I have the Summicron M ASPH which I love on the Leica. Can anyone persuade me to waste more money, or borrow me theirs?

 

[Nick De Marco]

I have now got together enough cameras and lenses for the project.

28 varieties of camera/lens - from my favourite cameras or those I use the most, across a variety of different types of camera. I am including 12 slrs, 9 rangefinders and 7 point & shoot/mirrorless cameras. 24 cameras are 35mm film, the other 4 are full frame digital.

I have many cameras I shan't be using, as I have narrowed down to one type of camera and only one 28mm lens. These might not be the best, but they are the best for me, and I like each of these cameras/set ups for different reasons.

So here is my final list of 28 - I am glad I have now done this as I have no further excuse, on this project, to buy yet more stuff!

Canon A1 28mm Canon FD f2.8
Canon P 28mm Serenar f3.5
Contax G2 28mm Biogon f2.8
Contax S 28mm Contax C/Y Distagon f2.8 T
Fujifilm Cardia Mini Tiara 28mm Fujinon f3.5 fixed
Konica Autoreflex TC 28mm Konica Hexanon f3.5
Konica Genbakantoku 28WB 28mm f3.5 fixed
Leica M 28mm Summicron f2 ASPH
Leica M2 28mm Orion f6
Leica M6 28mm Avenon f3.5 ltm
Leica Q 28mm Summilux f1.7 fixed
Leica R6.2 28mm Elmarit f2.8 (v1)
Minolta CLE 28mm Color-Skopar f3.5
Minolta TC-1 28mm f3.5 fixed
Minolta X-700 28mm Minolta MD f2.8
Nikon D750 28mm Nikkor f2.8 AF-D
Nikon FM3A 28mm Nikkor AIS f2.8
Nikon SP 28mm Nikkor f3.5
Olympus OM4 28mm Zuiko MC f2
Olympus XA4 28mm Zuiko f3.5 fixed
Pentax LX 28mm Vivitar MC f2.8 Close Focus
Pentax MX 28mm SMC M f2.8
Pentax Spotmatic F 28mm Super-Takumar f3.5
Ricoh GR1v 28mm 2.8 fixed
Sony A7S 28 Sony FE f2
Yashica FX-D 28mm Yashica C/Y ML f2.8
Yashica YF rangefinder 28mm Canon f2.8 ltm
Zeiss Ikon ZM 28mm Biogon f2.8 ZM

 

[Nick De Marco]

By way of an update, I'm about half way through my 28 project now, and already planning the next one (35mm)

I have used 14 cameras and lenses so far. These:

Canon A1 28mm Canon FD f2.8
Canon P 28mm Serenar f3.5
Contax S 28mm Contax C/Y Distagon f2.8 T
Fujifilm Cardia Mini Tiara 28mm Fujinon f3.5 fixed
Konica Autoreflex TC 28mm Konica Hexanon f3.5
Konica Genbakantoku 28WB 28mm f3.5 fixed
Leica M 28mm Summicron f2 ASPH
Leica M3 28mm Canon f2.8 ltm
Leica M6 28mm Orion f6
Minolta CLE 28mm Color-Skopar f3.5
Minolta X-700 28mm Minolta MD f2.8
Nikon FM3A 28mm Nikkor AIS f2.8
Pentax Spotmatic F 28mm Super-Takumar f3.5
Ricoh GR1v 28mm 2.8 fixed

I haven't scanned all the negatives from these first 14 yet, but I was surprised with the cameras I thought I got the best results with so far. Not necessarily what I expected. Of course it might have had as much to do with the light, my mood and the place, but so far I think the best shots came from the Minolta X-700 with 28mm Minolta MD f2.8 and the Ricoh GR1v with 28mm 2.8 fixed lens