28mm, V/C, Canon, Rokkor, Pls help to make up my mind.

[AhShun]

Hi all,
I used to have 40 Rokkor on a M6. After "replaced" with the R-D1, 28 became a sensible option for me.
First came the Canon 28/2.8, comparable in compactness, but "drawing" in different tone compared with the 40 Rokkor.
Then the Ultron, for the speed, but a bit large in size.
Will I overcome from GAS if I get a good condition 28 Rokkor?
THX!

 

[ampguy]

No expedience with the Rokkor 28, but the Zeiss 28/2.8 is incredible, and while I've only owned one CV 28/1.9, and realize they can vary, the Zeiss Biogon 28 is a much better lens, and seems to be consistently great.

 

[David Murphy]

I've owned the Canon 28/2.8 and I currently own a Canon 28/3.5. I favor the Canon 28/3.5 over the 28/2.8 -- it's a sharp lens with a modern character to it even if it's a tad slow. if your in the market for 28's, another one to consider is the Kobalux 28/2.8 - it's tack sharp and contasty. I prefer the older Canon 28mm finder to the fancy Kobalux bright-line unit. I have little doubt all the CV 28's are excellent, although I have no direct experience.

 

[noimmunity]

No expedience with the Rokkor 28, but the Zeiss 28/2.8 is incredible, and while I've only owned one CV 28/1.9, and realize they can vary, the Zeiss Biogon 28 is a much better lens, and seems to be consistently great.

I will second ampguy's preference for the Zeiss 28 over the CV 28/1.9 I've had both. Sean Reid liked the CV Ultron 28 esp. on the RD-1 because it has lower contrast, but I liked the color rendition and in-out-focus-transitions much better on the Zeiss. The Cv lens however will allow you to take shots you couldn't do (DOF and/or low lighting) with the ZM.

The 28 Rokkor looks sweet. Why not try it first and then decide?

 

[wlewisiii]

I'll also argue for the Canon 28/3.5. If you can live with the speed, it's a marvelous little lens with a wonderfully balanced quality (Hi David 😉 ). I'd love to find one of the ~200 made in Contax mount :bang:

William

 

[Doug]

Someone should step forward with a kind word for the Voigtlander 28mm f3.5 Color Skopar. I used to have one, but the monetary shock of its replacement meant selling it. Excellent build quality and optics, very compact. I've just ordered another one from CameraQuest, this time in the discontinued SC mount, and look forward to making its acquaintance again.

And I suppose the 28 f2 Summicron is out of the running? Small for an f2, exquisite quality, priced to shock...

 

[wlewisiii]

Doug, when you get that SC mount lens, please let me know your thoughts. I'm trying to save/scrounge the money for one to put on my Kiev and can use the encouragement 😉

Thanks!

William

 

[LCT]

The M-Rokkor 28/2.8 matches very well the M-Rokkor 40/2 and Summicron-C 40/2.
Beware of white spots in the glass though (last pic).
See http://www.photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg?msg_id=00Kky0

http://tinyurl.com/rv7w/EPSN0103.jpg (1.4 MB)
http://tinyurl.com/rv7w/EPSN0107.jpg (1.3 MB)
http://tinyurl.com/rv7w/EPSN0114.jpg (1.3 MB)
http://tinyurl.com/rv7w/EPSN0471.jpg (1.1 MB)
http://tinyurl.com/rv7w/Minolta28_spots.jpg

 

[Doug]

Doug, when you get that SC mount lens, please let me know your thoughts. I'm trying to save/scrounge the money for one to put on my Kiev and can use the encouragement 😉

Hi, William -- Now seems to be a good time to get one while you can; prices are discounted, and already the 35mm f2.5 is limited to stock on hand. The 28 Skopar SC optical elements are the same as the LTM mount lens; here are a couple samples for encouragement... 😀

 

[palec]

The M-Rokkor 28/2.8 matches very well the M-Rokkor 40/2 and Summicron-C 40/2.
Beware of white spots in the glass though (last pic).

I second this. If you can find one for a good price and without white spots you won't regret.

 

[manojd]

I had a rokkor. The lens is compact but it had fog and white spots. This is a common problem on rokkors. I replaced it with M-hexanon 28/2.8 which I think is a good lens.

 

[chambrenoire]

Are the white spots on the front lens or the black inner barrel of the lens?
Does it affect quality of the image in any way? Consider getting one for my CLE.

The M-Rokkor 28/2.8 matches very well the M-Rokkor 40/2 and Summicron-C 40/2.
Beware of white spots in the glass though (last pic).
See http://www.photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg?msg_id=00Kky0

http://tinyurl.com/rv7w/EPSN0103.jpg (1.4 MB)
http://tinyurl.com/rv7w/EPSN0107.jpg (1.3 MB)
http://tinyurl.com/rv7w/EPSN0114.jpg (1.3 MB)
http://tinyurl.com/rv7w/EPSN0471.jpg (1.1 MB)
http://tinyurl.com/rv7w/Minolta28_spots.jpg

 

[Al Kaplan]

At one time Minolta would repair the 28 to get rid of the white spots for free. I don't know if they still do. The second problem with them is bringing up the 28mm frame line in Leica M bodies. The length of one of the bayonet lugs contols which framelines show in the finder. When Leitz finally decided to squeeze in a 28mm frameline they made it so it didn't show the 28mm frameline with the Rokkor lens. At the time the Rokkor was rated just as sharp and contrasty as the Leitz Elmarit by Modern Photography magazine but sold for half the price of the Elmarit. Unlike the 40mm, where a couple of strokes with a file will bring up the 35mm frame, the 28mm Rokkor requires adding a couple of mm, not as easy to do. It is possible to drill a tiny hole in the end of the lug and epoxy a little pin in the hole to extend the length.

Nikon also made a 28/3.5 in Leica thread mount, as did Komura and Angenieux.

 

[LCT]

Are the white spots on the front lens or the black inner barrel of the lens? Does it affect quality of the image in any way?...

See Joel Matherson's post in my link above.
I have a clean copy fortunately but AFAIK it's like a desease that will necessarily worsen with time and no one can fix it IMHO.

 

[Doug]

True, the CLE Rokkor 28mm lens brings up the 35mm framelines in other M cameras.

The white spots are separation of the adhesive between cemented pairs of elements.