7artisans 28mm f/1.4 Leica M lens

[Archlich]

By no means am I in favor of a 100% Leica lens lineup. I myself use and prefer different brands for certain focal lengths. I suppose the point I'm trying to make is that there are a few Leica lenses that warrant their price, not only in terms of build quality, but in their ability to produce unique image characteristics. If you exclude a lens solely because of its (relatively) high price, you could be missing out on a truly wonderful photographic experience.

I see. I do agree with you on this - I'm certainly missing out the unique travel experience of a personal jet too, solely because I cannot afford it. But I'm not really missing it, you know...

There're many expensive and unique experiences that I have missed in my life. A $6590 lens is one of them, and let there be neither shame nor sorry by saying it, again: I cannot afford it. Wonderful (but is it $6000 more wonderful?) it surely is (it better be), but I know I could make even better use of the money elsewhere...photographically.

 

[Huss]

Some people will buy 5 crap items that add up to 1 nice item.

I guess you have to define what a crap lens is.
If the lens gives the photographer the image that he/she is looking for, it is an excellent lens.

All my Leica lenses are garbage (apart from the 28 2.8 asph) when it comes to flare resistance. So if the intention in my images is to not have flare in them, Leica glass sucks. And are very expensive.

For heavy backlit images, with minimal flare, my ZM Planar 50 f2 is waaaay better than my 5 times more expensive 50 Summilux Asph.

 

[Contarama]

Well KR suggests a 50/2 Summicron over the Konica

Options are great

 

[Huss]

Well KR suggests a 50/2 Summicron over the Konica

Options are great

Kenny Rogers, the Gambler?

 

[Contarama]

Kenny Rogers, the Gambler?

No Kenny Rogers Coward of the County 😀

 

[bayernfan]

I guess you have to define what a crap lens is.
If the lens gives the photographer the image that he/she is looking for, it is an excellent lens.

All my Leica lenses are garbage (apart from the 28 2.8 asph) when it comes to flare resistance. So if the intention in my images is to not have flare in them, Leica glass sucks. And are very expensive.

For heavy backlit images, with minimal flare, my ZM Planar 50 f2 is waaaay better than my 5 times more expensive 50 Summilux Asph.

Hey, you're the one with the pricey Leica lens 😀

Is the Planar used exclusively for flare-prone scenes? If not, why even own the Lux asph?

 

[Huss]

Hey, you're the one with the pricey Leica lens 😀

Is the Planar used exclusively for flare-prone scenes? If not, why even own the Lux asph?

Cuz I got suckered into the 'y have a Leica if you don't use Leica lenses' crowd before I knew better.

😀

 

[Ko.Fe.]

I read too many times about falling modern Leica lenses.
I have seen several reports on problems with 28 2.8 ASPH.
I think current Leica line up holds the crappy lenses crown. Based on amount of failed current Leica lenses reports I have seen on LUF.

 

[Corran]

I'm happy with the 50mm Elmar and 50mm Summitar lenses that came attached to the Leica SM cameras I was buying. Otherwise, my Voigtlanders, Nikkors, and occasionally Zeiss lenses are more than good enough for regular usage, and plus I can afford more film.

 

[alan davus]

Well KR suggests a 50/2 Summicron over the Konica

Options are great

KR has never used the Konicas, he only pretends he has. Also he can't make any money out of Konica so he pushes the Leicas.

 

[Archlich]

In stock at Amazon for $486.

 

[leicapixie]

KR has never used the Konicas, he only pretends he has. Also he can't make any money out of Konica so he pushes the Leicas.

I read Ken Rockwell and I would NOT say he has given Leica digital a blessing! Awful colors etc.
Konica was a flash in pan and soon no more..
the film Leica reports and images is another story, POSITIVE!
I love all the "flare" about Leica (true) but using a friend's Mono and Zeiss Planar I detected same flare as my ancient Collapsible Summicron, under same conditions..mmm!
One of the worst lenses for flare, stars and other excitements was a 58 mm Zeiss Biotar on my Spotmatic.
I sold it for the non-flare Pentax Super-Takumar and soon regretted that sale!

 

[DanskDynamit]

so many posts and nothing about this lens..

I have seen it on pre-order on eBay from France for 499€. I think it will be cheaper later so I will wait.

 

[chambrenoire]

Should arrive Monday according to tracking 🙂

 

[John Lawrence]

Looks to be a really interesting lens, and I'm finding that lately I've been gravitating to wide angle lenses more....

John

 

[Huss]

Got mine for $360USD directly from 7artisans (e-mail them: sales [at] 7artisans.com) with DHL Express shipping. Should arrive Monday according to tracking 🙂

nice thanks for the heads up!

Looking forward to u posting images.

$360 vs $7000 for the Leica. Some foibles can be forgiven/encouraged!

 

[bayernfan]

360 is a pretty amazing price if it has solid build/performance.

 

[Huss]

To put it into perspective, this lens is only a few dollars more than just the lens hood for the Leica 28 1.4!

 

[ChicagoMatthew]

I saw some reviews that say it flares terribly. I think that would get annoying. But... for $360.. why not.

 

[Huss]

It has a weird apparently intentional ring flare that puts it out of the running for me.