A Canon LTM 25 or a Canon LTM 28?

[wrs1145]

I've recently got a Canon 25 paired w/ a Canon Model P and a Canon L1 for street photography.
My question is should I trade off this 25mm lens for a 28mm or keep the 25 and just happily use it.?I have no experience w/ the 28, but now have a 28 Nikon AIS and a 24 AIS for use w/ a Nikon F2 AIS, Nikkormat FTN and a couple of Nikon EMs and a planned purchase of an FM or FG20. that I plan on using. I have also a Canon 35 LTM. I can't afford both the pricey 25 and the 28. Your expert knowledge would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Bill

 

[largedrink]

Do you have the viewfinder that goes with the 25mm lens? It's a superb lens, I have the 25mm, 28mm 3.5 Serenar and 35mm 2.8 black focus ring LTM lenses. All are great. The 25mm is slightly bigger than the 28mm Serenar which makes it easier to use, the 28mm is tiny. I can't think of a good reason to change from the 25mm to 28mm. If I was you I'd keep it and happily use it. I find the 28mm is too close in focal length to your 35mm anyway; with the 25mm you have a wider option.

 

[largedrink]

Featherston, N.Z.
Leica M4, Canon 25mm 3.5 LTM,
Ilford FP4 125 film


For the Love of Books by Hugh B, on Flickr

 

[Calzone]

The 25 is rare for sure. I would avoid remorse and keep it.

I own and love a Black Canon 28/3.5. Lens is tiny and has better ergonomics than the chrome version. The Canon VF’ers are nice.

If you also have the VF’er I would say it would be dumb to sell.

Cal

 

[newst]

I owned both and finally realized that the images produced were basically the same, with the exception of course of the wider framing. I eventually sold the 28mm and kept the 25mm. No remorse.

 

[Ko.Fe.]

25 is to keep. Where are loads of cheap and good 28 for Nikon. I had Vivitar 28/2 and Nikkor 28 3.5.

 

[retinax]

Nobody can decide this for you! I personally prefer 28mm, as I find perspective "distortion" easier to manage and to me it's the widest I can use as my only lens. 25 sits uncomfortably in a place where to me, the wideness isn't enough to justify dealing with the difficulties of using something seriously wide, and a wide look that isn't subtle any more - I prefer a 21mm (or perhaps wider, have never had one though) for that.

 

[Beemermark]

If you have a 24mm & 28mm for your Nikon you should be able to determine which focal length you like best.

 

[wlewisiii]

I also have 21 and 28. 25 is a weird neither fish nor fowl kind of FOV for me. Your milage will, obviously, vary but for me, the 25 would be one to sell to a collector to buy a nice 50 that I don't have.

 

[wrs1145]

Many thanks for all your excellent replies.
Yes, I do have a 25mm Canon Viewfinder. It came with the lens.

 

[Evergreen States]

If you have a 24mm & 28mm for your Nikon you should be able to determine which focal length you like best.

This. Why ask us when you have both lenses, OP?

 

[Zuiko-logist]

The 25 is very nice. Keep it and use - if you don’t like it, sell later. Prices will only likely go up.

 

[das]

Fun fact. The Canon 25mm is pretty much the only Zeiss Topogon derivative that is relatively affordable and exists in some quantity. The OG Topogon and the Nikkor 25mm are currently extremely expensive collectors' items.

 

[Deleted member 65559]

The Canon 25mm is a fine lens. It's all personal choice. If you ever used an SLR 24mm is common. It's an uncommon focal length for a rangefinder. It's a high quality tiny lens.

 

[raid]

Good move to keep the 25mm Canon ltm. I have a 16mm Hologon in M mount. On the M8, it becomes a 21mm view lens. On the M9 or M10 I get the full 16mm view. As for ltm lenses, I have a Canon 28mm/3.5 and Kobalux 28mm/3.5