Best 28mm for my M8 at best pice: Sell my old Elmarit?

[eleskin]

I need a wider lens than my 35mm f1.2 Nokton for lower light work on my M8 that is sharp at f2.0-2.8 and will not flare. I shoot at ISO 640, night time carnival shots, etc. I bought my 2nd generation 28mm Elmarit for $800 20 years ago before digital and now feel this lens is not living up to what my M8 sensor can do. For my budget, the new compact Leica 28mm f2.8 Elmarit is out of the question. For what I can get for my older Elmarit, I can buy the Zeiss f2.8 28mm or the Voigtlander 28mm f2.0. So what would all of you do from a shooters perspective, not a Leica collector. How has the 28mm Zeiss and / or 28mm Voigtlander worked for all of you M8 and M9 owners, and did any of you have the 2nd generation Elmarit and decide to sell it for the same reasons I am considering to sell it?

 

[raid]

I have read positive reviews of the CV 28/1.9 and other CV 28mm lenses like the 28/3.5. Older 28mm lenses will look less conrasty on the M8. I own a Rokkor 28mm 2.8 and a Kobalux 28/3.5. I have used the Rokkor on a digital camera. It looks OK.

 

[gilpen123]

VC 28 3.5 if you don't mind the speed and the hunt.

 

[jsrockit]

I always liked the CV 28mm 3.5 Color Skopar on the M8. The 28mm perar might be nice too. If you aren't a glasses wearer and you can get the CV 25mm f/4 lens as well... a 33mm equiv on the M8.

 

[raid]

I will try out.using the CV 25/4 on the M8.

 

[semordnilap]

I think the CV 28/2 is a good bet if you need the speed... It's contrasty and pretty flare resistant. Don't have any experience with the ZM 28... CV has the focus shift issue, but if you're shooting mostly at f2 it won't be an issue.

 

[eleskin]

Focus shift thing is an issue

Focus shift thing is an issue

The focus shift issue with the Voigtlander 28mm f2.0 makes it a less attractive lens than the Zeiss f2.8. F2.8 vs f2.0 is not much of an issue at higer ISO's. I think I am leaning towards the Zeiss. Now, should I buy Black or Chrome? I think the Chrome looks nice!

 

[jaapv]

What is wrong with the older Elmarit? 😕😕I use a version III on both my M8 and M9 and it is a pretty good lens by any standard. It is very well balanced which gains me a stop over for instance a CV.
Btw, if exposed properly and developed in LR4 there is absolutely no objection to shooting @ ISO 1250 on the M8. If you have a look at the M9 FAQ in the M9 forum on LUF you will find a useful recipe for noisecontrol. It is simply a matter of technique, not of gear.

 

[ncc1701]

Lets not forget the 28mm 2.8 Zeiss biogon, a step up from the VC 28/2 arguably.
I owned both but prefer the color rendition of the zeiss.

 

[Moriturii]

M-Hexanon 28/2.8 might be perfect for you.

 

[dweekie]

Have you considered the Zeiss 25 instead of the 28? I found it a bit better spread from the 35. I never picked up the 28/2.8 because it was so close to the 35/1.2 and I gave up 2 stops. With the 25mm, I think in terms of focal length instead of speed. Just another thought to confuse you with more options...... I just can't make any comments on the M8 framelines with the 25 though.

 

[eleskin]

25mm. That sounds interesting!

25mm. That sounds interesting!

dweekie

You may have a point. The 25mm may be a better option. I like the extra coverage idea, but not that far from 28mm. I wonder what frame lines come up with the M8?

 

[tajart]

25/4

25/4

The cv 25/4 pretty much lives on my m8.
I started with it when it was first out, on my film leicas, thread & m bodies, and then on my rd-1. I kept coming back to it, selling it three times before finally settling on the current coupled version.
The versatility of the non coupled thread version is just as good optically, if not the same formula, as the current version, but the coupling made me try it again- I don't anticipate selling this one.

 

[eleskin]

It is decided! Lensrental for now, then maybe buy later.

It is decided! Lensrental for now, then maybe buy later.

Well it is decided. I intend to rent the Zeiss 25mm for 10 days, and if I like it , and it outperforms my 28mm Elmarit V2 which I suspect it will, I will sell my Elmarit. I want to get night time carnival shots with all the artificial light that frequently is seen with rides, stands, etc.. At ISO 640 and at f2.8, I would assume the 25mm Zeiss should work very well. The event is the Allentown Fair. I will post images when I get them. I am posting a sample of one of my images from the Allentown Fair in 2011. This is the kind of thing I am aiming for.

 

[Ben Z]

What is wrong with the older Elmarit? 😕😕I use a version III on both my M8 and M9 and it is a pretty good lens by any standard.

His is a version II, somewhat lower contrast, mainly due to lesser ability control flare, compared with version III which is very close in performance to the version IV and the ASPH.

Prices on version III are very reasonable (about 2/3 of a version IV), and that would definitely be a contender if I were in his place. It's one of those "sleepers" that offers real bang-for-the-buck, which is a rarity in Leicadom. I can also speak for the Voitlander f/1.9 as being a stupendous lens. From f/2.8 I can't see any difference with my version IV Elmarit.

 

[semordnilap]

I think the ZM 25 is a great choice... Flare is very well controlled.

Some of the earlier production will bring up the 28 frame lines, but later production brings up the 24 frame lines and I believe has a little recess for hand coding. Mine is earlier so I can't say for sure about the recess.

 

[icebear]

a big +1 for the ZM25, I've no experience with the M8 framelines but it performs excellent full frame (M9) so with even a slight cropping you will have stellar performer and the FOV will give you much better coverage if space is thight on the fairground. Enjoy and let's see some pics !

 

[ChrisC]

a big +1 for the ZM25, I've no experience with the M8 framelines ...............!

From experience, 28 is a more user friendly focal length on the M8 than 24 or 25mm as the 28 frameline gives a clear field of vision to construct one's images in. The 24 framelines are twinned with 35 framelines, the latter intrude severely in the thinking process of picture construction with 24 or 25mm lenses. I'd recommend 28mm for the M8 as a better option than 24/25.

............... Chris

 

[Ben Z]

Seriously, it's really sad if the design of a camera influences your choice of focal length. I agree the Leica finder design does make for more comfortanble viewing with certain focal lengths over others, but I still make the choice based on subject and my photgraphic intent.

 

[ramosa]

Heck, I'd prefer a Elmarit 28mm V3 to my newer Elmarit 28mm ASPH. What type of rendering you prefer (modern vs. a bit more classic) may help you make a decision ...