Elmarit 28mm with R-D1s: any experience?

[ferdinandshen]

Got promoted and a salary raise recently. My wife has finally allowed me to get a 28mm for my R-D1s. Initially I was looking for Biogon 25/28mm and Ultron, but my wife said "why settle for second? my lab uses Leica microscope. Get a Leica.". (how nice) So now I am eying 3rd, 4th and ASPH Elmarit 28/2.8. I already got a Skopar 25/4 but was not happy with its corner darkness and sharpness (at f/4!). Will Elmarit 28/2.8 be any better than that?

 

[Crane]

Elmarit 28

Elmarit 28

The Ultron 28 is a very fine performer, optically,on the RD bodies. I replaced mine with Leica designs because I never came to terms with the very stiff focus action of the Ultron. I bought a version IV Elmarit 28, and the improvement in detail and microcontrast was obvious. Shortly after, I bought a Summicron 28 f2 aspherical, expecting a huge leap in image quality. I was greatly disappointed, finding the aspherical version recorded less of the fine details the Elmarit had so impressed me with.

I swapped the Summicron for another sample of the same design, but the results were unchanged. I went back to the Elmarit, and it never lets me down. Wide open, it just has a 'look' that I like, with detail and microcontrast which seem to transcend the humble 6mp sensor of the RD series. I still have the Summicron, and return to it, occasionally, but always with disappointment. I think the pre-aspherical 28 Elmarit designs, versions II - IV, offer exceptional value and quality, and I prefer the way these optics render the given image to their more modern counterparts.

Crane

 

[tajart]

another vote for the 4th version elmarit, a beauty of a lens. my experience with 28s progressed from the cv28/3.5 (which i still have) followed by the 3rd v. elmarit (which i really liked) to my current v4. i've also had the opportunity to shoot with a friends asph summicron, and the asph elmarit. the summicron is approximately the same size as the v4 while the ashp elmarit is very compact. if you also shoot film, the v4 is exquisite.

 

[ferdinandshen]

Finally got a 3rd Elmarit 28mm from a award-winning photojournalist, with box and shade, in good condition. At first I was a bit worried that it will by heavily used, but it turned out he only used it once before he sold his M6. (and dive into SLR) The performance is yet to be tested. But my first impressions is very positive. It easily rivals my cron-C and 35cron iv, with higher contrast. I am currently very happy with this buy. Thanks!

 

[Krosya]

Got promoted and a salary raise recently. My wife has finally allowed me to get a 28mm for my R-D1s. Initially I was looking for Biogon 25/28mm and Ultron, but my wife said "why settle for second? my lab uses Leica microscope. Get a Leica.". (how nice) So now I am eying 3rd, 4th and ASPH Elmarit 28/2.8. I already got a Skopar 25/4 but was not happy with its corner darkness and sharpness (at f/4!). Will Elmarit 28/2.8 be any better than that?

I hardly think that Zeiss would be second best compared to Leica. Actually same goes for other lenses, like Hexanon. I have Hex 28 and Zeiss Biogon 25mm and both deliver at least as good if not better resolved photos than I have seen from Leica. But if you gotta have Leica name to feel better about your photography - its your money....
Here is a shot from Hexanon on Rd1s:

 

[ferdinandshen]

The price I got the Elmarit for is not enough to buy a new Biogon 28. Optically, I don't believe the 1980s Elmarit can compete with Biogon. But life is not only about optical performances.