johannielscom
Snorting silver salts
Hey,
I have narrowed my options for a 28mm LTM lens down to four lenses. Availability and price are considered, as well as image quality and ergonomics.
1. Avenon 28mm 3.5. Black is a plus, different types of focus levers, but rather expensive
2. Canon 28mm 3.5. Chrome is a minus, low contrast is a minus, less expensive though. Has focus lever.
3. Orion-15 28mm 6.0. Chrome is a minus and it's slow, but image quality is good and it can be had (very) cheap. No focus lever though.
4. Canon 28mm 2.8. Just including for completeness. Chrome is a minus, price and low contrast are also minus. For the price I'd rather have an Avenon.
What would your pick be, and why? Samples on film highly welcome!
I have narrowed my options for a 28mm LTM lens down to four lenses. Availability and price are considered, as well as image quality and ergonomics.
1. Avenon 28mm 3.5. Black is a plus, different types of focus levers, but rather expensive
2. Canon 28mm 3.5. Chrome is a minus, low contrast is a minus, less expensive though. Has focus lever.
3. Orion-15 28mm 6.0. Chrome is a minus and it's slow, but image quality is good and it can be had (very) cheap. No focus lever though.
4. Canon 28mm 2.8. Just including for completeness. Chrome is a minus, price and low contrast are also minus. For the price I'd rather have an Avenon.
What would your pick be, and why? Samples on film highly welcome!
Jake Mongey
Well-known
I owned the canon 28mm 2.8 for a while and it was a good lens - sharp and i actually didnt find the contrast to be low - however it does vingette more than I expected - ill see if I can dig up sample shots I didnt have it for long
02Pilot
Malcontent
I had the Canon 28/3.5, and currently have the Canon 28/2.8 along with one not on your list, the Nikkor 28/3.5.
Both Canons have what I would consider medium contrast; certainly low in comparison to modern lenses, but not that low. Resolution on the 2.8 is somewhat better than the 3.5. They both vignette wide open, and the corners take a while to sharpen up, but they do so sooner on the 2.8.
Canon 28/3.5:
Canon 28/2.8:
The Nikkor is not so different. Resolution is closer to the 2.8 Canon, with maybe a little more contrast. I haven't used it much (I just got it) but the corners seem a little sharper at wide apertures than either Canons. There's a bit of vignette as well, unsurprisingly. One downside if you plan to use filters is that the Nikkor needs 34.5mm, while the Canons use more common 34 and 40mm filters respectively.
Nikkor 28/3.5:
To me, it was less the optical characteristics and more the ergonomics in conjunction with the camera I'm using the lens on. The Canon 2.8 works better on my larger Canon bodies, while the Canon 3.5 and especially the Nikkor are best matched to the smaller Barnack Leicas. If I had to choose one setup, it would be the Nikkor on a small LTM body (mine is living on a IIIa at the moment).
EDIT: All the photos are on HP5+ in Caffenol.
Both Canons have what I would consider medium contrast; certainly low in comparison to modern lenses, but not that low. Resolution on the 2.8 is somewhat better than the 3.5. They both vignette wide open, and the corners take a while to sharpen up, but they do so sooner on the 2.8.
Canon 28/3.5:
Canon 28/2.8:
The Nikkor is not so different. Resolution is closer to the 2.8 Canon, with maybe a little more contrast. I haven't used it much (I just got it) but the corners seem a little sharper at wide apertures than either Canons. There's a bit of vignette as well, unsurprisingly. One downside if you plan to use filters is that the Nikkor needs 34.5mm, while the Canons use more common 34 and 40mm filters respectively.
Nikkor 28/3.5:
To me, it was less the optical characteristics and more the ergonomics in conjunction with the camera I'm using the lens on. The Canon 2.8 works better on my larger Canon bodies, while the Canon 3.5 and especially the Nikkor are best matched to the smaller Barnack Leicas. If I had to choose one setup, it would be the Nikkor on a small LTM body (mine is living on a IIIa at the moment).
EDIT: All the photos are on HP5+ in Caffenol.
View Range
Well-known
The last version of the Canon 28mm f3.5 lens was black and chrome. It is a very nice looking lens.
The Nikkor can use the common A36 filters. 34.5mm are super scarce. 
Huss
Veteran
I gotta ask, why not the CV 28 3.5 ltm?
johannielscom
Snorting silver salts
Ha, I wish! But those lenses have gotten to expensive... Anyone that can offer me one for less than USD 450, I'm interested! (But slim chance this is going to happen...)
I have looked at the Nikkor 28mm (I own the 35mm 2.5 and they would be a nice set together) but those too are over my budget...
Trying to complete my only Leica LTM set here with a bit of Christmas money I managed to keep apart
02Pilot
Malcontent
Normally they are priced somewhat higher than the Canons, though I've seen the Canon 2.8 sell up in the mid-$400s, which is about where the Nikkors usually are. I got lucky with one that was significantly discounted due to a missing infinity lock. I replaced it with a spare (from a Canon lens, ironically) and put it into service. Bargains can be found.
johannielscom
Snorting silver salts
Ha, that one was at KEH? I saw that too but customs and shipping soured the deal for me...
fotomeow
name under my name
Agreed. I’ve never owned the lens myself but I’ve seen the results on the web (quite good) and it’s got a hell of the following on the web
fotomeow
name under my name
My fave is the Canon 2.8. If the OP is referring to the Serenar from the 60’s, I can corroborate what others say about it being at least medium contrast, but lower color saturation. And it is quite sharp if not shot wide open all the time.I had the Canon 28/3.5, and currently have the Canon 28/2.8 along with one not on your list, the Nikkor 28/3.5.
Both Canons have what I would consider medium contrast; certainly low in comparison to modern lenses, but not that low. Resolution on the 2.8 is somewhat better than the 3.5. They both vignette wide open, and the corners take a while to sharpen up, but they do so sooner on the 2.8
Canon 28/2.8:
Eg, there is an inherently close relationship b/w Sharpness and Contrast.
It’s the border sharpness b/w objects in the frame that gives the illusion contrast.
You can’t get high contrast without high sharpness (saturation aside), and you can’t get low contrast without low sharpness (saturation aside).
02Pilot
Malcontent
Yep. I'd been eyeing it for a while, then a coupon came along (20% on lenses, IIRC) and I couldn't resist any longer. I already had the matching Nikkor finder.
David Murphy
Veteran
I own the Kobalux/Avenon 28mm F3.5 and I can recommend it. It clearly outperforms both the Canon lenses, although both the Canon's are respectable lenses especially considering their vintage, and very well made (I've owned and used them both)
The Canon 28/3.5 is a bargain as far as wide LTM lenses are concerned and it gives fairly modern looking results stopped down a tad.
Not doubt the CV 28/3.5 bests all of these, but its price is extreme in my view - too bad, it was once affordable.
The Canon 28/3.5 is a bargain as far as wide LTM lenses are concerned and it gives fairly modern looking results stopped down a tad.
Not doubt the CV 28/3.5 bests all of these, but its price is extreme in my view - too bad, it was once affordable.
B-9
Devin Bro
Ill say Avenon as well!
Nice and small. I see they are still around 400$USD+
Nice and small. I see they are still around 400$USD+
The 28/3.5 Voigt is priced exactly where the free market puts it: supply/demand sets it. So it’s neither high nor low...
I’d wait for a deal to show on the Nikkor; I too already have the 35/3.5 and 2.5 and filters.
I’d wait for a deal to show on the Nikkor; I too already have the 35/3.5 and 2.5 and filters.
It's high based on historical prices for the lens.
raid
Dad Photographer
I now have the Kobalux 28/3.5. I sold the Canon 28/3.5. I have also a Rokinon M 28/2.8.
One on Ebay now for 428 shipped. Recent sales are somewhat higher
Even better snap up the ones that just got listed here.
Oops, false alarm. Not 28.
Oops, false alarm. Not 28.
ZivcoPhoto
Well-known
I bought my 28mm F3.5 black Voigtlander 11 or 12 years ago, it's a perfect lens to use on IIIF but also works swell on M8. I recommend this choice if you can find one. I've never understood why they quit making this one. A modern rendition from a lens with excellent performance.