Inexpensive 28mm?

[thegman]

Hi all,
Let's say I was in the market for an inexpensive (sub $500) 28mm lens, what should I be considering?

I have looked at Kobalux (very small, and the price is right, bit slow), Ultron (fast, but big), but as far as I can see, there are no cheap Zeiss or Leica options. Have I missed anything?

My only conditions are that it be coupled to the range finder, and plays nice on the ZI, i.e. bring up the 28mm lines, and if it collapses, not crunch into the shutter.

It would be to replace my 35mm lens, which sometimes is a bit close to my 50mm, so I sometimes don't bother to change lenses.

Thanks a lot

Garry

 

[35mmdelux]

There is no such thing as a cheap Zeiss or Leica offering. Try Voighlander.

 

[fixbones]

The CV 28mm f3.5 is small, cheap and highly regarded.
Problem is they are discontinued and not the easiest to find used.
If you can live with f3.5... it is a winner in my opinion.

 

[ruby.monkey]

Not particularly cheap any more, since they're small, highly regarded, and discontinued. 🙂

But well worth tracking down if outright speed is not an issue - it's a fine lens in its own right.

 

[mfogiel]

I recommend the 28/1.9 Ultron ASPH, it looks like you have just missed one from the classified, it was priced at 360 USD. It is somewhat big, but balances very well on the ZI, and takes great photos.

 

[thegman]

Seems the CV 28mm f3.5 is much the same price as the Ultron 28mm, much slower, but much smaller, not sure what is the most important at the moment. The Rokkor 28mm lenses are not crazy expensive, but hard to come by it seems.

 

[sebastel]

The Rokkor 28mm lenses are not crazy expensive, but hard to come by it seems.

there is one for sale in shanghai, near to the railway station.
of course only useful for you if you or a friend happen to come here ...

 

[Juan Valdenebro]

Aren't those supposed to have white spots or get them sooner or later?

Cheers,

Juan

 

[coelacanth]

A vote for CV 28/3.5 if you don't need extra speed. This is my second copy after selling one and realizing how great this tiny lens was.

 

[kossi008]

Too bad Robert White have sold all of their 28/3.5. I snatched one up from them new about a year ago...

 

[sebastel]

Aren't those supposed to have white spots or get them sooner or later?

yes.
i remember one report of disappearing white spots.
i have no experience with that lens myself, so take my words as hearsay.

 

[Ezzie]

I like my CV Ultron 28/f1.9 a lot. My favourite lens. Another lens worth mentioning is the M-Hexanon 28/f2.8.

 

[ampguy]

For under $500, I think the best 28 is a clean ltm Canon 2.8. Not as sharp or contrasty as modern 28s, but very small, no flare, doesn't need a hood (elements are recessed).

Min. focus is 1m compared to .7m on many modern 28s though.

 

[Ezzie]

I haven't the M-hexanon 28 myself, but do have the 90. If it is anything to go by, then rhe 28 should be a very good lens. Build quality is somewhat better tham my CV lenses and can't fault the IQ either. It is quite compact too, if rather heavy ay 8oz

 

[back alley]

the cv 1.9 is not really all that big, especially when fit onto the zeiss ikon.
the cv 3.5 IS tiny.

both are excellent choices.

 

[raid]

There are quite a few good 28mm lenses available online.
I sold my Canon 28/3.5 simply to raise cash, as I loved using this lens.
I did not sell my Rokkor 28/2.8 or the Kobalux 28/3.5.
The Rokkor has the dots, I found out, but it shows no effects on the images.
The Kobalux is an excellent lens, as others have said.

 

[thegman]

I think Kobalux is winning the day right now, I've got two CV lenses, both great, but maybe I'd like a change. Hexanon would be great, but a bit pricey, I'll check out the Canon too.

 

[JohnTF]

yes.
i remember one report of disappearing white spots.
i have no experience with that lens myself, so take my words as hearsay.

Good news and bad news, I bought one new, which was mis-boxed as a 40mm for the price of the 40mm.

Had it for years, it did not bring up the correct frames, without modification, and when the white measles appeared, I was advised to sell it, which I did, for a little more than I paid for it. I used it on a CL, with Kentucky windage.

I heard Minolta was, at one time, repairing them gratis, as they did something odd when they made them, a coating or adhesive problem?

Is the 25mm CV an option? I know the early ones were scale focusing, but they also came with an external finder? Since the word cheap was in the OP, I think these are pretty reasonable when you find them.

Regards, John

 

[thegman]

The 25mm is cheap, but scale focus is not for me at that focal length. I've got the scale focus 15mm, and that's fine, but I think 25mm wide open, I'd want coupling. I think 28mm is a good length between my 15mm and 50mm, currently that spot is held by 35mm Nokton, but I find 35mm and 50mm just that bit close.

Also, I'm fussy about frame lines etc. my Ikon has 28mm lines, so I want a 28mm lens, I know 25mm is practically the same, but I'm funny like that.

I think the Ultron is tremendous value for a lens that fast, but the Kobalux appeals because it's unusual, small, inexpensive and you get a 28mm finder with it, which I don't need for the Ikon, but I can use on my DP-1, so a nice package all round. I have a Summicron if I need a fast lens, so maybe speed should not be top priority for me.

 

[35mmdelux]

The Kobalux could break your $500 budget. Not avail often and when its avail its pricey.