Leica 28mm 'cron ASPH v1 vs v2 differences?

[coelacanth]

I recently got the v1, and so far I am loving it. Plenty sharp for my use even at F2 (I'm only shooting film) and very manageable contract. I've had Elmarit-M 28 ASPH (v1) and to me it was a bit too much of contract and modern rendering. This one feels perfect for my liking.

 

[Calzone]

I recently got the v1, and so far I am loving it. Plenty sharp for my use even at F2 (I'm only shooting film) and very manageable contract. I've had Elmarit-M 28 ASPH (v1) and to me it was a bit too much of contract and modern rendering. This one feels perfect for my liking.

C,

I agree. The Version 1 does not have an ASPH signature, but it is an ASPH lens.

I print 20x30 like Bob above. No lack of resolution.

The contrast is not over the top.

Cal

 

[furcafe]

Bob,

I own an uncoded 28 Cron V1 and the scalloped metal hood you mentioned.

I got the hood from Pop Flash for $359.00 which was insane at the time, but now these hoods sell for about $1K on EBAY according to a RFF'er who asked me several times if I wanted to sell mine.

This hood also fits the 35 Lux ASPH Pre-FLE of which I also owned. I happen to have loved the rendering of the 28 Cron V1 more than the 35 Lux ASPH Pre-FLE.
. . .

Cal

Same here. I believe the Leica model # for the hood is 12466. It was originally sold only w/1 of the limited edition 35/1.4 ASPH pre-FLE lenses that came w/the limited edition M9 10715 (the titanium 1 w/LED framelines & no strap lugs), before people realized it could work on the 28 Summicron ASPH v1.


To OP mightbenow, following up on chasdfg's post, I can attest to the fact that many of the v1 28 'crons had build quality problems w/the screws that hold front lens ring (or whatever you call the part that surrounds the front element, has the filter ring, & that the hood holds onto). Basically, the screws come loose & the front ring wobbles--however, it's easily fixed w/the appropriate screwdriver & maybe some loctite. The lens hood was an overpriced piece of sh*t, even by Leica standards--in addition to being big & obtrusive in the VF, it was constructed of parts that literally snap together & the quality of plastic was poor (they have a tendency to develop cracks around the corner cutout).


Optically, however, the v1 has been great & I have no complaints. 😀

 

[Calzone]

My version one never suffered any loosening.

I have gotten remarks about how smooth the focus is, and also of how light a touch. Pretty much a well used lens.

Cal

 

[Doug]

When I sent my v1 28 Cron to DAG for 6-bit coding he also tightened the front, which had a very slight wobble, not too bad. But I'm glad he secured it. This is the "perfect" lens for an M8... 🙂

 

[furcafe]

My version one never suffered any loosening.

I have gotten remarks about how smooth the focus is, and also of how light a touch. Pretty much a well used lens.

Cal

You may have lucked out or maybe some of us have bad luck. I bought mine directly from Leica in 2007 using the discount that they gave to original M8 owners, along w/a free UV-IR filter, to compensate for the whole fiasco w/the sensor's IR sensitivity. My M8 was also defective w/malfunctioning AE right out of the box :bang: & had go immediately back to Germany for repair, so maybe Leica was just having a lot of factory problems in 2006-2007.


From a design/engineering perspective, I think the size of the original hood may have contributed to the loose front problem as it may have increased the torque or other forces transmitted to the lens by any impact to the hood.


As a working lens, however, my experience matches yours.

 

[Mcary]

Purchased a v1 about 18months ago and pretty much use it and the M9 as my everyday kit these days. For the conditions that I generally shoot in I've not really noticed a need for a lens hood.

 

[:: Mark]

I am currently using the 2nd version 28mm Summicron.

The lens is excellent, but only if it is well adjusted. My first copy suffered immense field curvature, while the second had a flat plane but back-focussed. But after a pass through Wetzlar, the lens is amazing with excellent sharpness (on digital) even in the extreme corners. There is virtually no colour fringing, the out-of-focus areas are really smooth, and the ergonomics are excellent.

I also looked at a 28mm Summilux because in some cases I was finding the f2 aperture limiting. However, the price, ergonomics and finder blockage of the Summilux were very off putting, so I have stuck with the Summicron and compromise with a 35mm f1.4 when I need a faster aperture. Still not sure if this was the right choice, as 35mm always feels awkward to me.

 

[Rob-F]

I use the V1 28mm Summicron and see no reason to change. The hood is a bit bulky, but it seems to me that a screw-in hood would have to be round, and therefore less effective. Some say you don't need a hood with the 28 Summicron. This may be why Leica decided that a screw-in type would be good enough. But then, now could always buy a screw-in hood to fit the filter threads. 46mm, if I remember right.

 

[addled]

I use the V1 28mm Summicron and see no reason to change. The hood is a bit bulky, but it seems to me that a screw-in hood would have to be round, and therefore less effective. Some say you don't need a hood with the 28 Summicron. This may be why Leica decided that a screw-in type would be good enough. But then, now could always buy a screw-in hood to fit the filter threads. 46mm, if I remember right.

Have you looked? The screw in hood is rectangular.

 

[ka7197]

I used to be very happy with the Summicron-M 28 mm Asph v1 ... until I tried the v2. Much better lens! In the frame's center, there isn't soo much of a difference but near the frame's edges, the new version at f/2 is as good as the original version at f/5.6.

 

[james.liam]

Sean Reid compared the V1 vs V2 and among other things, it was a superior lens in all aspects when it comes to digital. It, and the Elmarit appeared best aligned for use on the SL. Well worth the nominal subscription ti his blog before you make a decision.

The latest re-working of the standards (28, 35) seem to be adjustment for digital usage as the earlier ones date from the late film era.

 

[asiafish]

v1 or v2?

v1 or v2?

I don’t think you’ll be disappointed in the V1 Summicron. I think it was probably my favorite rendering 28mm I had so far, however I sold mine due to the fact it kept falling apart. It was determined that the hood was causing this so if you are going to use the hood be careful that you don’t mount / dismount the lens by the hood and that you also don’t store the lens in your bag with the hood attached.

That being said, I do now have the V2 as I was able to buy one new (but open box) for a very reasonable price. I have observed that the build of the lens has indeed changed and of course the lens hood is different as well.

Optically speaking I think some of the character / charm of the original lens was lost in the redesign but it is noticeably more crisp out to the edges of the frame. Considering my other lens is a 50mm Summilux ASPH the two actually complement one another perfectly in the way they render scenes so I’m ok with it.

I am certain you will be happy with your V1 though, it’s the special one optically speaking!

Be careful with the v2 lens, the front optical group can be dislodged/rotated. I never had any trouble with the V1 lens before I traded up.

I had to send mine to Leica for repairs three times and ultimately they replaced it. I sold the brand-new replacement and bought a new-old-stock v1 and am glad to be home.

The v2 in my experience wasn’t any sharper on my M262 or M9 Monochrom, but did seem to have a flatter field and slightly higher contrast. Both are beautiful in how they render, with the v2 being a bit more perfect (clinical?) and the v1 having a bit of a classic render to it.

Both are outstanding, but I haven’t looked back since returning to the v1, which is probably my favorite Leica lens.

 

[agoglanian]

Be careful with the v2 lens, the front optical group can be dislodged/rotated. I never had any trouble with the V1 lens before I traded up.

I had to send mine to Leica for repairs three times and ultimately they replaced it. I sold the brand-new replacement and bought a new-old-stock v1 and am glad to be home.

The v2 in my experience wasn’t any sharper on my M262 or M9 Monochrom, but did seem to have a flatter field and slightly higher contrast. Both are beautiful in how they render, with the v2 being a bit more perfect (clinical?) and the v1 having a bit of a classic render to it.

Both are outstanding, but I haven’t looked back since returning to the v1, which is probably my favorite Leica lens.

Ironically I sold you my 28 Summicron V1! Now after selling my V2, I'm back to hunting for a V1. it has a preferable rendering for me on film.

 

[Rob-F]

I'll keep my V1. I think the lens hood and rendering are fine.