Leica 28mm recomendations.

[Silenmtium]

Hello everyone,
First time poster, long time lurker. Handshakes all around. Not counting the 28mm f2, (too expensive for me) whats the better if any Leica 28mm f2.8 lens if your only going to be shooting with B&W film?

 

[sanmich]

Welcome!

From my very limited experience with the 28's, the hexanon is great.
Much much better than the CV I had.
It seems there is much to say about cv QC, and I'm no gambler, so if I had the choice again, I would stick with the hex.
That being said, there should be some elmarits worth of a try and for a decent price too...

 

[martin s]

I'm wondering, as well. Some write the Elmarit IV is the best of the pre-ASPH ones, that's the one I have been looking for for quite some time. Now that I actually found one it's about the same price if not more expensive than the ASPH version, which is smaller and might not intrude the vf at all.

Is it worth dealing with a larger lens assuming they're the same price?

Silenmtium, what camera do you plan on using it with? If you want to use the framelines of the M6/M4 consider the III version is huge, especially with a shade, it takes maybe 1/3 of the vf (possibly a little less).

martin

 

[35mmdelux]

The 28mm IV & 28mm ASPH are very close in resolution. For about the same cost I'd go for the smaller lens since its more discreet.

 

[Silenmtium]

I plan using it with an M6 with .72 finder. I have an Ultron now witch has seen much better days. I think I should find a replacement. I've also made the observation that the IV version and the newer version are about the same price. I may choose the newer one so I can confuse it with my 35mm all the time. Does anyone know if there is a difference in mechanical quality with these? I don't plan on tossing them to the ground but I am mostly concerned with focusing smoothness. My ultron for example is rough compared to the my 35mm Summicron and I would like a smooth turning lens.

 

[notturtle]

The 28mm IV & 28mm ASPH are very close in resolution. For about the same cost I'd go for the smaller lens since its more discreet.

I recently read that the cron asph and the V4 are the same size which goes to show the reduction made possible with the elmarit asph. For all the raving about V4 performance its tough to justify that over a 28 biogon. I would love to shoot a V4 to compare.

The 28 elmarit asph has an ideal size, but some are not fans of its look. I have never used one so have no opinion.

 

[thomasw_]

For determining the rendering of a M mount lens or to contrast/compare M mount lenses:>

http://www.flickr.com/groups/m-mount/

 

[notturtle]

Ive owned all three and the Zeiss cannot compare in construction built. Many have complained about play in the Zeiss mount. Zeiss lens shades are a hassel. On the other hand, some have mentioned vignetting of Elmarit ASPH. All in all, I wouldnt hestitate to throw down for the Version IV again. I paid $1000 for a mint copy and regret selling it; however, it was too close to my 35mm Summilux ASPH.

The issue of play is a simple fix and seems to affect lenses bought some time ago more than more recently built ones. It apparently related to the lack of threadlock on a locking ring - no biggie. The hoods are simple bayonets so I am not sure why they are a hassle? Certainly less so than the screw on Summarit hoods and an awful lot cheaper (althought I still think they cost too much!) None are as gigantic as the cron asph/V4 hood either. That thing is like an open tent!

I own Zeiss, CV and Leica lenses and would give the edge in build to Leica over the ZMs, but it is not significant IMO. The Zeiss are still very well built and the Zeiss threadlock oversight is easily fixed by a tech in about 5 mins if you ever have a problem.

Prices for V4 elmarits seem to be particularly nuts right now and I doubt that will change! Still, if you can find a clean one for 28 biogon prices it sounds like a good deal... (I would hope it is very flare resistant bec that hood is ridiculous)

 

[peter_n]

I was reading a post on the ASPH on PN the other day and it appears it is a bit weak in the corners because it is optimized for the M8. So there's a definite downside to that small size: http://photo.net/leica-rangefinders-forum/00TUKW

FWIW I also Use the Konica Hexanon, after getting it to try I sold the two Leica lenses I was choosing between.

 

[notturtle]

The 28 biogon is far weaker on the MTFs in the corners compared to the 25 and 21 (I also own the latter) especially wider open, but on print from 35mm you dont see any real difference even at 19" wide. A touch, maybe, but you are print sniffing at this point. I suspect the 28 Elmarit asph is similar in that the prints will still look great despite having weaker corners than the cron on paper.

 

[35mmdelux]

My zeiss 28mm went back to the factory under warranty and they couldnt fix all the play out of it. The zeiss hoods are delicate and a total hassel to place the lens cap on. If I got another Zeiss Id simply get a Heavystar hood, smallish and alot cheaper.

Outside of the Hexanon, no lens competes with Leica in terms of built. Leica is the Hummer of lernses.

 

[notturtle]

My zeiss 28mm went back to the factory under warranty and they couldnt fix all the play out of it. The zeiss hoods are delicate and a total hassel to place the lens cap on. If I got another Zeiss Id simply get a Heavystar hood, smallish and alot cheaper.

Outside of the Hexanon, no lens competes with Leica in terms of built. Leica is the Hummer of lernses.

Thats unfortunate but not typical of the ZMs and its important to remember that there are plenty of stories of people sending lenses back to Solms only to find Leica cannot fix them either (after repeated efforts). It happens to Leica too! Even on $3-4k lenses....

I agree with the lens caps. I have no idea what Zeiss was thinking. My solution is to use a hood and filter and only use the cap when I am well and truly done shooting (or about to be covered in dust/rain etc)

 

[Pablito]

there are plenty of stories of people sending lenses back to Solms only to find Leica cannot fix them either (after repeated efforts). It happens to Leica too!

yeah, I can attest to that with the 35mm Summicron v4. Not Leica or anyone else could loosen up the focus which is still too tight, bought it new in 1996, use regularly, been to Leica NJ and Sherry. At least Sherry had the decency not to charge. Leica NJ charged me and returned the lens with no improvement.

 

[bob338]

there is a V4 on the auction site right now for $850. i have nothing to do with the seller...

http://cgi.ebay.com/Leica-Emarit-M-28mm-2-8-version-IV-E46_W0QQitemZ260437168187QQcmdZViewItemQQptZCamera_Lenses?hash=item3ca343d03b&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=65%3A10|66%3A4|39%3A1|240%3A1318|301%3A0|293%3A1|294%3A200

bob

 

[_goodtimez]

I have one type 4 for sale right now in the classifieds and on ebay.fr
It is brand new in box never used anytime and comes with a 2 year international warranty.

 

[sepiareverb]

The latest 28/2.8 ASPH is perhaps the best bargain of any Leica lens. Stunning at all apertures.

 

[akiralx]

The latest 28/2.8 ASPH is perhaps the best bargain of any Leica lens. Stunning at all apertures.

I agree - I sold my 28 Summicron-ASPH (great but not used too much) and got the Elmarit, and so far I'm delighted. Small, light, great tonal rendition and superb sharpness.

 

[Krosya]

Thats unfortunate but not typical of the ZMs and its important to remember that there are plenty of stories of people sending lenses back to Solms only to find Leica cannot fix them either (after repeated efforts). It happens to Leica too! Even on $3-4k lenses....

I agree with the lens caps. I have no idea what Zeiss was thinking. My solution is to use a hood and filter and only use the cap when I am well and truly done shooting (or about to be covered in dust/rain etc)

After reading all this "back-and-forth" about Leica vs Zeiss - I'd just simply get a Hexanon , as its greatly built, had superb glass and is very flare resistant. Plus iit usually is priced better than ZM or Leica, so no brainer there. Oh wait, I did get a Hexanon ! 😉
PS. There were reports here of Zeiss 28mm being very flary. While i never used it, from what I have seen - its the weakest Zeiss lens. I do have a Zeiss 21/2.8 and used to have Planar and 25 Biogon and based on photos I have seen, they are all a million times better than ZM 28, IMO.

 

[Tim Gray]

I'd either get the Leica 28/2, the 28/2.8 Asph, the ZM 28/2.8, or the CV 28/3.5. The Leica 28/2 is awesome. Fast, sharp, relatively compact, expensive. If you want something cheaper, go for one of the other 3 options.

THe 28/2.8 Asph is relatively affordable for a Leica lens, is small and sharp. I'd take it any day over the 28/2.8 IV, just for its size. And for not much more than the IV, it's brand new too.

The Zeiss ZM 28/2.8 looks like a nice lens too. It might not be as sharp, etc., but I've seen great pictures from it. Reasonably priced, especially used. I had no problem with my 35/2 when I owned it.

The best buy is the CV 28/3.5. The cheapest of the bunch and one of the smallest M-mount lenses made. It's very well constructed too. Very sharp, but a bit slower than the rest.

I have the 28/2 and the CV 28/3.5 and both get used. I'd love to have the 28/2.8 Asph, but obviously can't justify it while owning 2 other 28's. Maybe if I hit the lottery.

 

[Ghiom]

If you have no plans of getting into the M8 in a short time, I shall also recommend the Hexanon 28... small size, great built and image quality... low flare... otherwise the Elmarit ASPH.