ellisson
Well-known
I am looking for a one of the newer leica M 28mm 2.8 or 2.0 lenses for my M8. I was impressed with the opinions of RFF members in a previous thread regarding the Elmarit M 28 aspherical. My question is: Is the summicron 28 2.0 asph that much better to justify the significant extra cost? I have read that the summicron is sharper at the edges, a particular advantage for full frame/film. But if this is only a marginal advantage, I will likely go with the elmarit M 28 asph or a used version 4 non-asph elmarit M 28 2.8, which I read also performs quite well. I would appreciate any thoughts on this.
Ronchnam
Established
Hi,
I have an Elmarit 28 V3 on my M8.2. Very nice lens, very sharp. Quite heavy but very well balanced. Despite the lost of one stop I think the quality matches the Summicron. I paid 600 € for this gem.
Regards
I have an Elmarit 28 V3 on my M8.2. Very nice lens, very sharp. Quite heavy but very well balanced. Despite the lost of one stop I think the quality matches the Summicron. I paid 600 € for this gem.
Regards
maitani
Well-known
my vote goes to the elmarit V4 E46, a cracker of a lens (or the hexanon 28 2.8 at about half the price)
both are flawless
both are flawless
smk
Established
The aspherical elmarit is a stunning little lens. Unless you must have f/2.0, the convenience of its small size wins.
LCT
ex-newbie
Looking at DxO charts on the M9, the results of both Leica 28/2 and 28/2.8 asph are very close from f/4 to f/16. The Summicron is a bit sharper on edges and corners at f/2.8 but i don't see significant differences there on crop bodies (R-D1, M8.2).
Aside from its speed, the reason why i may prefer the Summicron is its slightly lesser contrast which may help to tweak pics in PP and to match it with earlier lenses more easily. Its OoF rendition is a bit less contrasty as well. But i need side by side comparos to view differences generally.
On the field i prefer the Summicron for portraiture and indoor pics whilst the Elmarit asph is always in my bag for day to day use due to its small size mainly. Both superb lenses anyway. They are very sharp though so beware of moiré effects on your M8.
For less contrasty results i have an M-Rokkor 28/2.8 but the choice is very wide there.
zvos1
Well-known
I am super happy with my non asph 28 2.8 v4
jazzwave
Well-known
I love what Sumicron 28/2 produced, sharp and fast... but costly.
Benjamin Marks
Veteran
ellisson: the Leica 28/2 has gone through periods when it was scarce -- for a couple of years Leica apparently was having problems meeting the demand for the lens. I don't know that you are going to get responses from people who have actually used it extensively _and_ one of the competing lenses. However, everyone will have their own favorites among the pack. I have a a 28/2.8 Elmarit (non-Asph v. 4) , a 28/2.8 M-Biogon, a 28/12.8 G-Biogon that was converted to M-mount, a 28/1.9 C/V lens and a 28/2 C/V lens. At some point I realized that if I sold them ALL, I still could not cover the cost of a new 28 Summicron, so that unobtainable lens has achieved "white whale" status with me. But this is all crazy-talk and not based on the actual image qualities of the lenses. My favorite images from my current pack are from the converted G-Biogon lens - on a Fuji XP1 I hardly notice the loss of a stop in speed.
Ben
Ben
ellisson
Well-known
Thank you Benjamin, and thanks to all for sharing your impressions. They are very helpful and much appreciated.
Gary
Gary
Tom Niblick
Well-known
+1
This lens is about the same size as the 28 Summicron and has similar IQ though not as sharp in the corners. The 28 ASPH is a wonderful lens but has a different, more modern, look. I've tried all three lenses and liked all three for different reasons. You can't go wrong.
dof
Fiat Lux
Hi,
I can only comment on the Summicron, but I must say it is my favorite lens for use with the M8. The rendering is the perfect middle ground between the older Leitz/Leica lenses and the modern contrast of today's designs. I wish this early period of Leica's Aspherical lens output had been more prolific. Of the entire lineup, only this lens and the first 35mm ASPH seem to embody this design philosophy.
I'm sure you'd be happy with just about any of the lenses you've mentioned. It really is a matter of balancing cost with personal taste in choosing between them.
I can only comment on the Summicron, but I must say it is my favorite lens for use with the M8. The rendering is the perfect middle ground between the older Leitz/Leica lenses and the modern contrast of today's designs. I wish this early period of Leica's Aspherical lens output had been more prolific. Of the entire lineup, only this lens and the first 35mm ASPH seem to embody this design philosophy.
I'm sure you'd be happy with just about any of the lenses you've mentioned. It really is a matter of balancing cost with personal taste in choosing between them.
Teuthida
Well-known
I know you haven't asked, and it doesn't match your criteria, but....give the 3.5 voigtlander a look. Very compact, great images corner to corner. Relatively inexpensive. Its my go to lens on the M8
k.a
Well-known
i have the elmarit asph for my M8 and i'm very pleased with the results from that lens, contrasty and supersharp. The lens best feature is its size, it's small, really small (and light).
Bob Michaels
nobody special
Ellisson, here is a test for you. Look at the 35 photos here. They were shot over a 3 year period. As best as I can remember:
31 were shot with a 28mm lens. Of those shot with a 28mm lens:
* about 1/3 were shot with a CV 28mm f3.5
* about 1/3 were shot with a Hexanon 28mm f2.8
* about 1/3 were shot with a Zeiss Ikon 28mm f2.8
1 was shot with a Zeiss Ikon 35mm f2.0
2 were shot with a CV 40mm Nokton
1 was shot with a 50mm Hexanon
Can you tell which is which? Can you even tell which was shot with which focal length lens? No one has come close yet even in determining the focal length.
FWIW, these are also 10x12.5 or 9x13.5 prints hanging in the Fine Arts Gallery at Seminole State College currently. You cannot tell by looking at the prints either.
Bottom line: "it really does not matter" This is also Lee Friedlander's most common quote.
31 were shot with a 28mm lens. Of those shot with a 28mm lens:
* about 1/3 were shot with a CV 28mm f3.5
* about 1/3 were shot with a Hexanon 28mm f2.8
* about 1/3 were shot with a Zeiss Ikon 28mm f2.8
1 was shot with a Zeiss Ikon 35mm f2.0
2 were shot with a CV 40mm Nokton
1 was shot with a 50mm Hexanon
Can you tell which is which? Can you even tell which was shot with which focal length lens? No one has come close yet even in determining the focal length.
FWIW, these are also 10x12.5 or 9x13.5 prints hanging in the Fine Arts Gallery at Seminole State College currently. You cannot tell by looking at the prints either.
Bottom line: "it really does not matter" This is also Lee Friedlander's most common quote.
ellisson
Well-known
Yes, I have enjoyed this lens, mainly on my CLE rangefinder, and it is very compact, although a stop or more slower than the Leica 2 lenses. I will experiment with it on my M8.
I am attracted to the Leica line and have been tempted to branch out. The build quality and images I get on my Summicron 50 (version 3, nonashp) and teleElmarit 90 are superb. But of course, it comes at a price. I will likely go to one of the large camera stores, such as B&H photo in NYC, to try out the 28mm Leica lenses that they carry on my M8, with my Voigtlander 28 3.5 along for comparison and my laptop for better image viewing. Ideally, I could take a Leica out on the street to test, but I doubt that will be permitted at B&H or Adorama. I also wish there were a supplier in the Philadelphia area where I could go and try the lenses, but I am not aware of any.
Gary
ellisson
Well-known
Bob,
This is a fabulous series of images. My hat is off to you. No wonder this series is in the Fine Arts Gallery. No, I cannot tell which focal length was used for these, and given the varied lighting conditions and settings, it is impossible to say which lens was used. My two favorites in this excellent series are 'train to casablanca' and 'farming couple'.
You make an excellent point, and the quality of these images has more to do with you as the photographer than it does with the particular lens.
Over the years, I have greatly respected your views expressed on so many forum posts. I am glad that you posted here, and shared these wonderful images and the point echoed in Lee Friedlander's quote.
I need to keep this in mind.
Gary
Kent
Finally at home...
If you have the money, go for a Summicron 2/28. It's the best 28mm you can find.
If you don't want to spend that much, try to find a good copy of the Voigtländer Ultron 2/28. I just LOVE mine! Great value-for-money!!
If you don't want to spend that much, try to find a good copy of the Voigtländer Ultron 2/28. I just LOVE mine! Great value-for-money!!
northernlights
Newbie
M8 and 28 f2 Asph
M8 and 28 f2 Asph
The 28 f2 is my favorite lens on the M8 I used to have. I sold off my Leicas in 2011 to move back to the Canon DSLR (yes the tele's, tilt-shifts and macros and I can enjoy all these on a cheap used 450D) but having used Leica lenses and manual focus on the M's, I have higher standards and use the Zeiss ZE lenses. I am now contemplating moving back to rangefinder because of the weight.
Here's an f8 shot.
F4 on the 2nd shot and last one with the tap shows the powess of the 28f2 asph on bokeh
M8 and 28 f2 Asph
The 28 f2 is my favorite lens on the M8 I used to have. I sold off my Leicas in 2011 to move back to the Canon DSLR (yes the tele's, tilt-shifts and macros and I can enjoy all these on a cheap used 450D) but having used Leica lenses and manual focus on the M's, I have higher standards and use the Zeiss ZE lenses. I am now contemplating moving back to rangefinder because of the weight.
Here's an f8 shot.
F4 on the 2nd shot and last one with the tap shows the powess of the 28f2 asph on bokeh