Need help deciding on a 28mm lens

[styvone]

Hi everyone,

I have the opportunity to pick up either of the two 28mm M-mount lenses for roughly the same price.

As I understand it, the Zeiss is going to be the sharper of the two, but to be frank, I'm not sure if I love the clinical sharp look. It has a focus nub, which is a benefit for zone focusing (?). Have only heard great things about this lens!

The Konica M-Hexanon came up randomly and I dug a lot into it. It sounds promising, with some people calling it a clone of the pre-ASPH v3 Elmarit. My only issue is there is no focusing nub or tab.

Can someone who has owned both at some point comment on their pros and cons? I won't be considering the CV line because they're more expensive (or rather, the deals I've stumbled upon are way cheaper than any of the 28mm options from Voigtlander, new or used).

Thanks in advance!

 

[cjm]

A third party focusing tab might work well on the M-Hexanon. I've used one for years on other lenses.

https://www.catlabs.info/product/taab-lens-focus-tab

 

[styvone]

A third party focusing tab might work well on the M-Hexanon. I've used one for years on other lenses.

https://www.catlabs.info/product/taab-lens-focus-tab

Well, that's a game-changer. I did not know about this, thank you for linking it!

 

[ooze]

I’ve had the ZM for quite a few years. My sample is optically great, but mechanically not so: The usual wobble, and some roughness in the focusing action. It hasn’t fallen apart yet though and I continue to enjoy its optical qualities.

Not so sure what the big deal about focusing tabs are. My 50 Summicron doesn’t have it and I’ve never missed it. I’m not even sure now whether I make use of the tab on the ZM ��

 

[Ko.Fe.]

None.
Hexanon is way too big for 2.8 lens and not really Elmarit-M 28 2.8 III Canadian Percheron with its very unique rendering on BW film.
ZM is Zeiss wobble, focus tit and way to many clicks on the aperture. Which really sucks because images lens gives are at its onw league.

CV Ultron 28 1.9 just as big as slow Konica. And if you pay attention for what you are buying, they all came with focus stick (not attached to the lens, but in the box lens came with then new). And last time I checked before buying, it was less expensive lens than ZM and Konica 28 2.8.
It was really nothing wrong with this lens. I just don't like this size. But if you set on Konica, it is faster and cheaper. Nothing wrong with rendering, either. Sharp wide open as well.

DR Print:



Digital:

 

[Ko.Fe.]

....
Not so sure what the big deal about focusing tabs are. My 50 Summicron doesn’t have it and I’ve never missed it. I’m not even sure now whether I make use of the tab on the ZM ��

The "big deal" is called smart focusing, which is above so called "zone focusing". Tab tells you where lens is focused without looking at the lens at all. Same tab allows to focus without looking at the lens as well.

I had all of the 50 Crons with classic formula. I added cable tie at one which had focus tab missing by design.

 

[raid]

I would get the lens that has a greater market value in case you want to resell it eventually. The ZM will have amazing glass but the Konica may be better built.

 

[brusby]

'Don't mean to complicate your search, but first generation Summicron 28mm is pretty nice. Not too big, yet fast enough for low light stuff. The thing about Leica lenses is they tend to be decent value over time. Cost of admission can be a bit high, but if bought used in good condition, they tend to hold value or even escalate over time.

28mm Summicon
white canoe by Brusby, on Flickr

 

[Ko.Fe.]

Thread turns to as usual.
“Someone” already suggested different from OP choice lens.
By keeping in mind what was in OP.
And now Leica lens which costs as all three lenses mentioned all together.
While OP stated how new CV is out of price range…

 

[brusby]

Thanks Kofe for such valuable policing services to keep everyone in line.

 

[Ko.Fe.]

No policing, just trying to be respectful and read, understand OP before posting.

 

[brusby]

No, Kofe, you're being critical of others for not acting the way you think they should act. If you truly had "respect" for others you wouldn't criticize their actions in a public forum just because you'd act differently.

 

[Matthew Runkel]

The M-Hexanon diagram is very similar to that of the last pre-asph Elmarit (version 4). Unknown if the glass specifications are also very similar. I have never heard the M-Hexanon called a clone of version 3.

https://www.kenko-tokina.co.jp/konicaminolta/support/manual/ls/rf28lj0.pdf

http://www.summilux.net/m_system/images/Elmarit28.pdf

I had the v4 Elmarit and would definitely choose that lens over the ZM. I would also choose the M-Hexanon over the ZM. I have had two ZM lenses (25 and 35/2) and still have the 35. To my eye they produce unassailably sharp and very contrasty images that are sometimes somehow less pleasing than what I get from a number of my other Leica lenses. The v4 Elmarit renders beautifully.

My recollection is that when the ZM lens line came out, all were very well received but the 28 was considered a little less exceptional than the others. This was probably only a conclusion drawn from comparing the MTF diagrams of the 28 and the 25. From the MTFs, the wider lens looks superior.

With the kind of scale focus I normally think of, you pre-focus the lens (ideally just once) referring to the DOF markings on barrel. A nubbin or tab can help you set focus on the fly, if that's part of your scale focus routine. In any case, a lot will be in focus with a 28mm lens stopped down.

 

[raid]

Thank you, Mathew. You have provided information based on your own experience with both lenses. I have not had either one, so my comment is simply based on what I think I would do. In my case, I have a Rokkor-M 28/2.8 and a Kobalux 28/3.5. I used to own the tiny Canon 28/2.8 or was it the 28/3.5? These 28mm lenses have been acceptable to me, so I never looked for other 28mm lenses.


Rokkor-M :

Canon 28/3.5

 

[GLL]

In my experience the 28mm Biogon is a much better lens put head-to-head with the m-hexanon (both of course are capable of taking fantastic pictures).

I don't own either right now because I like the slightly wider angle of 25, but the biogon is very sharp right out to the corners, has no visible distortion and focuses down to 0.5m which is very handy for zone focusing and shooting people. If you're comparing to the leica (which you're not) the elmarit is very compact, but the m-hexanon and biogon are about the same size and both are fine unless you're very fussy about a little lens intrusion in the corner.

The only benefits of the Konica are ergonomic and debatable - it has regular click stops, instead of the 1/3rd stops of the Biogon, and might or might not develop the 'wobble' that people like to point to in zeiss lenses. Personally I have had issues with only one lens, and that was a summicron that the previous owner had clearly mistreated - a camera tech tightened it up in 5 minutes and i've had zero problems since.

The final word is that the biogon is really an exception lens - incredibly sharp, flat plane of focus and no distortion. If you shot the two lenses side by side, it's the kind of difference you would notice immediately. That's not to say that it will make you a better photographer than the m-hex, but if you've come here asking for thoughts, I suspect you're looking for a fair appraisal of both on their merits, and the answer is that the Zeiss is much better.

Otherwise, whichever lens you pick - let us know how it goes and share some images!

 

[Phil_F_NM]

Maybe snag that pre-asph Elmarit that just popped up in the classifieds here.

Phil Forrest

 

[Richard G]

I adore that white canoe shot. Even I, reckless with expenses and never selling any lens, can't quite go to a Summicron, second hand or other. Doesn't mean I don't like to see the shots. Although I did write some time back that I try to avoid 28 Summicron threads.....

 

[Bill Blackwell]

I probably shouldn't comment at all because I have no personal experience with the Konica, but I've owned two examples of the ZM 28mm Biogon - neither had any issues (no "wobble" or any other construction problems whatsoever). In my experience, it's a great lens in every respect.

Not to throw a monkey-wrench into the works - but the ZM 25mm Biogon is slightly better compared to the 28. Both ZM lenses have a similar signature with a slight cyan shift in the corners on digital M cameras (the 28 much less so).

FWIW - assigning 28mm v.3 Elmarit and 25mm Super Elmar profiles to the 28 and 25 Biogons, respectively, will pretty much eliminate this problem.

 

[styvone]

Thank you everyone for the perspectives.

Does anyone know the focus throw on either lenses? I can't find any info online. Something that deterred me from the Canon 28/2.8 was its 180 degree focus throw - I shoot a lot of street and need a smaller focus throw.

 

[styvone]

I should probably mention I'm using this 28mm on a Minolta CLE. I realize the Rokkor is probably going to be a better fit, but the white spot problem doesn't seem great...