New Leica Summaron-M 28mm f/5.6 lens?

[Calzone]

I actually like the idea of this lens, but in fact I already own a black Canon 28/3.5 that I use almost always at F5.6 or F8.0 for street.

BTW I love that the distance scale is marked in feet only.

Cal

 

[Calzone]

Guess it will be listed as a budget lens. For Leica, "budget" probably means something priced under $2,000 (and never below $1,000). I bet $1,495 would be a fair point for them - but not for me.

Think about it, it's just ridiculous.

The version 3 50/2.8 Elmar collapsible was priced at $1050.00 not that long ago new. There also happen to be a $200.00 or $250.00 Leica rebate at that time.

Basically I bought a brand new Leica lens for under a $1K cost after the rebate.

I own a 28 Cron ASPH. About 95% of my shots are at F5.6, and when I shoot the other 5% it is basically at F2.0.

Cal

 

[jsrockit]

Let's try to guess on price... I'm thinking $2,000

 

[Calzone]

Let's try to guess on price... I'm thinking $2,000

John,

That's crazy money.

Cal

 

[splitimageview]

It should only be about 50% more than the 28/2.8. After all, it offers less, kinda like the M-D.

😀

 

[jsrockit]

Now they just need to make a digital If to go along with it...

* I know it's not a Summaron.

 

[Ko.Fe.]

Yes, lenses work at f5.6. I understand that. It's just helpful to have some apertures that are larger than f5.6 too.

Yes, personally, I still need 2.8 for street photography. And at least 3.5 for indoors.

 

[Jake Mongey]

I like this bit:

"Will not compete with the currently available Leica M lens designs"

Ya think? A 28mm lens with max aperture of F5.6?
The regular asph Elmarit is already tiny and it has an f2.8 aperture. The slowest I would have gone would be f3.5. Which would be a miniscule lens.

Not even Lomo would release something like this! The Lomo Minitar is a 32mm 2.8 and it is a pancake..

I guess its going to be at a low price point and hopefully it will be sharp wide open (if you can call f5.6 wide). The main thing leica could go for is some crazy sharpness.

 

[jsrockit]

I can't see this being cheap... I just can't.

 

[Emile de Leon]

I think I heard those 28mm 5.6 lenses are supposed to have crazy good resolution..but not much contrast..
If Leica redesigns it..and with modern coatings..could be a gem..!

 

[Austerby]

Has the success of the Lomography Art Lens series prompted this response from Leica?

Why not? I've commented in the past that I would like to see them re-introduce some of these old lenses - same design as before with all their limitations - to add more character to the standard uber-perfect lens lineup.

Starting with the 28/5.6 is very bold: I like it.

 

[YouAreHere]

Will Leica re-issue the companion SOOBK?

 

[nikonosguy]

doesn't have to be cheap:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/LEICA-Summa...601864?hash=item5b20571508:g:YnUAAOSwx-9WvyP2

 

[Archlich]

The version 3 50/2.8 Elmar collapsible was priced at $1050.00 not that long ago new. There also happen to be a $200.00 or $250.00 Leica rebate at that time.

Basically I bought a brand new Leica lens for under a $1K cost after the rebate.

I own a 28 Cron ASPH. About 95% of my shots are at F5.6, and when I shoot the other 5% it is basically at F2.0.

Cal

Me too still remember the old days when a M-Elmar has a MSRP of $1095. Even the MP was "cheap" then, if there's no inflation to factor in. But that was until 2007, during which Leica dumped the Elmar and replaced it with the $1295 Summarit 50/2.5, which in its latest incarnation (the 50/2.4) retails for $1795. I think it's currently the lowest-priced M lens in the portfolio.

 

[Rico]

A reissue Summaron 28 will appeal to anyone seeking a nice copy of the classic v1 (that would be me). The original was released a long time ago, and is hard to find in any condition. The Elmarit ASPH is simply awesome and small—I have one—but is not a pancake.

 

[Archlich]

doesn't have to be cheap:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/LEICA-Summa...601864?hash=item5b20571508:g:YnUAAOSwx-9WvyP2

It comes with the SOOBK, which usually is very pricey for a hood. Actually would be nice if they'd offer that again...

 

[Tom A]

Camera Porn. Leica Summaron 28mm f5.6 Ltm by T&T and Mr B Abrahamsson, on Flickr

Summaron 28mm f5.6 on a grey Bessa T - and with a Nikon 28 finder. The Summaron 28/f5.6 is a really good lens for its age. It has very high resolution, but flat contrast and yes, substantial edge fall off. A modern version would be interesting though. Get the contrast up a bit and with modern coatings. My question is why? Most of the recent "retro" cameras have done rather badly, Nikon S3 Millennium, Nikon SP 2005 etc. The lenses retain their value - the bodies not so. I tried My Summaron on a Sony A7 and it took quite some manipulation with the edge correction to make the image palatable.
With film it works fine.
Now the next question is: would it be a M-mount, would it have contacts to the digital M's processor ?. Considering that you can find Summaron 28f5.6's for around $6-800 and get the true vintage look - would a new most likely $2000 be of any interest.

 

[jsrockit]

Now the next question is: would it be a M-mount, would it have contacts to the digital M's processor ?. Considering that you can find Summaron 28f5.6's for around $6-800 and get the true vintage look - would a new most likely $2000 be of any interest.

I guess I'm thinking it will be made in small quantities, it will be M mount, and it will be new... and Leica doesn't make any cheap lenses. The cheapest new and in production lens that they sell is $1795.

 

[animalhairs]

I'm liking this. Looking forward to the release.

 

[sepiareverb]

Just heard about this as I began looking for a summaron 28. I love the idea. A vintage lens with a passport warranty.

I suspect that with CNC machines this kind of thing would be pretty easy for them to do from the old drawings?