maddoc
... likes film again.
That is quite some money for the release of an old lens design. What did Leica invent to justify the high price, special glass or optical design?
New Leica Summaron-M 28mm f/5.6 lens?
- Thread starter jsrockit
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jim0266
Established
If Lensrentals gets this it might be fun to take it for a spin. The VC 28/3.5 is already pretty tiny. That lens versus the 28 Summaron at 5.6 would be interesting.
Huss
Veteran
Where are you going to put the table?
Archlich
Well-known
Jerevan
Recycled User
Next up: Elmar 35/3.5. 😉
jaapv
RFF Sponsoring Member.
Is it? It is a recalculation of the original formula, new coatings and the old mechanical design to modern specifications. The price is about the same (in Euros) as the cheapest 28 in Leica's lineup, the Elmarit, which is part of the Summarit lens group, intended as entry-level.
I find it highly attractive, as the signature is supposed to be "analog-like"
If it renders a bit like the Elmar-M 50 ( which is a lens Leica should re-release IMO) it is a winner.
Tom A
RFF Sponsor
The new Summaron 28 is of course "coded" for digital M's and with modern sensors you can use far higher iso with good results. I asked Stefan Daniel about performance and he did admit, that apart from higher contrast, the new Summaron would be only slightly better than the old one when used with film. The strength of the Summaron 28 was always its resolution - very high. I assume that the improved coating will lessen vignetting too.
ian_watts
Ian Watts
The Elmarit ASPH, whilst one of the lower cost lenses (and initially marketed with the M8 as a more affordable "35"), has never been part of the Summarit lens group. The Summarits use common components and, at least with the first Summarit series, have slightly compromised close focussing distances and IMO a cheaper build quality. The 28 Elmarit ASPH (at least the first version which I owned) was not compromised in this way and came with a hood and the usual leather case, etc., just like any other non-Summarit lens in the range.
jaapv
RFF Sponsoring Member.
From a marketing point of view - it certainly is the entry-level wideangle, like the Summarits are entry-level lenses in their focal lengths. If you want to have a Leica-affordable full range of focal lengths it can only be the Elmarit+Summarits.
It is clear that it does not have the part-sharing of the Summarits. I have owned the Elmarit and I could not discern any build quality differences to the Summarits, which I cannot fault either. I did not like the rendering of the lens, though.
It is clear that it does not have the part-sharing of the Summarits. I have owned the Elmarit and I could not discern any build quality differences to the Summarits, which I cannot fault either. I did not like the rendering of the lens, though.
jsrockit
Moderator
Well, they invented the lens no? And it is a Leica lens... to think it would be priced cheaply is naive.
ForestCap
Well-known
It would interest me more if it's in LTM.
I doubt that..🙂 EDIT: Oh I just saw the price in the new link.
I doubt that..🙂 EDIT: Oh I just saw the price in the new link.
Huss
Veteran
Interesting comment. I have used and owned the new Summarits, since sold on, and the difference in build quality and materials was noticeable compared to my other Leica lenses including the Elmarit Asph 28.
The font was less clear, the paint fill on the lettering was far lower end, they did not focus as smoothly and they did not attach as smoothly to a camera body.
The optics are top notch but obviously costs had to be made in order to offer the lower price point. And those costs were made in construction and finish.
The Elmarit Asph 28 is jewel like in comparison.
jaapv
RFF Sponsoring Member.
Well, I only have experience of the first series when they just came out, and did not see the things you noticed.
Huss
Veteran
Sorry, by new Summarits I meant the first gen of the new ones. Not the next gen 2.4 models.
The material on the lens mounts even looked different than the regular Leica lenses, as if the coating on it was thinner. Which would explain the difference in mounting smoothness.
But ultimately it is not a knock on the Summarits as they are a lot cheaper!
And the optics are still fantastic.
nhchen
Nathan
I wonder how the original Summaron 28 one compared to the russian Orion-16 28mm f6 lens. I've got that one and I think its great.
nathan
nathan
giganova
Well-known
Tiny and very pretty lens for a small and pretty rangefinder -- it actually makes sense. I have friends (with money) who have Leicas that live most of there lives proudly displayed on their Steinway grand and are occasionally being used for family photos. I think that's the target customers.
nasmformyzombie
Registered
Not at all true. $2K for a very slow lens with its inherent limited functionality is completely beyond my budget. This lens is virtually worthless on a film camera. Another piece of silly bling from the masters of fluff and silliness. How about a special edition version with a ruby stone Leica red dot for $5K?
Has Leica ever been less relevant to photography than it is today? The Monochrom body is the only real innovation Leica has introduced since the M5 and M6, cameras with a built in meter. The M5 was introduced in 1971! I'm not going to bash the M5, because although it was an abject failure in the marketplace in the 1970's, it is a good camera.
The M7 you say? Again, nice camera but AE was available from other camera makers in the 1970's. The M7 was introduced in 2002.
In the 1920's the Barnack camera started a photographic revolution. If Leica would stop pandering to the 1%er crowd, maybe they could develop more timely and innovative products today.
Emile de Leon
Well-known
I think its cool Leica is reissuing these lenses..
I hear the O-type has a great 50 on it as well..
Maybe they will reissue more as time goes on..
And surprise us..
As well as the cost..well..I think the Leica lenses are a better investment than the bodies are...
And will be here decades into the future..
Even if you can find this lens for 20% cheaper grey market or in mint used cond..for $1600-..or less..
Use it for 20 years and pass it on..for hardly any loss...
Seems like a good deal to me..
I hear the O-type has a great 50 on it as well..
Maybe they will reissue more as time goes on..
And surprise us..
As well as the cost..well..I think the Leica lenses are a better investment than the bodies are...
And will be here decades into the future..
Even if you can find this lens for 20% cheaper grey market or in mint used cond..for $1600-..or less..
Use it for 20 years and pass it on..for hardly any loss...
Seems like a good deal to me..
giganova
Well-known
FrozenInTime
Well-known
😱 It gets better ... the US list price is $2495 ( plus tax ) !
http://leicarumors.com/2016/10/18/the-new-leica-summaron-m-28mm-f5-6-lens-now-available-for-pre-order-in-the-us-deposit-required.aspx/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+LeicaRumors+%28LeicaRumors.com%29
http://leicarumors.com/2016/10/18/the-new-leica-summaron-m-28mm-f5-6-lens-now-available-for-pre-order-in-the-us-deposit-required.aspx/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+LeicaRumors+%28LeicaRumors.com%29
