Opinions on Leica Elmarit M 28mm f2.8 asph

[thjk]

I am thinking to get this lens. Now I have M-P 240, 35 FLE and Zeiss 50mm Planar. I feel that the FLE may be a bit heavy, therefore, I may want new lens for traveling, walking around and some landscape. I do not want to go wider than 28mm and I like small lens.

What are your opinions about this lens and suggestions? Thanks.

 

[kknox]

I have the lens. Tack sharp small compact size. Great value.

 

[kbg32]

It's a wonderful lens.

 

[yossarian123]

Sharp lens, tons of contrast if that's your kind of thing. I love the size but kind of wish I hadn't sold my V3 pre-asph elmarit.

 

[Penceler]

By any measure a great lens. Incredibly, I found it to be too small. I know, my fingers are burning as I type this. I just prefer the handing of the ZM variant.

Just my $.02 - by your stated criteria it should be perfect. Just didn't work for me.

John

 

[Rob-F]

I have this lens. I'm having a little trouble relating to the "too small" comment. I sold my V. III not because I didn't like the results--I did--but because the ASPH is smaller and does not intrude in the finder window. I like this lens a lot and don't think I would ever part with it. But if you like a small lens and don't really need f/2.8, I can recommend the little CV 28/3.5. Now, that is a small and compact travel lens!

 

[Huss]

Fantastico lens!

 

[thjk]

Wow. A lot of good comments on this lens. It helps me a lot. Thank you so much.
Any weak points also welcome 🙂

 

[finguanzo]

Only weak point about the lens.. Lens hood attaches to the bodies center barrel. If you put enough pressure on the hood, or keeping the hood on all the time in your bag, like i did,over time the whole center of the lens gets loose.. I keep the hood off now..

Besides that, lens I use 95 percent of the time.

 

[DwF]

Without reservation

Without reservation

The 28 Elmarit ASPH is a great handling and very compact lens. From your description, it seems a clear choice. Of course the CV 28 3.5 is also a nice lens but I'd give the Elmarit a try. It is characterized as contrasty and I found that to be the case compared to earlier Elmarits and to the 28mm Summicron. I enjoyed the results that I got with the lens and missed it for its size and handling after I let it go.

Here is one grab from a walk in Seattle and using an M8.

 

[mfogiel]

As small as it gets, as sharp as it gets, as contrasty as it gets, as rectilinear as it gets, ugly bokeh.

 

[Frankton]

I just picked up one of these a month ago. I couldnt be happier. Super sharp, great contrast and very compact. If you like 28mm focal length, there is no better option.

 

[MCTuomey]

I have the lens. Tack sharp small compact size. Great value.

+1 Only reason I sold mine was that it was too small (I kept knocking the aperture ring inadvertently with my largish paws), believe it or not. I found its "go to black" contrast similar to ZM lenses like the 50 Planar and the 28 Biogon, which I like, especially for film. I dealt with the hood issue by using an eBay Heavystar wide screw-in hood instead of the OEM.

There's one up on the B&S board:

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/pho...48601/title/28-elmarit-asph-2c-m2-2c-m5/cat/3

 

[Out to Lunch]

How does it compare to the Zeiss Ikon 2.8/28?

 

[Ruhayat]

I had one. Very sharp, contrasty and compact. Great value for money, especially back then -- price has gone up now, I think. Balanced very well on my MP, making it more transportable.

Sold it off after 2 months. I just found I preferred the images I got out of the 28mm Elmarit-R with LR-LM adapter instead (yes). So I thought I'd sell it and save up for the Summicron version instead. Well, 2 years on, I'm still saving. Meanwhile I got a 28mm G-Rokkor, which is even more compact, slower but is not as high contrast.

 

[MCTuomey]

How does it compare to the Zeiss Ikon 2.8/28?

It's been awhile since I had them. Both lenses have strong center sharpness with comparatively weaker (but still good) edges and corners. The Biogon has a greater dip in edge sharpness though , probably field curvature - this from MTFs, not from my experience, plenty sharp for what I do, and I was using it mostly on an M8's cropped sensor. The Elmarit has less distortion than the Biogon, but can get a little funky in OOF areas. I do remember shooting the Biogon against a very bright NOLA sun and getting a bit of flare. Don't remember any flare with the Elmarit at all.

I guess the biggest differentiator is size, followed by better across the frame performance by the Elmarit, and price.

 

[agoglanian]

I thought about getting the Elmarit ASPH when I was shopping for a 28 (was also considering the older LTM CV 28 1.9 as I had it previously and liked it).

I wound up with a VIII Elmarit (the big E49 one) and other than the size I have to say that it is just a beautiful lens. Truly beautiful rendering. The only reason I would / will give up this lens is when I buy the 28 Summicron somewhere in the future.

 

[sanmich]

I have the elmarit asph and the hexanon.
I don't think I can see any difference in sharpness.
The elmarit is smaller and I like the ergonomics better.
The hexanon is better built. more solid. I knocked the elmarit hood, and the front block went loose. needed a repair. Konica really built their lenses well...

 

[KM-25]

35 FLE and Zeiss 50mm Planar.

The 35FLE, 50 Planar and the 28 Elmarit Asph is my exact combo and I love it.

 

[pepeguitarra]

My only Leica ASPH lens, and I love it!

My only Leica ASPH lens, and I love it!

Here is why:


Elmarit-M 28mm f2.8 ASPH by Palenquero Photography, on Flickr


m8.2-elmarit-m-28mmf2.8asph-rotary-baycleanup2015-041 by Palenquero Photography, on Flickr



Elmarit28-2.8Asph-WaterLawn1-1 by Palenquero Photography, on Flickr



Fruit Market-1 by Palenquero Photography, on Flickr