Please help me with choosing a 28mm solution!

[zwarte_kat]

Normally I shoot 40mm, a bit 50 since a got my new Zeiss, but definitely prefer 40. Actually, often I think I would like a 28mm, so be able to get closer, and to do more zone focussing for street shooting.

I have a Minolta CLE, voightlander R3A (won't use that one though, because of the frame lines), and I recently got a GXR plus M mount. This is another reason why I would like a wider lens (crop factor would make it 42 again).

I also got a GRDIII, on which I discovered how I like 28mm.

There are so many options now, so please share your thoughts/experiences!

For film:
Would you go with a dedicated 28mm lens, or a solution like the Gr1? How does quality compare? You can zone (manual) focus with the GR1 right? The advantage of a dedicated lens is that it would work nicely on both my CLE and GXR. The ones that catch my interest are the ultron and the zeiss biogon.

But the GR1 seems like such a cool cam, has auto focus, and pre-winds film, which I think rocks! And it's just a little cheaper 2nd hand then a separate lens, including a body that fit's in my pocket. off course, no rangefinder focussing though.

For digital:
I already have a GRD III, and was wondering if changing would really improve much. There is the 28mm GXR mount from Ricoh, How does it compare to the GRDIII? And the GRDIV seems nice, but maybe not worth the money for upgrading if you have the III already?

A dedicated lens wouldn't help much for 28mm digital, but might be used if (when) I go full frame digital in the future.

Any opinions? Cheers!

 

[shadowfox]

I'll speak only for film:
You already have your eye on one of the best 28mm equipped camera out there, I was so glad that I got the GR-1s when I did, the camera is just well designed and it's so fun to use. The motor can be a little loud when advancing, but that's the only nitpicking I can do to this camera.

The lens is so good, resolution-wise, and the contrast is wonderful if you like color or gritty B&W.

A lower price alternative that I can wholeheartedly recommend is the Olympus XA-4, zone focus only, but with 28mm, you can do a lot. It also focuses up to a feet away (same with the GR1 btw). The lens is terrific on this also, albeit opens up only to f/3.5.

 

[zwarte_kat]

Gr1

Gr1

Thanks!
hmm, what I like about the GRD is how silent it is. Does the GR1 advance automatically after pressing the shutter? Maybe I'll go to the store and check how loud it is.

For now the most attractive options for me are either a second hand white spot infected 28mm m rokkor, or the GR1. They are the same price and probably not too different in quality, though I expect the rokkor to still have an edge. The Ultron seems too big for me to use it as a fun street shooter on the CLE, though in terms of performance I find it the best deal.

If I decide to spent more, I will likely go for the zeiss, but want to check it's size in the store first.

 

[kzphoto]

The GXR A-12 28mm Module is pretty awesome to use, in practice. Great files and wonderful colors.

The GR1 series of cameras are completely different, in feel, to the GXR system. They're great cameras with phenomenal optics, but the real gem is the viewfinder -- low clutter and it gives you exactly what you need from a compact: Shutter speeds, focus indicators and framelines. The viewfinder is visible in daylight and at night (the framelines are lit!). The flash is distance based rather than TTL or auto-flash, meaning you get more consistent, balanced flash exposures. Pressing the shutter half-way will pre-focus the lens, so there's no delay when you shoot. If you can land a GR1s/v, you can use filters! The GR1v is a helluva camera.

You already own a few film cameras so I'd stay with them. Get a 28mm rokkor, or hold out for a nice Zeiss 28/2.8. It will work well with the GXR mount (close focuses to .5m, 1/3 click stops, low profile) and it should out perform almost every other 28mm out there.

 

[back alley]

the cv 28/3.5 if you can find one...very small, solid and sharp.

 

[Tim Gray]

The GR1 series of cameras is awesome. They can be a bit loud. I really like mine, but I do enjoy using a 28 on my M more.

 

[roguewave]

I love my CL. Both the Leica & Rokkor versions of the 40 are extremely fine optics. I would look to the Elmarit 28 or Zeiss 28. Both f2.8. A 28mm external viewfinder is not expensive. Either of these lenses will provide very strong imagery. Great tonal range & sharpness without being heavy handed on the contrast. Used copies are fine & no need to buy new.

 

[johannielscom]

click the image to read an article on this Canon Serenar 28/3.5 LTM with it's nice sharp + low contrast images

 

[Tim Gray]

Cool page about your Canon 28!

 

[Bob Michaels]

the cv 28/3.5 if you can find one...very small, solid and sharp.

Joe understands it. Buy a lens towards the bottom of the price range and see if it works for you. That will tell you if you like the focal length and if that lens does the job for you. You will probably find that it does everything you need.

If you are one of those who is already convinced that there is no way you can take a good photo with any lens that cost less than $800, then step up and buy the Zeiss Ikon.

 

[BillBingham2]

Yo Mr. Kat,

Not all 28mm glass is the same. Some is VERY VERY NICE, others will make you think twice about the focal length. You have the bodies for using an M mount for Film or Digital. To me the question comes down to size, price and what you want to shoot. I would stick with the GRD III as your pocket camera. Perhaps throw a black metal brightline 28 finder on her to make people look twice.

As you are sensitive to the 40mm vs 50mm difference I would pick up a CV 28mm to start. Try it out but think of it as a rent to own. If it works for you, you are all set. If you need something faster you can look to newer CV of ZM glass, buy the new and sell the old. What money you loose on the sale of the old 28 is your rental fee.

B2

 

[Archlich]

Out of the M mount bodies you've listed, I found the CLE to fit the focal length best. Its viewfinder is born for the 28mm with the 0.58x magnification, providing a comfortable viewing experience while retaining sufficient space around framelines.

Stick a smallish 28mm on (e.g. a CV 28/3.5) and you'll be fine.



I always have a GR1v in my pocket - the ultimate film P&S to me. Pocketable, solid focusing, zero lag with pre-set focus distance, custom ISO setting (not many P&S machines have this) and a gem lens. Film advance is loud, though.

 

[maddoc]

I sold my Zeiss 28mm Biogon and kept the AVENON 28/3.5 LTM. A very well performing and small lens. I also had the 28/3.5 CV (in S-mount), which while able to render slightly sharper images wide open also transfers higher contrast that I did not like for BW film.

 

[Archlich]

The GXR A12 28/2.5 module has an APS-C sized sensor, while the GRD3/4 continue to use the 1.7'' sensor same as the ones in Canon S90/95/100 and G11/12. So image quality wise it's basically DSLR vs digital P&S here.

The GXR body has handling almost identical to the GRD, just bigger and with more buttons.

Friends who had the chance playing with a GRD4 told me it focuses faster than the GRD3 in low light, but nothing else. Except the white version, maybe.

 

[vrgard]

Johan, very cool story on your Canon 28/3.5 Serenar lens. I use one with my CL using the entire viewfinder rather than the 40/50/90mm displayed framelines. Seems to work pretty well and makes for a wonderfully small size. I plan to use it with the M Module on the GXR camera when I get that camera.

-Randy

 

[magicianhisoka]

There's a kobalux 28mm in the classifieds that you can look at as well 🙂

 

[zwarte_kat]

Thanks for the replies, very insightful!
I am edging towards a Zeiss Biogon, but will have to wait until a second hand one pops up at one of the local stores. Don't have a credit card, so online is not an option.

If I get a 28mm lens, I feel that my rangefinder setup would be complete. All that could be left is higher quality, more expensive lenses of the same focal length, so i might as well start with a Biogon.

The only Leica lenses that have my interest are the summilux lenses. But I won't be able to afford any soon.

 

[ChrisN]

I'll offer an alternative from outside the square: how about an OM-10 with the OM 28/3.5 lens? Cheap, quiet, quick and compact. Good image quality and auto-exposure if you want it.

 

[Doug]

The only Leica lenses that have my interest are the summilux lenses. But I won't be able to afford any soon.

And, to save us from temptation, there is no 28mm Summilux! The Biogon 28mm should be a great choice.

 

[palec]

After trying several 28mm lenses for last years I've ended up with Ricoh GR1v because I don't like the Leica M 0.72x framelines for 28mm and getting rare 0.58x M body costs far more than I'm willing to spend. Using external viewfinder and zone focusing with contemporary 28mm lenses is more challenging as they clearly define border between in-focus and out-of-focus areas. Vintage lenses are more tolerant to this. I also found that I didn't need extra speed for wide angle lenses (f/2.8-4 is very good aperture choice for 28mm) and I liked minimal focus of 0.7m.

GR1v disadvantage is low practical top shutter speed - 1/250 for apertures f/2.8-11 but I can carry it my pocket easily and focuses closer than M lenses. It's not silent camera due to motor drive.