Recommendation for next purchase

[sspeed]

Hi,

Need some views on what to get next.

I think I am a 50mm person, and currently have the latest 'cron and the summarit as my standard lense. I have a 90mm type 1 'cron for portraits, a 28mm ultron for wide angle and a 40mm 'cron when I need something compact. I have bought and sold a 35mm 'cron (third version). I felt that the DOF for the 35mm is a bit too high for me (compared to the 50mm) and the perspective is a little wide as my standard lense.

I have also considered characteristics of the lenses, ie. would prefer to have a modern lense with saturated colours and higher contrast, as well as a 'classic' lense for B&W for the same focal length.

Hence my question for the wide. In light of the 28mm Ultron, should I go for a 'classic' 28mm (2nd or 3rd version Elmarit)? I am also tempted to give the 35mm focus length another go, and would like to consider a 'cron ASPH, or save a little more for a 'lux ASPH. Another option would be to get the pre-ASPH lux to complement the 28mm Ultron for the 'Classic' look, and also allow me to have another go at trying the 35mm focal length.

Any views would be appreciated. Thanks!

VK

 

[jaapv]

The pre-1979 28 is rather soft especially when opened wide, but rather creamy. The later ones are a lot sharper and contrasty. So for your wishes the post-1979 ones are the minimum, and they get sharper/more contrasty with every following redesign.Assuming the post-2000 Summicron is a bit pricey, I would advise the 1993-2000 version.
Of course a 35 is totall different. You lose the WA-look that the 28 conveys and quit a bit of DOF. As for sharpness, you will again have to go for the newer versions as well as for high contrast , with the 35 Lux ASPH as the holy grail. The differences are not as pronounced as in the 28 range, however.

 

[Simon Larbalestier]

I got the 35 pre ASPH lux and the second version 28/2.8 elmarit - i'm happy with both of them.
soft edges wide open aren't an issue for me so long as the centre is sharp. Portability concerns like size & weight count for me more - as i'm on the move a lot. Also they suit my needs when working with 400 asa B/W.

 

[jaapv]

On second thoughts, if you are not into very high apertures (and why should you for WA?) the Tri-Elmar is great for doubters like you and me....Near ASPH (after all, it has two ASPH elements) and a real modern Leica fingerprint.

 

[sspeed]

On second thoughts, if you are not into very high apertures (and why should you for WA?) the Tri-Elmar is great for doubters like you and me....Near ASPH (after all, it has two ASPH elements) and a real modern Leica fingerprint.

This is an interesting option. I have been thinking about how I have been using my 28mm Ultron. I think I have been using them mainly for landscape or group shots. If its for group shots, I would want to shoot at f4 or f5.6 to get some DOF. For low light situations, I think the 50's should do the job most of the time.

 

[sspeed]

The pre-1979 28 is rather soft especially when opened wide, but rather creamy. The later ones are a lot sharper and contrasty. So for your wishes the post-1979 ones are the minimum, and they get sharper/more contrasty with every following redesign.Assuming the post-2000 Summicron is a bit pricey, I would advise the 1993-2000 version.
Of course a 35 is totall different. You lose the WA-look that the 28 conveys and quit a bit of DOF. As for sharpness, you will again have to go for the newer versions as well as for high contrast , with the 35 Lux ASPH as the holy grail. The differences are not as pronounced as in the 28 range, however.

Given that the VC 28mm Ultron is a later design compared to the 1993 - 2000 Elmarit, would the Elmarit give a different look to the Ultron?

 

[sspeed]

I got the 35 pre ASPH lux and the second version 28/2.8 elmarit - i'm happy with both of them.
soft edges wide open aren't an issue for me so long as the centre is sharp. Portability concerns like size & weight count for me more - as i'm on the move a lot. Also they suit my needs when working with 400 asa B/W.

Hi, since you have both the 35mm and the 28mm focal length, do you feel like there is a duplication? I've read comments that the 35mm pre-lux can be a little soft at full aperture and flare wide open tends to be a problem for the lux. Not sure about the Elmarit though.

With my summarit, I often stop down to 2 or 2.8 to get better results, esp in terms of flare and more pleasing OOF area.

 

[rover]

Reviews say that the Ultron is close to the performance of the 28 Summicron. I have the Ultron and must say it is excellent, I wouldn't look to trade it for a different lens.

Personally I think your kit looks damn good and quite complete. I have a thing for the asph Lux so if you want to give one a shot and can, then great go for it. Other than that you seem pretty well set.

 

[Magnus]

I have looked at the tri-elmar a couple of times. Quite an ingenious solution, I even tested it and the prints up to 20x30cm looked perfect, it's price on the second market is OK so the only thing that bugs me is the size of thing and the 4.0
I shoot mainly at 1.4 2.0 and 2.8 the 4.0 will alter my way of shooting and even choice of film, but it remains an interesting alternative.
I can imagine for travel and family type shots the lens will be great to use....

I figurd that taking the fact into account that I have 3 M bodies I could rig one up with my all time favorite 50 summicron, the other with the summilux or other choice of film, and have the M6ttl constatly wear the tri-elmar .... .... .... hmmmmm



... see I've started thinking about it again ... 🙂

 

[Magnus]

... ahh forgot to mention, I tried the first version and the second version twice (two different lenses), the second version had trouble, both times, to get the viewfinder view thing right, at 28 it allways showed the 35.... and yes this was on the .58 M6 so it did have the 28 alternative.
With the first version this didn't occur once ...

 

[jaapv]

The real problem with the Tri-Elmar not the size, after all it is a dingy thing compared to a 'lux 75 or a noctilux, but the mechanics. With the camera at my eye I used to confuse the focal length ring with the focussing ring all the time and the short throw and -for a Leica lens- not very smooth focussing did not really please me. I have been told that the 2nd generation is better in that respect. However, the Leica Goodies focussing ring grip solved my problem for 95% and now I am really happy using it.

 

[jaapv]

... ahh forgot to mention, I tried the first version and the second version twice (two different lenses), the second version had trouble, both times, to get the viewfinder view thing right, at 28 it allways showed the 35.... and yes this was on the .58 M6 so it did have the 28 alternative.
With the first version this didn't occur once ...

My 1st generation one which I bought virtually unused did that as well.The trouble disappeared after one week of use and it has been fine since. I think these lenses may need some "running in".

 

[Magnus]

As it happens I can pick up an excellent condition (A+) first version, including papers. packaging etc. for 1090€ which is not exactly a bargain but I know where it comes from and it has 1 year guarantee on it .....

I have the budget, but was thinking on buying a 28 summicron ....

... Deepl in thought now...

 

[ClaremontPhoto]

You already have many fine lenses.

Spend the money on film, lab costs, software and webspace.

 

[jaapv]

A very good price.It is below market value by about 300 to 400$ I would think. And they are bound to jump in price when the M8 hits the market.

 

[Simon Larbalestier]

Hi, since you have both the 35mm and the 28mm focal length, do you feel like there is a duplication? I've read comments that the 35mm pre-lux can be a little soft at full aperture and flare wide open tends to be a problem for the lux. Not sure about the Elmarit though.

With my summarit, I often stop down to 2 or 2.8 to get better results, esp in terms of flare and more pleasing OOF area.

No duplication for me otherwise i wouldn't have purchased!
Joe pointed out somewhere when the 35 becomes one's normal lens the 50 becomes a mini tele and the 28 offers the wider option. I totally agree. I might use the 28% for 5% of my shots but i want it in my bag for that rare occasion when i'm in a more confined space. Flares not an issue for me when i use the correct lens shade and careful where i point my lens. My 28 v2 shows the 28 framelines - must be a later issue.

 

[sspeed]

Thank you all for your responses.

Had a friendly chat with the local dealer here last night in Singapore. Not easy to sell the Ultron without incurring a significant loss. Therefore would need a bit of time to save up for the tri-elmar or the lux ASPH. The pre-ASPH lux is still an option, but I think the tri-elmar or the lux-ASPH would probably be better for the longer time

In the meantime, more Tri-X and Fuji's for me. 😉

 

[Dougg]

Looks like you have a pretty competent kit as is... So for a GAS-reducing suggestion: Don't buy another lens until you are upset about losing shots due to not having the right lens. Then it will be crystal clear just what it is you need. 🙂

 

[sspeed]

I do agree with the view 'you don't miss it, you don't need it'. But sometimes I do wonder if something new will help you get a new perspective.

I have tried shooting with just the 50 for a year, and never really felt the need for a 90 or a 28. I am no pro and photos are purely for my own consumption, nevertheless Ido see a slight improvement from the pix taken with my zoom lense. Subsequently, I bought the 90 and photos with different perspective and composition came up.

Looking at the current kit, its hard to add anything in addition to 28-50-90.