Used Leica 28mm Elmarit f/2.8 or New ZM 28mm f/2.8

DNG

DNG

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What are the character differences...I have a ZM 50mm C-Sonnar, so I like the the way the Sonnar draws... But, the Zeiss 28mm is a Biogon, does it draw that different from a Sonnar?
Does the Elmarit 28mm draw similar or closer to the Sonnar, or Biogon, Or is totally different?

Or, should I stay with Zeiss all the way? I am compacting my Lenses to a 28 and a 50 for the M5.

When I sell all the stuff (see Classified)

I'll get one or the other....just want something similar to the Sonnar look, if it's possible.

Any photo comparisons are welcome.
Any verbal discussion is very helpful too.
 
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I have the 28mm Biogon. I chose mine for the evaluations that appeared on the Net. In summation the Biogon was better than the older Elmarits but not the newer asphl version. I was able to pick mine up used and since I do not normally use that focal length it was, for me, a good deal. I can not speak to the elmarits but the Biogon is sharp though there is some distortion in the corners. As far as the 50mm Sonnar which is a fantastic lens. Yes, I find that the 28mm Biogon and the 50mm draw differently but I use them for different purposes. I prefer the 35mm over the 28mm in focal length and use the 50mm as a mini-telephoto.
 
I am not really sure what you mean when you say "Sonnar look." The Sonnar and the Biogon will have different signatures, and the 28 and 50 render very differently in terms of depth-of-field but where they will be well matched is in terms of color rendition. Zeiss appears to have given some thought to this when they designed their line of lenses. If you use B&W film, this is not much of an issue. I am not sure in terms of absolute quality that the differences between Leica and Zeiss are all that great.

Ben Marks
 
Get the Ultron 28/1.9, it is sharp, but low contrast and the microcontrast is not excessive. Plus it costs a half of a Biogon and a quarter of the Elmarit. The biogon draws like all other ZM lenses, except for the C Sonnar.

Biogon

4288119377_a58626ba71_b.jpg


Ultron

4060090195_ea8d5d6978_b.jpg
 
OK.... They Draw totally different....

Any examples of the Zeiss ZM 28mm f/2.8 and Leitz 28mm f/2.8 Elmarit E49....(Canada, the cheaper used Elmarit 🙄)
For a look see to see how each renders OOF areas, and contrast, I guess.
Maybe at f/2.8, f/5.6, f/11 ?

Much appreciated who ever can find the time... Really!
 
thomasw_ said:
The M-mount group is a good place to look at image samples.

http://www.flickr.com/groups/m-mount/
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Thanks for the link... Helps out in some ways

sepiareverb said:
The Elmarit is smaller if that matters.
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Size is a non issue... the ZM is not that big either, about the same size of 50mm C-Sonnar. But, you're right, the Elmarit is a bit smaller than the Biogon.

And I must get V3 (Canada) because I own an M5. Hoping I can use the meter with V3.. Or, was V3 a new modified mount to not allow the meter arm to raise, besides the redesign to a 8 element? Don't know?
 
Not an RF lens, but I'd say the Nikkor 28/2.8 .3m focus version comes close to Sonnar look for a 28, you have a much wider focus range and can get narrower DOF with the Nikkor compared with an RF lens.
 
No wobble in mine

No wobble in mine

Only issue I had with my first 28 zm was it would not lock on my M6. Exchanged it with B&H for another which works perfectly.
(If there is an issue, the warranty via Zeiss is 3 years.)
A great companion to my Planar.🙂
 
DNG said:
Size is a non issue...
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It is when you get into FLs as short as 28mm due to VF blockage. Even the Elmarit-M Asph 28, currently the smallest 28mm lens, blocks part of the view with the hood on.

The M5's not the best camera for the 28mm FL, as it lacks the frame lines. Give some thought to an auxiliary finder. I've looked through the Leica one; it's very nice, as it extends behind the camera, which gives your nose some relief.
 
J J Kapsberger said:
It is when you get into FLs as short as 28mm due to VF blockage. Even the Elmarit-M Asph 28, currently the smallest 28mm lens, blocks part of the view with the hood on.

The M5's not the best camera for the 28mm FL, as it lacks the frame lines. Give some thought to an auxiliary finder. I've looked through the Leica one; it's very nice, as it extends behind the camera, which gives your nose some relief.
Click to expand...

My M5 has the added 28, 75 VF frames....But, I understand what you are saying. It will block a small corner even with a Vented hood. although I don't mind.
 
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The older Elmarits are inferior to the Ultron I suggested, and they still cost 4 times as much, just skip them. The 28mm Leica lenses which are very good, are the V4 Elmarit, the Elmarit ASPH and the Summicron.
 
mfogiel said:
The older Elmarits are inferior to the Ultron I suggested, and they still cost 4 times as much, just skip them. The 28mm Leica lenses which are very good, are the V4 Elmarit, the Elmarit ASPH and the Summicron.
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RE: Ultron f/1.9
Is $400.00 a good used price? condition 9/10 with OEM flower hood

These is no problem with the lens hitting the Meter when mounting the CV 28mm Ultron f/1.9 on an M5?
 
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mfogiel said:
The older Elmarits are inferior to the Ultron I suggested, and they still cost 4 times as much, just skip them. The 28mm Leica lenses which are very good, are the V4 Elmarit, the Elmarit ASPH and the Summicron.
Click to expand...

I pulled the trigger on a used (9/10 BH rating) on a VC 28mm f/1.9 ASPH.

I had to call Steve at CQ to make sure it would not damage the M5 meter.... And bought a 28/90 adapter for his advice

I had a VM 28mm f2 and sold it 😛... But, I think the Sigma is not going sell too fast... and the f/1.9 Ultron is hard lens to find anywhere...It's like finding a "Knuckle-Head" Harley Davidson You have to buy when find it, then and there!

Know I will be able to see what all the hub-bub is about with this lens, when I get it this week.
Thanks all for the advice and sample images of the Ultron, and links etc..
 
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