What 28mm lens?

[tajart]

28s

28s

i've had a couple of 28s and always loved this focal length.
a few years ago i bought the cv28/3.5 and was really loving what it could do, and it's compact size was/is a plus...but shortly after getting it i was able to get a 3rd version elmarit, which edged it out almost imperceptibly...(the coating?). even though it is faster and considerably larger, it is what remained in use. and just recently i traded away the 3rd v. and went back to using the vc28/3.5, with pleasure. i kept it thinking i would use it just for b&w, on a thread mount...

i was able to shoot a few frames with a friend's asph elmarit and was duly impressed, and was considering one of these...but then, just a week ago i had the good fortune to pick up a 4th version elmarit, and WOW! this is it.

attachments are all shot wide open, hand held:
trainspotter is 3rd version elmarit, m7 provia c. 1/60th
scratcher is cv28/35 @ 1/30th s, rd1
pinkdoor44 is with 4th version @ 1/15th s, rd1

 

[Krosya]

I like the last photo and that lens draws very much like my Hexanon 28. I think they are same optical formula. Nice.

 

[tajart]

28s

28s

thanks for looking and commenting Krosya,
the only Konica lens i have experience with is the 35 on the af Hexar, which was outstanding of course.
my pinkdoor shot was in the shadows of the alley at dusk, so i was pleased that i got it. i need a better scan of my trainspotter...
tomj

 

[sircarl]

Don't know anything about the Ultron or Biogon, but I've had a 28 Hex for about six months and am very happy with it. It's a modern lens yet provides a rendition I find pleasing. Plus it's beautifully constructed. This taken last week at Trafalgar Square in London:

 

[andreas]

About a year ago, i had the Biogon, Ultron and Color-Skopar at the same time. After i compared all three lenses on my M6, i went with the CV Color-Skopar 3.5/28 because off handling, build quality, and overall image quality.
Differences are subtle and all three are excellent lenses.
Best regards,
andreas

 

[noimmunity]

About a year ago, i had the Biogon, Ultron and Color-Skopar at the same time. After i compared all three lenses on my M6, i went with the CV Color-Skopar 3.5/28 because off handling, build quality, and overall image quality.
Differences are subtle and all three are excellent lenses.
Best regards,
andreas

I found myself in the same lucky predicament and referred to Andreas' previous advice, which I found very sound and very helpful.

I decided to keep the Biogon 28/2.8 . It was really a toss up between it and the CV 28/3.5 . For my personal taste, the Biogon had the edge in terms of color and handling, and it has less vignetting on the RD-1.

 

[derbyc]

Did you know there is a new version of the Ultron (now f2.0) coming out? CQ says:

Introduced 07/08, slightly smaller and lighter than the 28/1.9 with improved performance. Black M mount only, no screw mount or silver versions. Close focus .7m, 46mm filter, focusing tab, Taking $100 deposits, estimated shipping date early to mid August 2008!

 

[derbyc]

The Ultron. Its really an f2 because the difference between f1.9 and f2 on the blade movement is more like a pre-engineered latitude for temperature variation then an actual f.stop...

The lens is sharp as a razor, and punchy too. I think its as good as the 28 Summicron ASPH, -GREAT color rendition.

There is another reason to have the f1.9. At f2.0, the iris blades show up in bokeh highlights. At f1.9, they are perfectly round.

Derby

 

[LCT]

The Ultron 28/1.9 is discontinued:
http://www.cosina.co.jp/seihin/voigt/english/dispo.html

The Ultron 28/2 is 26 grams lighter and one centimeter longer than the Summicron.

Ultron 28/2:
Optical design: 8 groups 10 elements
Aperture blades: 10
Focus tab: Yes
Nearest distance: 0.7m
Filter ø: 46mm
Diameter x length: ø55 x 51.2mm
Weight: 244g

Summicron 28/2:
Optical design: 6 groups 9 elements
Aperture blades: 10
Focus tab: Yes
Nearest distance: 0.7m
Filter ø: 46mm
Diameter x length: ø53 x 40.8mm
Weight: 270g

 

[mfunnell]

I'd seen this thread before but hadn't really followed it. I also hadn't voted, as I have both the M-Hexanon and the CV Ultron and pretty much like them equally - but often for different purposes. I like the Hex for outdoors, bright daylight and colour and the Ultron for indoors, lower lighting and black and white. (Not that either can't do both; its just that that's the general run of preferences I have in the way I use those lenses). So I didn't vote as I didn't have the option of voting for both.

But I've just been dragged away on a trip for work at no notice and, while packing, made my various lens decisions. The 28 Hex was packed and the 28 Ultron left at home. It was a close-run thing, but I figured I'd vote the way I packed.

They're both nice lenses, though, and I'm glad I'm able to have both.

...Mike

 

[Crane]

Another vote for the Elmarit version III, here. I reach for it over my F2 28 'cron asph, every time. Always use it at 2.8, and am always amazed by it.

I had the Ultron 1.9, and loved the look of the resulting files. But focusing the thing was like putting a hole in granite using a hand-drill. My wrists couldn't take it.

The Elmarit was a revelation to me. And so it was that I expected that the F2 28mm cron would prove even more of an improvement. This has not been my experience of the cron. I just don't like its take on the world. Even the 28 mm equivalent on the DP-1 has more character, for me.

Crane

 

[lawrence]

I agree with others that the Color-Skopar 3.5 is simply a wonderful lens. Size, build quality, sharpness and lack of distortion. I have this and also the Ultron for when the light's not there -- these two 28s fulfill all my needs.

 

[35mmdelux]

Easy; 28mm/2.8 Elmarit-M ASPH or 28mm/2.0 VC.

 

[SolaresLarrave]

I just voted. Considering that the Ultron is discontinued, and that the OP had the word "Budget" in the question, I offered a vote for the Konica/Minolta option. They can be found at good price both and, in the case of the Hexanon, in really good condition. The Minolta has the unfortunate problem of letting some white bubbles emerge in the lens after some time. Apparently, some lenses in the production run were corrected, but it's a risk to consider if you buy one.

Although, at this point, if the lens hasn't showed any sign of trouble, chances are it won't have any.

In any event, if shopping was the purpose, there goes my 2 cents 🙂

 

[LCT]

Never heard of the Konica Minolta Hexanon 28/2.8 so far. Is it the same lens as the Konica-M Hexanon 28/2.8? Nothing to do with the M-Rokkor 28/2.8 for Minolta CLE i guess. Only the latter may have white spots on the glass AFAIK.

 

[SolaresLarrave]

It's rather an option: either the Konica Hexanon or the Minolta Rokkor. Shorthand (being lazy), nothing less.

 

[Ron (Netherlands)]

I agree, take the bio 25

 

[gohaj]

I have the Canon 28mm/3.5 and the Rokkor 28mm/2.8 and both lenses are superb lenses.

just tried out the canon 28mm/3.5. as good as you have describe except that it is a still a relatively slow lens

 

[cam]

Another vote for the Elmarit version III, here. I reach for it over my F2 28 'cron asph, every time. Always use it at 2.8, and am always amazed by it.

The Elmarit was a revelation to me. And so it was that I expected that the F2 28mm cron would prove even more of an improvement. This has not been my experience of the cron. I just don't like its take on the world. Even the 28 mm equivalent on the DP-1 has more character, for me.

Crane

very interesting take as i've been lusting after the Cron... is the Elmarit you're talking about a pre-asph? (i didn't like the feel of the new 28/2.8 asph).

 

[sanmich]

I'm in a kind of strange position here

I have the Ultron. I bought it new and thought It will be the last 28mm I need.
I can't say that I don't like the pictures but I finally ordered a Hexanon for one reason: ergonomics.

The Ultron is very slow to focus. the focus ring is smooth but stiff, at least stiff enough to bother me when I shoot.
I think I missed the focus on one good shot at least because of this.
I have to say that it's the first lens I have that I will sell becuase of handling issues.

BTW, when thinking of replacement, I chose the Hexanon for its apparently excellent optical qualities of course but for the mechanics that are said to be awsome.
the Rokkor M was not an option for me because it won't bring the 28mm FL on an M. The canon lenses may be great but have one killer flaw, at least for a wide: the minimum focus at 1m. I find it almost intolerable on my 35mm f1.5 which I keep only because it's the only super fast 35 I have, but thinking of a 28 that only goes down to 1m... well it's not an option for me.