Damaso
Photojournalist
So it looks like I too will cave soon and get an M8. The question is which 28mm lens should I get. The Summicron is great but crazy expensive. The 2.8 is way cheaper but slower. I played with the Zeiss a friend had but didn't like how tight the throw was (it could have just been is lens).
Please share your thoughts and more importantly your experiences with the 28mm focal length and the M8. Thanks in advance...
Please share your thoughts and more importantly your experiences with the 28mm focal length and the M8. Thanks in advance...
Krosya
Konicaze
I have a Hexanon 28/2.8. Use it on Hexar RF film camera. It's very good - as good as any Leica. And if you plan on getting an M8 - why you worry about 2.8 being too slow? Just adjust ISO as you go.
EDIT:
Just wanted to add some pics to this. I took one of my cars for service the other day and had my camera with Hexanon 28/2.8 with me. So, I put it to a lil use, wjhile waiting - nothing special, just quick snaps, yet I really like the lens:
And here is a wide open shot through the window - one foggy morning:
EDIT:
Just wanted to add some pics to this. I took one of my cars for service the other day and had my camera with Hexanon 28/2.8 with me. So, I put it to a lil use, wjhile waiting - nothing special, just quick snaps, yet I really like the lens:
And here is a wide open shot through the window - one foggy morning:
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tmfabian
I met a man once...
the 28/2.8 elmarit is a swanky lens...all the zeiss 28's i've tried were also tight on the focus throw but still very smooth so that never bothered me...either is a great choice though.
Eric T
Well-known
I use the CV 28/1.9. It's a little big but a great lens at a great price.
Eric
Eric
dcsang
Canadian & Not A Dentist
I'm undecided b/w the Zeiss and the Elmarit-m.
Right now, my wallet can't afford either - maybe by the end of the summer (or fall)
Dave
Right now, my wallet can't afford either - maybe by the end of the summer (or fall)
Dave
raid
Dad Photographer
How about a sharp Rokkor 28mm/2.8 in M mount?
It is in many ways equivalent to the Leica 28mm lens.
It is in many ways equivalent to the Leica 28mm lens.
Damaso
Photojournalist
Someone else told me about the Rokkor and I am intrigued though I haven't seen any images from it. Dave, we are all still waiting to see some photos from your new M8....
dcsang
Canadian & Not A Dentist
Yep.. I know
It's been almost a week since I've got it and I feel like I'm still putting it through its paces - That said, I'm sort of amassing a small review of my own about what I like and dislike about the camera - most of the dislikes are more "annoyances" - also still waiting on my UV/IR cut filters to see how they work.
I hope to have some images this coming week as most of the photography stuff I had on the go has been completed (2 events and one wedding).
Cheers,
Dave
jasoncohen
Member
I had a friend with a noctilux and I asked him what his wide/secondary lens was... a CV 28 1.9. I bought one and the sharpness/contrast on the less is outstanding... plus it is not too hard on the wallet
Krosya
Konicaze
From what I know - most of these have white spots on them - coating/glass problem. They also do not bring correct frames on Leica M - from what I hear, since they were made for Minolta CLE, which is a bit different in that respect. But I have never used one, so all this is not from personal experience.
Ascender
Established
Hmmm... Damaso
Hmmm... Damaso
Difficult one to answer seeing as the 28 focal length is one that I've had a hard time getting into mainly because I feel it falls into a nebulous area that's not quite a 35 (37mm to be exact). However I do have the Cron and the Zeiss version. I found the Zeiss version to be every bit as sharp as it's Leica counterpart but it, (like all Zeiss lenses), is more contrasty than Leica lenses. I personally don't mind that but purists (and I can't say that I disagree with them), will tell you that it's better to have a lens that doesn't excessively add contrast and that it's better left for you to decide if you want to add that in the post.
I'm not sure if the copy of the Zeiss you had was a bit out of whack because my copy has a very smooth focusing motion to it, to the point where I preferred using it to the Leica version and then sent all of my lenses below the 50 focal length off to Solms to have them all loosened to the same motion (something I highly recommend to anyone if they can be bothered).
Of course there's the price factor but I guess what I'm trying to say is that yeah, you lose the extra stop going with the Zeiss version but with RF cameras, that isn't so much of an issue due to being able to hand hold at much lower shutter speeds anyway. Either way you cannot go wrong unless you're a snob like me and your lenses must bare red dots instead of blue ones.
Hope this helps some,
-charlie
Hmmm... Damaso
Difficult one to answer seeing as the 28 focal length is one that I've had a hard time getting into mainly because I feel it falls into a nebulous area that's not quite a 35 (37mm to be exact). However I do have the Cron and the Zeiss version. I found the Zeiss version to be every bit as sharp as it's Leica counterpart but it, (like all Zeiss lenses), is more contrasty than Leica lenses. I personally don't mind that but purists (and I can't say that I disagree with them), will tell you that it's better to have a lens that doesn't excessively add contrast and that it's better left for you to decide if you want to add that in the post.
I'm not sure if the copy of the Zeiss you had was a bit out of whack because my copy has a very smooth focusing motion to it, to the point where I preferred using it to the Leica version and then sent all of my lenses below the 50 focal length off to Solms to have them all loosened to the same motion (something I highly recommend to anyone if they can be bothered).
Of course there's the price factor but I guess what I'm trying to say is that yeah, you lose the extra stop going with the Zeiss version but with RF cameras, that isn't so much of an issue due to being able to hand hold at much lower shutter speeds anyway. Either way you cannot go wrong unless you're a snob like me and your lenses must bare red dots instead of blue ones.
Hope this helps some,
-charlie
aizan
Veteran
for kicks, you might try a vintage canon.
Richard Marks
Rexel
I have the new Elmarit 28 2.8
Its a lovely compact lens and of course has the 6 bit coding so no hassles there. Do not be put off by it being 'slower'. F2.8 is really not a problem for me as image quality is super at ISO 320. Also this lens is very sharp wide open and you can also hand hold to pretty slow shutter speeds. The lens hood is pretty useless thats my only gripe. Its not exactly a bargain but by Leica standards not totally silly money.
Best wishes
Richard
Its a lovely compact lens and of course has the 6 bit coding so no hassles there. Do not be put off by it being 'slower'. F2.8 is really not a problem for me as image quality is super at ISO 320. Also this lens is very sharp wide open and you can also hand hold to pretty slow shutter speeds. The lens hood is pretty useless thats my only gripe. Its not exactly a bargain but by Leica standards not totally silly money.
Best wishes
Richard
jaapv
RFF Sponsoring Member.
Richard,
The little lenshood of the Elmar-M 50/2.8 collapsible is a perfect match for the lens on the M8. And it has a solid metal lenscap. And cuts out flare more effctively than the original hood. And is less intrusive in the viewfinder.
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Richard Marks
Rexel
Dear JAAP
Many thanks. A top tip.
I will look our for one.
I am also eagerly awaiting the Lee filter holder system as they might just produce an adjustable lens hood. A bit clunky for general use but great for landscapes.
Richard
Ben Z
Veteran
I happen to have a Voitlander Ultron and a 4th-version Elmarit, both are in "Bargain" grade (the Elmarit even has a tiny mark on the front coating) and I paid about 2/3 the cost for the two together, of one Elmarit ASPH. I coded both lenses myself with a dreml. I'm going to keep them, but I tried out the Elmarit-ASPH at a Leica shooting event in Miami recently, and truth be told, if I were starting from scratch I would buy it.
baycrest
Established
I've got the Zeiss 28. Extremely sharp, extremely easy to focus. The focusing ring loosens up after a bit of use and is very smooth. No problems there.
best
Rob
best
Rob
jasoncohen
Member
Here are a couple from my CV....
Damaso
Photojournalist
Thanks for all your feedback, I have decided to go with the 'Cron for the extra speed. I look forward to posting images soon...
gripper2111
Member
Hi,
I to have just moved over to the M8 having sold all of my R gear (DMR included) and I have gone for the 28/2.8 elmarit although I have to wait another week for it to arrive so have a 35 cron as a loaner at the moment. I look forward to seeing some of your image from this lens.
Regards
Mark
I to have just moved over to the M8 having sold all of my R gear (DMR included) and I have gone for the 28/2.8 elmarit although I have to wait another week for it to arrive so have a 35 cron as a loaner at the moment. I look forward to seeing some of your image from this lens.
Regards
Mark