Which second lens?

ZdenekP

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I am going to buy a wide angle lens to complement 50 cron. I waver over 35 lux and 28 cron. Of course the choice is my business but I would like your insight. Thanks.
Zdenek
 
I have always been partial to the 35 and 50 combination. So whichever 35 you like best and fits your budget gets my vote (Hard to beat the VC 35 1.7 Ultron in my book, for performance/size/cost - not that I'd turn down a Lux - just a bit blinded by the price tag at the moment).
 
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Zdenek,

The photos coming out of a 35 and 28 lens look different (this has been discussed recently and quite a few others here feel the same way). I prefer 35 lenses over 28s as I find the latter a more difficult focal length for what I like to shoot (street photography). So a lot hangs on what of photography you have in mind.

I have not used the Cron 28 and have seen very few photos on the web, perhaps because I was never interested in it. As for the Lux 35, and although I don't know which 35 Summilux you are referring to, I have used both the preasph. and the Asph. and they both have advantages (the preasph. is tiny and has the older Leica look many people like a lot, while the Asph. is sharper and usable without loss of quality even wide open). You can't go wrong with either but if I have to recommend only one I 'd go for the Asph.

Best of luck with your choice,
 
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assuming you have a .72 leica, i'd say 35mm instead of 28mm. the .58 bodies are just so much nicer for 28mm and 35mm.
 
24 mm.

50 mm

90 mm

As you may note, each focal length is about 2x the previous.

The Leica 24/2.8 asph is one hell of a lens. I'm told the ZI 25/2.8 is as good, but I didn't like the build quality.
 
Very subjective and difficult choice. The 28mm is a significantly different focal length than the 35mm. I have the 28cron and 35lux. Generally I think the 35 is a 'gentler' lens to use because it is faster and easier to see in the viewfinder. The 28 though is a lens of its own and requires a bit more skill to use.

If you are contemplating going to a m8, then consider the focal length conversions. Otherwise, get the 35 first and save up for the 28.
 
Both the 35mm Summilux ASPH and the 28 Summicron ASPH are very good. That's probably a bit of an understatement. I have the 35mm Summilux ASPH and am very happy with this lens. I picked it up about two years ago when I finally went to a .58 viewfinder and it has largely become my standard lens. It gives great sharpness w/o being too sharp. Very nice for B&W.

What are your typical subjects? If people, then I would gavitate to the 35mm focal length. If architecture or landscapes or something like that, then maybe something wider.

Can you see the 28mm framelines? A practical consideration, but it does come into play, unless you're so familiar with this focal length that you intuitively know the FOV. The external viewfinders that you attached to the hot shoe are, in my opinion, a real pain and look silly.

Do you shoot a lot of indoor or low light shots? The extra stop opf speed on the Summilux might be very nice.

As far as image quality, they are both excellent lenses.
 
Both lenses you mention are beyond what I'm prepared to spend, but I'm sure they're wonderful and amazing glass. I've done my kind of lens testing, which is to shoot them in normal use, and my 3rd-version 35 Summicron does everything I could ask for. I picked up a Voitlander 28 Ultron for rare occasions when I want a 28 (usually prefer 21 and 35) but a 28 will become the "new 35" on an M8. So when I found a 4th-version 28 Elmarit for half price thanks to the former owner not believing in UV filters for coating protection (a tiny 1/16" fine scratch), I jumped on it. I doubt the new 28 Elmarit ASPH (if it's a reality) will be that astoundingly much better in practical photography to warrant what it will probably cost, compared to what I paid.
 
Palaeoboy said:
It what way did you find the Zeiss lens inferior to to the Leica in build quality?
I don't think he said it was inferior, and much less compared to another brand. He simply said he didn't like the build quality of that particular lens. But I am also curious to know what it was about the "build quality" that was not likeable. The choices for that focal length range from manageable to very expensive.
 
Build quality

Build quality

I tried it in the store. It made a horrible grinding sound when mounting to my M3. Didn't seem to fit too well-- very tight. Don't know why. My M3 had no problems with any other lens, even a Voigtlander 28/1.9 I once had.

The chrome on the Leica 24/2.8 also felt more expensive than the chrome on the ZM.

gabrielma said:
I don't think he said it was inferior, and much less compared to another brand. He simply said he didn't like the build quality of that particular lens. But I am also curious to know what it was about the "build quality" that was not likeable. The choices for that focal length range from manageable to very expensive.
 
If you have any remote interest in getting the M8 at some point in the future, I'd suggest you go wide with a 28 (due to the crop factor of 1.33). The 35 would be a normal lens on the M8.

Other 28s to consider in addition to the 28/cron/asph:

Konica 28/2.8 m-hexanon
CV 28/1.9 ultron

both great lenses as well.
 
I'd get the 35 Sumilux.

I have the 21mm S.A., 35 Sumilux, and 50 Sumilux. I had the 90 Summicron but it was stolen several years ago and I haven't felt the need to replace it. Have never really felt the need for a 28mm.

The 35 Sumilux is both an excellent people and places lens. Sharpness is excellent with medium to 400 speed B&W.
 
The 28 is a heck of a lens to use to photograph people in close quarters. I have a 50/28 combination and the only thing I don't like about the 28ZM is its larger size, but that's a nit. At a party with a 28, you'll never have people getting in between you and your subject because you'll be that close.
 
Oh, I'm thinking of the 25, a neat little lens, no rangefinder coupling but who the heck needs it when you get such great DOF. How about this setup: 21*25*50

I have the 25 and its sweet. I used to own a 15 but its a bit radical for all but a few occasions.
 
What about a 15, 25, 50 set? Rumor has it a new CV 25 is coming out. My guess is it will be faster and RF coupled (based upon nothing other the drugs I take every day). Give it about another month and see what is shown at Photokina (sp?).

I use a 15, 40, 105 for my kit and find it just about right for me. Most of the time I can move closer or further back if I need to so for me this works great.

The CV 25 is a great lens, very low distortion. You need to look at the 28 you are going to buy. For that matter any wide lens. I would never use my Nikkor 24/2.8 for people, but use my CV 25/4 all the time. There is a huge difference in 28mm between Non-AI, AI, AIS and D Nikkors.

I own six Leica lenses, but have not bought one in about fifteen years. CV and Nikkor lenses have been getting my focus (pardon the pun) of late.

25 is a great focal lenght. Not as wide as a 21, wider than a 35. I have another for my Nikon S2. On that kit I have a 25 (CV), 50/1.4 Nikkor and a 105/2.5 Nikkor and am very happy.

B2
 
Stephen (cameraquest),

Can you confirm or deny the rumors of a new CV 25 coming out, and what max aperture? f4 or f2.8?

You are free to answer "no comment" as well (we know how to read that) 😉
 
waileong said:
I tried it in the store. It made a horrible grinding sound when mounting to my M3. Didn't seem to fit too well-- very tight. Don't know why. My M3 had no problems with any other lens, even a Voigtlander 28/1.9 I once had.

The chrome on the Leica 24/2.8 also felt more expensive than the chrome on the ZM.

My 25mm Biogon isn't like that at all, but focuses very smoothly, and has gotten silkier over time. It could be that the sample you saw was not a good one, and shouldn't have go through quality control. The Leica chrome lenses are brass barreled and so much heavier than the Zeiss which are mostly aluminum alloy in both black and silver or the Leica black version, also mostly aluminum alloy. Weight doesn't equal quality, and I'd rather have a lighter lens.

Both the Leica 28mm Summicron ASPH and 35mm Summilux ASPH are both fantastic lenses. Buy one now and the other later.😉
 
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