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28 mm lenses


tobey bilek

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I remember way back when I bought my Voigtlander 28/1.9 that Erwin Puts said it was better than any Leica 28mm made up to that point, the f/2 and f/2.8 asph came after and certainly he said that the f/2 one was better, I have no experience of either Leica aspherics but the 2.8 has a good reputation, so by extrapolation I should think the 2.8 asph would be 'better', i.e. sharper edges/corners than the earlier 2.8 lenses.

 

Gerry

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My experience was that the 28 Elmarit ASPH is sharper in the corners - but also shows more lateral chromatic aberration (magenta/green edges to details) - than the v. 3 Elmarit. Since lateral CA is fairly easy to correct digitally (essentially scaling the color channels to align the details and remove the fringes), I guess the ASPH would get the nod as better in the corners.

 

That seems to be a Solms (post-1995) vs. Midland (1980) design pattern. I noticed the same thing comparing the 21 Elmarit ASPH to the 21 Elmarit pre-ASPH. ASPH: corners sharper, but with more obvious color fringes. I guess it is just an example of two different designers setting different priorities for which abberations need the most attention.

 

Personally I still prefer the color, drawing, and gentler contrast of the 28 v.3, overall.

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Consider the Zeiss ZM 2,8/25mm. It is not a 28mm but brings up the 28/90 lines in the viewfinder (current new model - old version 24mm), is an excellent lens optically & great value for money (compared to the Leica 28mm or 24mm lenses). Source some images & reviews. I love it.

 

Martin

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I have a 28 Cron asph and a version 4 Elmarit, and in general prefer the latter. They are both about the same size, but the Cron has more vignetting, and thus colour fringing. The V4 is both sharp and smooth and around 5.6 is wonderful. I can make totally convincing 4ft prints on the MM. The Cron may have slightly higher resolution, but frankly there is not much in it. I tried the new 28 asph elmarit and found it too contrasty. The size is nice, but it doesn't cut if for me. I think the V4 on the second hand market is one the great Leica bargains. But as with everything, this all comes down to personal taste.

 

Geoffrey James (photographer) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

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I have a 28 Cron asph and a version 4 Elmarit, and in general prefer the latter. They are both about the same size, but the Cron has more vignetting, and thus colour fringing. The V4 is both sharp and smooth and around 5.6 is wonderful. I can make totally convincing 4ft prints on the MM. The Cron may have slightly higher resolution, but frankly there is not much in it. I tried the new 28 asph elmarit and found it too contrasty. The size is nice, but it doesn't cut if for me. I think the V4 on the second hand market is one the great Leica bargains. But as with everything, this all comes down to personal taste.

 

Geoffrey James (photographer) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

Interesting comment about the new 28 asph elmarit being too contrasty, even on the MM. Just got one and trust I am not too disappointed on the MM and M240. I bought it for its petite size and E39 filter sizing.

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Another contender for Summicron beating corner resolution is the CV 28mm f/3.5 which at like for like apertures is both as sharp in the centre as the Summicron and far sharper in the corners. It is also the biggest bargain buy, and smallest.

 

Steve

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Interesting comment about the new 28 asph elmarit being too contrasty, even on the MM. Just got one and trust I am not too disappointed on the MM and M240. I bought it for its petite size and E39 filter sizing.

 

It's pretty sweet with film too. Not so bad for an 'introductory' lens, huh? :)

 

s-a

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The CV 28/3.5 Color-Skopar is a fine lens and will keep me from buying the Elmarit-M 28mm f2.8 asph for as long as I continue to use a film Leica and a set of lenses based around the 39mm filter thread. It's sharp across the field at the most used apertures and has good contrast, but the story doesn't end there.

 

Unlike the rest of the CV Color-Skopars, the 28 has a solid and weighty feel, it seems to be constructed mainly of brass and glass. Even the vestigial lenshood is a brass ring and has a smooth, self-lubricating quality that you can feel when changing filters. The same applies to the focus and aperture adjustment, none of that rough, binding alloy found in other lenses in the range.

 

One of the reasons I disliked the ltm CV 21/f4 Color-Skopar so much, apart from it's horrible propensity to flare, was it's comparatively poor build, especially noticeable next to the CV 28/f3.5. I got rid of the 21 very quickly, but the 28 is in a different league.

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I had a V3, it's a stellar lens, but a bit big. Excellent handling, very smooth focus. Apparently one of mandler's classics.

 

That being said, if size is of concern and you don't mind giving up 2/3 of a stop, the CV 28 3.5 is an excellent choice. Another seldom discussed but excellent (flare resistance, sharpness and distortion) lens is the Avenon (also called Kobalux, Bower). A fine, hand made japanese lens. Avenon MC 28mm 3.5 ltm example below.

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One of the reasons I disliked the ltm CV 21/f4 Color-Skopar so much, apart from it's horrible propensity to flare, was it's comparatively poor build, especially noticeable next to the CV 28/f3.5. I got rid of the 21 very quickly, but the 28 is in a different league.

I have just bought a new M-mount 21mm/F4.0 Color Skopar Pancake II lens and I have been delighted with the build quality, lack of flare, and the fine detail rendered with the Monochrom body, using it over the last couple of weeks. Further, when coded as an Elmarit-M 21mm f/2.8 11134 lens there is minimal vignetting.

 

Nick

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Another contender for Summicron beating corner resolution is the CV 28mm f/3.5 which at like for like apertures is both as sharp in the centre as the Summicron and far sharper in the corners. It is also the biggest bargain buy, and smallest.

 

Steve

 

The one I bought had a very nice look, except for the out-of-focus ten-percent along the left edge, a not uncommon problem with CV QC. Test before you buy.

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