Thoughts on CANADA Leica 28mm f2.8 ELMARIT (as first M8 lens)

[bender73]

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I am getting closer to pulling the trigger on an M8. But, if I do it, I sort of feel like you need Leica glass.

 

Afterall, it's not really the M8 sensor that gets you there. The bare-bones CCD will only take you 1/2 way.

 

The Leica 28mm f2.8 ELMARIT, Canada version, can be had for the price of a decent Nikon lens. Sort of shocked as most of the lenses I have researched have been $3,000+.

 

I have found a couple of clean samples on ebay for $1,100. But, made in Canada. Something tells me the Canada thing is a can of worms. But, I will ask.

 

Good choice?

[tobey bilek]

Mine was a Mandler era 2.8, 49 mm filters. It works fine on the M8, just big.

 

With the M9, the corners went soft to 5.6. Replaced it with current ASPH. Sweet lens.

 

There was one model in between that I have not used. 46 mm filters.

 

the 49 mm is the old screw pattern which makes coding more difficult.

Edited November 6, 2014 by tobey bilek

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[bender73]

Mine was a Mandler era 2.8, 49 mm filters. It works fine on the M8, just big.

 

With the M9, the corners went soft to 5.6. Replaced it with current ASPH. Sweet lens.

 

There was one model in between that I have not used. 46 mm filters.

 

the 49 mm is the old screw pattern which makes coding more difficult.

 

How about this one?

 

Leica 28mm F2 8 Elmarit M E49 Pretty w Filter Cap Case 410175 | eBay

[Guest]

mine is made in canada(e49), works perfect on my m8.

 

 

lambda.

[Everywhen]

Noting wrong with the Canadian Elmarit 28mm.

It is quite big, I suppose, for a lens of that focal length but Leica M's are hardly compact.

It more than makes up for its size in the images it is capable of.

Canadian or not, its still proper Leica glass.

Mine works really well on my M8.

[peterjcb]

IMO the 28 Elmarit is the perfect first choice for the M8 and perfect FOV with the 1.3 crop.

I found an excellent used German version so I can't speak for the Canadian lenses.

[bender73]

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IMO the 28 Elmarit is the perfect first choice for the M8 and perfect FOV with the 1.3 crop.

 

I just bought a clean one with original box and hood with 30 day return policy from a camera shop online. Now I have to wait for the camera and lens to arrive. Ahhh!!!

[Maarten]

Chris you will love the 28mm FOV on the M8. Together with a 50mm it forms an ideal combo. You hardly need more lenses, for me these two are good for >80% of my pictures.

 

Maarten

[jaapv]

The Canada lenses are in no way inferior to the German ones. Some lens types and not the least ones were made solely in Canada. The difference only makes sense to collectors, I should think.

[01af]

The Elmarit 28 mm "Made in Canada" (Ø 49 mm) was the third version of the 28 mm 1:2.8 lens for Leica M bayonet (the current Elmarit-M 28 mm Asph is the fifth). It was designed by Dr. Walter Mandler. Back in its days—which basically was the 1970s if I'm not mistaken—it was considered the world's best 28 mm lens for 35-mm-format cameras. Even by today's standards it is an excellent lens (albeit big) and still has many fans.

[jaapv]

I concur. It is my sole 28 mm lens and it has never let me down.

[otto.f]

Would be totally out of the question for me, way too big for a 2.8. A second hand newest Elmarit should be around $ 1300 I guess

[rirakuma]

I have this lens and its pretty nice (transparent rendering) but nothing special like the 28 cron. If you're using it on the M8 you'll be pleased to know it will stay sharp to the corners wide open. On a full frame the corners are ok wide open but not tack sharp like on modern lenses. Its also much bigger than the newest version but it renders more gently which might be appealing to some people.

[IWC Doppel]

One thought is using an M8 with f2.8 might be a little limiting in low light. A fantastic focal length choice for the M8. I started with an M8 and 28 Summicron

[bocaburger]

I had the 3rd version, it was great optically but blocked a lot of the finder. I would never have sold it had I not chanced upon a 4th version with a tiny scratch on the front element, for half price. Optically I couldn't tell any difference, it was just the physical size that I like better.

 

That all said, when I had an M8 my most-used 28mm was the CV f/1.9 in LTM + adapter. Got that one for dirt cheap because the PO had blacked out the writing on the front (maybe self-conscious it didn't say Leica ) Performance every bit as the 4th version plus a usable faster stop.

[bender73]

I got it and love it. I love the whole M8 experience so far.

 

(less than a week)

 

I don't find the ISO that limiting as I can hand-hold at 1/4 sec, much easier to do than with a DSLR. Combined with this sharp contrasty lens, the M is so rewarding!

[gjames9142]

I swear by the Fourth version Elmarit and in most circumstances prefer it on the M9 to my 28 Summicron. It vignettes less and to my eyes has more pleasing colour, and great resolution without too much local contrast. It also has the best focusing action of any other lens I have -- silky smooth. They can be had for around $1400. On the Monochrome, I can be happy with either lens. I am just back from a shoot in Ljubljana with the Monochrome, while in the spring I took the Summicron. When I have printed them, I will let you know which I think is better although I suspect it is a tossup.