which 28mm for Leica M8?

[DrTebi]

Hello dear fellow Leica users,

I am a new Leica M8 user and love the camera already. It was a big upgrade from my Canon D60. I am still learning and have plenty of questions... so bare with me please

I bought the M8 as a "package" with the Leica Summicron 50mm lens. While I think this lens is amazing, it does not exactly fit my type of photography. I am mostly interested in photographing landscape. I recently got a Voiglander 15mm, which fits the purpose much better in most situations.

However, after my last trip to the Pinnacles National Monument, I quite often wished I had a lens right in between those two. So I think a 28mm would make sense. But which one?

I suppose my options are:
Voiglander 28/3.5 Skopar
Voiglander 28/1.9 Ultron
Leica 28/2.8 Elmarit
Leica 28/2 Summicron
Zeiss 28/2.8 Biogon

Here are a couple of concerns/questions I have about these lenses:
1) Does the rangefinder coupling work with all of these?
2) Does the M8 software correction for vignetting work only with Leica lenses?
3) Which of these lenses "distracts" my view, as in which one "protrudes" into the 28mm frame view when looking through the rangefinder?
4) Is the Leica Summicron really worth the money...?

Last but not least, I would of course love to know which one of these lenses you use and which one you prefer when it comes to sharpness, detail, and contrast (Keep in mind that I will most likely not need this lens for "low available light" conditions...
). I have seen a few photos of the Voiglander Ultron at
Leica M8 Images Photo Gallery by Carl Schofield at pbase.com
and really like the sharpness of this lens.

Thank you, and I am looking forward to read your responses!

[Hacker]

1) Yes
2) If you have them coded (if it is LTM, you can get an adapter for the Voigtlanders, and for the Biogon, you can have the flange drilled to have it coded), yes, it will have correction based on the lens that you code it as.
3) Ultron, Summicron and Biogon to certain degrees. No concerns from many users.
4) I got it and think it is worth it. Some do not think so. Horses for courses.

Originally Posted by DrTebi

Hello dear fellow Leica users,

I am a new Leica M8 user and love the camera already. It was a big upgrade from my Canon D60. I am still learning and have plenty of questions... so bare with me please

I bought the M8 as a "package" with the Leica Summicron 50mm lens. While I think this lens is amazing, it does not exactly fit my type of photography. I am mostly interested in photographing landscape. I recently got a Voiglander 15mm, which fits the purpose much better in most situations.

However, after my last trip to the Pinnacles National Monument, I quite often wished I had a lens right in between those two. So I think a 28mm would make sense. But which one?

I suppose my options are:
Voiglander 28/3.5 Skopar
Voiglander 28/1.9 Ultron
Leica 28/2.8 Elmarit
Leica 28/2 Summicron
Zeiss 28/2.8 Biogon

Here are a couple of concerns/questions I have about these lenses:
1) Does the rangefinder coupling work with all of these?
2) Does the M8 software correction for vignetting work only with Leica lenses?
3) Which of these lenses "distracts" my view, as in which one "protrudes" into the 28mm frame view when looking through the rangefinder?
4) Is the Leica Summicron really worth the money...?

Last but not least, I would of course love to know which one of these lenses you use and which one you prefer when it comes to sharpness, detail, and contrast (Keep in mind that I will most likely not need this lens for "low available light" conditions...
). I have seen a few photos of the Voiglander Ultron at
Leica M8 Images Photo Gallery by Carl Schofield at pbase.com
and really like the sharpness of this lens.

Thank you, and I am looking forward to read your responses!

[grober]

Simple to solve:

If money is abundant, buy a new Summicron-M + Leica IR filter.

If some money, buy the Elmarit-M + Leica IR filter.

If little money, save up to buy the bargain Ultron + Milich LTM adapter (for easy hand coding!) + B+W IR filter.

If less money, don't overlook the much-older Canon 28/2.8 + LTM adapter.

I chose the third alternative and have never been disappointed by any Ultron image. Yes, it is huge in size and does block a good deal of the v/f but you'll adapt after some use. The CV lens delivers amazing value on the M8!

-g

[mat_mcdermott]

Of those I've had both the Summicron and the Elmarit (which does intrude into the frame if using the hood, but only very slightly) and optically have been very pleased with both. I currently only have the Elmarit as I wanted a lens that was smaller that the Summicron (which compared to any new SLR lens is small, but the Elmarit is tiny). Is the Summicron worth twice as much as the Elmarit? If you absolutely need that extra stop then I suppose it is, but for my needs I was willing to give up a stop in speed for the smaller lens. Both are excellent performers. If you get the Summicron, buy the hood for the 35 'Lux and use it instead as it intrudes into the framelines far less than the stock hood.

[ChrisC]

Welcome - Luckily for you someone has done exhaustive reviews of the 28 mm lenses for [particularly] the M8. I urge you to subscribe to Sean Reid's site, where you will be able to learn the subtle differences and benefits of each of the 28s:

http://www.reidreviews.com/reidreviews/

I, and many on this forum, am indebted to Sean. There is no better place to gain the information you are looking for. Go subscribe, you won't regret it.

.................... Chris

[Arif]

I second the comment on Sean's reviews. Best money spent and he continues toput out great articles. I really like the 28 Cron, it is a great lens and for me the equivalent angle fits my photography style/needs. Thanks to Leica and their unique marketing strategy of raising prices on a regular basis, I have gotten better investment returns on my lenses than my mutual funds

Best wishes,
Arif

[usccharles]

i have both the 28 elmarit and the cron. originally purchased the elmarit for its wonderful small size and "35mm" equivalence, but the more i use the lens, the more i find the f/2.8 alittle too slow for me for all day use. its definately too slow for evenings out and about, in my opinion. i also use alot of selective focus and the 28 elmarit really has an too much DOF wide open to do any 'bokeh' shots. so even though i bought it as an all-around-one-lens-to-take-while-i'm-traveling lens, i always end up taking another lens for high speed/more bokeh pictures.

28/2 pretty much solved it for me. same '35mm' frame line i love and an extra stop in speed and it also creates pretty nice bokeh for a f/2 lens. my dream would be a 28 f/1.4 but that hasn't arrived yet.

i have to admit the 28 cron is an expensive lens, but i think its worth the money. its really the one lens you can keep for pretty much every situation on an M8. it used to be the 35/1.4 for me on film bodies, but i personally don't like the cropping that lens gets on the M8.

hope that helps

[Daniel Ortego]

I’m also new from October and I started with the 28/2,0. Later I received my silver 50-lux 1,4 and it became my new body cap. If I buy another wide, it will be the 24-Elmarit or the 35-cron 2,0. I now consider how the lens draws much more than speed alone. Likewise, the cost of fuel has gone up more than 15-percent since I entered the Leica fold so that is now a factor. Oh, I also learned to appreciate and consider an unobstructed view of the finder too. Ok, “there is one more thing”. I absolutely love the heavier feel of the silver lens options within the focal lengths available.
Regards,

[Hacker]

I have both the Cron and the Elmarit. The Elmarit is useful for travelling. For the Cron, I took out the hood and replaced it with the heavystar wideangle from eBay following some advice from others here. Looks really slim now.

[Albert4321]

no brainer for me: 28 cron

[thompsonkirk]

Some of us went back & forth about this issue a couple of weeks ago:

[This forum +]


/49236-lens-contrast-issues-plea-coding-via.html

It's not clear that the latest designs are the 'best,' if you're interested in landscapes & printmaking, because they deliver a rather high contrast image & present some problems about smooth highlight transitions & shadow detail.

My own conclusion from the discussion was that the best 28 for me is the last of the pre-aspherical Elmarits, vintage 1980 & after, that can be coded. (Almost purchased one, but got distracted & missed the opportunity.)

If you tend to think of high contrast lenses as causing poblems for your work, the Ultron might be your best bet among new lenses. If not, go for the Leica lenses. f2.8 is OK for landscape work, but I personally find the Elmarit overly contrasty. That might be why Carl Schofield, whose work you admire, is using an Ultron.

At any rate, be sure to consider the advice above about Reid Reviews, if you didn't already subscribe when shopping for your M8.

A hearty welcome,

Kirk

[DrTebi]

Thank you for all your replies so far! It's great to know that there is such an active community to come to and ask questions.

It appears that a lot of you would opt for the Summicron. My problem is that I just wonder if it's worth all that money. I can afford it, but when I start thinking about it... and look at some of the Ultron images, then I wonder why shouldn't I buy two or three Voigtlander lenses instead of one Leica? It would be nice to add the 90/3.5 APO Lanthar to my lineup and use it for some interesting closeups, maybe even wildlife.

I wish I could get some more opinions about the not-Leica lenses...

In regards to what Kirk said, I think he has got quite a point. If I really like images shot with the Ultron, then maybe that's what I should get.

[enboe]

I've had the privilege to own and shoot with the Summicron, Elmarit, Elmarit Asph, and the Tri-Elmar. The Summicron is king, but all are in the royal court, and very enjoyable.

Have you considered the 24mm? I've been using it lately as a walk-around lens. The effective 32mm focal length is a bit wider than the 35mm that people swear by for Leica film cameras.

As for the urge to buy many lenses, my personal philosophy is to buy one really nice piece of equipment at a time, and then learn everything it has to offer. Quality will last a life time, and you won't be in a hurry to upgrade in 6 months.

Oh, and I have owned and used the CV 35/1.2. It was a decent piece of glass, but the Summilux 35/ASPH was even better. That one is my keeper at that focal length.

Regards,

Eric

[Jet]

Like Eric, I own and shoot the 28cron, 35lux, 50lux, 75cron and the Wate. I do own the CV50 NOk.

I too believe the Cron is a great glass, and especially the 28MM and 75MM. Long term you will be happier with the Cron, resale performance and overall satisfaction.

Try the Cron and if you wish you can always sell it and not get hurt.

BP

[tbarker13]

Another option you could check out is the 28/2.8 hexanon.
Awesome build quality and a very nice performer. I've seen it compared to the 28 pre-asph elmarit.

They run around $600 or so.

As someone mentioned, the Canon 28/2.8 is a pretty neat option also. One of the smallest lenses you'll ever see for a RF. May not be the best if you want to do color or need to use it wide open. They can be tough to find, also.

[DrTebi]

Interesting, I haven't heard of the Konica 28/2.8 hexanon yet.

Regarding the 24mm, I think that would be a bit too much of a wide angle. I have the CV 15mm, which I like a lot for wide angle shots. "Mathematically" my choice should be a 28mm, if I wanted something in the middle of the CV 15mm and the Leica Cron 50mm.

I was hiking through the Vulcano ruins in Pinnacle NM, and this is when I realized that the 50mm was most of the time too close, and the 15mm too wide. Since you cannot "foot-zoom" when on hiking on some narrow trails along the rocks, a 28mm would be a good choice, and I also considered a 35mm; but when checking with the lever, I found a 28mm most appropriate.

Below a picture shot with the CV 15mm, which does a great job for wide angle shots like these...

[Daniel Ortego]

DrTebi,
Very nice indeed.
Regards,

[chris_tribble]

The only 28 I own is the cron, but of all the lenses I use (15 CV, 21/28/35/50/75/90/135) it's the lens I use most. Other lenses may come and go, but the only way the 28 cron leaves me is when it's prised from my cold dead hand...

[stunsworth]

I use the Ultron and it's very, very good, but I'd like to try the Summicron too. If you want to dip your toes into the 28mm water why not buy the Ultron, you could always sell it if you decide to get a Summicron. One thing to remember is that the Ultron has been discontinued, though the last time I looked Cameraquest still had some in stock.

I used to subscribe to Sean's reviews, but after reading almost everything there wasn't enough new stuff of interest to me to justify renewing my subscription. Have there been any substantial additions lately? It's certainly worth trying for a year if you want to learn more about the M system, and your ecperience may of course be different from mine.