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Leica 28mm f/2.8 Elmarit-M ASPH thoughts?

animefx

By animefx
in Leica M Lenses

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bocaburger

bocaburger

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You are using an UV/IR AND an UV Filter?:eek:

What shall this be good for?:confused:

 

Protecting a >$100 filter with somewhat delicate coating. I had a bunch of the UV filters left from before and never got any reflections with them singly (B+W MRC) so I couldn't see why they'd add any reflections to the IR filter. Stacking single-coated filters was always problematic, but these multicoated ones just don't seem to cause any issues.

 

 

But if you keep both eyes open you wont notice the hood at all.

 

Noel

 

On an M8 :confused: Doesn't the 32% difference in magnification between what each eye sees bother you? I can only keep both eyes open with an M3, which is close but not exactly life-size, or one of the bright-line accessory finders that are life-size.

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asiafish

asiafish

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Wow! Thanks to everyone for insight on this lens. I might look into a 35mm lens as well but the f/2.5 version doesn't seem to fair quite as well in the reviews as the 28mm f/2.8 asph. My dream lens is the new 35mm f/1.4 ASPH II but I probably can't afford that one, not right now anyway.

 

Someone mentioned using this lens without the lens hood (lens shade). What kinds of disadvantages am I looking at if I didn't use it? Is flare the only concern or will I have less contrasty images as the result of not using a lens hood on this particular lens? I suppose if there is minor blockage I can ignore it.

 

The 35/2.5 rates EXTREMELY highly with most reviewers. Steve Huff loves it. It was the first M mount lens I bought after reading everything I could find on 35s.

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skinnfell

skinnfell

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This is my rationale towards the difficult "Which Leica Lens" question:

Leica has probably THE largest selection of prime lenses of any brand. As you are probably aware, prices run from "a months wage after taxes" to "a nice used car".

 

First: While there are image quality differences amongst leica lenses, they are all absolutely stellar and any quality differences are absolutely minuscle and should probably considered more as "character" rather than which is better than which. But the more exotic lenses are always considerably more expensive than the more "pedestrian" options.

 

Second: A big part of the attraction towards the M system is the smallness of it. It is not so small that it competes with an iPhone, but it is definitely smaller than most DSLRs and some mirrorless systems.

 

Third: The current generation Ms have very good low-light performance, even with said "pedestrian" lenses, going up to extreme low-light performace with the exotic lenses. Yes, even the M8 if you know what you are doing (read: proper exposure and post processing/noise reduction).

 

In other words: I am advocating purchases of the smallest possible leica lenses. Both to save money but also to save weight so that the equipment will actually come along in the first place.

 

Conclusion: 28/2.8 ASPH is currently the smallest available lens, and one of the cheapest. In other words it is an excellent lens to start with. Forget about Rockwell, the hood is perfect for this lens.

 

Since Leica lenses are so expensive, a little planning is in order. You need to plan your purchases several years into the future. I suggest looking at a 50mm f/2 or f/2,5 next, since they are both going to be an excellent set for if and whenever you pick up a full frame Leica.

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Dikaiosune01

Dikaiosune01

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lets all email him and find out what lens was bought .... i want to know:D

I am pretty sure he went with the 28mm elmarit. The OP did include a reply saying he likes the elmarit, but was also considering the 35mm F/2.5. By reading between the lines, it seems to imply that he was leaning towards the 28mm elmarit.

Wow! Thanks to everyone for insight on this lens. I might look into a 35mm lens as well but the f/2.5 version doesn't seem to fair quite as well in the reviews as the 28mm f/2.8 asph.

 

 

It is very opportune that you all revived this thread. I recently picked one of these amazing lenses up. I would appreciate the feedback and your thoughts. This is my first 'modern' leica lens. Everything else is from the 60s and 70s, which I like too. But my main users is the Zeiss 50mm planar; which I use on my M3. I don't have a M240, but I am seriously considering one it one becomes available.

 

My question is about your experiences fitting the lens on the camera, and how it compares to mine. For me, it is an extremely tight fit. There is like no clearance between the lens barrel and the lens release protector. Is it suppose to be this tight? Is it more lose on a m240? Is it a feature of modern Leica lenses?

 

And your opinion of the hood? Do you use it? too much of a protrusion, and keep it simple?

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lct

lct

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Mine does not feel tighter than usual on my film and digital bodies. If you like contrasty lenses, you cannot find a better 28/2.8. The original square plastic hood (12526) is the same as that of the 35/2 asph. It is excellent to protect the lens and does not intrude too much in the viewfinder. For less VF blockage but also less shade and protection you might wish to try a Leica 12504 hood (pic) or a cheaper Heavystar vented hood on e**y.

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Dikaiosune01

Dikaiosune01

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Can you tell me more about the round hood? I prefer them to the included square hood because I tend to lose lens cap quite frequently. Replacements can easily be found with the round one but I feel as if I have to go the leica route if I stick to the square hood. (Or rectangular if you want to be a bit more accurate)

Cap size? Vignetting? Etc.

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lct

lct

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My 12504 had no hood cap and my Heavystars came with a plastic one if memory serves. You can see one on a "W 39mm" below. My hood caps remain in the box generally but if you tend to lose that of the stock hood you could well have the same problem with Heavystars i'm afraid. The replacement cost will be that of the hood + cap then ie lower than that of the Leica cap alone most probably. No vignetting problem with the 12504. I had none with the Heavystars either but it was on my M8.2. Did not try them on FF Ms sorry.

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airscrew

airscrew

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My question is about your experiences fitting the lens on the camera, and how it compares to mine. For me, it is an extremely tight fit. There is like no clearance between the lens barrel and the lens release protector. Is it suppose to be this tight? Is it more lose on a m240? Is it a feature of modern Leica lenses?

 

And your opinion of the hood? Do you use it? too much of a protrusion, and keep it simple?

 

I have noticed the same thing, it is tightest of my Leica lenses to attach and very narrow base you can grab on doesn't help either. For example the Summicron-M 35mm v4 which is almost same size is much easier to attach and also use as it has protruding aperture ring. On 28mm Elmarit-M ASPH I sometimes mess the focus when changing the aperture. But other than those two things it is nice lens!

 

For the hood I was also looking the 12504 from evilbay but they tend to be more expensive so I ended up 12585H that works well.

 

Regards,

Jouni

 

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Dikaiosune01

Dikaiosune01

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Mine does not feel tighter than usual on my film and digital bodies.

 

I have visually confirmed it.

 

There is a guard / railing around the lens release. The red dot of the 28 elmarit lens protrudes enough to actually contact and impede the mounting of the lens.

While mounting, the contact of the 'red dot' on the lens, and the lens release guard actually lifts up the lens, then drops into place. It requires a little more force than I would like to put on the mount. I'm going to take it to the dealer to ask.

 

anyone else notice this? This is only true for my M3. I don't know for anyone else's M3 or their other M cameras. Judging by pictures the lens release guard is a little thinner and shorter than the one on my M3. If I can get a picture of it, I'll include it in an edit to this post.

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semi-ambivalent

semi-ambivalent

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I have visually confirmed it.

 

There is a guard / railing around the lens release. The red dot of the 28 elmarit lens protrudes enough to actually contact and impede the mounting of the lens.

While mounting, the contact of the 'red dot' on the lens, and the lens release guard actually lifts up the lens, then drops into place. It requires a little more force than I would like to put on the mount. I'm going to take it to the dealer to ask.

 

anyone else notice this? This is only true for my M3. I don't know for anyone else's M3 or their other M cameras. Judging by pictures the lens release guard is a little thinner and shorter than the one on my M3. If I can get a picture of it, I'll include it in an edit to this post.

 

I can vouch for tightness on an M3. I considered it a result of the narrowness of the mounting knurling. Hard to get a real grip on it. I never torque the focusing ring to mount this, but it's a little difficult, and I have dainty fingers. Can't speak to the height of the release guard; camera's not in front of me.

 

s-a

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Dikaiosune01

Dikaiosune01

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I have visually confirmed it.

 

There is a guard / railing around the lens release. The red dot of the 28 elmarit lens protrudes enough to actually contact and impede the mounting of the lens.

While mounting, the contact of the 'red dot' on the lens, and the lens release guard actually lifts up the lens, then drops into place. It requires a little more force than I would like to put on the mount. I'm going to take it to the dealer to ask.

 

anyone else notice this? This is only true for my M3. I don't know for anyone else's M3 or their other M cameras. Judging by pictures the lens release guard is a little thinner and shorter than the one on my M3. If I can get a picture of it, I'll include it in an edit to this post.

 

including pictures now. The smallness of the lens does exacerbate the issue, but given that the size is one of its main features, it doesn't bother so much. I'm concerned that after 6 months of use, I might scrape the paint off the red dot, or in the worse case scenario, I'll knock the dot right off.

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flyalf

flyalf

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My experience with the 28/2,8 ASPH on M9. Overall excellent, also fully open. The hood is quite small, and IMO not a problem. I use the same hood on the old 35/1,4 The only weak point of this lens is a small color problem ("Italian flag"). But this is only evident for winter white-out photos and a few other occasions. Still one of the worst of the newer Leica lenses even corrected by FW.

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