Jump to content

Leica 28 Elmarit


Kyler.

Recommended Posts

Advertisement (gone after registration)

Hi everybody,

I have been enjoying my M6 with the Zeiss 50 1.5 and Voigtlander 25 4.

I just recently realized how much I like a wide angle lens.

I'm thinking about upgrading from my voigtlander to the Leica 28 Elmarit.

I haven't found many reviews of this lens though.

I would love to hear what you guys think of it, and if you have any other suggestions/ personal experience with a WA lens on a Leica

 

Thanks,

Kyle

Link to post
Share on other sites

Are you talking about the pre-asph version? It was a lot larger but I still think it was a very nice lens and I am sure it would fantastic on a film camera. Also, they seem to be a bit unloved and go for a very decent price second hand.

 

LouisB

Link to post
Share on other sites

Steve- Thanks. That thread has a lot of good information.

 

biglouis and luigi- The main appeal to me about the aspherical version is that it is so tiny. Are the older ones similar in size?

 

No, the older are definitely bigger, that's true... and when I used M4, I liked a lot to use the ultimate in compactness:..Summaron 28 f 5,6... :)

Link to post
Share on other sites

I was lucky to find a mint v4 at Aperture last year - amazing lens: incredibly sharp, just the right amount of contrast (imo - sometimes the newer lenses can feel a bit overdone in this respect) but also with beautiful out-of-focus characteristics. And incredibly little distortion.

(But a bit bigger than the new lens).

Link to post
Share on other sites

Hi

 

The type IV (preASPH) Elmarit 28mm is big - it is the same size as the Summicron 28mm E46 filter thread, on both, same weight, it is a nice performer, if you can get one real cheap...

 

The little CV is a rather wider lens, unless you dont like it, or can sell it at a good price privately, I'd keep it. I have two already, cant justify another...

 

The CV 28mm f/3.5 is difficult to get, and comparable in size with the Elmarit ASPH, cheap if you can find one.

 

The ZM 28mm is not that large (for a ZM) E46.

 

http://www.zeiss.com/C12567A8003B8B6F/EmbedTitelIntern/Biogon2.8_28mm_ZM_e/$File/Biogon2.8_28mm_ZM_e.pdf

 

It only just shades the type IV on MTF, the samples Ive seen all have been ok mechanically.

 

The big driver is can you handle the lens ok, e.g. are your fingers too big..., the CV and Elmarit ASPH are small lenses.

 

Noel

Link to post
Share on other sites

Noel, Thank you for the reply. Will there be a noticeable difference in focal length from the 25 to a 28?

My hands are a little bit smaller than average, it should be fine. Does anybody know how big the Elmarit 28 ASPH is compared to the Voigt 25 4?

Link to post
Share on other sites

Hi

 

The 28mm Elmarit is about the same length (sticking out from body) as the 25mm CV, but fatter, it is a little bit longer but not really noticably so, it necks down for the 39mm filter ring, so the focus ring and aperture ringe are larger diameter, fatter.

 

There is a difference in field of view, but there is also more risk of perspective or projection distorsion e.g. if a face is at the edge of full (24x36mm) frame, this is independent of the lens optics a feature of our brains perception. A 25mm is not as difficult as a 21mm, but the 28mm normally does not show this effect at all.

 

They are different lenses. If you can get to a camera shop I'd try a shot in the shop mini lab process, CD scan, and view on print machine.

 

Noel

Link to post
Share on other sites

Thanks Noel,

unfortuantely I don't have a shot nearby, so I will be choosing based on information only.

 

I am still not sure if 28 is the focal length that I want. I might want to get something wider.

I do not, however, have any experience using an external vewfinder. Can someone please tell me what it is like?

 

Thanks,

Kyle

Link to post
Share on other sites

I'm a big fan of the 28mm focal length, and the Elmarit has always been one of my favourites. I've had a type 3 pre-asph for a few years and it's an excellent lens. Last year I found a current ASPH version at an irresistible price so bought that too.

 

Which means my type 3 is for sale if you want one. Optically excellent, but with minor paint wear so reassuringly inexpensive - and possibly an economic way to find out if the focal length works for you. PM me if you're interested.

Link to post
Share on other sites

Thanks Noel,

unfortuantely I don't have a shot nearby, so I will be choosing based on information only.

 

I am still not sure if 28 is the focal length that I want. I might want to get something wider.

I do not, however, have any experience using an external vewfinder. Can someone please tell me what it is like?

 

Thanks,

Kyle

Hi Kyle

 

The M6 0.72 finder has a frame for 28mm.

You have to work slower or scale focus with an external finder, not a problem with 25mm or shorter.

The finders take up more space when on the camera when in the gbag, and they can fall off.

I'd get a LTM CV 28mm f/3.5 and M adapter, try that and then decide on what you needed to do. You can normally sell the CVs at a profit, as the Yen inflates.

 

Noel

Link to post
Share on other sites

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
×
×
  • Create New...