28mm focal length composition accuracy?

[andyedward]

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How easy is it to compose accurately with a 28mm lens? I understand that 28mm lenses are framed by the boundaries of the window, but I find it impossible to view all boundaries simultaneously, so I predict that composing with a 28mm lens would be difficult for me. Can others please share their experience of using this focal length?

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[ho_co]

I use an external finder with the 28.

[bpalme]

There are 28mm frame lines not the boundaries of the window. It's not an issue at all for me.

[TomB_tx]

Which model do you have? My M6 and later models have framelines for 28, but earlier models did not; and I doubt if the ".85" magnifications viewfinders do either. The 28 is more usable on the M9 with its lower magnification finder.

[adan]

I find myself having to do the "chameleon eye" trick to compose effectively with a 28 on any M except the M8.

 

 

I don't really have time for that, so I don't use 28's... YMMV

[Erik Gunst Lund]

On an M8 it is indeed very easy to frame and focus a 28mm lens, the little 28mm 2.8 Elmarith ASPH is my 'standard' preferred lens, equal to the look from a 35mm on a full frame camera.

[philipus]

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Andy, as I recall you're using an M6 pending reception of your MP (or has your MP arrived?)

 

From your initial question, it seems your M6 is one with the .85x where there are no framelines for 28mm. The full VF window can be used more or less accurately for a 28mm though there won't be any parallax compensation (the .72x VF, of course, has framelines for 28mm).

[tobey bilek]

The M8 & M9 & .72 VF cameras since the M4-P have 28 frames frames from the factory. Others have been modified like my M5 and M4-2.

 

They are all more or less difficult specially if you wear glasses. They are all inaccurate to varying degrees depending on specific camera and subject distance.

 

I use an external 28 mm VF, 35 for the M8, and work from that. I can also use the 21/24/28 mm zoom finder. This is a kludge of a finder with no bright lines, however the advantage is it is continuously variable and it can be set for 25,26,28,or 28 depending on subject distance. Initial settings are correct for close distance and landscapes will show more than indicated just like the built in lines on the camera. It is still not perfect.

 

But if you want no muss, no fuss perfect framing, I suggest a Nikon Pro camera like the D3 which has a 100% perfect screen that matches the sensor and every focal length and camera to subject distance is shown with 100% accuracy. You will not want to carry this rig far as it is 50 % bigger and heavier than a M. The new G lenses, while they image nicely, are double the size of M lenses. Just pick what is important to you.

[Erik Gunst Lund]

...

But if you want no muss, no fuss perfect framing, I suggest a Nikon Pro camera like the D3 which has a 100% perfect screen that matches the sensor and every focal length and camera to subject distance is shown with 100% accuracy. You will not want to carry this rig far as it is 50 % bigger and heavier than a M. The new G lenses, while they image nicely, are double the size of M lenses. Just pick what is important to you.

 

+1

[uaqpau]

But if you want no muss, no fuss perfect framing, I suggest a Nikon Pro camera like the D3 which has a 100% perfect screen that matches the sensor and every focal length and camera to subject distance is shown with 100% accuracy. You will not want to carry this rig far as it is 50 % bigger and heavier than a M. The new G lenses, while they image nicely, are double the size of M lenses. Just pick what is important to you.

 

As I recall Andy sold his Nikon D3x to enter the Leica M film world, so I think he already knows how that DSLR works.. and he already made a choice.

 

I'm very new to Leica M too (6 months) and only own a 50mm lens, but want a 28mm, as I think those focal lengths complement each other well.. so I just bought a quite cheap canon 28mm f2.8 LTM (in chrome), from 1957.. to start getting used to it, until one day I can buy the summicron or the elmarit. Havent received the "new" lens yet, looking forward to start using it. It will look great on my silver MP and maybe a bit weird on my black M9P

 

Im gonna try it without an external VF first. I think I can manage. But if it is too difficult, any recommendations about VFs are welcome

 

Regards

[viramati]

I use the 28 all the time on one of My M9's and yes you do have to search around the viewfinder a bit but once you get used to it it's no problem though in all honesty you can't get any of the RF experience with this lens as you can't really see what is about to come into frame as you can with a 35 or 50mm lens

[Messsucherkamera]

I use the 28 Summicron all the time with my M4-P and MP bodies. Since I wear glasses, I have to press my face to the camera back and move my face (or the camera) around a bit to see into every nook and cranny around the edges of the frame line, but it is really not much of a bother.

 

The only drawback is that I have to have the frames of my glasses fine tuned at LensCrafters about once a month or so (for which they do not charge).

 

As was previously noted above, some older M bodies do not have frame lines for the 28mm, and the 0.85 viewfinders on later M bodies do not have them either. If you have 28mm framelines in your particular viewfinder though, it's just a matter of viewing technique for you to be able to use them effectively. That has been my experience.

[Jaybob]

My experience on both M3 and M9 bodies, is that the accessory shoe mount viewfinder is very helpful.