Anyone prefer the 28/2 cron over the 35/1.4 lux?

[carcam]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

I'm still sorting out my lenses to use with the M8. My goal being to do as much as possible with the fewest lenses. I have the 35 lux and like it- have not noticed the backfocus issues as reported but it seems a little long for me since it is the default lens on the camera most of the time. I love my 50 lux- that's a keeper. I rarely use the 21 Elmarit since getting the 15 VT (I know they're different but I love that little 15 gem). I have never used or tried the 28 cron but hear good things about it. I know i would be giving up a stop if I used the 28 in place of the 35 but I would have the 50/1.4 if I really needed it in low light. Am I missing anything else? How does the 28 compare with the 35 for focus accuracy, image quality, bokeh, etc. I guess I would be using the 15-28-50 instead of 21-35-50 (or 15-35-50). As always, I appreciate your advice.

[Advertisement]

The Leica Q3 is available for pre-order at B&H Photo Video and Adorama

[tbarker13]

I went through this same thought process about a month ago.

I ended up trading in the 35 lux to pay for a 28 cron. Likewise, I sold my 21 and replaced it with the much cheaper CV15.

I'm now using as a primary kit:

cv15, 28 cron, 50 lux asph (as soon as it gets here)

I also picked up a 40 nokton for those times when I might want the extra stop in that range.

I haven't been able to use the 28 a lot yet, but in my few test shots, the focus accuracy seems quite good.

[rosuna]

I will tell you my experience.

I firt bought the Summicron 28mm ASPH, but I exchanged it by the Summilux 35mm ASPH.

I liked the Summicron a lot, but I was unable to see clearly the framelines in the viewfinder. I wear glasses. The Summilux 35mm is faster (and I use the lens wide open very often) and it has a narrower FoV. It is better for me.

I think the Summicron is one of the best M lenses. From a technical point of view is impressive. In terms of image quality it has some kind of "magic". See for instance this picture, taken with the Summicron:

Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here…

Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members!

[rosuna]

My initial plan was to buy two lenses, the Summicron 28mm ASPH and the Summilux 50mm ASPH. This is like a classical 35/75 combination on the M8. I liked this possibility because those two lenses are state-of-the-art modern designs (unsurpassed lenses in its focal length/luminosity categories). Moreover, these lenses are relatively small.

 

Then, I changed my mind due to the above mentioned problem with the framelines (and framing-related difficulties), and my equipment is now the Summilux 35mm ASPH and the Summilux 75 (a big, expensive, older lens). This is like a classical 50/90 combination on the M8, what I prefer. It leaves room for a new true wide-angle lens (maybe a 24mm or 21mm), if necessary, in the future.

[chiqua]

Hello.

 

First i had the 21/2,8 Asph., 35/1,4 Asph. and the 75/2 Asph..

Then, i sold the 21 and bought the CV 15 (i love it, great lense) and i exchanged the 35 + 500 € for the 28/2 Asph. because i need the 35 mm, wich the 28 will be on my M8. I keep the 75 and my Tri Elmar 28-35-50.

 

So i hope thats it with the lenses ;-)

 

Frank

[LichMD]

I went through a similar thought process when I purchased the M8.

Being new to M glass I was starting from scratch and wanted a minimal kit that would lend itself to my usual photography.

I thought long about the 35/1.4 vs. the 28/2.0 and opted for the latter. It's effective FOV is 34 ish and I didn't feel that I lost anything in the extra stop.

For longer glass I opted for the Noctilux, something about the way this lens draws captivates me.

I may consider the 15 latter for a more extreme FOV.

You may want to consider renting the 28/2.0 for a weekend and see if it works for you.

Good luck with your choices.

[wattsy]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

Surely preferred fields of view are a personal thing? For myself, I have both 35/1.4 ASPH and the 28 'cron. For a single focal length choice the 35mm FOV (on the M8) wins out for me over the 28. However, when travelling I prefer the flexibility of the 28 and 50 combination. Occasionally I will take all three (28, 35 and 50) but I much prefer to travel light with a minimum of choices available - and that usually means just two lenses.

 

FWIW, I agree with the view expressed here that the 28/F2 is about as good a lens as it gets. Fully usable at F2, the lens also has an interesting (somewhat 'larger format') look about it when used between F2 and F4.

[lars_bergquist]

Which focal lengths you prefer is an entirely personal matter. It has to do with your preferred subjects, shooting distances, other circumstances – and, surely, your personality. I have always been something of a wide-angle man. Leica M glass does fortunately retain its value very well, so it is possible to experiment a bit, especially if

you can find good second-hand lenses ... not necessarily the one you first wanted, but one of the same length. Older Leica lenses will often turn out to be agreeable surprises. For instance, even the third version 28 Elmarit (the one that was introduced with the M4-P in 1980) is a remarkably good piece of glassware.

 

Specifically, the Summicron-M 28mm/1:2 ASPH is a wonder, however. In definition it is probably unbeatable amongst wide angles, and fully the equal of the famous aspherical 90 mm and 135 mm lenses. You can use it wide open without ever stopping it down, unless you need more depth of field – indoors! With the ability of the M8 to conveniently change the 'ISO' (actually level of electronic gain) I never miss that extra Summilux f-stop. Bokeh and the general 'fingerprint' is very pleasant.

 

The 35 mm Summilux ASPH, which I bought long before the M8, is still a valuable asset and much appreciated for its good performance. I have often said it before: If I ever had to travel around the world with the M8 and one lens only, it would be this one. With two, it would be the 28 and a 75. – This said, don't sell the famous old 4th version (last 'spherical') 35 mm Summicron short. It was good on the full format and is even better with the M8 cropping.

 

And with three lenses, it would have to be the C/V 15, the 28 Summicron and – the C/V 75, which is amazingly good for its price and heft, or lack of it. I did always like the old second (4 element) 90 Tele-Elmarit because it is useably good and pocketable and the Color-Heliar is even more pocketable!

 

Good hunting from The old man from the Age of Manual Focusing

[Guest WPalank]

I have both and tend to use the 35 more often. I guess I like my shots a little tighter.

[carcam]

Thanks everyone. I'm going to see if I get a 28 cron to try it out. Glad to hear all the positive comments.

[fotografr]

Either one will be the right choice.

[Jager]

They are both superlative lenses. The 35 Lux has been my favorite lens on my film M's from the first day I bought it. On the M8, the 28 Cron provides essentially the same FOV (the reason I bought it). I love the images from it.

 

The 28 Cron and 50 Lux ASPH (an AMAZING lens!) will almost certainly become my primary lenses on the M8. The 35 Lux and either the 75 Lux or Cron would make an equally good combo, I'm sure.

 

You can hardly go wrong!

 

Jeff

[kidigital]

I have started out with a few too many lenses on the wide side on the M8 as I try many of them out to see which focal lengths and lens drawing characteristics I prefer. The WATE is on the way as my discount lens. But, that means I am selling my 24asph, and am trying to decide between keeping one or two of the following: the 28 cron, the 35cron asph or the 35lux asph. They are all so good that making a choice is difficult. I like the extra width of the 28, the chrome of the 35 cron and the speed of the 35 lux. LOL

[Guest guy_mancuso]

KurtI am actually thinking of getthe 24mm back with the WATE just in case i need a fast wide angle the widest i have is the 28 cron whichis a fixture on the M8 but my 35 lux i just don't seem to use enough. I actually thought of getting the 35 cron sell the 35 1.4 and get the 24 2.8. Like you i buy too many than figure what works best. We both came from the same mold and titled Leica diseased

[kidigital]

Between us Guy, we've probably gone through the entire current R and M line-ups. That's a true sickness!

 

But, oh are these M lenses sweet. It would be easier to choose if one or two were out in front of the others. I'm on a 35cron kick right now (so small and sharp across the frame) that it has me tempted to give up on the 28. Plus, it's very cool in chrome. But, should I do that I'm thinking I might miss having something in the 24 or 28 range. LOL Over time, I guess I'll see which ones end up in the bag most often.

 

Kurt

[Guest guy_mancuso]

I know the OP is looking for a answer here but to be real honest there is no real answer. They all are excellent lenses and not a bad one in the bunch so it is really hard making decisions on this. Really you have to try them and see what fits you the best. i may go through a lens two times by buying it, selling it and getting another one. Yea i'm sick but at least you learn from it and what is prefered. you know the saying the grass always looking greener on the other side well i go on the other side a lot. LOL

[finkaudio]

Yea i'm sick but at least you learn from it and what is prefered. you know the saying the grass always looking greener on the other side well i go on the other side a lot. LOL

 

Guess we are all sick in a way

 

I now have the 2.8/21, 2.8/24, 1.4/35, 2.0/50, 2.0/75 and 20/90, beside the 90mm all the latest versions. And believe it or not. I'm now having difficult nights, because I have the feeling I need the 28 as well.

It's not that I don't have a 28mm - I bought the CV 1.9/28mm just in case together with the 1.5/50, 4.0/21 and 4.5/15 from CV.

 

Now I see all the nice WATE results...... boys, that is not healthy at all

 

And I better don't tell you how many LTM leses I collected in old days.

 

Do you think I need a doctor??? However, Guy, you are not alone

 

Best regards

 

KH

[t0tor0]

Guess we are all sick in a way

 

I now have the 2.8/21, 2.8/24, 1.4/35, 2.0/50, 2.0/75 and 20/90, beside the 90mm all the latest versions. And believe it or not. I'm now having difficult nights, because I have the feeling I need the 28 as well.

It's not that I don't have a 28mm - I bought the CV 1.9/28mm just in case together with the 1.5/50, 4.0/21 and 4.5/15 from CV.

 

Now I see all the nice WATE results...... boys, that is not healthy at all

 

And I better don't tell you how many LTM leses I collected in old days.

 

Do you think I need a doctor??? However, Guy, you are not alone

 

Best regards

 

KH

 

I like you. You make me feel so much better:D

[Advertisement]

Hallo,

Look here: Interesting Leica gear

[geoffreyg]

Slightly off topic, my setup is now the 28 2.8 (small size, good $, good range), the 15 CV (what a great one for snaps), and the 40 1.4 CV. Surprisingly good for low light, small, and you frame for 50 mm, and get a bonus amount of image around it. Not great to compose tightly, but great value.

 

The bokeh of the 28 2.8 seems a bit harsher than I'd like. Not bad, but not "wow....". Anyone else have the same feelings?

 

Maybe its time to think of the 28 'Cron? The 35 1.4 would be a great lens, probably better than the 40 Nokton, but the size is much larger, and the cost too....

 

Geoff

[Guest guy_mancuso]

I like at the 28mm F2 in several ways. One it IS the fastest leica wide angle. Two it is also one of there best lenses made. Three i can see the framelines with or without glasses on Four it is just a damn nice focal length. It's also my lens cap, it is just stuck on one body