Which set of lenses for 28mm and 50mm?

[Jakobben]

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Hi,

 

I'm expecting my M to be ready for me really soon (I'm next in line at my local store! . So I'm trying to decide on my first rangefinder lens (have only Canon and Fuji lenses currently).

 

I've decided to get a 50mm first, and probably follow it with a 28mm fairly shortly thereafter. However, I cannot decide which lenses to choose. I have heard that I should get a Leica lens at some point, so one of these two would probably be a Leica lens. These are the sets that I'm currently going back and forth on:

 

Leica Summarit 50mm f2.5

Zeiss Biogon 28mm f2.8

 

or

 

Leica Elmarit 28mm f2.8

Zeiss Planar 50mm f2

 

I don't really care that much about the speed differences. What I do care about is a soft, "twirley bokeh"… From what I can tell the first set would give me more of that, than the second one.

 

Which set would you prefer? Have you tried 1, 2 or all 4 or these lenses, and how do they compare?

 

Thanks!

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[01af]

I have heard that I should get a Leica lens at some point, so one of these two would probably be a Leica lens. These are the sets that I'm currently going back and forth on:

 

Leica Summarit-M 50 mm 1:2.5

Zeiss Biogon 28 mm 1:2.8 ZM

 

or

 

Leica Elmarit-M 28 mm 1:2.8

Zeiss Planar 50 mm 1:2 ZM

 

I don't really care that much about the speed differences. What I do care about is a soft, "twirley bokeh" …

If you're not after particularly fast (hence expensive) glass then I'd go for two Leica lenses rather than one Leica and one Zeiss. By the way, are you aware that the Elmarit-M 28 mm is available on the used market only? I'd suggest two current lenses: Summarit-M 50 mm 1:2.5 and Elmarit-M 28 mm 1:2.8 Asph.

 

The Leica lenses you mentioned will give a fairly soft bokeh but not a twirly one. Not sure about the Zeiss lenses ... but I think they're similar in this regard. If twirly bokeh is what you're after then you should consider other lenses, such as Noctilux-M 50 mm 1:1, Summarit 5 cm 1:1.5, or Zeiss Sonnar 50 mm 1:1.5 ZM.

[Guest Marc G.]

if you have to go with one Zeiss I'd take the 50 Planar and get the excellent 28 Elmarit ASPH for it. Once you got that you could either switch the Planar for a Leica 50 or get a 90 Summarit. Would make a very comfortable 3 lens kit.

[algrove]

If you're not after particularly fast (hence expensive) glass then I'd go for two Leica lenses rather than one Leica and one Zeiss. By the way, are you aware that the Elmarit-M 28 mm is available on the used market only? I'd suggest two current lenses: Summarit-M 50 mm 1:2.5 and Elmarit-M 28 mm 1:2.8 Asph.

 

The Leica lenses you mentioned will give a fairly soft bokeh but not a twirly one. Not sure about the Zeiss lenses ... but I think they're similar in this regard. If twirly bokeh is what you're after then you should consider other lenses, such as Noctilux-M 50 mm 1:1, Summarit 5 cm 1:1.5, or Zeiss Sonnar 50 mm 1:1.5 ZM.

 

The Elmarit-M 28/2.8 is a current lens as #11606 and yes it is ASPH. There is nothing wrong with the 50/2 cron ASPH #11826. Both of these lenses are about the least expensive M (non-Summarit) Leica offers and will give you years of good service well beyond the usability of your M240. Both would cost a bit over €3600 and that is for 2 Leica ASPH lenses 6 bit coded and therefore recognized by your M240 for EXIF data purposes and any Leica profiles needed. To me on these lenses the bokeh, like any lens, is very distance sensitive.

 

OP Get the best you can afford and go slowly, getting use to the first one for a few months before getting the second lens, etc.

 

Are you contemplating new or used lenses or anything in between?

[01af]

The Elmarit-M 28/2.8 is a current lens ...

No, it isn't.

 

 

... as #11606 and yes it is ASPH.

Yes, the Asph is.

[Nordvik]

I have the Zeiss 28mm and 50mm. If I could choose again today I would have bought a Elmarit ASPH 28mm and a Planar 50mm. The Elmarit ASPH is much smaller than the Biogon 28mm, the Planar 50mm has a 70cm MFD while the Summarit 50mm has 80cm.

 

None of these have a "twirly bokeh". A Sonnar 50mm would be better for that., but it has a MFD of 90cm and focus shift. It's not a good choice for a first (and only) lens IMO.

[Jakobben]

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Thanks for the feedback. I should have been more specific, I'm thinking of the current ASPH 28mm Elmarit-M.

 

Algrove, you are right. I will take i slow. Initially, when I ordered the M240, I planned to only get a 50mm and live with it for a long time. I have since had a lot of interest in 28mm wide angle images. I like to plan my purchases as much as possible, so which 28mm I'll get may depend on which 50mm I get.

It is not as much a discussion on what I can afford (could get the 50 lux if i wanted, but it just seems a bit excessive for me right now, in terms of size, weight and price). From what I have seen the Summarit has a bit softer bokeh than the cron (and i like the focus tab).

 

I may end up getting both the Leica lenses, just thought I'd heard which combination the good members of this forum would choose and why :-)

[algrove]

If you ask 10 members you will get at least 15-20 answers. Maybe think about renting a couple of lenses first.

[pieterpronk]

My vote goes to the planar and the elmarit. The Planar is stunning and the elmarit is the smallest lens Leica has.

 

The Planar gets you the great Zeiss pop rendering. And a 28 is nice to have in small size since you want get close to use it.

[lct]

...just thought I'd heard which combination the good members of this forum would choose and why :-)

Not sure if i'm good but if you insist...

My best advice: don't mix different brands i.e. take two Zeiss' or two Leicas.

I have no experience with Zeiss lenses so my second best advice would be: if 50mm is your favorite focal length, choose the best Leica 50 for your taste. Contrary to what i seem to have read above, the current Summicron 50/2 # 11826 is not an asph lens and has no harsh bokeh, whereas the Summarit 50/2.5 has a more modern rendition with more contrasty bokeh and double lines from time to time, reason why i did not buy one BTW.

The Summarit 50/2.5 is a very good 50 though with a very small size and a handy focus tab if you like that. Then if you choose this lens, the better match among 28mm Leica lenses would be the Elmarit 28/2.8 asph certainly.

If you prefer the Summicron 50, i would go for a Summicron 28/2 or an Elmarit 28/2.8 # 11809 (the last pre-asph).

And if your favorite 50 is the Summilux asph, i would go for a Summicron 28/2.

Happy snaps!

[Printmaker]

Everybody has an opinion based on the lenses they have or have used. If you want to see side by side examples of various lenses, subscribe to Reid Reviews. The minimal cost of his site will save you thousands of dollars (pounds/Euros) when selecting cameras and lenses.

[lct]

Or everybody has an experience of lenses they have, and opinions about lenses reviewed by others...

[rickp13]

whatever you decide, i think you may enjoy and benefit from reading this thread:

 

http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/customer-forum/45854-praise-mandler-lenses.html

 

good luck with your selection (and don't forget to look in the forum classified when you've decided)

 

rick

[algrove]

lct

 

Sorry, you are correct as after reading your post I see I left the ASPH in my post above. Thanks for the correction. Must proof read better.

[rramesh]

The Summilux 50 is a great lens and you will yearn for it irrespective of what else you buy. The M is a great camera and don't you think you need a great lens to go with it?

 

Suggest you try out the Summilux 50 and then decide.

 

A good pair for that will be either the 28 Summicron or the 28 Elmarit.

[Mike T 1969]

I have the 50mm Summicron from the 1990's (german) and a 28mm f2.8 Elmarit...(and a new 35mm summicron)

 

The 50mm is just an awesome lens. the 28mm looks amazing too. you cant go wrong. For what i do with the 28mm the 2.8 is fine.

 

The one lens I cant live without though is the 35mm summicron. If i only had one that would be it. In fact for 20 years the 35mm was the only one i used.