Anyone use the 28mm summicron on your MM?

[A miller]

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I'd love anyone's views regarding the how you like then lens on your MM and (if applicable) how it renders vs the rendering on your M9 or M(240).

 

Many thanks in advance.

 

Adam

[colint544]

The 28mm Summicron ASPH absolutely shines on the MM. Combined with the 50mm Summilux ASPH, for me, that's the perfect two lens kit. Both lenses render in a very similar manner - smooth and melting transitions, with biting sharpness wherever you want it, including wide open.

 

There is a lot of talk about the modern ASPH lenses being too clinical, but I think you'll struggle to find anyone saying that about the 28mm Summicron ASPH. It seems to be one of those lenses which (like the 50mm Summilux ASPH) successfully blends the classic vintage look, with more crisp, modern micro-contrast.

 

I love mine (especially now that Solms have fixed the problem of the three tiny screws at the front of the barrel constantly coming loose). I've never used it on an M9, or an M240, so can't help you there.

 

Some recent photos from around my home town of Glasgow, all with the 28mm Summicron and MM.

 

Best wishes,

 

Colin

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[A miller]

Many thanks, Colin. Great comments and fantastic images. Really appreciate your time.

 

I already have an old screw mount 28mm summaron and am assessing what incremental utility is gained by adding a cron, other than the obvious 3 full stops and less vignetting, which isn't necessarily a bad thing on the MM in certain situations.

[250swb]

I prefer the colour rendering and smooth tonality of the Summicron with my M240 (or MM), and indeed it is one of Leica's best lenses for what I like best, landscape. But the lens I prefer on my MM for general work is the CV 28mm Skopar. It is sharper across the frame and I prefer it's slightly more contrasty look, not to mention it's very small size. The slower speed is accommodated with the MM's usable ISO range. I wouldn't want to be without either, but as this luxury isn't always possible I'd say the Summicron first, but the Skopar a very, very close second.

 

Steve

[A miller]

Many thanks, Steve. Your insights are always welcome and appreciated.

[Malvolio]

I dont own an MM but it is my fave lens on the M9

 

 

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[MarkP]

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Hi Adam,

 

it's one of my favourite lenses and is glorious on the M9.

It will complement your 50 Summilux perfectly and makes a great two lens kit.

 

You know you want it so just go out and buy one .

It will be the 21 SEM next of course .

 

 

I'll post some MM/28 pics later

[A miller]

Hi Mark - great to hear from you. I have always admired the nice balance of the old and new rendition of this lens, and have been thinking that it would suit the MM quite well. And you might be right about the 21 being next. Hopefully, though, "next" wont be for a while!

[MarkP]

Hopefully, though, "next" wont be for a while!

 

That's about three weeks between new lens acquisitions at the rate you're going.....

[A miller]

That's about three weeks between new lens acquisitions at the rate you're going.....

 

Heeey, i returned the WATE....

[MarkP]

Heeey, i returned the WATE....

 

So you can buy the 28 Summicron and the 21 SEM .

 

 

Why did you dump the WATE?

[A miller]

So you can buy the 28 Summicron and the 21 SEM .

 

 

Why did you dump the WATE?

 

It is a beautiful lens, but i just dont see myself using it enough to justify the cost. I shoot a fair amount of cityscapes and architecture here in NYC, but i think the 28 cron may give me a lot more versatility for my money given that i mainly shoot in the streets

 

Not to digress, but with the 28cron i wonder whether i will use my 35mm lux fle a lot less:eek:

[MarkP]

Not to digress, but with the 28cron i wonder whether i will use my 35mm lux fle a lot less:eek:

 

Exactly my experience - for me the 28 and 50 cover most situations in general photography.

[Herr Barnack]

I do not have an MM, but my 28 'cron ASPH is my "don't leave home without it" lens for both my M240 and my film M cameras.

 

I regard the 28 'cron as my go to lens. I have used it so much that I have come to regard my 50/1.4 as somewhat of a short telephoto, as it crops significantly compared to the 28.

[David_English]

The 28mm Summicron is one of my favorite lenses on the MM. It renders nicely, providing a classic look that doesn't sacrifice sharpness. It's fairly compact with a wide-angle perspective that isn't too extreme. And the f2.0 setting comes in handy when there's very little light.

 

Here's an article I wrote for the Leica Camera Blog about using the 28mm Summicron with the MM: http://blog.leica-camera.com/photographers/blog-contributors/david-english/david-english-classic-wide-monochrom/.

 

My other favorite lenses on the MM are the 21 SEM, 18 SEM, and 24 Lux. I seem to be biased towards wide-angle lenses.

[A miller]

The 28mm Summicron is one of my favorite lenses on the MM. It renders nicely, providing a classic look that doesn't sacrifice sharpness. It's fairly compact with a wide-angle perspective that isn't too extreme. And the f2.0 setting comes in handy when there's very little light.

 

Here's an article I wrote for the Leica Camera Blog about using the 28mm Summicron with the MM: http://blog.leica-camera.com/photographers/blog-contributors/david-english/david-english-classic-wide-monochrom/.

 

My other favorite lenses on the MM are the 21 SEM, 18 SEM, and 24 Lux. I seem to be biased towards wide-angle lenses.

 

Hi David! An honor for you to stop by and respond. I'm a big fan of your writings on this subject and love this article in particular. I have read it more than once over the past few weeks in connection with my consideration of WA lenses. I have also found a lengthy dissertation by Erwin Puts on Leica lenses very helpful. It's a buit more scientific and doesn't incorporate the most recent line of lenses. But I found it very informative nonetheiess.

 

I'm finally coming around to the fact that this is one of Leica's very top lenses, and the fact that it is so versitile when used/composed properly gives it even more appeal.

 

Thanks again for your contributions to the Leica community. Please keep up the great work!

 

Best, adam

[MarkP]

The 28mm Summicron is one of my favorite lenses on the MM. It renders nicely, providing a classic look that doesn't sacrifice sharpness. It's fairly compact with a wide-angle perspective that isn't too extreme. And the f2.0 setting comes in handy when there's very little light.

 

Here's an article I wrote for the Leica Camera Blog about using the 28mm Summicron with the MM: http://blog.leica-camera.com/photographers/blog-contributors/david-english/david-english-classic-wide-monochrom/.

 

My other favorite lenses on the MM are the 21 SEM, 18 SEM, and 24 Lux. I seem to be biased towards wide-angle lenses.

 

David,

I'd not read your review before.

My thoughts exactly regarding this lens .

[CalArts 99]

Although I only use a film Leica, the 28mm Summicron is also my favorite. I normally dislike wide angle lenses since it's too often the lens that usually ends up doing the talking in the photograph. But the 28 Summicron is a subtle wide angle lens and doesn't make itself so noticeable in the image.

 

And it seems to be a Leica lens that's too often overlooked. Maybe because it's not 'exotic' enough. Or maybe because the Elmarit competes with it due to the price difference. I had the 28mm Elmarit before I ended up with the Summicron and feel that the Summicron is indeed a better lens (both in contrast, OOF rendering, and that 'classical' look.) And without the hood, it's not that much bigger than the Elmarit.

 

I guess the best thing about it being somewhat a neglected lens is that the used prices are pretty good. You can sometimes find them in mint to excellent condition on eBay for almost 1/2 the price of a new one (e.g. one just sold recently for $2350 USD.)

 

It's really one of Leica's best lenses. It needs a lot more respect.

[bephoto]

28 Summicron is by far the best wide angle lens ever made by leica imo. minimum distortion, super sharp @f/2. small - smaller than 50mm Lux ASPH! for god sake. what else one wants.

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Hallo,

Look here: Leica M

[A miller]

what else one wants.

 

Good question! Thanks for chiming in!