Jump to content

Anyone use the 28mm summicron on your MM?


A miller

Recommended Posts

Advertisement (gone after registration)

I have this combination and I am a bit divided on the lens. As others have pointed out, it IS super sharp, right into the corners. It may well be my sharpest lens. It is fairly large, but handles nicely. It has a grotesque hood that I never use and rarely see flare either.

 

My issue with it, is the massive amount of vignetting. Sure enough, this can be corrected, but it makes it hard to expose. Eihter the center is too bright or the corners too dark. I loved it on the M9. In color photography a bit of softness and vignetting is perfect. For grayscale I prefer a starting image to be fairly uniform.

 

Every once in a while I consider selling it and getting the 28 elmarit, but until I get to borrow one of those and test side-by-side in various situations I am hanging on to it.

 

Sample (corrected manually in LR4):

Bored in the fjord

Link to post
Share on other sites

  • Replies 49
  • Created
  • Last Reply
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.

 

Thanks Adam. Much appreciated.

 

It's good to know that the articles might be of some help. I'm relatively new to rangefinders (since 2009), but I figure my experiences could be useful for people trying to sort out one lens from another. Or for those wondering how wide-angle lenses might differ from normal lenses.

 

The 28 cron was my first Leica lens (or first M-mount lens of any kind). I needed a lens for my newly purchased M8.2, and it seemed like a logical choice. My previous cameras had been a Ricoh GR Digital II and Sigma DP1 -- both had a 28mm fixed lens. The 28 cron wasn’t really a wide-angle on the M8.2, so I was happy to switch over to an M9 in 2010.

 

I think versatile is a good adjective for describing this lens. I love the way it renders. And it seems so small compared to my 18 SEM and 24 lux.

Link to post
Share on other sites

I have the 28 elm writ ASPH and use it on the M9, M6 and M4/P. Soon I will be adding the M240 . The perspective of the 28 is well suited to both landscape and urban street and architecture. The 28mm was a favourite of Winograd in NYC. The debate as to the subtle difference of the various 28mm is like asking how many angels dance on the heard of a pin. The technique of the photographer and the colour of the light of the scene is more influential,

The 28 and the 24mm are just on the verge of wide that has little distracting perspective. Going to the 21mm makes a decided alteration in perspective and edge of the frame distortion requiring more conscious decision in its use. The rangefinder lines do not give the photographer a true idea of the special differences. That is recognized only upon viewing of the final image.

 

The minds eye differs from the rangefinder image and again differs form the final image. That being so the differences among the Elmarit, Sumacron and Skopar are experience in the final image alone.each has a rendition that is either pleasing to the photographer or not depending on the minds eye of the photographer.

 

The issues of vignneting and fall off on the MM is avoided by the use of film Leicas. As well the effect of filtration for black and white is best achieved in media of film.

Link to post
Share on other sites

I used it over the weekend at Joshua Tree National Park and it is becoming one of my favorite lenses on my MM. It's as sharp as a cactus needle and fills the landscape need quite well. You won't be disappointed!

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!

Link to post
Share on other sites

I used it over the weekend at Joshua Tree National Park and it is becoming one of my favorite lenses on my MM. It's as sharp as a cactus needle and fills the landscape need quite well. You won't be disappointed!

 

stunning shot, Mike! Thanks a lot for stoping by and offering your comments. All the best, Adam

Link to post
Share on other sites

Larapinta Drive, Western MacDonnell Ranges,

Northern Territory, Australia

 

Monochrom 2.0/28 Summicron ASPH

 

 

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!

 

 

ps - the mild vignetting was introduced on purpose in post-production.

Link to post
Share on other sites

Advertisement (gone after registration)

Larapinta Drive, Western MacDonnell Ranges,

Northern Territory, Australia

 

Monochrom 2.0/28 Summicron ASPH

 

 

[ATTACH]437755[/ATTACH]

 

 

ps - the mild vignetting was introduced on purpose in post-production.

 

Very nice, Mark. I love the depth of field created by the long windy road. Beautiful tones in the sky, as well many thanks for your time and effort in sharing this. Much appreciated!

Link to post
Share on other sites

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

 

Stellar lens on my M9 and on my MM

 

Some shots off the MM, from my "Old Bridge" series:

 

 

Inner Self

14230566422_311def78ed_b.jpg

 

 

By the Riverside

14232659434_1c2a2d8280_b.jpg

 

 

New Romance on the Old Bridge

14229579161_86c6f57f31_b.jpg

 

 

El Differente

14232642724_4c6038d124_b.jpg

Link to post
Share on other sites

Dear God Particle - i sincerely appreciate all the schlepping that it took to post these. All are fantastic and i particularly love the very first one your posted. They are ll very insightful for me. Thanks very much for sharing these and all the best. Adam

Link to post
Share on other sites

Hi Adam,

 

Did you make the decision?...I am also torn between 28 cron, 28 elmarit and also....21 super elmar...

I would not use on MM but on M240.

 

Summer is fast approaching and I have a few trips to make and want a wide angle lens for the travels/landscapes. I don't mind the weight.

 

P

Link to post
Share on other sites

Hi Adam,

 

Did you make the decision?...I am also torn between 28 cron, 28 elmarit and also....21 super elmar...

I would not use on MM but on M240.

 

Summer is fast approaching and I have a few trips to make and want a wide angle lens for the travels/landscapes. I don't mind the weight.

 

P

 

I have indeed purchased a 28 cron and I waiting for delivery in the coming days.

 

If I didn't already have a heavy duty 35mm lux fle and the same 28mm focal length in the old classic f5.6 summaron this would be a no brainer for me.

 

The extra speed will come in handy in both low light and isolation situations and the rendering is spot on based on what I am looking for. So I am biting the bullet and adding this lens and a real "nice to have."

Link to post
Share on other sites

I have indeed purchased a 28 cron and I waiting for delivery in the coming days.

 

 

 

If I didn't already have a heavy duty 35mm lux fle and the same 28mm focal length in the old classic f5.6 summaron this would be a no brainer for me.

 

 

 

The extra speed will come in handy in both low light and isolation situations and the rendering is spot on based on what I am looking for. So I am biting the bullet and adding this lens and a real "nice to have."

 

 

so for me it would be one of the 28 or 21 lenses in addition to 50 Lux....

Link to post
Share on other sites

so for me it would be one of the 28 or 21 lenses in addition to 50 Lux....

The 21 is really quite different from the 28. I find the 21mm lens to be a `magic' focal length, really 3D and Escheresque at times, but it needs considerable care in composition when buildings are in the frame, people are at the edges etc. I think you might want to consider eventually getting both lenses (or a 35mm instead of the 28mm, which happens to be my preference).

 

Nick

Link to post
Share on other sites

28 Cron behaves beautiful on MM, I find particularly the mix between sharpness (micro-contrast) and smoothness/softness appealing, albeit the vignetting is on the heavy side, as stated by skinnfell and others above. I clearly prefer 28 Cron above the 35 mm lenses I have.

 

One example from last winter below, illustrating the mix of small-scale details and larger-scale softness that this lens offers (photo is pp, but not excessively so).

 

57815-albums5488-picture13617.jpg

Link to post
Share on other sites

28 Cron behaves beautiful on MM, I find particularly the mix between sharpness (micro-contrast) and smoothness/softness appealing, albeit the vignetting is on the heavy side, as stated by skinnfell and others above. I clearly prefer 28 Cron above the 35 mm lenses I have.

 

One example from last winter below, illustrating the mix of small-scale details and larger-scale softness that this lens offers (photo is pp, but not excessively so).

 

57815-albums5488-picture13617.jpg

 

That is an absolutely amazing scene and photograph.

Is this your back yard in balmy Norway? ;)

 

I completely agree with your description of this lens qualities.

I just love 28 Summicron love-fests :)

Link to post
Share on other sites

Thanks, the photo is from the mountain range dividing western and eastern Norway; the mountain is called Hallingskarvet; it is easily accessible since the railway between Oslo og Bergen passes this region. I find the region particularly interesting because of constantly changing light and clouds - so you never know what Mother Nature will offer you beyond wind and bitingly cold fingers...

 

I should perhaps add that I used an orange filter on the lens in this case - slightly increasing the contrast.

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...