jrp Posted March 15, 2015 Share #1 Â Posted March 15, 2015 Advertisement (gone after registration) I have a number of different modern Leica wide angles, fast and slow, on the M240. The one that I struggle with most is a new 28mm Summicron Asph. It has a lovely soft rendering, but often, used wide open or even stopped down, nothing much appears to be sharp, has the micro contrast or bite of the other lenses. I have no doubt that some of this is operator error, camera shake, etc. But it is noticeable in live view that the peaking shows less red than I am accustomed to with other lenses. Â Is this normal? Any suggestions for testing whether I have a lemon / Friday pm lenses? I know, I should have done some tests, but I am always distracted by something more interesting. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted March 15, 2015 Posted March 15, 2015 Hi jrp, Take a look here 28mm Summicron ASPH -- what to expect?. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
Jeff S Posted March 15, 2015 Share #2  Posted March 15, 2015 http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/leica-m-type-240/296144-tim-ashley-m240-28-cron.html#post2480143  I don't have any issues with mine….it's a superb lens. It was my most used lens on the M8.2, and gets less use on the M240 only because I now use a 35 for a similar FOV.  Do some tests on a tripod comparing EVF/LV and RF….you have the tools and you know you should.  Jeff Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BerndReini Posted March 15, 2015 Share #3 Â Posted March 15, 2015 Expect ultra-sharp and saturated photographs, but also high contrast. If it isn't bitingly sharp, it needs to be fixed. I have heard this before on the forum, and I can tell you that this lens should be bitingly sharp. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
A miller Posted March 15, 2015 Share #4 Â Posted March 15, 2015 You'll hear people say that it is their very most favorite lens of all time. I don't disbelieve them. But the few that I've had haven't been tack sharp when focused wide open at close range. Perhaps this is a freakish coincidence and I should have kept trying. But I settled for now on a pre-ash elmarit (4th version) for my film photography and have been happy. Â Having said this, I do think that there is something very special to the cron. I just didn't get a good enough example to justify the price and I quite trying. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
250swb Posted March 15, 2015 Share #5 Â Posted March 15, 2015 It really is one of Leica's very best lenses, so perhaps expectations need to be managed in a realistic way. Many people love the fact that micro contrast isn't bitingly high, but you can add it yourself in pp, or that it does vignette wide open, but you can adjust this yourself in pp. But it should be sharp, it should have 'some' contrast. It is really down to perception in the same way a 50mm Summilux alters expectations, and the 28mm Summicron is definitely in the same league as the Summilux for gentle smooth and rich image quality. Â Â Steve Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Herr Barnack Posted March 15, 2015 Share #6 Â Posted March 15, 2015 Expect ultra-sharp and saturated photographs, but also high contrast. If it isn't bitingly sharp, it needs to be fixed. I have heard this before on the forum, and I can tell you that this lens should be bitingly sharp. +1. I have had no problems with my 28 'cron ASPH. Â I took a workshop with a well known Magnum photographer who had high praise for the 28 'cron. He called it one of the best lenses in the world. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
IWC Doppel Posted March 15, 2015 Share #7 Â Posted March 15, 2015 Advertisement (gone after registration) Of my 15 lease the 28 Summicron is pretty much the sharpest. It's a stunningly revealing lens. The only lens with better MTF's at f2 is the APO 50 ( excluding the longer Summicrons ) Â I'd pop to your local dealer and A-B another Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lct Posted March 16, 2015 Share #8 Â Posted March 16, 2015 [...] often, used wide open or even stopped down, nothing much appears to be sharp [...] Is this normal? [...] No it is not. The 28/2 asph is one of the sharpest Leica lenses, in the center of the frame at least. Can be soft in the corners at f/2 but hardly more than the 50/2 non apo anyway. Seems like your lens needs some check up. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mornnb Posted March 16, 2015 Share #9 Â Posted March 16, 2015 IMHO you're better off with the 28mm Elmar unless you really need f2. It's sharper in the frame centre and is more compact. No viewfinder blockage at 28mm is a nice feature. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lct Posted March 16, 2015 Share #10 Â Posted March 16, 2015 It is more compact indeed but my 28/2.8 asph is not sharper than the 28/2. Great little lens though. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
skinnfell Posted March 16, 2015 Share #11 Â Posted March 16, 2015 If it isn't bitingly sharp, it needs to be fixed. Â I second this. On my monochrom this is probably the highest-resolving of all six of my leica lenses. And it is almost equally sharp all the way into the corners. It is very contrasty and fairly resistant to flare. The only drawback is that it has heaps and loads of vignetting, but that was not the topic here and also something that is easily fixed in PP. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
IWC Doppel Posted March 16, 2015 Share #12  Posted March 16, 2015 A few shots in 2012 at f4, no LR sharpening using M9 at ISO 160. Uncropped and cropped to show the resolution. It's anything but soft... 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 Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/242319-28mm-summicron-asph-what-to-expect/?do=findComment&comment=2781813'>More sharing options...
gjames9142 Posted March 22, 2015 Share #13  Posted March 22, 2015 I have the Cron, and now a pair of v4 28 2.8 Elmarits for the MM and M9. I much prefer the Elmarits for colour -- they give a more pleasing rendering and less vignetting. On the MM I can use either the Cron or the Elmarit. Frankly I can't really tell the difference -- with the Elmarit I can get a really good 36 inch print. You can save a few bucks with the Elmarits, too. I don't as much gear as your average amateur poster. If you want ridiculously sharp, try the 35 @.8 Biogon. It creates artefacts with the M9, which is a drag, but it is an amazing technical performer. 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 Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/242319-28mm-summicron-asph-what-to-expect/?do=findComment&comment=2784810'>More sharing options...
viramati Posted March 22, 2015 Share #14 Â Posted March 22, 2015 This is my most used lens on the M240 (as it was on the M9) and I would agree i with Tim Ashley's review of the lens when it comes to edge falloff on the M in that it needs to be stopped down to get full edge sharpness. That being said it renders in the most beautiful way with lovely colour and detail rendition. It has amazing resistance to flare so much so that you don't really need to use the hood. This lens is the only real reason that I still use the M240. If you are not getting good sharpness on centre wide-open I would say that your lens needs to be looked at. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jrp Posted March 22, 2015 Author Share #15 Â Posted March 22, 2015 I've done some more controlled testing and it seems fine at closer distances. I'll have another look at distant subjects when there is better light. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmahto Posted March 23, 2015 Share #16 Â Posted March 23, 2015 This is my most used lens for nature and outdoors. It is sharp wide open in the center and by f5.6 biting sharp in the center and sharp all the way to the corners. Â Following is an example at f5.6. Full size and 100% crop. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmahto Posted March 23, 2015 Share #17  Posted March 23, 2015 Forgot to add the sample (btw, this pic was using M9 but I have tested it with M240 and sharpness is the same). 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 Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/242319-28mm-summicron-asph-what-to-expect/?do=findComment&comment=2785572'>More sharing options...
gpwhite Posted March 23, 2015 Share #18  Posted March 23, 2015 I have had three of the Summicron-M 28mm ASPH since it was first introduced in the old emulsion days. I have found that each of the lenses performed differently, and it appeared that was the case across different bodies too.  My current 28mm f/2 is utterly fantastic on both M240 and MM. Even at f/2, it is very sharp and shows 3D. It is the silver model, but I doubt that improves the rendering. Colors are not as saturated as newer M lenses, but if you want the Velvia look ACR gives you sliders to arrange things .  Here is a web-res @ f/2.4... if you realize that the stylist's hair dryer is nearly 10m farther than the marquee, the capabilities of this lens at fast aperture is obvious.  My conclusion is that there is something in the construction of the lens that is susceptible to falling out of adjustment with use. Have Leica bring your lens up to spec. 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 Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/242319-28mm-summicron-asph-what-to-expect/?do=findComment&comment=2785580'>More sharing options...
Frase Posted March 27, 2015 Share #19 Â Posted March 27, 2015 Funny I've never really found my 28mm summicron as sharp as my other leica lenses all summicrons 35, 50 and 90. Even when I tested it against 40mm summicron wide open the 40 was better after 2.8 it seems to sharpen. Maybe mine needs a bit of a service! Frase_2013-01-13 by f4saregreat!, on Flickr Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wlaidlaw Posted March 28, 2015 Share #20  Posted March 28, 2015 If you are using the standard square hood, be very careful not to be mounting or unmounting the lens with the hood. It takes a conscious effort not to do this. The front section of the lens is only held in place by three tiny grub screws, which tend to come loose anyway. Many of us long term users of this wonderful lens, have found it separating into two pieces  This is one of Leica's less robust bits of engineering design. I have changed to a different hood (Contax GG1 46mm threaded fitting), which is much neater, provides just about enough shading and makes it much easier to mount and unmount the lens by holding the body not the hood.  Wilson 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 Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/242319-28mm-summicron-asph-what-to-expect/?do=findComment&comment=2788576'>More sharing options...
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