tashley Posted June 11, 2007 Share #1 Posted June 11, 2007 Advertisement (gone after registration) Regular readers may recall that I've had 'issues' around Leica 35mm and 28mm lenses. One of my M8 bodies is off in Solms trying to get better acquainted with my 35 Cron but I also had to return my new 28 cron a few weeks ago because it exhibited pretty savage backfocus on both bodies, so much so that I wasn't able to test it for focus shift accurately. So the replacement arrived today and, gasp, it might even, just, be perfect-ish. It is a touch softer wide open than stopped to f4 but appears to have best focus at the actual point on which I focussed: and on a 1 metre backfocus test the selected point of focus remains within DOF at all apertures. It has classic 'well adjusted' behaviour for an ASPH lens too: wide open, the point of selected focus appears right at the back of the DOF zone so that as the lens stops down and focus shifts backwards, it remains within the zone throughout. I can't do proper infinity tests today cos it's too hazy but at 1 metre and at 5 metres it seems good. You can never really tell from the tests first off: extended use often shows up other behaviours in real-world situations and at different distances to subject, but my out-of-the-box tests imply that this one is the lens I really wanted. Phew! And even better, it implies that my chrome body, which focusses perfectly with everything apart from the returned 28 cron and the off-in-Solms 35 cron, might not be at all out of whack. Yipee! T Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted June 11, 2007 Posted June 11, 2007 Hi tashley, Take a look here Replacement 28 cron arrives.... I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
DaveB Posted June 11, 2007 Share #2 Posted June 11, 2007 It probably says something about my personality, but my initial impression of any new lens is usually negative. Only after using it for some time can I may a more objective statement about whether I like it, where its strengths or weaknesses may lay, other issues, etc. I bought a second hand 35mm/2.0 ASPH several months ago and kicked myself for not returning it. It had a couple cosmetic problems. I've come to love it and it's the Leica lens to which I compare all others. I envy you your 28mm cron Tim! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
tashley Posted June 11, 2007 Author Share #3 Posted June 11, 2007 It probably says something about my personality, but my initial impression of any new lens is usually negative. Only after using it for some time can I may a more objective statement about whether I like it, where its strengths or weaknesses may lay, other issues, etc. I bought a second hand 35mm/2.0 ASPH several months ago and kicked myself for not returning it. It had a couple cosmetic problems. I've come to love it and it's the Leica lens to which I compare all others. I envy you your 28mm cron Tim! Thank you - I agree with your analysis too: the relationship with a bit of new glass is very subtle and how it develops depends on so many factors. But I have learned from recent experiences to test new ones fairly rigourously straight away, since obvious misalignments are not that infrequent and are quite simple to test for. Though these days, of course, waiting for a replacement can take as long as waiting for a repair! Best Tim Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eoin Posted June 11, 2007 Share #4 Posted June 11, 2007 Tim, Delighted to hear a positive focus thread from you ....... at last!. I just bought a 28 Cron despite your warning and was fearing the worst while I await delivery. My mind is more at ease now, with your good news. LOL Enjoy! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
tashley Posted June 11, 2007 Author Share #5 Posted June 11, 2007 Tim,Delighted to hear a positive focus thread from you ....... at last!. I just bought a 28 Cron despite your warning and was fearing the worst while I await delivery. My mind is more at ease now, with your good news. LOL Enjoy! May the Force be with you when it arrives - I think Leica have noted and dealt with the QC issues on new lenses and I wouldn't be surprised if the supply shortage and even the spate of model cancellations has something to do with this! T Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
carstenw Posted June 11, 2007 Share #6 Posted June 11, 2007 I also just bought a copy of this lens, and I love it. The look is great, sharp, yet somehow attractive and not harsh, and that f/2 is to kill for on a wide angle lens for the M8. This may be the sweet spot for the M8. I think that a great two-lens setup for the M8 might be the 28 Cron Asph and 50 Lux Asph. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
tashley Posted June 11, 2007 Author Share #7 Posted June 11, 2007 Advertisement (gone after registration) I also just bought a copy of this lens, and I love it. The look is great, sharp, yet somehow attractive and not harsh, and that f/2 is to kill for on a wide angle lens for the M8. This may be the sweet spot for the M8. I think that a great two-lens setup for the M8 might be the 28 Cron Asph and 50 Lux Asph. Fab. Add the CV15 (who needs a WATE... oh, hang on, I have one somewhere in the bag with my 5D!) and we can ditch everything apart from maybeeee the 75 cron, too good to sell. Add a CV35 as a cheap but extremely cheerful and we're... oh damn, we're back to 5 lenses. Back to the drawing board... ;-0 t Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eoin Posted June 11, 2007 Share #8 Posted June 11, 2007 ....I think that a great two-lens setup for the M8 might be the 28 Cron Asph and 50 Lux Asph. That's what I'm aiming for in terms of focal lengths when the dust settles. Strange how my bag is filling up 21, 28. 35, 2x50's and a 75. All so good, like expensive children, just can't bring myself to part with any at the moment. I personally blame that Mancuso guy, he's the one who infects us with GAS. Carsten I note with interest that your bag seems to be getting heavier by the week, perhaps you're displaying the same symptoms. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guy_mancuso Posted June 11, 2007 Share #9 Posted June 11, 2007 LOL it's affecting me too. I am packing for a trip to NY for 4 days to shoot the city. You know how hard it is trying to go light weight and less lenses. i feel like some of them are getting cheated there home in the safe. Taking 12CV, WATE, 28 cron, 35mm lux , 50 lux, 90 mm cron and the 135 apo leaving home really mad as hell at me is the 90mm macro, 75 lux And i probably have to many anyway to go. Now my plan is the Oscar day bag with 4 lenses stacked one body with lens . Than maybe have a body and lens out all the time plus a lot of walking. One day i have a driver to take me around, i jump out do my thing than move on to another spot. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
carstenw Posted June 11, 2007 Share #10 Posted June 11, 2007 That's what I'm aiming for in terms of focal lengths when the dust settles. Strange how my bag is filling up 21, 28. 35, 2x50's and a 75. All so good, like expensive children, just can't bring myself to part with any at the moment. I personally blame that Mancuso guy, he's the one who infects us with GAS. Carsten I note with interest that your bag seems to be getting heavier by the week, perhaps you're displaying the same symptoms. You are of course right Originally I wanted CV15, 28/2A, 50/1.4A, and 75/1.4. Then I found myself missing macro ability, so I added the Visoflex III and Bellows II, as well as the 90 Macro for light-duty work. Then I missed the standard 50 focal length, since although I love the lens, I never really warmed up to the focal length of the 50 Lux, so as a compromise, I added the 35/2A (as well as a 1st gen 135/2.8 to play with). Finally, I found that the gap was too large from CV15 to 28/2A, but I didn't want a big bulky, expensive 21 which I would use rarely, so I decided to trade the CV15 for a WATE. Then I couldn't get myself to sell the CV15, since it is so compact, and relatively cheap for travelling. So my kit is indeed a little larger than I originally envisioned. However, I can put together perfect smaller kits from it quite easily. 35 + 75, great for walking around and snapping things at a slight distance, or 28 + 50 for closer work. 28, 50, 90 for a slight tele variation on a classic kit. WATE, 28, 75 for travelling. Throw in the 35 perhaps. It really is quite flexible, and I am happy Most of the time I now have WATE, 28, 50, 90 in my bag. Not heavy at all, and the WATE viewfinder can come or stay depending on need, as can the macro adapter. There are only two modifications I consider: trade 35/2 for 35/1.4Asph, if I can find a good copy and some money, and 135/3.4 instead of the 135/2.8. The latter can wait for a rainy day, since I don't use long lenses much, apart from the 75 Lux for portraits and the 90 Macro to walk around with. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jamie Roberts Posted June 11, 2007 Share #11 Posted June 11, 2007 Tim.... CONGRATS!! Ok, I had to say that loud, because you have to hear it across the pond! Fingers crossed for your 35 as well (and I agree--maybe Leica has messed with the mounts ) I ordered my Nocti, and so all I really need in the M department is a 135 LOL!! I found the Tamrac Velocity 7 just about right for my current gear--I can get an M8 with all the trimmings (batteries, cards, etc,,) and all my lenses (7 in total); with the Nocti I'll probably pick up a Velocity 8 Tamrac - Model 5747 Velocity 7 Photo Sling Pack For shooting both the Canon / DMR and the M8, I use a Velocity 9. Fabulous bags. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
tashley Posted June 11, 2007 Author Share #12 Posted June 11, 2007 Tim.... CONGRATS!! Ok, I had to say that loud, because you have to hear it across the pond! Fingers crossed for your 35 as well (and I agree--maybe Leica has messed with the mounts ) I ordered my Nocti, and so all I really need in the M department is a 135 LOL!! I found the Tamrac Velocity 7 just about right for my current gear--I can get an M8 with all the trimmings (batteries, cards, etc,,) and all my lenses (7 in total); with the Nocti I'll probably pick up a Velocity 8 Tamrac - Model 5747 Velocity 7 Photo Sling Pack For shooting both the Canon / DMR and the M8, I use a Velocity 9. Fabulous bags. Thanks Jamie. Multo appreciando. I've fallen in love with my Billingham L2 because it lets me take: M8 and 28 cron MP and CV35 cv15 50 lux 75 cron lots of films, filters, hoods, cloths, cards, batteries... and an EpsonP5000 if I pack carefully. And yet it still looks and feels like a small bag. But that Velocity does look good. Hmmm. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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