Jump to content

24mm Elmar F3.8 ASPH or 28mm Elmarit F2.8 ASPH II?


jmui852

Recommended Posts

Advertisement (gone after registration)

Hi All,

 

I recently just purchsed the Leica M10 (upgraded from the M240), and would like to seek your advice on which of the 2 lenses above I should get. I have attached the following list of bodies and lenses that I currently have.

 

M10

M6

Konica Hexanon 60mm F1.2

Leica 50mm F2 Summicron APO

Leica 35mm F2 Summicron Version 2 (8 elements)

 

I shoot with my digial M 95% of the time (well I did only just recently purchased the M6) with my 50APO. I plan on using the 8 Elements more on the M6 for Black and White photography. So now that I am looking to add a wide angle lens, which of the 2 would you recommend? I know many people say that it's best to pair a 28mm with a 50mm, and a 24mm with a 35mm; and that 28 would work better if I wish to shoot some street + landscape, whereas the 24mm will be better for pure landscape. But do both lenses render really differently? Is it that much more convenient knowing that u do not need an EVF for the Elmarit? Could the Elmar be used for some street photography as well? And since the 28mm is much newer, does it have something the other doesn't? I would really appreciate if those of you who own / have used both lens could let me know your thoughts on both lenses performance wise, and which would you pick if you were me. Thanks a bunch!

 

Cheers,

Jeffrey

Link to post
Share on other sites

24/35 is a better set than 28/35 in my opinion.   

 

If you ever want to travel light,  28/50 might be better than 35/50.  If you like low light shots, 28 is better.  24 needs a finder which some consider a pain.

 

 

I have 2 samples of 24 3.8  one of which is mine,  and both are stellar

Edited by tobey bilek
Link to post
Share on other sites

If you don't know you want the 24, and you are effectively replacing a 35 as a wide angle, stick with the 28. Any wider and the perspective distortion will likely be an overwhelming hindrance.

I have the 28 Elmarit ASPH II and it is a beautiful, small, sharp and spectacular lens. You don't regret it!

If you still want wider after you have used the 28 for a while, get a 21.

 

Cheers

 

J :)

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Link to post
Share on other sites

The EVF is absolutely not necessary for the 28mm on the new viewfinder of the M10.

You can find your way with the 24 without EVF but sometimes you'll have to shoot twice if you are in a situation that you really want to avoid something coming into the image at the sides. So, in that case an EVF is faster but not if it's not already attached.

In your case I would tend to a 28 I think, although it's a hard decision. The 28 is more allround and the 24 is more specialised, but you don't have so much lenses yet, so an allrounder may have your preference at the moment. I think though, that if you're used to the IQ of the APO50, the new Summicron 28mm comes much closer to that style than the Elmarit.

Edited by otto.f
  • Like 1
Link to post
Share on other sites

I use a 24, 28 and 35 and they are each very different from each other. Certainly the 35 and 28, while both moderate wide-angle lenses, will give quite distinct results and will be more or less useful in different circumstances. Constantine Manos shot this entire series with an M and 28 and 35mm lenses (transitioning from a film M to a M8 halfway though the project): https://pro.magnumphotos.com/C.aspx?VP3=SearchResult&ALID=24PV7CHFHFH

 

I find 24mm a more awkward focal length to use, but it is certainly possible to use it on the street: http://streetfotografy.com/wordpress/tag/24mm/

  • Like 3
Link to post
Share on other sites

Advertisement (gone after registration)

Sorry care to elaborate how is the 28 cron much closer to the style of the 50APO than the elmarit? Thanks!

 

 

The EVF is absolutely not necessary for the 28mm on the new viewfinder of the M10.
You can find your way with the 24 without EVF but sometimes you'll have to shoot twice if you are in a situation that you really want to avoid something coming into the image at the sides. So, in that case an EVF is faster but not if it's not already attached.
In your case I would tend to a 28 I think, although it's a hard decision. The 28 is more allround and the 24 is more specialised, but you don't have so much lenses yet, so an allrounder may have your preference at the moment. I think though, that if you're used to the IQ of the APO50, the new Summicron 28mm comes much closer to that style than the Elmarit.

Edited by jmui852
Link to post
Share on other sites

Different focal lengths, different apertures, not the same beasts IMO. As far as IQ is concerned i hardly see significant differences between my 24/3.8 and 28/2.8 asph v1 except that the 24 has softer corners below f/5.6 and the 28 is significantly smaller. Compared to 50/2 apo and 28/2, the 28/2.8 asph v1 may give a slightly hasher feeling coming perhaps from the OoF rendition. Just a feeling though as both 28mm lenses are outstanding on paper.

Link to post
Share on other sites

I play with a couple of different combinations, one being the 18 Super Elmar, 28mm f2.8 Elmarit ASPH, 50mm Summicron and 90mm Elmarit-M and a smaller three lens set up of a 21 Elmarit ASPH, 35 and 75 Summicrons, but the outfit I continually come back to as my main setup is the 18mm Super Elmar, 24mm Elmar, 35mm Summicron ASPH and 75mm f2 Summicron APO, with the two most used lenses being the 24 and 35.

 

I just like the 24 best as my primary wide angle, just like I prefer standard zooms that start at 24mm instead of 28mm, and the 24mm Elmar is an outstanding lens.

Link to post
Share on other sites

Sorry care to elaborate how is the 28 cron much closer to the style of the 50APO than the elmarit? Thanks!

In sharpness, color, contrast, micro-contrast, micro-detail. And thus in expression of texture, which was traditionally more the domain of tele- and slight tele-lenses but is also possible with wider angles since the Elmarit 24 and the asph Summicron 28. Might even be more flare-resistant than APO50. If you have shot portraits with the APO50 you'll have noticed that for instance pores of the skin or skinfolds in the lips are much more shown than with other 50's even from 1-2m distance. These details are better shown with the Summicron 28 than with the Elmarit 28

Link to post
Share on other sites

[...] If you have shot portraits with the APO50 you'll have noticed that for instance pores of the skin or skinfolds in the lips are much more shown than with other 50's even from 1-2m distance. These details are better shown with the Summicron 28 than with the Elmarit 28 [...]

 

May i ask if you focused your 28/2.8 asph with an EVF? Just curious as i've never noticed such a difference so far B).

Link to post
Share on other sites

I picked up a new "2016" model 28mm f2.8 ASPH from B&H at the end of last week, shot with it over the weekend and sent it back Monday as a defective unit. The right-hand side of the image field was horribly mushy compared to subjects at the same distance in the left-hand side of the frame. Decided to just hold onto my "old" 28mm f2.8 ASPH.

Link to post
Share on other sites

May i ask if you focused your 28/2.8 asph with an EVF? Just curious as i've never noticed such a difference so far B).

No I did not. I tried the Elmarit through rangefinder quite thoroughly before buying the Summicron 28 asph v1 and found the Elmarit just a bit softer. I now own the summicron 28 asph v2 which shows a bit more (micro)contrast than v1

Link to post
Share on other sites

No I did not. I tried the Elmarit through rangefinder quite thoroughly before buying the Summicron 28 asph v1 and found the Elmarit just a bit softer. I now own the summicron 28 asph v2 which shows a bit more (micro)contrast than v1

 

Been using both 28/2 and 28/2.8 asph for 10+ years and i've never noticed such a difference i must say. As i feel it my 28/2.8 asph v1 is slightly more contrasty than both my 28/2 v1 & v2 but i'm no pixel peeper...

  • Like 1
Link to post
Share on other sites

JMUI252,   I own and use both the 24mm f/3.8 Elmar and 28mm f/2.8 Asph Version II.   I use both lenses for both landscape and street photography on my M10 and SL.  The 24 Elmar is superb, excellent contrast, color, flat field curvature, low distortion, high resolution...best of all it can give your images with the right light, a 3D look.  The 28mm Elmarit is also excellent and does nearly the same as the Elmar if you get a good copy.  I had to go through 2 at the Leica Store to find one that was excellent in the corners.  IMO, it gets down to your application, i.e., field of view, DOF wide open and look.  For my applications, I use the 24 Elmar the most because the way the lens draws.  If you have to make a choice, I recommend the 24mm Elmar as you can always crop the image for a tighter view or get closer.  Hope this helps.  You can always rent the lenses for a week via Lensrentals and see what what works best for you.  r/ Mark

Edited by LeicaR10
  • Like 1
Link to post
Share on other sites

  • 1 year later...
On 6/15/2017 at 1:02 AM, otto.f said:

The EVF is absolutely not necessary for the 28mm on the new viewfinder of the M10.

...perhaps unless you wear glasses. I have to "look around" big-time to actually see the 28mm framelines on an M10.

I wouldn't drive it to "necessary" levels, but it does put me off of owning a 28 entirely. I bought & returned a 28 Elmarit, since I hadn't realized.

Edited by astrostl
  • Like 1
Link to post
Share on other sites

4 minutes ago, astrostl said:

...perhaps unless you wear glasses. I have to "look around" big-time to actually see the 28mm framelines on an M10.

I wouldn't drive it to "necessary" levels, but it does put me off of owning a 28 entirely. I bought & returned a 28 Elmarit, since I hadn't realized.

Yes with glasses it’s different

  • Like 1
Link to post
Share on other sites

  • 9 months later...

I know its an old thread................ but just purchased a 24 Elmar for my m240, so far enjoying it lots ! Quite sharp and contrasty, colors are accurate and smooth, I'm not noticing anything significant on the edges, lighting or sharpness falling off. I have been using the EVF at times....

still playing with this lens shots number 2 & 3 attached. any advice to get the most of this lens please don't hesitate

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

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
×
  • Create New...