28mm Elmarit vs Summicron vs Even Wider On a Budget

[RayD28]

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Please note:  Ray erred and used "Summarit" when he meant "Elmarit" but could not edit the post when he realized his error.  I've edited his post, but the advice we've given him applies to Summarit.

 

A few days ago I was boating and fishing and took along my Nikon 14-24 f2.8 shot on a Nikon D800.  It was my farewell outing with the lens because I'm selling it to help fund a 50 Lux.  I don't often use the lens but when I do I'm amazed and I seriously reconsidered selling it.  I shoot it mostly at 14MM.  I have to sell it to fund the Lux but realize I need something wide.  I now own a 50mm and a 35mm but it's not wide enough.  

 

I'm strongly considering a 28mm but might go wider.  I know I cannot afford used current versions.  From what I've read, the Elmarit and Summicron, in most iterations, have consistently maintained their similarity, meaning the practical difference between the lenses is the Summarit is simply one stop slower and much more compact.  I use an M240.  Here are my questions regarding the 28's.  

 

1.  What is your opinion on the differences in sharpness from f2,8 through f2.11? 

 

 

 

2.  What is your opinion on the differences in contrast from f2,8 through f2.11?

 

 

 

3.  What is your opinion on the build quality.

 

 

 

4.  My budget is < $1,500 (or there abouts).  Are there specific Elmarit versions that I should seek and versions to avoid?  

 

 

 

Regarding opting for something wider, I'd consider a 24mm Elmarit or 21mm 3.4. 

 

1.  Is there a practical difference in build quality?

 

 

 

2.  Are there significant differences between sharpness and contrast from f3.4 to f11?

 

 

 

I don't want to muddy the waters by considering other brands at this point but I know it is an option, especially when it comes to my budget.  

 

I did a search in the forum regarding my questions but did not find anything that covered all my questions so forgive me if I'm double posting my questions.  Thanks in advance for your input.  

[wizard]

It seems that whenever you refer to a Summarit, what you actually mean is an Elmarit. Neither a Summarit 28mm nor a Summarit 24 or 21 do exist.

 

While my answer to your questions may not be exhaustive, I can tell you from experience that for photographic use there will be no visibly significant difference between an Elmarit-M 28 and a Summicron-M 28 in the aperture range between f2.8 and f11. Further, there is no noticeable difference in build quality.

 

It seems to be common understanding that the latest Elmarit-M 28/2.8 asph (which I do not own) shows somewhat more contrast, resulting in images that may appear a little harsher, whereas the Summicron-M 28/2 asph (which I do own) is a little more pleasing to the eye, but in the end this will be up to user preference, and you may well take a different position. Both lenses are superb performers, and you may choose one or the other simply based on form factor and budget considerations.

 

Best,

 

Andy

[a.noctilux]

There is no Summarit-M 28mm.

May it be you want to talk about Elmarit-M 2.8/28mm Asph.?

 

I don't see any difference in same aperture with 28mm Elmarit-M asph. and Summicron-M 28mm Asph.

Even Elmarit-M 28 for some kind of light has more snap than the subtle Summicron 28.

[UliWer]

I am not sure whether I understand your questions.

 

There are no Summarits with 28mm or wider for the Leica M. For 28mm there is the Elmarit-M 1.2.8/28mm ASPH., for 24mm there is the Elmar-M 1/3.8 Asph, and for 21 mm there is the Super-Elmar 1:3.4/21mm Asph.

 

When you search for these lenses in the Forum you find plenty of information and comparisons to other Leica and non-Leica-lenses.

 

Generally one might say;

 

The lenses with smaller opening are (a little bit) sharper and contrastier; they are considerably smaller and cheaper than there siblings with bigger opening. Stopped down the differences in sharpness and contrast get irrelevant.

 

The main difference is the maximal opening of the different lenses and the potential to achieve smaller dof - and of course the prices.

[Ko.Fe.]

With 1500$ you could get 28 2.8 III Leitz Canada made and 21 4 ltm with VF Viotlander Cosina made. Those two will be OK, nothing wrong on M240, you just have to use right code for 21 to avoid colors shifting problems at the corners .

https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/259536-coding-voigtlander-21mm-f4-pancake-on-m240/

 

Use and decide which works best for you, sell both and get one Leica lens you will know you want for sure then.

[jmahto]

Excellent response above. I want to add that if you already own 35mm (and used to UWA Nikon lens as you mentioned) then 28mm will not be enough. You should consider a wider lens.

[Peter H]

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Excellent response above. I want to add that if you already own 35mm (and used to UWA Nikon lens as you mentioned) then 28mm will not be enough. You should consider a wider lens.

 

 

 

I was about to say that there's a big difference between 35 and 28mm, but as you suggest, considering that the OP prefers 14mm on his Nikorr 14-24 zoom, 28mm almost certainly won't be wide enough.

 

18 or 21mm might be though, but some of the very wide Voigtlander lenses, 10, 12 or 15mm might be a very economical answer and high-performing solution.

[Frase]

I had the 28mm summicron left over from M8 days, but on full frame always preferred 35mm. If you like the 14mm then thats a mile away from 28mm. If it was me I would at least go for a 21mm, but then if it was me I would keep the d800 as my wide body and buy a 20mm Nikkor and instead of buying the 50 summilux save the money and go for a 50mm Summicron.

Good luck.

[rwchisholm]

I think the Leica 28mm is really a no brainer: the new 28 Elmarit or if money no issue the summilux (my favorite lens)

 

For wider I LOVE the Voigtlander 21mm 1.8. Outstanding lens

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[RayD28]

Well, I made a jumbled mess out of this post.  I meant to write Elmarit instead of Summarit.  Thank you all for seeing through my mistake and commenting.  

 

While I mostly use the 14-24 at 14mm, I very rarely use the lens because it is so heavy and bulky.  Plus, I like what you can do with a 14mm, but even if I had a small user-friendly one I doubt I'd use it much.   I also have a Nikon 24-70 I use often and with it I generally shoot between 24 and 30 when needing wide.  I think I can get by with either a 24mm or a 28mm.  I'll consider supplementing it with something wider later.  

 

I have no dealers nearby so it's hard for me to compare lenses.  I understand focal lengths and their pros and cons, but for ergonomics, image quality, and build quality I rely on this forum so I appreciate all of your input.  

 

Ray

[a.noctilux]

Ray,

With your budget, you can "only" buy second hand Elmarit-M 2.8/28 Asph.

It would be a good buy, if you decide for it.

Summicron 28 is much more expensive.

 

Consider it as Summicron-M 28 less f/2 and less some weight (even if the Leica Summicron is small for specification comparing with other 2/28mm lenses).

I had used for years Summicron-M 28mm and now I use Elmarit-M or Summaron-M 28mm (that is another story , kind of nostalgia ).

I discovered that the f/2.8 full open of Elmarit-M 28 Asph. is very nice and usable near dark (M10 in my case 10K ISO).

[jmahto]

Well, I made a jumbled mess out of this post. I meant to write Elmarit instead of Summarit. Thank you all for seeing through my mistake and commenting.

 

While I mostly use the 14-24 at 14mm, I very rarely use the lens because it is so heavy and bulky. Plus, I like what you can do with a 14mm, but even if I had a small user-friendly one I doubt I'd use it much. I also have a Nikon 24-70 I use often and with it I generally shoot between 24 and 30 when needing wide. I think I can get by with either a 24mm or a 28mm. I'll consider supplementing it with something wider later.

 

I have no dealers nearby so it's hard for me to compare lenses. I understand focal lengths and their pros and cons, but for ergonomics, image quality, and build quality I rely on this forum so I appreciate all of your input.

 

Ray

I forgot to add that I don't find 28mm dramatic (even if it is my most used FL). For drama I use CV 15mm (mine is ver II). Even if it is far from perfect technically (LR flat field plugin helps a lot though), I always love the outcome. This is a cheap and light option for me to satisfy UWA temptation.

 

(Edit: Just came back from a car museum and shot only using 28cron wide open on M240. Somehow I just love the gentle goldylock f2 bokeh. Not too much, not too less, just right. Many a times I have thought about substituting it with Elmarit but not any more. I guess the best cure for GAS is to use what you already have. )

[RayD28]

I forgot to add that I don't find 28mm dramatic (even if it is my most used FL). For drama I use CV 15mm (mine is ver II). Even if it is far from perfect technically (LR flat field plugin helps a lot though), I always love the outcome. This is a cheap and light option for me to satisfy UWA temptation.

 

(Edit: Just came back from a car museum and shot only using 28cron wide open on M240. Somehow I just love the gentle goldylock f2 bokeh. Not too much, not too less, just right. Many a times I have thought about substituting it with Elmarit but not any more. I guess the best cure for GAS is to use what you already have. )

 

 

Being able to add some blur is the one thing that keeps me considering the SC.  

[Gregm61]

My question would be, if you shoot the 14-24 zoom Nikkor at 14 a lot on your D800, is the 28mm focal length going to be wide enough? My primary three lens setup these days is the 21mm Super Elmar, 35mm f1.7 Voigtlander Ultron VM and, until I get my 75mm Summicron back from DAG, the 75mm f1.8 Voigtlander Heliar.

 

I have a 28mm Elmarit ASPH, but I usually carry either a 28 or a 35, not both at the same time.

[stuny]

Please note:  Ray erred and used "Summarit" when he meant "Elmarit" but could not edit the post when he realized his error.  I've edited his post, but the advice we've given him applies to Summarit.