28mm Elmarit -Asph or Pre Asph

[ash13brook]

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This is my first post. Thanks to all for the forum.

I probably can swing the Asph version of the 28mm Elmarit, but I'm wondering if I NEED to.

I shoot strictly handheld. Almost exclusively 400 speed film(and Kodachrome 64 as soon as Kodak realizes the mistake they've made). If the light is very low, I'm not against handholding shutter speeds to 1/2 second or even trying for 1 second if the need arises. I do brace myself as well as I can for these speeds.

Will I really realize the benefit of the 'Asph' feature or will I be as well off with a non-asph version.

 

Thanks,

Matt

[a.noctilux]

Matt, welcome here.

 

I'd go for the asph. Elmarit-M 2.8/28mm.

 

Why ?

 

For years, I use the Summicron-M 2/28mm asph. and never feel the need for smaller 28mm.

But, thing changes last year, I had the Elmarit-M 28mm asph. and the 28 Summicron is almost never use by now.

 

The asph. 28 Elmarit-M is so small and light that is the pleasure to use all day.

The IQ is nice even wide open so I use it with no fear at f/2.8 .

 

If price concerned, the Elmarit-M pre-asph. (version IV) is very rare and here in France second hand v IV are at same price as asph.

I can't commend on this version IV as I've never use it.

 

See for more in my post #21, here : https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/282375-which-would-you-choose-28mm-elmarit-asph-or-28mm-summilux/page-2

 

Arnaud

Edited March 9, 2018 by a.noctilux

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[lct]

[...] Will I really realize the benefit of the 'Asph' feature or will I be as well off with a non-asph version.

 

Depends on the non-asph version. The latest one (v4) is very good but is as expensive as the Elmarit 28/2.8 asph v1 on the s/h market. V4 is also more bulky, the same bulk as Summicron 28/2 v1 more or less. If you prefer smaller lenses, Elmarit 28/2.8 asph, especially v1, is the better option. Also you may be tempted by digital at some stage (never say never ) and you will be glad that Elmarit 28/2.8 asph is 6-bit coded in both its versions. 

[ash13brook]

Thanks all.

Asph version it is, then. I sort of figured as much.

There isn't a huge difference in price between used in very good condition and new. My wife likes warranties when I spend a lot of money, so I'll probably go new.

Can't wait.

 

Thanks,

Matt

[Ko.Fe.]

I would suggest to get new ASPH as well. First version of ASPH seems to have build, construction issues according to reports here. 

I was almost set to get used 28 2.8 ASPH, but after reading these reports I made different 28mm lens choice, because I have no money for new ASPH Elmarit-M.

 

I'm just not sure how handheld and low light related to ASPH on non. Both are f2.8 and aspherical makes no difference for low light.  I had Elmarit 28 2.8 III.

1/2 and 1 second is good in theory, on practice I pushed ISO or just flashed it.

 

If you wait and check wait and check, sometimes 28 used Cron is not so different in the price. And it is f2, which makes difference in low light.

[mmx_2]

I’ve owned both v4 and the asph (both sold because I don’t like 28mm FOV). And the asph is better at everything! Pricewise the v4 is almost price of a used asph and the asph is a tiny lens! E39 filter, small hood and very short. Excellent for street shots. The v4 is very similar to the asph cron v1 (same hood) in size whereas the asph is as tiny as a Summicron 40. I used both the 40 and asph 28 on a Minolta CLE and it was a very good combination.

 

So get the asph and feel no regrets:).

[ash13brook]

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Thanks, folks.

I just ordered a new 28mm Elmarit Asph from a USA dealer. My wife wanted the warranty as opposed to saving not-really-that-much for an excellent condition used lens. I don't disagree, really.

I wanted the Elmarit specifically for it's small size. The Ken Rockwell site indicated that the Summicron intruded into the viewfinder.

Now, I'll be standing at the back door, vibrating like an excited dog, for the next 5 days waiting...waiting... 

 

Matt

[a.noctilux]

Good decision for new Elmarit-M asph. 28mm.

 

Summicron-M 2/28 Asph. intrude indeed in viewfinder and even much more with it's large hood mounted.

I think it's the same with Elmarit-M 28mm pre-asph. (version IV) as they share the same lens hood.

[Rob L]

I have both the new vII 28 Summicron ASPH and the Elmarit ASPH. While the Elmarit is much lighter and smaller than the Summicron without the hood, they are virtually the same size with the hood on. The Elmarit has a much deeper hood than the Summicron. Both wonderful lenses and I do not find viewfinder blockage an issue. The vI Summicron hood is a mess in my view and reason enough for me to get the new version. Mine performs quite nicely and I have no focus shift that I notice in real world use.

Edited March 10, 2018 by Rob L

[ash13brook]

So, the lens I ordered apparently was sold before I ordered it. I can wait awhile till he gets another in(2-3 weeks) or I can get my money back.

There are some for sale on fleabay that are new and about $150 cheaper than the big stores in the USA. But, they are coming from Hong Kong and similar places. I'm not questioning whether I should be afraid to order from these vendors, but whether the warranty is the same as one I might buy from a USA store.

 

Sorta disappointed,

Matt

[rafael_macia]

So, the lens I ordered apparently was sold before I ordered it. I can wait awhile till he gets another in(2-3 weeks) or I can get my money back.

There are some for sale on fleabay that are new and about $150 cheaper than the big stores in the USA. But, they are coming from Hong Kong and similar places. I'm not questioning whether I should be afraid to order from these vendors, but whether the warranty is the same as one I might buy from a USA store.

 

Sorta disappointed,

Matt

You need to buy from an authorized dealer here,.....for coverage here. You may also get hammered with customs coming from Hong Kong. Plus if anything is not right ....... back to Hong Kong ..... Not worth it, in my book. I would suggest getting what is called a "Code U" lens from Leica USA.

Some Leica dealers have regular access to code U. The prices are substantially lower, and Leica USA provides full coverage. Leica USA knows which authorized dealers got which products by serial number, and will know if you have imported a Leica product, by buying direct. Service may or may not be ideal. Leica here are under no obligation to repair under warranty,what they did not import. Why should they?

this is all MY opinion. Others here may have had different opinions, or experiences.

Good Luck

Edited April 5, 2018 by rafael_macia

[rafael_macia]

This is my first post. Thanks to all for the forum.

I probably can swing the Asph version of the 28mm Elmarit, but I'm wondering if I NEED to.

I shoot strictly handheld. Almost exclusively 400 speed film(and Kodachrome 64 as soon as Kodak realizes the mistake they've made). If the light is very low, I'm not against handholding shutter speeds to 1/2 second or even trying for 1 second if the need arises. I do brace myself as well as I can for these speeds.

Will I really realize the benefit of the 'Asph' feature or will I be as well off with a non-asph version.

 

Thanks,

Matt

If you are shooting film any older Version II or III 2.8 Elmarit would be the ideal complement. The version I Elmarit is too rare and expensive. The modern ASPH lenses are razor sharp. If you shoot film because you like the film "look", than you like the "character" film has. The vintage Elmarits, the Mandler-designed Canadians have "character". Razor sharp is not "character".

Edited April 6, 2018 by rafael_macia

[Stein K S]

Agree with Rafael!

 

Had the asph for a few years. Never liked it... (the much used term ¨technical¨ about this lens covers very well what I felt). Found an ¨ as new¨ copy of the pre-asph v4 (which is supposed to have a look rather close to the v3), paid pretty much the same that I got for the asph... but so much more happy now.

 

PS; the asph sets some kind of record concerning size, but the v4 is actually quite neat and by all means small enough for me... v3 being somewhat bulkier.

Edited April 6, 2018 by Stein K S

[Guest Nowhereman]

You need to buy from an authorized dealer here,.....for coverage here. You may also get hammered with customs coming from Hong Kong. Plus if anything is not right ....... back to Hong Kong ..... Not worth it, in my book. I would suggest getting what is called a "Code U" lens from Leica USA.

Some Leica dealers have regular access to code U. The prices are substantially lower, and Leica USA provides full coverage. Leica USA knows which authorized dealers got which products by serial number, and will know if you have imported a Leica product, by buying direct. Service may or may not be ideal. Leica here are under no obligation to repair under warranty,what they did not import. Why should they?...

 

That has not been my experience.

 

Leica guarantee in the US covered cameras and lenses wherever they were bought. For example, an M6 that I bought in Hong Kong while living in Japan was covered by guaranty by Leica NJ without any problem. Also, there is no import duty in the US on still camera equipment.

 

Some years ago, I had an M8 and Summicron 28 that I bought in the UK shipped to theUS — no import duty. Last year I bought the Summaron 28 f/5.6 from the UK, when this lens was not available in the US. Again, no import duty — and, with the exchange rate at that time, I saved about $500 on the US cost.

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[Kwesi]

Thanks, folks.

I just ordered a new 28mm Elmarit Asph from a USA dealer. My wife wanted the warranty as opposed to saving not-really-that-much for an excellent condition used lens. I don't disagree, really.

I wanted the Elmarit specifically for it's small size. The Ken Rockwell site indicated that the Summicron intruded into the viewfinder.

Now, I'll be standing at the back door, vibrating like an excited dog, for the next 5 days waiting...waiting... 

 

Matt

Are you ordering the Version 2 of this lens? Just checking because this is the optically improved version.

[ash13brook]

Kwesi-

I'm not sure which I ordered. I guess I assume that since it's new, it would be the latest. Maybe that's not true. It came from B&H. It's model 11677, if that means anything.

I shot a couple of rolls of old Kodak Ultra 400 through it last week. They look good, but i haven't scanned them yet, as I'm "flattening " them out first.

Once I get them scanned, I'll post a couple so anyone interested can take a look.

 

Matt

Edited April 15, 2018 by ash13brook

[lct]

11677 is the current Elmarit-M 28/2.8 asph.

LeicaM_2828a_v2_tech.pdf