28mm options. And is elmarit 28 discontinued?

[TG14]

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Thinking about getting a 28 so started looking at the various options: 

1. cron f2

2. Elmarit, and

3. Summaron

 

I was at a Leica shop and was told that the elmarit was being discontinued. Anyone knows what will replace it?

Was thinking of the elmarit over the cron due to size and I didn’t think I would need f/2 in a wide angle for bokeh.

I would have liked the summaron but it is more expensive than the elmarit even though it has a smaller aperture. Didn’t understand why that would be so.

Thank for your thoughts.

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[pedaes]

Think you have to see Summaron as a 'special look' lens and you really need to understand its characteristics before contemplating or you may be disappointed.

Don't know about discontinuing Elmarit but would be surprised as it was updated a couple of years ago. Was it a 'Leica Leica' store or a dealership?

Zeiss and Voigtlander also make excellent 28mm lenses. If you go S/H on either the Summicron or Elmarit make sure you know if it is a pre or post update lens.

[Davidthefat]

I was just at Leica LA two weeks ago, and they had the Elmarit on the shelf. I also believe they had a v3 on the preowned section. 

[TG14]

1 minute ago, Davidthefat said:

I was just at Leica LA two weeks ago, and they had the Elmarit on the shelf. I also believe they had a v3 on the preowned section. 

How many versions of the elmarit 28 are there?

[pedaes]

Elmarit I (2.8)       '65 - '72

Elmarit II (2.8)       '72-'79

Elmarit-M III (2.8) '79 - '93

Elmarit-M IV (2.8) '92 - '06

Elmarit-M f2.8 ASPH  '06- Current (Revised 2016)

I think!

[luigi bertolotti]

The Elmarit IV is a damn good lens in every aspect (a bit bulky, ok…)

[Ko.Fe.]

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Zeiss 28 2.8 ZM is the lens with vibe. And if it comes to wobble, Ziess could fix it. Just 1/3 clicks are tiresome. Available new.

 

I have "old" Ultron 28 1.9 ASPH as Cron 28 f2 on M-E and it is good, nothing wrong with it lens. 

All glass and metal. Including the hood. 0.7 MFD and short, smooth focus throw. 

But it is bigger than 28 Cron.

 

 

[Trivette]

I like the 28mm Zeiss Biogon ZM, but I doubt if you are interested in that. Maybe it doesn't have the "Leica look," whatever that is. 

[dsj]

Fun fact: Last time I visited the Leica factory in Wetzlar and looked at their time line display of all the M products, I saw they had mixed up the 28mm Elmarit versions III and IV. 

[pedaes]

4 minutes ago, dsj said:

Fun fact: Last time I visited the Leica factory in Wetzlar and looked at their time line display of all the M products, I saw they had mixed up the 28mm Elmarit versions III and IV. 

Ouch! You obviously didn't spot the notice offering a M body to whoever spotted the deliberate mistake 😊 

[dsj]

Gerade eben schrieb pedaes:

Ouch! You obviously didn't spot the notice offering a M body to whoever spotted the deliberate mistake 😊 

Hahaha, I wish. Actually I already noticed it on my very first visit and told the people at the reception desk. A few months later nothing had changed. 

[bocaburger]

On 2/4/2019 at 4:32 PM, luigi bertolotti said:

The Elmarit IV is a damn good lens in every aspect (a bit bulky, ok…)

Very true, in fact I found it more flare-proof than the ASPH version, such that the IV can easily go hoodless, thus reducing the bulk significantly.   The III is almost as good but also much bulkier, and the hood is essential, but those are often found priced very economically even compared with 3rd-party lenses.   But probably the best bang-for-the-buck is the CV 28/1.9.  At maximum aperture it is only slightly below the Summicron, and from f/2.8 down equals it and the V4 Elmarit. 

[DandA]

4 hours ago, bocaburger said:

Very true, in fact I found it more flare-proof than the ASPH version, such that the IV can easily go hoodless, thus reducing the bulk significantly.   The III is almost as good but also much bulkier, and the hood is essential, but those are often found priced very economically even compared with 3rd-party lenses.   But probably the best bang-for-the-buck is the CV 28/1.9.  At maximum aperture it is only slightly below the Summicron, and from f/2.8 down equals it and the V4 Elmarit. 

Very much agree with the VC 28mm f1.9 except it is a very low contrast lens, so gives the initial impression its somewhat soft.  No focus shift to speak of either but sample variation is extremely high.  Took me the longest time till I ended up with the two I have.

 

Dave (D&A)