Simplifying Lens Kit: 28 vs 35mm

[Mark II]

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I currently have both 28mm Summicron (current version, with the new hood) and a 35mm Summilux ASPH FLE. My preference for focal length is the 28mm, but I revert to the 35mm for low light and for better DOF control.

To those that have shot extensively with the 28mm Summilux: would you consider it a viable alternative to the combination of 28CRON and 35LUX for someone who strongly favours the 28mm focal length but who would like better DOF control and sharpness than the 28mm Summicron offers? Would you keep either or both of the 28mm Summicron and/or the 35mm Summilux if you had a 28mm Summilux?

FWIW, I have previously looked at the 28LUX but was unimpressed with the size and finder blockage, as well as the purple fringing. However, I still wonder if it is a better compromise than carrying both 28+35 lenses.

Edited October 6, 2019 by Mark II

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[BJohn]

Uff, tough question to be honest. Totally depends on your personal preferences. My adventure with Leica and the M-System started with the Lux 50. So, a natural choice for the second lens would be a 28mm, right? And that's exactly would I did, I bought the Lux 28 and I am deeply in love with that lens for more than two years now.

There is one thread, which collects wide-open Lux 28 shots (maybe you did not stumble upon that one):

 

 

Anyway, I also had the Cron 35, Lux 35 but not the Cron 28. But what I can state is: the Lux 28 is a marvelous lens which really shows its magic wide-open. I totally love it for environmental portraits. There exist some issues (as you state above) but none of those really can break us apart. Lenses may come and go, but the Lux 28 stays!

To answer one of your questions: currently, I only own the Lux 28 and Lux 50. More concretly, although I know that some say "never sell a Leica lens": the Cron 35 and Lux 35 had to leave the house.

[Narsuitus]

1 hour ago, Mark II said:

... a viable alternative to the combination of 28CRON and 35LUX for someone who strongly favours the 28mm focal length but who would like better DOF control and sharpness than the 28mm Summicron offers?

If I were in your position, I would also consider adding a 24mm f/1.4 or a 21mm f/1.4 to the 28mm and the 35mm that you are now using.

[T00m]

28/50/90 or just 28/75. I tried to use 35mm for some time but just didn't like it at all.

Edited October 6, 2019 by T00m

[LeicaR10]

Mark II,  When I owned both the 28mm Summilux-Asph and 35mm Summilux-Asph FLE lenses, I found myself in the same quandary.  You already know about the aberrations of both lenses.  Yet, IMO, both lenses superbly render photographs.  I included two reviews with photographs that might help your decision process.  It will get down to what works best for your genre of photography and only you can decide what is best for you.

Try:  https://www.streetsilhouettes.com/home/2017/3/12/quick-comparison-two-generations-of-leica-28mm-lenses 

Try:  https://www.streetsilhouettes.com/home/2017/1/25/28mm-summilux-vs-35mm-summicron

Hope this helps.  r/ Mark

[rrdiaz30]

I used the 28-35-50 lux combo for a couple of years.  I make it a habit to only to take and shoot with one lens throughout the day.  I found that when I used the 28lux, that I was not using it that much wide open.  I also did not care for the handling (weight) so I ended up selling it and purchasing the latest 28 Summicron and I’m pretty happy with it.  If I need to isolate the subject, I just use the 35 or 50.  I must admit that there are times that I do miss that lens, but not enough to buy another.

I would recommend renting the 28lux from lensrentals.com for a week to help you make the descision.  You really have to try one.

Cheers...Rick

[Mark T]

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The 28mm summicron is such a well balanced lens and it's application is broad. I'd find it hard to toss it in in favour of a specialist lens like the 28mm Summilux for the same reasons you state (size, weight, blockage). If you were exclusively shooting at night and indoors there might be a case but really, chances are your camera can increase the ISO without degrading the the image too much. Even f1.4 becomes not enough very quickly in the dark. Why not just try using your Summicron - you might already be able to achieve what you need to? Also the difference in blur between f2 and f1.4 is pretty insignificant at 28mm in my opinion.

[ELAN]

@Mark II I have both the 28 lux and 35 FLE.  The 28 lux renders beautifully wide open.  You're right that it's big and heavy and blocks the finder and purple fringes wide open, but nonetheless, it's a remarkable lens and is often glued to my M for weeks at a time.  However, due to its size and weight I'm thinking for adding the 28 cron. I would not let go of the 35 because I find 35 quite different than 28.

[Narsuitus]

@Mark II  Love your night shots of Barcelona.

I own and use a 35mm f/1.4 Zeiss, a 28mm f/2 Zeiss, and a 21mm f/1.4 Leitz.

For me, the 35mm f/1.4 Zeiss and the 21mm f/1.4 Leitz on my Leica M6 are all I need for the type of shooting you display in your night shots of Barcelona. I do not need to use the 28mm f/2 because the 28mm focal length is too close to the 35mm for my taste, f/2 is too slow for me to shoot handheld in dim light, and my 28mm lens is a Nikon F mount; not a Leica M mount. If I loved the 28mm focal length as much as you, I would definitely get a 28mm f/1.4 M-mount for night shooting.

For digital, I tried a Leica M10 but ran into too many mechanical and electrical problems.

For digital, I now use 23mm f/1.4 and 16mm f/1.4 Fuji lenses on an APS-C Fuji X-Pro2. These two lenses are equivalent to a 35mm and a 24mm on a full-frame.

 

[Herr Barnack]

The 28mm and 25mm focal lengths are close in terms of field of view, but they are different enough that I would want to have both at hand. 

JMHO, but the real decision would be maximum aperture for both lenses.  Two Summicrons?  Two Summiluxes?  Or one 'cron and one 'lux?  Or the 28mm f/2.8 Elmarit for landscape, accompanied by either a 35 'lux or 'cron for photographing people?

Edited October 7, 2019 by Herr Barnack

[RexGig0]

I definitely want to have both 35mm and 28mm lenses. I do not find these focal lengths to be nearly equivalent, or “too close.” This is as true with my Nikon SLR lenses, as with my Leica M lenses. I see 28mm as my favored wide-angle lens, and 35mm as my favored wide-normal lens. (I have little interest in 24mm, so when I shoot wider than 28mm, it is with a 21mm.)

I do value a “fast” 35mm, though mine is a Zeiss 1,4/35mm Distagon ZM. I am content with a “slower” 28mm, such as an Elmarit, having used an adapted Elmarit-R, until recently adding an Elmarit-M v. III, pre-ASPH.

 

Edited October 7, 2019 by RexGig0

[dkmoore]

I would keep the 28 Cron and 35 Lux to maintain versatility.

I had sold my 28 Cron V2 when I purchased the 28 Lux but then re-purchased the 28 Cron because I much prefer the handling to the 28 Lux due to size and weight.

If you see yourself as someone that thinks "I probably will never own the 50 Noctilux simply because it is too big" then I would not move to the 28 Lux. While not as big as the Noct it is noticeably larger than your 35 Lux.

Good luck!

[Mark II]

Many thanks for the replies. For now, I think that I will try to stick with the lenses that I have at the moment.

 

I think on balance, the flexibility of the extra focal length and a consistent 46mm filter size for all my lenses is probably a better compromise for me than trying to simplify the kit but with a trade-off in handling and mixed filter sizes. And for close-quarter documentary photography (particularly street photography, but anything where the subjects are involuntary), it is often easier to have a smaller and less intrusive lens.

[250swb]

28mm vs 35mm, well you can always crop the 28mm down to 35mm in post processing. And it's not like you can't see the composition effect of a crop in the viewfinder anyway if you are using one of those fancy Leica's with a preview lever.

[Mark T]

9 hours ago, Mark II said:

Many thanks for the replies. For now, I think that I will try to stick with the lenses that I have at the moment.

 

I think on balance, the flexibility of the extra focal length and a consistent 46mm filter size for all my lenses is probably a better compromise for me than trying to simplify the kit but with a trade-off in handling and mixed filter sizes. And for close-quarter documentary photography (particularly street photography, but anything where the subjects are involuntary), it is often easier to have a smaller and less intrusive lens.

Yep, i agree with you. You have plenty of flexibility right where you are and for me, a better set of compromises compared with the 28 mm summilux option. Good luck with it!

[Ouroboros]

You have two very nice well-balanced and portable Leica lenses there and f1.4 is already available with your 35mm.

What are you really agonising over?  Owning a 'trophy lens'? 

[wattsy]

On 10/6/2019 at 9:30 PM, Narsuitus said:

If I were in your position, I would also consider adding a 24mm f/1.4 or a 21mm f/1.4 to the 28mm and the 35mm that you are now using.

The OP is asking about simplifying his kit from two to one lens and you are suggesting he add another lens of a focal length that the OP hasn't even discussed. I guess that is the `Leica forum for you.

Edited October 8, 2019 by wattsy

[wattsy]

On 10/6/2019 at 8:21 PM, Mark II said:

would like better DOF control and sharpness than the 28mm Summicron offers?

FWIW, I have previously looked at the 28LUX but was unimpressed with the size and finder blockage, as well as the purple fringing.

The Summilux is not sharper than the Summicron so that is another advantage out of the window. I think you are left with the (modest) additional DOF control.

If you are looking for a reason to buy the 28 Summilux I think you should go ahead and do it but accept that there isn't a sensible rationale for doing so.😀

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[ELAN]

1 hour ago, wattsy said:

If you are looking for a reason to buy the 28 Summilux I think you should go ahead and do it but accept that there isn't a sensible rationale for doing so.😀

The 28 Summilux renders wide open like no other 28 lens.  And quite beautifully too.  For some this is rationale enough to own it.

[wattsy]

I've tried it. It's not that exciting.

Edited October 8, 2019 by wattsy