Leica 28mm Lens--Advice needed

[Ko.Fe.]

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Do you like to observe lens in VF? Blocking it? Then go for f2, f1.4. If you like to have not crowded VF experience and aware of M10 high ISO capabilities, then f2.8 ASPH is given.

[RayD28]

I have the previous version f2 and current version f2.8.  The rendering of the f2 is better but the small size of the f2.8 makes it the most used.  Having said that, the f2 is not a large lens, even with the hood, but it won't fit in my pocket like the f2.8.  

[ardbeg]

For landscape, I concur with earlier mentions of the Summaron. If you are interested in looking beyond just Leica brand lenses, I also recommend the Voigtlander 28 1.9 LTM. 

[onasj]

You really can't go wrong here—all are good choices.  My suggestion if you priority image quality and versatility is to go with the 28/1.4 or the 28/2—both are superb, though quite different.  The 28/2 is sharp edge to edge, and quite small (even though leaving the hood attached significantly increases its overall size). The 28/1.4 is incredibly versatile and renders out of focus highlights and objects beautifully.  If I were to only pick one 28 mm lens to cover the wide range of photography I enjoy, it would be the lux, but if size and weight is a priority, the cron is a great choice.

[Per P.]

1 hour ago, onasj said:

You really can't go wrong here—all are good choices.  My suggestion if you priority image quality and versatility is to go with the 28/1.4 or the 28/2—both are superb, though quite different.  The 28/2 is sharp edge to edge, and quite small (even though leaving the hood attached significantly increases its overall size). The 28/1.4 is incredibly versatile and renders out of focus highlights and objects beautifully.  If I were to only pick one 28 mm lens to cover the wide range of photography I enjoy, it would be the lux, but if size and weight is a priority, the cron is a great choice.

In this case I think combining image quality and versatility in the same sentence is slightly misleading. You’d be hard pushed to pick which picture with which lens at f/2.8 and any difference is unlikely to be significant for the success of your photo. I agree on the versatility as deciding factor. But for some the small size of the Elmarit might make it the more versatile choice 🙂

[Ko.Fe.]

12 hours ago, ardbeg said:

For landscape, I concur with earlier mentions of the Summaron. If you are interested in looking beyond just Leica brand lenses, I also recommend the Voigtlander 28 1.9 LTM. 

Orion 15 will do the same if not better than Summaron.

I have 28 1.9 ASPH LTM. Used it for couple of years, but put it for sale. I don't like VF blocking. Might go back to Orion 15.

[ardbeg]

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44 minutes ago, Ko.Fe. said:

Orion 15 will do the same if not better than Summaron.

I have 28 1.9 ASPH LTM. Used it for couple of years, but put it for sale. I don't like VF blocking. Might go back to Orion 15.

Fair point on the finder blockage. I use an external finder for framing which doesn't bother me but may be inconvenient for many.

[LeicaPassion]

I use the 21mm brightline viewfinder.  The inside framelines correspond to 28mm.

Compared to the EVF, it's smaller and doesn't drain the battery.

 

[Pyrogallol]

Why did they make a nice little modern lens like the 28mm Summaron only in bayonet fitting, when it looks as if it should be on a screw camera?

[pedaes]

36 minutes ago, Pyrogallol said:

Why did they make a nice little modern lens like the 28mm Summaron only in bayonet fitting, when it looks as if it should be on a screw camera?

Maybe modern coatings, but same optical formula as original. To answer your question - maybe because there sre screw mount versions readily availabe from original release, which match the LTM cameras in terms of coatings and 'look'.

[ibramr]

Greetings.  I am not sure that I can add to the excellent opinions discussed above.  But in retrospect, I would have benefited from considering whether the Leica Q2 was in my acquisition trajectory, or not.  Ending up with a Q2 and a Summilux 28f1.4 is certainly most enjoyable (please see here), particularly when you match the Summilux with the Monochrome.  However a more rational system would have been the Summicron on the M system in addition to the Q2.   Of course, YMMV.  Good luck.  

[Ouroboros]

I use both v1 28mm summicron asph and 28mm summaron-m asph.  They are very different but complement each other.  Since I got it, the summaron gets the most use.  It's a unique little lens.

[a.noctilux]

34 minutes ago, Ouroboros said:

I use both v1 28mm summicron asph and 28mm summaron-m asph.  They are very different but complement each other.  Since I got it, the summaron gets the most use.  It's a unique little lens.

Summaron-M 28mm has no asph. lens element as it reproduces the old screw mount lens elements of Summaron 2.8cm of fifty years ago.

As I said between the Summicron-M f/2 and Summaron-M f/5.6 the compromise can be the nice Elmarit-M 28mm in four (or five) models asph. or not to choose from 😉.

In those asph. Elmarit-M, the last model or the former asph. can be a good buy for money to begin with, then change to another if need be with little lost of hard-earned money.

 

[Ouroboros]

31 minutes ago, a.noctilux said:

Summaron-M 28mm has no asph. lens element as it reproduces the old screw mount lens elements of Summaron 2.8cm of fifty years ago.

 

You're quite right, my mistake.  The 28mm summaron-m has no aspherical element!  (I'm just a photographer who uses one )

Edited March 30, 2020 by Ouroboros

[a.noctilux]

Asph. or not, it doesn't matter for me, I like it as it is this Summaron-M.

Beware of digit in field, like here ...

I do appreciate that you use and appreciate this little wonder 😍 lens, Ouroboros .

I must use it more than the other 28mm from now.

I did appreciate the old screwmount 2.8cm already, before the M version

 

 

Edited March 30, 2020 by a.noctilux

[pippy]

On 3/29/2020 at 9:09 PM, TJL said:

My interests are in travel, landscape and family photography.  

If you are not going to be shooting at f1.4 or f2 and if we mainly consider the qualities of a lens' size; weight; sharpness; lack of finder blockage and cost then it's hard to argue against the Elmarit ASPH. If you don't need the extra f-stop or two which the Summicron and Summilux provide then it does everything just as well as the others but for a fraction of the size, weight, finder-blockage and price.

What you need to think about as your starting point is what is the minimum you need in terms of max. aperture and go from there.

Philip.

Edited March 30, 2020 by pippy

[BradS]

On 3/28/2020 at 9:47 AM, a.noctilux said:

.....snip....

Talking about bokeh for 28mm lens is not relevant for me.

 

Kinda what i was thinking too...

[TJL]

Thank you one and all for your insightful comments and good advice.  I like my Leica M4 and M10-P because they are easily carried, light and compact and fun to use.  I'm leaning towards the Elmarit because it would complement those attributes as well as produce crisp, clear landscapes and travel photography.  Maybe next year, when the economy recovers, I'll add a Summilux.

Thanks again.  The Leica forums are most instructive.

TJL

[RayD28]

47 minutes ago, TJL said:

Thank you one and all for your insightful comments and good advice.  I like my Leica M4 and M10-P because they are easily carried, light and compact and fun to use.  I'm leaning towards the Elmarit because it would complement those attributes as well as produce crisp, clear landscapes and travel photography.  Maybe next year, when the economy recovers, I'll add a Summilux.

Thanks again.  The Leica forums are most instructive.

TJL

Look forward to seeing some shots.  

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[adan]

RE 28mm bokeh. Not always important, but depends on whether one can play in the 60" x 40" exhibition-print league - or not.

I've seen somewhat noticeably "frenetic" bokeh with the 28 Elmarits v.2/3 and some with the Elmarit ASPH. Doubled lines and doughnuts.

Below from the Elmarit v.2 - crop at scale equivalent to a 40 x 60 print (BTW, it is visible in a 14" x 21" print as well - just not as big). The Summicron is smoother (can't speak to Elmarit v.4, or 'lux)

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