28mm : Summicron vs. Elmarit

kengai · May 24, 2020

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both excellent lenses, what are their respective strengths and weaknesses?

May 24, 2020

Hi kengai,

Take a look here 28mm : Summicron vs. Elmarit. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!

ianman · May 24, 2020

oops, sorry, wrong thread!!

Edited May 24, 2020 by ianman

a.noctilux · May 24, 2020

In use I only see their strengths, no sign of weakness 😉.

Each one can't replace the other, anyway.

Summaron is another excellent choice 😇.

growing 77 pages of images ...

Edited May 24, 2020 by a.noctilux

wda · May 24, 2020

You will find many points of view if you search the forum. I find it a useful exercise and always learn something new.

james.liam · May 24, 2020

The new Summicron is an updated design and a great improvement on its predecessor for digital sensors. The Elmarit on the other hand, was a tweaking of the superb older design, now optimized for digital and accommodating the newer style hoods. Remember too that the redesign included operability on SL cameras and for this, the Summicron provided the greatest improvement.

The Elmarit, a jewel of a lens and is 1/2 the price and 2/3 the weight of the Summicron.

Ask yourself:

1] do you need the extra stop

2] do you need the extra separation of the subject from background

Edited May 24, 2020 by james.liam

lct · May 24, 2020

Recurrent question and recurrent question to the question : Do you need f/2? If so, you know the answer already. If not, the Elmarit 28/2.8 v1 (no experience with v2) is a bit more contrasty with a bit sharper bokeh but differences are not huge. I have both lenses and use preferably the Elmarit for its compactness in good light and the Summicron in low light and for portraits. FWIW.

AlbertTRAL · May 24, 2020

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Apart from the already highlighted points, do not forget that the Elmarit-M is probably the lens with less distortion by far manufactured currently by Leica. The Summicron has more than double distortion and in a wide angle lens, the fact that straight lines are really straight makes a consistent difference...

Edited May 24, 2020 by AlbertTRAL

Herr Barnack · May 24, 2020

A while back, I owned the #11604 28mm Summicron f/2 ASPH. I currently own the #11677 28mm Elmarit f/2.8 ASPH and the Q2 with the 28/1.7 Summilux. Here is my take on these lenses.

I learned how to effectively use a 28mm lens with the #11604 Summicron; I shot with it on my film MP for quite a few years. I love the rendering this lens produced - velvety smooth yet contrasty wide open, shallow depth of field, nice bokeh, excellent color saturation, razor sharp and contrasty when stopped down. All you could ask for in a 28mm lens. The only shortcoming IMHO was the clunky, blocky plastic lens hood.

Regarding the #11677 28mm Elmarit f/2.8 ASPH, this is a fantastic all-around 28mm lens. It does not have the same bokeh and as shallow a depth of field that the 28 Summicron has, and the wide open rendering is sharper than the 28 Summicron. Beyond those points, #11677 has everything else you would want in a 28mm lens, including light weight, jewel like build and a riotously good price. In terms of value for the money, this lens is an absolute steal. It is an outstanding choice for an all around wide angle travel lens.

If you love the 28mm focal length, Leica offers you the world on a gold platter. I think in terms of the 28mm Summicron as being the one 28mm lens do it all choice. The 28mm Elmarit would be the all-around 28mm lens, hands down the choice for backpackers, mountaineers, street photographers and those who insist on a small and lightweight kit for travel.

The ultimate 28mm lover's set up would be (IMHO) a 28mm Elmarit and a 28mm Summilux. There is nothing in the world of wide angle photography a photographer could not accomplish with this two lens 28mm combo.

Of course, if money is not an issue - get a 28 Elmarit, a 28 Summicron and a 28 Summilux - - - and a Q2 for a backup! 😁

Edited May 24, 2020 by Herr Barnack

PatrickN · May 25, 2020

I was in the same situation 1.5 years ago. James.liam has asked the right questions: is the stop faster and more separation worth double the price for you? After weeks of going forth and back between both lenses in my mind, I bought the Summicron. I didn’t want to regret buying the Elmarit, in the rare situations I wanted to use f / 2.0 for lower ISO or less depth of field, especially since this was my first Leica lens. The small size of the Elmarit is a valid argument, but if used with the lens hood, which is how I always use my lenses, both lenses in their latest versions are very similar in size.

In the meantime, I mainly use the 50 mm Summilux, but I find it very reassuring to have a non-compromise 28 mm when I need it. So I have never regretted going with the Summicron.

danieldouloslee · May 26, 2020

I have had both, currently with the 28 Cron now. I needed that extra stop of light. The renderings seem to be different with the Elmarit having more contrast. But great lenses over all. Yes, the 28 Summicron is longer and it only irks me when comparing it to the Elmarit–but I rather have that extra stop of light.

Cobram · May 27, 2020

I used to own Elmarit, sold it and now I own Summicron 11604 (previous version). Daniel is right. I too think Elmarit exhibit more contrast and also (apparent) sharpness.

When owning Elmarit I took only few photos of my family, kids,... cause they were "boring". Yes it is a very sharp etc... but nothing special. On the other hand one of my most beloved photo of a tree directly shot into sun was taken with Elmarit. Almost no aberrations, perfect sharpness, nice colors.

Summicron 28 is now my main lens. Previously I used exclusively Lux 50 for family shots but now I think ~70% are taken with Summicron. It is that good for portraits, indoor family meeting photos (extra stop mentioned in previous answers), outdoor close distance children playing scenes... I am so fascinated with results (color & BW) that I'm considering selling my 35 1.4 ZM Zeiss Distagon.

If you plan to use 28mm lens for people, street, family,... buy Summicron.

If you want to spend less and plan to take photos of trees, environment,..and your main focal length is 35 or 50 mm go with Elmarit.

lct · May 27, 2020

3 hours ago, Cobram said:

When owning Elmarit I took only few photos of my family, kids,... cause they were "boring" [...]

The Summicron 28/2 v1 you like was said to be "boring" as well . Not my feeling on either lens i must say but to each its own :cool: .

Cobram · May 30, 2020

Dear Lct,

As mentioned before… Cron 28 is boring for landscape but in my humble opinion very interesting lens for "everyday" photos (family, street,...)

I Will try to post few examples (one photo is better than 1000 words 🙂 )