Summaron-M 28mm f/5.6 vs Elmarit-M 28mm f/2.8

[eev776]

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I'm thinking of purchasing eather Summaron-M 28mm f/5.6 or Elmarit-M 28mm f/2.8 would like to know people's opinion and experiences with both lenses.

Trying to get 28mm sharp lens that I'm going to use it with my Leica CL, I already have Summicron 35mm and Super-Elmar 18mm.

I love design and size of Summaron-M 28mm f/5.6, I would use it for architectural / landscape photography (not worried about bokeh), I wonder if it's a sharp enough lens wide open at f5.6?

I heard a great things about Elmarit-M 28mm f/2.8, especially that it's super sharp even wide open, is it sharper than Summicron 35mm wide open?

Thank you for your replies!

[pedaes]

They are very different and not meant as an either//or choice. If you want a standard general purpose lens that is reasonably sharp, go with the Elmarit. If you want character go for the Summaron. It is at its sharpest at f5.6, but this isn't its strength. These were taken with the 28mm Summaron-m on a M10 at f5.6 which may help you. Obviously  low res for posting.

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Edited July 31, 2020 by pedaes

[eev776]

31 minutes ago, pedaes said:

They are very different and not meant as an either//or choice. If you want a standard general purpose lens that is reasonably sharp, go with the Elmarit. If you want character go for the Summaron. It is at its sharpest at f5.6, but this isn't its strength. These were taken with the 28mm Summaron-m on a M10 at f5.6 which may help you. Obviously  low res for posting.

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Great, thank you for your response!

A side of nice vignetting and cool design/size, would would you say strength of 28mm f5.6 Summaron-M?

What is the strength of 28mm f2.8 Elmarit-M?

[pedaes]

I don't have a Elmarit but I think it has a good reputation.

The Summaron is part of the 'classic lens' series, and it is fun having an old design of lens. It's colour rendering is attractive to my eyes and it is tiny. The miniscule front element is so deeply set that you do not need a hood. There is a thread running dedicated to 28mm Summaron images - have a look there.

If you want a really objective (excuse the pun) review of both lens go to Sean Reids (subscription, but well worth it) site https://www.reidreviews.com/articleindextable.html

[eev776]

16 minutes ago, pedaes said:

I don't have a Elmarit but I think it has a good reputation.

The Summaron is part of the 'classic lens' series, and it is fun having an old design of lens. It's colour rendering is attractive to my eyes and it is tiny. The miniscule front element is so deeply set that you do not need a hood. There is a thread running dedicated to 28mm Summaron images - have a look there.

If you want a really objective (excuse the pun) review of both lens go to Sean Reids (subscription, but well worth it) site https://www.reidreviews.com/articleindextable.html

Thanks again!

[a.noctilux]

My choice of Summaron-M 28mm is for it's "classic rendering", not really "sharp lens" comparing to other 28mm lenses that I use.

For "sharper lens", or more universal use I'd use my Elmarit-M 28mm Asph.

Two lenses for two different characters.

This kind of image, I'd use either one ( here with Summaron-M on M-D )

 

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But Elmarit-M would be better choice, if the light is scarcer

(here on slow film some years ago )

Edited July 31, 2020 by a.noctilux

[eev776]

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1 hour ago, a.noctilux said:

My choice of Summaron-M 28mm is for it's "classic rendering", not really "sharp lens" comparing to other 28mm lenses that I use.

For "sharper lens", or more universal use I'd use my Elmarit-M 28mm Asph.

Two lenses for two different characters.

This kind of image, I'd use either one ( here with Summaron-M on M-D )

 

Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here…

Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members!

 

But Elmarit-M would be better choice, if the light is scarcer

(here on slow film some years ago )

Very interesting, thank you!

So Elmarit would be better for low light, I'm not expecting to get much from f5.6 in low light situations, but what I like about it's night rendering is the glow it creates, very unique.

I'm just afraid that Elmarit would give me pretty flat and clinical rendering,  it's rather makes more sense to buy cheaper and heavier 28mm Zeiss lens, which I don't want to do. 

[MarkP]

If you only want one 28mm lens for more general use then go with the Elmarit-M.  It will render similarity to your current lenses. There is also a lot to be said for having those extra 2 stops.

If you think you’re otherwise covered and want an ‘art’ lens, for want of a better term, then get the Summaron-M.  
 

Finally, if you want to go mid-way between your current lenses, consider  the 24 Elmar-M which is a spectacular lens (including for architecture), and will give a similar look to your current lenses.

 

Edited August 1, 2020 by MarkP

[eev776]

34 minutes ago, MarkP said:

If you only want one 28mm lens for more general use then go with the Elmarit-M.  It will render similarity to your current lenses. There is also a lot to be said for having those extra 2 stops.

If you think you’re otherwise covered and want an ‘art’ lens, for want of a better term, then get the Summaron-M.  
 

Finally, if you want to go mid-way between your current lenses, consider  the 24 Elmar-M which is a spectacular lens (including for architecture), and will give a similar look to your current lenses.

 

Sounds good, thank you for advise! 

[Ponnefaxen]

I have previously used the Elmarit - but now thinking about buying the Summaron for it’s small size and nice rendering. Anyone who has both who can tell me how much the size difference matters?

[Almizilero]

The Elmarit is already pretty small, but the Summaron is tiny (as long as no lens shades are involved):

https://camerasize.com/compact/#702.617,702.271,ha,t

It doesn't look like much, but for me, it's the difference whether it fits in a coat pocket or not. But it's also the difference between F2.8 and 5.6 and between a rather modern or classic look.

I've had an on/off relationship with 28mm, but the Summaron made me fall in love with that focal lenght again. I really like the look (of the lens and the images it produces).

[Alberti]

"artistic" is nice. Here art in a dark atelier. The lens is great even though extremely small . . . (Paris, Rue de L'Abbaye)

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Summaron-M 28mm

[Ponnefaxen]

5 hours ago, Almizilero said:

The Elmarit is already pretty small, but the Summaron is tiny (as long as no lens shades are involved):

https://camerasize.com/compact/#702.617,702.271,ha,t

It doesn't look like much, but for me, it's the difference whether it fits in a coat pocket or not. But it's also the difference between F2.8 and 5.6 and between a rather modern or classic look.

I've had an on/off relationship with 28mm, but the Summaron made me fall in love with that focal lenght again. I really like the look (of the lens and the images it produces).

Thank you - the link you sent really shows the difference.. And since my main purpose of the lens is the small form factor im already convinced.. I have other lenses that performs great in low light (the 28 Summilux but sometimes it’s just too cumbersome to take with me)

 

The 1m close focus is a bummer though.

[Alberti]

The 1m focus . . . below that is maybe not what it was intended for. I have the Orion-15 too; that is single coated and has better illumination in the corners.

Some say the light fall-off of the Summaron-M is classic; I think the multi-coated rendering is the great asset that combines well with the rendering. Just like some appreciate the 21mm Super Angulon-M. 

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