Zeiss 25mm 2.8 vs Leica 24mm f2.8

[colonel]

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Hi,

Any one have or had both and can comment ?

I am looking for a 24mm or 25mm. f2.8 is good, although I have used the Lecia 24mm f3.8 and its as sharp as a razor, but would prefer something that can go down to 2.8

I will use mainly for indoor spaces, e.g. museums. I like the 24/25 as an EVF, although useful, is not strictly necessary as you can estimate the whole VF just outside the 28mm lines. And there is always the LV or the EVF2 of my 240 if I need precision

Any other suggestions as well would be great

Best regards

 

 

[Gobert]

I have the 24/2.8. Although somewhat bulky at the front, I love the lens.

I used to have the seperate viewfinder. But I have sold it. I never used it.

It is what you say, the camera viewfinder does the job. 

[AndreasG]

I have the Zeiss Biogon 2.8/25 for almost one year and use it regularly with a M10-D and the 28mm VF frame. Of course you get more than the frame shows but within short training you can estimate what the final photo will contain. The optical properties are very good, though I cannot compare directly with a 24mm Leica lens. At open aperture (see photo further down) it shows some vignetting as expected, but this can be removed in post processing. Straight lines remain straight and do not turn into gothic arches, so the lens is useful for architecture and buildings. No 6-Bit coding, no manual lens selection in the camera, its a M10-D...

Cost of the lens is reasonable, sometimes for new ones as low as 800€, however, lens shade is not included and has to be bought separately; I got a no name one from a China vendor.

Summary: Good recommendation

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Test photo at f2.8 for parallel lines (ooc)

landscape at f5.6 (ooc)

 

[colonel]

11 minutes ago, AndreasG said:

I have the Zeiss Biogon 2.8/25 for almost one year and use it regularly with a M10-D and the 28mm VF frame. Of course you get more than the frame shows but within short training you can estimate what the final photo will contain. The optical properties are very good, though I cannot compare directly with a 24mm Leica lens. At open aperture (see photo further down) it shows some vignetting as expected, but this can be removed in post processing. Straight lines remain straight and do not turn into gothic arches, so the lens is useful for architecture and buildings. No 6-Bit coding, no manual lens selection in the camera, its a M10-D...

Cost of the lens is reasonable, sometimes for new ones as low as 800€, however, lens shade is not included and has to be bought separately; I got a no name one from a China vendor.

Summary: Good recommendation

 

Test photo at f2.8 for parallel lines (ooc)

 

landscape at f5.6 (ooc)

 

 

thanks

the straight lines are impressive. Did you use distortion correction in lightroom ?

 

[AndreasG]

vor 19 Minuten schrieb colonel:

Did you use distortion correction in lightroom ?

No, the image is out of camera, no further post processing.

[ocean2059]

I've used all three 24/25 lenses that mentioned here. I don't have the Elmarit-M 24 ASPH any more but I kept the other two. First about the focal length, the Elmarit-M 24 ASPH is a true 24mm and the Zeiss Biogan 25 is about 26mm plus focal length, which you may be able to still use the M's rangefinder if you don't wear glasses. In terms of size, the two lenses are about the same but the Elmarit-M ASPH with the hood is a bit too big (at least for me). I use the Zeiss Biogan without the hood. Optically, they are both exceptional and you won't wrong with either one. The ElmaritM 24 ASPH is an older design but it has a wonderful Leica color brilliance that is very unique. The Zeiss Biogan, 25 on the other hand, has a very gentle color rendition which is special to 'symmetric' Biogan design. Among all the Zeiss ZM Biogan lenses (21/25/28/35/35), the 25 is the best, based on my own use.  In terms of sharpness, I give Zeiss a bit of edge in center portion of the image, but that's just splitting hair as both of them are excellent. This is just my take on these two lenses. Hope you have fun deciding on one of them.  

Cheers,

[SiggiGun]

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Even if It's out of the discussion, my favorite is the f3.8/24mm Elmar. Really an outstanding lens

[Rick in CO]

I've used both for several years, kept the 24mm Elmarit ASPH for the coding.  

Erwin Puts compared them, you can look it up on his website.

Be aware that there are two different versions, pulling up different frame lines.  If I remember correctly the earlier version pulled up the 35 frame line that was useful on the M8.

This version also had a screw in the mount flange that interfered with 6-bit coding.

Otherwise, Great results from both lenses, I consider them essentially equal.

I agree with ocean2059, the 25 is the pick of the ZM litter (along with the discontinued 85mm f2 Sonnar). 

[plaidshirts]

I agonized over this same question until I found a 6-bit coded Elmarit for a very low price.

Both lenses are brilliant, as many have shared, so you won’t go wrong with either one. 

[dgc]

On 1/27/2021 at 10:50 AM, colonel said:

Hi,

Any one have or had both and can comment ?

I am looking for a 24mm or 25mm. f2.8 is good, although I have used the Lecia 24mm f3.8 and its as sharp as a razor, but would prefer something that can go down to 2.8

I will use mainly for indoor spaces, e.g. museums. I like the 24/25 as an EVF, although useful, is not strictly necessary as you can estimate the whole VF just outside the 28mm lines. And there is always the LV or the EVF2 of my 240 if I need precision

Any other suggestions as well would be great

Best regards

 

 

Hi

Did you go ahead with one or the other and what are your thoughts with the one you chose - if you did?

David