Jump to content

Recommended Posts

Do not be so quick to dismiss the Voigtlander lenses, especially those introduced during the past few years. Among the Zeiss ZM lenses, the 28mm is not one of the best. It has been a while since I “did the homework” on these, so cannot quote any chapters or verses, other than cite Lloyd Chambers’ site, which is paid-subscription-only. I bought 25mm and 35mm ZM lenses, and avoided the 28mm ZM.

When dismissing Voigtlander lenses, keep in mind that Cosina, in Japan, makes Voigtlander lenses, for the Leica mounts, and makes all but one of the Zeiss ZM lenses. (The 15mm f/2.8 Distagon ZM is made in Germany.) The newest of the Zeiss ZM lenses is the excellent Distagon 35mm f/1.4 ZM. The other Zeiss ZM lenses date from the film era. The recent Voigtlander lenses are generally VERY good.

Some VERY accomplished photographers, who are members of this forum, and/or members of the Fred Miranda forum, have found that a specific Voigtlander 28mm f/2 lens, the Ultron II, is quite the giant-killer, regardless of price or brand name. I will not presume to speak for any of them, so, will recommend doing the homework, or seeing if any of them will reply to this thread topic. (Lloyd Chambers has not yet reviewed this particular lens.)

I am not so sure that I need an ultra-sharp, optically-virtually-perfect 28mm M-mount lens, because I have a most wonderful F-mount 28mm lens, but I were to suddenly decide I really needed such a lens, for M-mount, I would buy the Black Paint version of the Voigtlander 28mm f/2 Ultron II, even though I do have the available credit, to buy the Leica, if I so chose.

Edited by RexGig0
  • Like 1
Link to post
Share on other sites

20 hours ago, RexGig0 said:

Do not be so quick to dismiss the Voigtlander lenses, especially those introduced during the past few years. Among the Zeiss ZM lenses, the 28mm is not one of the best. It has been a while since I “did the homework” on these, so cannot quote any chapters or verses, other than cite Lloyd Chambers’ site, which is paid-subscription-only. I bought 25mm and 35mm ZM lenses, and avoided the 28mm ZM.

When dismissing Voigtlander lenses, keep in mind that Cosina, in Japan, makes Voigtlander lenses, for the Leica mounts, and makes all but one of the Zeiss ZM lenses. (The 15mm f/2.8 Distagon ZM is made in Germany.) The newest of the Zeiss ZM lenses is the excellent Distagon 35mm f/1.4 ZM. The other Zeiss ZM lenses date from the film era. The recent Voigtlander lenses are generally VERY good.

Some VERY accomplished photographers, who are members of this forum, and/or members of the Fred Miranda forum, have found that a specific Voigtlander 28mm f/2 lens, the Ultron II, is quite the giant-killer, regardless of price or brand name. I will not presume to speak for any of them, so, will recommend doing the homework, or seeing if any of them will reply to this thread topic. (Lloyd Chambers has not yet reviewed this particular lens.)

I am not so sure that I need an ultra-sharp, optically-virtually-perfect 28mm M-mount lens, because I have a most wonderful F-mount 28mm lens, but I were to suddenly decide I really needed such a lens, for M-mount, I would buy the Black Paint version of the Voigtlander 28mm f/2 Ultron II, even though I do have the available credit, to buy the Leica, if I so chose.

I dislike the materials used by Voigtlander and the shape of the body, togerher with the font.You could say “is this really important if the lens is good” , my answer is “yes” for me.Today I was given a brand new Zeiss ZM 28mm to test it and I’m impatient to see the result when develop the film. Regarding the feeling I dislike the 3 steps of aperture clicks!! Really annoying, because I’m used to leica 2 steps.

I thing that for now everything lead me to Elmarit 28mm …

Edited by George Stoichev
  • Like 1
Link to post
Share on other sites

6 hours ago, George Stoichev said:

I dislike the materials used by Voigtlander and the shape of the body, togerher with the font.You could say “is this really important if the lens is good” , my answer is “yes” for me.Today I was given a brand new Zeiss ZM 28mm to test it and I’m impatient to see the result when develop the film. Regarding the feeling I dislike the 3 steps of aperture clicks!! Really annoying, because I’m used to leica 2 steps.

I thing that for now everything lead me to Elmarit 28mm …

Indeed, appearance, and handling qualities, are important.

  • Like 1
Link to post
Share on other sites

On 8/25/2022 at 2:14 AM, George Stoichev said:

Hi everyone,

I use Leica M6 with 50mm Summicron.

I need a 28mm lens and I’m hesitating among Elmarit M 28mm and Zeiss ZM 28mm Biogon.I have seen many reviews and my inclinations are to Elmarit.I really like the newest small version, but is too expensive. I have read that there is some problem with 3rd version, is this true?

Is the difference between 3rd and 4th version so big?

what are tour recommendations? Please, my question is only about these two brands, no Voigtlander, 7Artissian etc

Hello George 

I’m not sure where you’re at with your choice of version but I can only say that the v3 renders really nice , if perhaps you also like the 70s/80s era Mandler lenses. It’s a gorgeous look and the lens is smaller than I anticipated it to be from seeing pictures of the lens. 
 

  • Like 3
Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
Ă—
Ă—
  • Create New...