jelderfield Posted October 3, 2007 Share #1 Posted October 3, 2007 Advertisement (gone after registration) Hiya - what do people think of the 28/2.8? I am not interested in tech specs but the feel of the lens and the look of your images. I'm thinking about it - if one ever comes available. I love that it is so small. FYI - had a great weekend shooting in Pennsylvania at the site where flight 93 went down on 9/11. The M8 worked great in the intimate setting and was great in low light. Cheers, JE Jonathan Elderfield Photography Jonathan Elderfield Photo Blog Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted October 3, 2007 Posted October 3, 2007 Hi jelderfield, Take a look here What do you think of the 28/2.8. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
Woody Campbell Posted October 3, 2007 Share #2 Posted October 3, 2007 There's been a lot written on the pros and cons of various 28s - Sean Reid has done an absolutely definitive review of them that I highly recommend. For this lens (which I own and like) the bottom line pros: small and light, very high build quality, perfectly rectilinear (no barrel or pincushon), remarkable resolving power and contrast and excellent (the best I've seen in any lens) resistance to veiling flair. Also: the Leica 39mm vented metal hood (originally designed for the non ASP 35 and 50 Sumicrons) works on it, which looks cool. Cons - the contrast and resolving power do not deliver the Leica "glow" so you are more likely to block shadows; the look can be harsh; some people don't care for the brokeh and 2.8 is, well, 2.8. In some people's hands the lens draws a bit harshly. For my style that's generally ok. I also have the current 28 Sumicron which, along with several other lenses in the current lineup, is midway between the harshness of the 2.8 and the classic Leica look, probably closer to the later. I find uses for both lenses. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shootist Posted October 3, 2007 Share #3 Posted October 3, 2007 I have the lens, new version ASPH, and it is TACK sharp. Other say it is to contrasty, I don't find it so. When I get home I'll post a couple if images from it. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sbelyaev Posted October 3, 2007 Share #4 Posted October 3, 2007 fantastic lens Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mas Posted October 3, 2007 Share #5 Posted October 3, 2007 I like mine on my M8. Michael Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
cometsoft Posted October 3, 2007 Share #6 Posted October 3, 2007 I have 5 other Leica lenses. The 28 fits right in with the rest. It doesn't stand out in any negative way. In fact I get the same wow factor from it as I do from the others. The size and weight are excellent and the build quality is right up there. I also paid too much for it. One dealer told me the price had gone up to $1799. I've never seen that price any where else. Whatever. I really enjoy the lens and highly recommend it, even at that price. I was going to get the Summicron, but opted for the Elmarit instead because of size, weight and viewfinder obstruction. Neither is that heavy, but the smaller, lighter lens fits in better with the rest of my lens lineup. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
M6J Posted October 3, 2007 Share #7 Posted October 3, 2007 Advertisement (gone after registration) You mean the new 28/2.8 Asph, not the older Elmarit 28/2.8 eh? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Julius Bjornsson Posted October 3, 2007 Share #8 Posted October 3, 2007 Hi there. I do not want to put a damper on the enthusiasm here, but I recently got one of these new 28 2.8 asp lenses and it has been great, sharp, contrasty and overall great. So you can imagine my dismay when I discovered yesterday that the lens had some rattle and when I examined it it seems that the whole insides is somehow loose. When I take it by the front I can move the whole insides back and forth by at least 2 mm and it also move laterally by as much. Strangely enough it still delivers great pictures, but I expect that the focus must be off and the sharpness might not be even over the whole picture as it has been. Huge disappointment. Nothing happened to it, I have been handling it as the expensive thing it is, i.e. very very carefully. I suppose it has to go back to Solms or whereever they fix these things. I also expect that this is very unusual as my first impression was that it was a very solid construction and well made. Just wanted to share this bad experience and perhaps ask for advice on what to do. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skippy Sanchez Posted October 3, 2007 Share #9 Posted October 3, 2007 i've had one since early february and think it's a mighty fine lens. the only caveat is that it's been to leica repair twice in the past six months because the front section of the lens -- the part the hood attatches to -- became slightly loose and i was afraid it would eventually either fall off or affect the sharpness/focus. nonetheless, robert fisk in NJ got it turned around within a few weeks. i think the big issue was that i had a tendency to remove the lens from the body by grasping the hood itself & twisting rather than by the body of the lens. that's a habit i will change on both the 28 and my 21 asph. it is an incredibly sharp lens and quickly becoming one of my favorites. if find the contrast very nice and can always dial it down in CS3 raw if i need to. (never have needed to yet.) all said, if i only had one lens, this would be the one. well, maybe a 24/f1.2 if they ever make one. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack_Flesher Posted October 3, 2007 Share #10 Posted October 3, 2007 I have owned three 28's; the 28 Elmarit Asph, the 28 Elmarit pre-asph and the 28 Cron Asph. Here are my honest comments, and I know it's gonna tick some people off, but they were my results --- so be advised YMMV! 28 Elmarit Asph --- Sharp, compact and contrasty. Seems like a very good value in the Leica family. 28 Cron Asph. Sharper than the Elmarit above at all apertures, less contrast and smoother look overall --- a bit more of the "classic" leica look. At f2 it has more of the old-style look and glow, which disappears at f2.8 where it performs extraordinarily well from there on up. It is one of my favorite M8 lenses. 28 Elmarit Pre-Asph, last version with clip on hood and 46mm filters. This lens is surprisingly good --- my copy was actually SHARPER at all apertures than the Elmarit-Asph version I had(!) and bottom line was it matched the 28 Cron Asph from f2.8 up! You really couldn't tell them apart after f2.8. This lens is possibly the bargain of the century in the M line at under $1000. I should have kept that pre-asph Elmarit, but couldn't justify owning it and the Cron. And I simply LOVE the look of the Cron, even though it seems ridiculous to me now to have paid 2.5 times the Pre-Asph Elmarit for the extra stop. But then that's Leica... Cheers, Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Hart Posted October 3, 2007 Share #11 Posted October 3, 2007 Jack: in use, the lens feels like the 35 Summicron version IV and of course on the M8 has about the same reach. I can't compare it to other 28s as I have no experience of them, but in the 11 months I've had it I have never been disappointed with its results. Here are a few I prepared earlier, from a recent trip to Helsinki... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack_Flesher Posted October 3, 2007 Share #12 Posted October 3, 2007 Jack: in use, the lens feels like the 35 Summicron version IV and of course on the M8 has about the same reach. Paul, when you say "feels like" do you mean physically as in size and shape, visually as in perspective only, or are you saying you think it actually renders like the 35 IV? Very nice images BTW! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Hart Posted October 3, 2007 Share #13 Posted October 3, 2007 Jack: I meant physically, shape and size. That is, small, everything falls to hand (fingers), spot on. Can't really comment on similarity of rendition as it's a while since I had the 35 Summicron, but I've got one coming in the post... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack_Flesher Posted October 3, 2007 Share #14 Posted October 3, 2007 Jack: I meant physically, shape and size. That is, small, everything falls to hand (fingers), spot on. Can't really comment on similarity of rendition as it's a while since I had the 35 Summicron, but I've got one coming in the post... Okay, got it --- and yes, it is a "comfortable to use" compact lens! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
innerimager Posted October 3, 2007 Share #15 Posted October 3, 2007 It's a wondeful little lens as many have said. Here's one that having such a small lens helped catch....Petet Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
c6gowin Posted October 3, 2007 Share #16 Posted October 3, 2007 I got the 28/2.8 ASPH with my M8 last November and have been very happy with it. However, I got to borrow the 28 Cron on the Leica Akadamie Germany trip and liked it so much I planned to sell my 28/2.8 and get the Cron. When I got back home, i located a 28 Cron and found a buyer for my 2.8. It was only then that the price difference hit me as being too much (at least for now). Instead of getting the 28 Cron I kept my 2.8 and used the money on the cost difference plus a little more and bought a 50 Lux. One of these days I will probably get a Cron, but I am very happy with the little 2.8 and it is tough to justify the difference. Below are two recent examples of the 28/2.8 ASPH in high contrast conditions. I agree that it is more contrasty than the Cron, but I don't find it objectionable. The first photo of the palm trees was shot through a Leica polarizing filter (no IR filter) and the secon photo was with the IR filter only. 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! Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/34919-what-do-you-think-of-the-2828/?do=findComment&comment=368784'>More sharing options...
Guest Walt Posted October 4, 2007 Share #17 Posted October 4, 2007 I have owned three 28's; the 28 Elmarit Asph, the 28 Elmarit pre-asph and the 28 Cron Asph. Here are my honest comments, and I know it's gonna tick some people off, but they were my results --- so be advised YMMV! 28 Elmarit Asph --- Sharp, compact and contrasty. Seems like a very good value in the Leica family. 28 Cron Asph. Sharper than the Elmarit above at all apertures, less contrast and smoother look overall --- a bit more of the "classic" leica look. At f2 it has more of the old-style look and glow, which disappears at f2.8 where it performs extraordinarily well from there on up. It is one of my favorite M8 lenses. 28 Elmarit Pre-Asph, last version with clip on hood and 46mm filters. This lens is surprisingly good --- my copy was actually SHARPER at all apertures than the Elmarit-Asph version I had(!) and bottom line was it matched the 28 Cron Asph from f2.8 up! You really couldn't tell them apart after f2.8. This lens is possibly the bargain of the century in the M line at under $1000. I should have kept that pre-asph Elmarit, but couldn't justify owning it and the Cron. And I simply LOVE the look of the Cron, even though it seems ridiculous to me now to have paid 2.5 times the Pre-Asph Elmarit for the extra stop. But then that's Leica... Cheers, Jack- I've also had all three lenses, and I would precisely agree with your appraisal of them. I think the old Elmarit is the best of the bunch, though the size of the Summicron and one stop slower. My Elmarit ASPH has also had the loose front end problem others mention and NJ now tells me that they have to send it to Solms for repair. I have been told by an independent repair person that this new construction is problematic. I, incidentally, have never twisted the front of the lens with the hood, etc., so this is not the only time this problem occurs. So I would say the "build quality"--or the mechanical design--is questionable. Walt Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
grduprey Posted October 4, 2007 Share #18 Posted October 4, 2007 I've only had the 28 Elmarit Asph, can't afford any more than one of each focal length. The wife would probably kill me. ;-) Bought mine in July, qand have had nothing but praise for it. Like others have said and the photos show here, the lens is razor sharp and contrast is just a tad high, but managable. Have had no problems with build quality, as it is top drawer as far as my copy is concerned. Only complaint is the grippable surface for mounting and dismounting is very slim and it is hard to mount it correctly, mine is very tight on the mount. The quality of this low cost Leica lens give me hope for the new Summarit line. I am tempted to get either the 75 or 90 when they come out. My current 90 is the Tele Elmarit thin lens, and it tends to flair a bit too easily, otherwise a nice compact lens. Gene Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
doubice Posted October 4, 2007 Share #19 Posted October 4, 2007 I took a different route - got fed up waiting for the 2.8/28mm ASPH, did not want to spend the mega $$$$ for the 'cron and bought the Zeiss Biogon 2.8/28mm. It is superbly built and you can't beat the price - about US$800.00 with the optional hood. Sean Reid included the Biogon in his 28mm lens testing and that is what I based my decision on. Can't post any recent pictures, as the mount is on the way back from John Milich's milling shop. Below is just a quick snap from a few weeks ago, resized jpg file. Best, Jan 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! Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/34919-what-do-you-think-of-the-2828/?do=findComment&comment=368877'>More sharing options...
Fotomiguel Posted October 4, 2007 Share #20 Posted October 4, 2007 For me is a super leica lens. Probably, I would have the cron, but is doble price. So, no complains with its quality and its price. With the m8, is a perfect combination for those who has already spend almost the bottom of the pocket! Cheers! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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