Which 28mm lens?

[EJS73]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

For a few months now I've been pondering selling one of my 50mm lenses to part fund a 28mm. The 28s I consider are the current summicron and the summilux. Cost aside, what would you do? My initial idea was to get the summilux but I am concerned that it may have just a bit too much character wide open - I don't like the brooding look I see in many images taken with it (although some of that may be the post processing). Are there any issues with either lens on the current hires sensors, such as resolution, field curvature, focus shift or general ease of use?

[Advertisement]

The Leica Q3 is available for pre-order at B&H Photo Video and Adorama

[wda]

EJ, I would not judge the quality output of a lens just by assessing what you see published on forums. There might be all manner of interventions. The first question I would ask you is, what do you intend to shoot with a 28 mm lens? It is possible that you do not really need the speed and extra size/weight of the Summilux lens.

[EJS73]

2 minutes ago, wda said:

EJ, I would not judge the quality output of a lens just by assessing what you see published on forums. There might be all manner of interventions. The first question I would ask you is, what do you intend to shoot with a 28 mm lens? It is possible that you do not really need the speed and extra size/weight of the Summilux lens.

Thanks, indeed that's where I am, too. Use case will be landscapes and environmental portraits, and to me the smaller size of the 'cron is a higher priority than the extra stop of light. But most important is the rendering out-of-camera as I don't post process if I can help it.

[wda]

Good. We are on the same hymn-sheet. Except that I do feel you are failing to exploit the excellent output from your camera if you avoid processing afterwards.  It took me quite a while to learn, from videos and books. But the rewards are incalculable. I guess you capture in Jpeg format. Even so, mastery of post-processing will transform your results.

[Chris W]

Post process. It's easy and can be quick.

[28framelines]

Gonna just take the opportunity to plug the fact that I really want Voigtlander to make a 28mm Nokton. Voigtlander, if you’re listening… but as for the actual question, get the Summicron. You’ll use the lens a lot more when it’s not as heavy.. plus much better viewfinder experience (the 28 Lux seems to have quite a bit of blockage)

[Malvolio]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

28 Summicron hands down

[1joel1]

I have the 28mm Elmarit ASPH. It is tiny and the results are wonderful.

[LeicaR10]

EJS73,  After reading your post for intended use for landscapes and environmental portraits, the 28 Summicron-Asph v2 wins hands down.  It resolves superbly to the edges and corners.  The previous version was less so.  I use the current version for landscapes and results are most excellent.  I owned the 28 Summilux and found that I rarely used it wide open and wasn't worth it for my genre of photography.  You might take a look at these couple links to help you decide what is best for you and bank account.  r/ Mark

Try:  https://www.streetsilhouettes.com/home/2017/3/12/quick-comparison-two-generations-of-leica-28mm-lenses

Try:  https://onfotolife.com/lens_sample_photos?lens_id=347&page=1&focal_min=0&focal_max=800&aperture_min=0&aperture_max=32

Try:  https://onfotolife.com/lens_sample_photos?lens_id=348&page=1&focal_min=0&focal_max=800&aperture_min=0&aperture_max=32

Note the f stops the 28mm photographs were taken and camera type with the "Ontofotolife" links.

[tom0511]

for M11 I would choose the Summicron as an allrounder. The Summilux gives you the f1.4 shallow dog, but suffers more from CA and is larger.

If speed isn't that important, I also love th tiny 28/5.6.

[EJS73]

So, it only took me some 15 months but a while ago, I finally went and purchased a new 28mm elmarit. It's small, sharp and contrasty, and I've very happy with it in the few months I've used it so far. 

[brickftl]

On 2/28/2023 at 1:22 PM, 28framelines said:

Gonna just take the opportunity to plug the fact that I really want Voigtlander to make a 28mm Nokton. Voigtlander, if you’re listening… but as for the actual question, get the Summicron. You’ll use the lens a lot more when it’s not as heavy.. plus much better viewfinder experience (the 28 Lux seems to have quite a bit of blockage)

I just bought the Voigt 28 Nokton 28/1.5. 

[TheEyesHaveIt]

No love for the Voigtländer 28 2.8? Has served me well and is so small. Though I have thought about grabbing the Summicron.

[7enderbender]

I’m back to pondering the same question. I’m still new to Leica and went with a M10-R and a 50 Summilux. Just about perfect (minus the difficult and limited flash options for this camera…). 
To round things off I decided to add a 28mm and that just about covers everything I want to do at this point. 
Do after much scrolling and looking I bought a (supposedly) like new current Elmarit 28 from one of the big sites. Turns out it’s not all that excellent as the front element isn’t tight and it’s missing parts that were supposed to be included. Oh well. So that’s going back and I’m just about ready to just go and buy a new one directly from a Leica store. I know that for the same amount I can get a used Summicron. Which I speicifically didn’t go with the first time around thinking I want small and light for the secondary lens for travel etc. 2.8 is still fast and combined with the 1.4 I’ll be fine (first world problems). 
I’m wondering if the Elmarit is actually too small. It’s a bit fiddly to get on. Is the front element coming loose on these because you’re almost forced to grab the whole lens by the hood and focusing ring? 

[kkumpu]

Just received Elmarit-M 28mm ASPH V1 yesterday since pre-asph IV is still being repaired.

For me, size isn't too small, it's about same size as 35mm Summicron ASPH. IQ is great, it really is sharp. 

But the front element is wobbly, just a little bit. Gotta take care not to put too much pressure on front and be careful when removing/installing lens. What I looked from YouTube, it shouldn't be too hard to fix if it comes too loose.

[7enderbender]

I ended up sending the used one back and sucked it up and bought a brand new Elmarit 28. It’s great. I take good care of my stuff and now that I know not to grab it by the front for putting it on and off I’m sure I’ll be fine. 
Images are stellar and in conjunction with my 50 Summilux and the small manual Q flash I bought I think I’ll be all set for travel and walking around for quite a while. And with 40MP cropping options I’m not even going to get the 90 I had originally planned for. 

[Stephen.s1]

You may enjoy a Zeiss Biogon 2.8 28mm.  Borrow one and see how it works for you.

[Tessar.]

I love my Voigtlander VM 28mm 2.8 Color-Skopar

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!

Also my 2.8cm Hektor

 

Edited August 17, 2024 by Tessar.

[Advertisement]

Hallo,

Look here: Leica M

[Airowdan]

28mm is my vacation glass. I love Elmarits, they are great, cheaper, Leica-Glasses. Did 9 Rolls of bulkrolled bw Film this week at the northern sea.

[Malabito]

Unless you really need the f1.4 and don't mind the size, i would go for the summicron. Its a do it all lens. Its relatively fast, small, light, and has great image quality.

Of course if you want size to be a mayor point the 28mm elmarit is sharp, and small, or even the skopar 28mm is even smaller and has great image quality.

 

if you want to shoot environmental portraits, i would go for the lux, (only if you dont care about the size), or the summicron if you mind about the size and weight.

IF you just want to shoot street or city landscapes, etc... i would go for th elemarit.

And if you want a small lens with great image quality i would go for th eskopar 28mm f2.8

Edited August 18, 2024 by Malabito