How about a 28mm Elmar (f/3.5 or f/2.8)?

[Chuck]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

 

I like (love) the way Elmar lenses “draw the light” (I have a 35mm from 1948 and a 50mm Elmar-M from 1997). I know there is the 28 mm Elmarit ASPH, but that is not an Elmar construction, I don’t think (it’s ASPH for sure).  I’m wondering if production of a 28mm Elmar would make any sense.  Would love any thoughts from this informed group, and if there would be any interest as well.

 

 

[Advertisement]

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

[a.noctilux]

My dream came true with Summaron-M 28mm.

https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/265598-leica-summaron-28-image-thread/

loving much the Summaron LTM 2.8cm I had for loan, and not wanting old LTM, I was in the first buyers of the M new Summaron-M 28mm.

[Chuck]

6 minutes ago, a.noctilux said:

My dream came true with Summaron-M 28mm.

https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/265598-leica-summaron-28-image-thread/

loving much the Summaron LTM 2.8cm I had for loan, and not wanting old LTM, I was in the first buyers of the M new Summaron-M 28mm.

Yes, I have that beauty as well and am crazy about it.  I opted for the "Made in Portugal" version as it was a little less expensive at the time than the "Made in Germany" version but identical in construction other than the nomenclature stamping on the bottom of the lens as far as I know.  How spoiled we are with so many Leica lenses to dote over!  

[Anbaric]

There was a Zeiss 28mm Tessar for Contax back in the day, which might be about as close as you can get, but it was only f/8. These are affordable in the original mount. A much less affordable modern M conversion has been done:

https://skyllaney.com/product/carl-zeiss-jena-2-8cm-f-8-tessar-converted-to-leica-m-via-omnar/

https://skyllaney.com/2022/04/01/conversions-powered-by-omnar/

I don't know if there are any vintage conversions to LTM knocking around.

[Pyrogallol]

1 hour ago, Anbaric said:

There was a Zeiss 28mm Tessar for Contax back in the day, which might be about as close as you can get, but it was only f/8. These are affordable in the original mount. A much less affordable modern M conversion has been done:

https://skyllaney.com/product/carl-zeiss-jena-2-8cm-f-8-tessar-converted-to-leica-m-via-omnar/

https://skyllaney.com/2022/04/01/conversions-powered-by-omnar/

I don't know if there are any vintage conversions to LTM knocking around.

Like this, sharp despite a crack in the tiny glass.

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!

[adan]

On 9/2/2023 at 7:22 AM, Chuck said:

I like (love) the way Elmar lenses “draw the light” (I have a 35mm from 1948 and a 50mm Elmar-M from 1997). I know there is the 28 mm Elmarit ASPH, but that is not an Elmar construction, I don’t think (it’s ASPH for sure).

Just for the record, there is not really any firm relationship whatsoever between lens name, or even lens structure (Tessar-type, double-gauss, etc.), and rendering.

Far too many other factors involved - glass types used, coatings used, production consistency/era, the lens designer's preferred balancing of competing aberrations.

The 1997 50 Elmar-M f/2.8 has very different rendering even from the 1950s 50 Elmar f/2.8. Mostly contrast and color.

Conversely, I've been told that my 1970s 50mm Summicron III (f/2.0, Canadian-made, 6-element double-gauss) "renders like" a 35 Elmar or Summaron (f/3.5, German-made, 4-element Tessar-type or 6-element DG).

And BTW - I do love my 50 Summicron's rendering and "light wrapping" also. So I hear you.  

You might look into the 28mm Elmarit v.2, (1972-79) as a lens with gentle contrast that wraps light into the shadows. Soft in the corners until f/8 or so, and not 6-bit codable (but doesn't need it much - long back-focus built-in as it was the revision designed not to interfere with the metering semaphore arms of the M5/CL, so no corner color shifts).

http://wiki.l-camera-forum.com/leica-wiki.en/index.php/28mm_f/2.8_Elmarit_II

Here's a sample:

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!

Edited September 3, 2023 by adan

[Chuck]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

8 hours ago, adan said:

Just for the record, there is not really any firm relationship whatsoever between lens name, or even lens structure (Tessar-type, double-gauss, etc.), and rendering.

Far too many other factors involved - glass types used, coatings used, production consistency/era, the lens designer's preferred balancing of competing aberrations.

The 1997 50 Elmar-M f/2.8 has very different rendering even from the 1950s 50 Elmar f/2.8. Mostly contrast and color.

Conversely, I've been told that my 1970s 50mm Summicron III (f/2.0, Canadian-made, 6-element double-gauss) "renders like" a 35 Elmar or Summaron (f/3.5, German-made, 4-element Tessar-type or 6-element DG).

And BTW - I do love my 50 Summicron's rendering and "light wrapping" also. So I hear you.  

You might look into the 28mm Elmarit v.2, (1972-79) as a lens with gentle contrast that wraps light into the shadows. Soft in the corners until f/8 or so, and not 6-bit codable (but doesn't need it much - long back-focus built-in as it was the revision designed not to interfere with the metering semaphore arms of the M5/CL, so no corner color shifts).

http://wiki.l-camera-forum.com/leica-wiki.en/index.php/28mm_f/2.8_Elmarit_II

Here's a sample:

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!

 

These are (very) interesting and informative comments — thanks, adan.  

 

The influencers on image “look” seem obvious when considered in the light (😉) of your comments. So many factors involved.   

 

Your point about the lack of a firm relationship between lens name and rendering brings to mind The Bard’s very well known words on names: “What's in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell just as sweet.”

 

I will look into the 28mm Elmarit v.2.  I very much like the look of the sample you posted.