28mm - advice needed

[JoshuaR]

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I'm on the hunt for the right 28mm and could use some help.

I've used four different 28mm lenses over the last few years: the CV 28mm Ultron II, the Leica 28mm Elmarit ASPH v2, the Leica 28mm Summaron reissue, and the Q2's 28mm f/1.7. (I shoot M10, M10M, M6).

• Ultron: The best all-around compromise between size and speed, but I didn't like the vignetting wide open and found the haptics a little fiddly. And the global contrast seemed high to me, which was fine on digital but difficult on film.
• Elmarit: My upgrade from the Ultron. I loved the size and handling of the lens, but found the rendering just a little too high-contrast and "crispy" for my liking. It was more modern than I wanted.
• Summaron: My latest experiment. It's an awesome lens, but after a weekend of use I'm finding it just too fiddly, and the truth is that I miss being able to isolate a plane of focus with apertures wider than f/5.6.
• Q2 28mm: In truth, and maybe perversely, this is probably my favorite-rendering lens of the bunch. But of course it's a Q2, an entirely different camera system. It was super-modern, but I felt there was something magical in the sparkly look of the files.

Basically what I'm looking for is a 28mm M-mount lens that has a somewhat gentle rendering, in a package that's small, and that gets me to f/2.8 or ideally f/2 for indoor work. I mainly take pictures of people, not landscapes, and I like rendering that's kind to faces. I use 28mm as a documentary focal length for when I have a lot of people or action in the frame. My main lens is the 35mm Steel Rim Reissue, which is what I use when I want a single-lens setup. When I have a 28mm, I usually use it in partnership with a 50mm. My 50mm lenses are the Summicron v5 and the Elmar-M—both "classic" lenses with a gentle draw that I really like. So what I'd really love is a 28mm that pairs well with a gentler 50mm.

Options I'm considering:

• 28mm Summicron. An obvious choice that I haven't yet tried. The v2 is probably a little too expensive for me, but I could afford a v1 without angst. And I could sell another lens to spring for a v2 if that's really advisable. My impression from reviews is that the 28 Cron has a gentler rendering—perhaps especially the first version. I like the idea of getting to f/2 for indoor photography.
• Back to the Elmarit ASPH v2: This lens didn't quite fit into my kit, rendering-wise. But I really loved its handling in many ways, and I could even see doing something a little crazy, like pairing it with a 50 Lux ASPH (or 50 Summarit?) down the line to achieve consistency in rendering across 28 / 50.
• Back to the Ultron II: There were things I didn't like about it, but maybe this was the best 28mm?
• Just buy a used Q2: It's kind of crazy, but for the cost of a used Summicron v2 I could buy a used Q2, and then I'd have my 28mm-documentary needs covered in spades.

Basically, I'm stumped, and would like to hear about alternatives. Writing all this out, I guess the simple summary is that I really want a matched 28 / 50 pair, and I'm having trouble finding one that I feel works with my classic 50s. I'm willing to switch one of them out for a modern 50 so I can go with a modern 28, like the Elmarit. But first I want to make sure that I'm not overlooking any good classic 28mm options. My current thinking is that 28 Cron / 50 Cron is where it's at, but I'm a little hung up on the idea of pairing a pre-aspherical 50 with an aspherical 28. Any guidance would be much appreciated!

[a.noctilux]

No brainer, time to try one of those nice Summicron-M 2/28 asph.

I use the oldest model and for me no need to upgrade to more modern models.

 

I'd "pair" it with one of my non asph. Summilux-M 50mm.

Same E46 filter is bonus to use Monochrom or film.

So in my use the asph. 2/28 has less "modern" charater than others.

 

Edited November 12, 2023 by a.noctilux

[wda]

I would suggest one of the last pre-ASPH Elmarits would be perfect for your needs. Designed for film models, compared with the first ASPH version which was launched with the M8 digital camera. 

[RexGig0]

The above reply, posted by wda, should be seriously considered. Initially, I used an Elmarit-R 28mm Version I, with a Novoflex LEM/LER adapter, and, especially with a 246 Monochrom, with an orange filter, continue to like it. (I set the distance on the focusing ring, and the appropriate aperture setting, to achieve distance/scale/zone focusing.) I later added the Elmarit-M Version III, and continue to like it, on an M10, for color images. This one can be used to induce quite cinematic flare, if mine is a typical sample. To see sample images, shot with the Elmarit-M Version III, look in this forum for a discussion of Walter Mandler lenses. There are shooters who prefer to use only Walter Mandler lenses.

When I considered acquiring a more “modern” 28mm lens, to complement my vintage 28mm lenses, I instead, eventually, chose the Elmar-M 24mm ASPH.

Edited to add: Here is an artlessly-shot, unedited JPEG, shot with the 246 Monochrom + LEM/LER adapter + Elmarit-R v.1 + dark orange filter, on a VERY sunny day. It is the only image, shot with this lens, that I seem to have ready-to-share, anywhere on-line. 

Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here…

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Edited November 12, 2023 by RexGig0
Added image link.

[RexGig0]

Here is an artless, unedited JPEG, captured with the Elmarit-M 28mm Version III, when I was teaching myself to capture the cinematic flare. This is an “environmental portrait” of my camera-shy wife. Actually, she is not camera-shy, but, does not like to be recognizable in images that I post on-line.

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[RexGig0]

Regarding size, I should add that my above-mentioned 28mm lenses are not “small.” Your Summicron 50 was, however, designed by Dr. Walter Mandler, in a time when 28mm M lenses were not generally small. The Elmarit-M 28mm Version III is a Walter Mandler design, and may complement your Summicron quite well.

Edited November 12, 2023 by RexGig0

[Jeff S]

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I’ve used the 28 Summicron ASPH v.1 for many years, along with the 50 Summilux ASPH.  They work very well together for me, although my preference is 35/50 (except  when I had the ‘cropped’ M8.2).  I did, however, replace the original ungainly hood with one from a 35 Summilux.

Jeff

[JoshuaR]

Coincidentally, right as I was reading these replies, I found a slightly worn v1 Summicron for sale at a reasonable price. I’ve ordered it and will try it out!

[tappan]

On 11/12/2023 at 10:13 AM, JoshuaRothman said:

Coincidentally, right as I was reading these replies, I found a slightly worn v1 Summicron for sale at a reasonable price. I’ve ordered it and will try it out!

So Joshua,
How do you like the new lens?
Mark

[a.noctilux]

This first Classic * Summicron-M 2/28 asph. will become the next  "hyped 28mm" when more people will use it...

So now price is right, grab it while you can.

As user of this lens for many years, I will not replace it with newer (= higher performance, cost) "same" upgraded lens.

 

* When it was launched, no digital M yet, so why it's quite nice for film use ( now Monochrom for me ! )

[Stein K S]

I first tried the 28 Elmarit asph v1. Too harsh, so sold it. Bought the Elmarit v3… lovely, but also very «classical»… so sold this one as well. Have now ended up with the Elmarit v4 which I find to be exactly right for me. Just the right balance of everything…

Ergonomics are obviously very different for all three which could play an important role for some. To me they are all in the «very handy» league

Edited January 2, 2024 by Stein K S

[JoshuaR]

On 12/31/2023 at 9:45 AM, tappan said:

So Joshua,
How do you like the new lens?
Mark

I really love it. 

I actually ended up buying both the 28 Cron ASPH v1 and the 28 Summaron reissue. I divide my use between them about equally; I tend to use the Summaron in really bright, contrasty light or when I want to pocket the camera, and the 28 Cron the rest of the time, either on its own or paired with a 50 Lux ASPH.

The Cron is a very nice lens. It has a very balanced, transparent rendering with gorgeous colors and a little character. It's sharp but not harsh. It's bigger than my old Elmarit ASPH but just light enough to leave the camera feeling very balanced and enjoyable. Having f/2 is meaningfully useful indoors compared to the Elmarit. When I got it, I shot it side by side along with a Q2 to compare. The Q2 is definitely a bit wider, and it's also just a bit more crisp. Looking back at the photos without EXIF, in some cases I couldn't spot any differences between the 28 Cron and the Q2, and in others I could see how they were different. They're both wonderful lenses; the Summicron seemed to have a little less contrast and a bit of an old-fashioned approach to OOF areas compared to the Q2. But don't trust me on that, I'm no lens expert.

I got my copy cheap, and it's quite beat up cosmetically with bent filter threads. Still, it's possible to wedge a filter in there, and so I've been shooting it without the hood, using just the filter for protection. I think the lens will be a permanent addition to the kit for me.

Here are some recent images, with some Summaron shots thrown in for comparison's sake. All on the M10, except for the black and white one which was on an M10M at like ISO 100,000,000 in a very dim room. The first three are the Cron, the last three are the Summaron. The first and second shots especially show the look of the Summicron quite well.

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Edited January 2, 2024 by JoshuaRothman