Compact 28mm that renders like 35mm KOB?

[IkarusJohn]

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The 28 Summaron-M is a lovely lens.  I use mine a lot, but I do find it (a) slow (not such a problem in our bright sunlight, or with a digital camera with high ISO capabilities), and (b) fiddly - like the 35 Summilux pre-asph, accessing the aperture and focus intuitively is not as easy as some lenses.

[dpitt]

9 hours ago, hansvons said:

It's en vogue to rail against Leica lenses that are not considered "vintage", citing attributes like "clinical", you name it. Most of that is repeated hearsay and highly subjective. 

Like the 35mm Summicron ASPH, the 28mm Elmarit was the pinnacle of Leica's M primes for film Ms in its respective category. They were not designed with digital sensors in mind but with optimal performance for film. I have the 35mm Summicron ASPH VS1 (the actual Summicron has the same lens formula), and it has as much character as its predecessors, only a bit sharper with more contrast. I'm sure the 28mm Elmarit ASPH will be in the same vein and an excellent choice. I see its small size as a huge advantage. If I were in the market for a 28mm, I'd buy it without further thinking. 

--

I don't collect Leica M lenses; I only own three and use them daily. But I own a set of Leica R primes for filmmaking. I can say with confidence that with age come issues. If I were in the market for a 60/70ies Leica lens that should be a true workhorse, I'd plan for a mint copy and a CLA after the purchase. That won't come cheap. 

Same here. Although to use a lens daily IMHO it is overkill to buy a mint copy. First time you bump or scratch it, it is not mint anymore....

A near mint or user copy will do. Chances are even that it has had a recent CLA, more than a collectors item with boxes and such. So for my working gear I always take a nice user or near mint sample, give it a CLA when needed, and shoot happy with care, but not afraid to use it out of fear to scratch it or wear it...

[hansvons]

7 minutes ago, dpitt said:

A near mint or user copy will do.

Sure. Of course. 

[pippy]

Off-topic a bit (I know!) but for anyone looking for a left-field 35mm lens alternative for something which renders, perhaps, a bit more in the 'vintage' manner in comparison with an Elmarit ASPH would be a Jupiter 12.

I usually pair mine with a 1930 Leica 1 but have also used it with a Digi-M and the results were exactly as one might expect from a Ludwig Bertele / Zeiss design from 1934 - the J-12 being, in effect, an exact copy of their 35mm f2.8 Biogon. Contrasty; very sharp in the centre even wide open with a bit of softening towards the corners which doesn't fully crisp-uo until around f8.0.

To use on a Leica they will only be in LTM mount, of course, but work perfectly well with the appropriate adapter. They can even be found in either Silver or Black-Paint finish so can match whichever body one might own!

Just for fun here's a pic of mine on the aforementioned 'Barnack'. As something which complements the ASPH in the tool box I couldn't be happier;

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Philip.

Edited January 10, 2024 by pippy

[Smudgerer]

51 minutes ago, pippy said:

Off-topic a bit (I know!) but for anyone looking for a left-field 35mm lens alternative for something which renders, perhaps, a bit more in the 'vintage' manner in comparison with an Elmarit ASPH would be a Jupiter 12.

I usually pair mine with a 1930 Leica 1 but have also used it with a Digi-M and the results were exactly as one might expect from a Ludwig Bertele / Zeiss design from 1934 - the J-12 being, in effect, an exact copy of their 35mm f2.8 Biogon. Contrasty; very sharp in the centre even wide open with a bit of softening towards the corners which doesn't fully crisp-uo until around f8.0.

To use on a Leica they will only be in LTM mount, of course, but work perfectly well with the appropriate adapter. They can even be found in either Silver or Black-Paint finish so can match whichever body one might own!

Just for fun here's a pic of mine on the aforementioned 'Barnack'. As something which complements the ASPH in the tool box I couldn't be happier;

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!

Philip.

Right Philip, for fun and "why the hell not" a couple of months ago I bought a CLA'd Industar 50mm LTM lens for €28,00 including shipping out of Ukraine, what could possibly go wrong with that?........Well actually very little, I use it on my LTM Voigtlander Bessa L body, ( a great alternative to the now getting expensive Barnacks by the way............), and it is surprising ok.

[Andrew V]

8 hours ago, Al Brown said:

@Andrew V did you note the Summaron suggestion from my post #4?

I'm familiar with the lens and the package is wonderfully small but that 5.6 is definitely slower than I'd be interested in.