Which 28mm M would you choose?

[petereprice]

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Hi all - I'm in the market for a 28mm lens for my Leica M11-P camera.  I currently have the Leica Q3 and have no plans to get rid of it, but it would be nice to have a 28mm option on my M body on several occasions, so I thought I'd pose this question for this knowledgeable group!

I'm currently looking at the following choices:

1.  Leica 28mm f2 Summicron-M v3 (2023 Close Focus)
2.  Voigtlander 28mm f1.5 Nokton Vintage Type I
3.  Voigtlander 28mm f2 Ultron Typle II

I know many have praised the 28mm Summilux as a good option, however it's out of my price range, and I also don't like the size of it, so please do not mention this one as I know it's awesome, but it's not in my choice list.  
The Summicron is one I'm currently testing as I just rented it.  So far I like it, but I can't help but look at the Voigtlander options which are significantly cheaper, especially since I would consider the 28mm my secondary option on my M considering I typically shoot 35 and I also have the Q3.  But I would love to get some opinions from folks on if the Summicron is still worth it, or if I should consider some of these cool Voigtlander options.  I know the Ultron is very well-praised and the new Nokton Vintage looks great with its f1.5.

I would love some advice, thoughts, etc.  Thanks team!

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[insomnia]

vor 5 Minuten schrieb petereprice:

3.  Voigtlander 28mm f2 Ultron Type II

this is the way.

[Anbaric]

9 minutes ago, petereprice said:

I know many have praised the 28mm Summilux as a good option, however it's out of my price range, and I also don't like the size of it, so please do not mention this one as I know it's awesome, but it's not in my choice list.  
The Summicron is one I'm currently testing as I just rented it.  So far I like it, but I can't help but look at the Voigtlander options which are significantly cheaper, especially since I would consider the 28mm my secondary option on my M considering I typically shoot 35 and I also have the Q3.

As above, I would also add an Elmarit to the list - smaller and cheaper without loss of quality, which for some people makes it an ideal secondary (or even primary) lens.

[rtai]

In the past I would decide based on film speed, tripod vs handheld, lighting and subject matter. Now I’d say subject matter and size. For environmental portraits I would choose fastest lens. For everything else especially travel the smallest. I personally like the Summaron reissue out of current offerings after the Summilux. 

[Warton]

1 hour ago, Al Brown said:

Award winning photographer Klavdij Sluban only uses a Leica M4P with Elmarit-M 28 f/2.8...

https://lfi-online.de/en/stories/klavdij-sluban-i-prefer-discovering-rather-than-covering-14660.html

 

 

I don’t know why those pictures could be award winning, same as I don’t understand a urinal in a museum being called contemporary art

 

[pippy]

My first 28mm for a Leica M was the Voigt. Ultron f2.0 - and it is a lovely lens - but have never used it since I bought an Elmarit f2.8 ASPH v1 several years ago.

The Elmarit outperforms (please let us not get into semantics) the Ultron in every area apart from Max. Aperture. It is tiny, light, supremely capable and as close to being a perfect 28 as I could ever need.

Philip.

[BruceRH]

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I guess it depends on your budget and how fast you want it to be. Since you already have the Q3, I would choose something smaller. I don't see the Voigtlander 28/2.8 Color-Skopar on your list. I find it every bit as sharp as my CV 28/2 Ultron II but smaller. I have the type I and pair it with the 40/2.8. Obviously the Elmarit is a great choice and also small, but for more money. It is hard to go wrong with any on your list

[petereprice]

2 hours ago, pippy said:

My first 28mm for a Leica M was the Voigt. Ultron f2.0 - and it is a lovely lens - but have never used it since I bought an Elmarit f2.8 ASPH v1 several years ago.

The Elmarit outperforms (please let us not get into semantics) the Ultron in every area apart from Max. Aperture. It is tiny, light, supremely capable and as close to being a perfect 28 as I could ever need.

Philip.

What is it about the Elmarit that you feel is better than the Voigtlander?

[rustyrus]

I have owned or own the following:

 

28 Lux

28 Cron

28 Ultron 2

 

The Lux is easily king- No comparison, the rendering and the look, the 1 stop advatange, the sharpness wide open at 1.4. Its just incredible .Its to expensive though so its out- 

The 28 Ultron 2 is easily the second place winner. Its sharper, smaller, renders great, much less expensive etc. If you are looking at a 28 f/2- Save your money and buy the Voigt- 

 

The new 28 1.5 looks interesting and will probably be a winner. If you can stomach a full price version, I would go that route but there isn't any reviews out yet- There are tons of used Ultron 2's though. Snag one and re-sell for what you paid if you want to upgrade. 

 

 

 

[Jeff S]

I’m satisfied with my 28 Summicron ASPH v.1. No reason to change.

But if you want to try any of the CV lenses (in the US), CameraQuest provides a 30 day return policy after purchase, no questions asked and no restocking fee.

https://www.cameraquest.com/faq.htm
 

Jeff

[adan]

Personally, I stick with Leitz/Leica lenses for my wide-angles, if only for the 6-bit coding that allows precise compensation for color/overall vignetting with each specific optical design. With C/V 28s one is "guessing" at which coding will "approximately" work.

I've tried every Leica 28 Elmarit ever made over the years. I have finally settled on the Summicron-M v.1 as offering the nicest rendering, as well as a 1-stop speed advantage over Elmarits, in the compact form factor of the last pre-ASPH Elmarit-M (v.4).

What qualifies as the "nicest rendering?"

- Excellent, even, resolution across the whole frame even at f/2.

- Smooth, moderate overall tonality that holds every highlight and shadow detail, even on digital (standard being the 1980s Mandler Elmarit-M v.III from Canada - in an even smaller package). A very "humane" lens.

A very well-balanced lens, optically.

Why the v.1 over the more recent Summicron editions? Less physical bloat - and of course less expensive, since available only used.

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[keeping_a_balance]

I have the 28 ultron type ii, but hardly ever use it so can't comment too much on it.  I shoot 28 on my Q2 and that is about it.

A few reviews you may not have seen may help:

 

https://jacktaka.com/leica-28mm-f2

https://jacktaka.com/voigtlander-28mm-f2

[hansvons]

I‘d put the Elmarit ASPH on the list. Leica‘s last batch of film-era lenses are underappreciated as collectors and lens connoisseurs rave about Mandler and earlier lenses but oversee the 90ies generation. They have as much character as their successors and have the full Leica-built quality.

There’s a reason why Leica offered an f2.8 version in their 28 line and that's not poor Leicaristi. 

[costa43]

The Voigtlander f1.5 has not been released yet so it is difficult to factor that option in. Looking at Cosina's recent form, my guess is that will be a solid option and it would probably give you the closest 'look' to your Q3. If you are ok with f2.8 then the Elmarit ASPH is the way to go for me. It's the epitome of what an M lens should be in my opinion. Small, perfectly sharp and built well, whilst looking nice on the camera too.

 

Edited January 15, 2024 by costa43

[Smudgerer]

Voigtlander 28mm 2.8 Color Skopar II, ( recently received one and I do like very much it's size and performance ), and/or the latest Elmarit 28 but I use it without the too large screw-on hood. Both are excellent 28's.

PS. Little to no VF blockage with either lens, which to me is important.

 

Edited January 15, 2024 by Smudgerer
Added PS.

[JoshuaR]

Thought I’d contribute as I’ve been on a bit of a 28mm “journey,” having gone from the CV Ultron II to the Elmarit ASPH v2 to a two-lens setup—the Cron v1 combined with the Summaron reissue.

There’s no question that the Ultron is a fantastic lens for the price, and you’ll have little to nothing to complain about in the images. There were, however, several things I didn’t like. Significant vignetting wide open; 0.5m MFD (I prefer 0.7); an unsightly snout-nosed build. The vignetting in particular bothered me. Also, I found the rendering to be both too contrasty and kind of flat. Like @Al Brown, I loved the lens at first then got tired of it.

The Elmarit ASPH v2 is incredible. Absurdly sharp, with vivid colors and a prismatic, jewel-like rendering. Also, it has (for me) perfect ergonomics: very small, smooth focusing, clicky ring, just a joy to use. The only thing is that it’s so sharp that it’s almost too sharp for people pictures. After shooting with it for a while, I noticed that I was actually moving the Clarity and Sharpness sliders in Lightroom to the left. This suggested that it wasn't in line with my preferences, even though it was an awesome lens.

This brought me to the Summaron and the Cron v1 ASPH. The Summaron is just incredibly fun and unique. On the Cron v1, I agree with @adan that it’s a “humane” lens; it has a transparent rendering with just a bit of character and a gentle level of contrast and sharpness. The YouTuber Jeremy-T has a very nice short overview of the 28 Cron here. 

To be clear, I haven’t found any of these lenses to be bad—not at all. It’s just about what you want. If you want a great option on the cheap, any of the CV lenses are excellent. If you want something super-sharp and modern with ultimate vividness, the Elmarit is great. If you want something gentler, the Cron is excellent, as is the Summaron, if you’re after that special Summaron look. Only good options for 28mm, all different. A lot depends on what your larger kit is, and what kind of lens you're looking for.

Edited January 15, 2024 by JoshuaRothman

[Pyrogallol]

I have two examples of the 28mm Elmarit type 3, good enough for me. I also have a Konica Hexanon which again is good for me, using b&w film.

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[Pierre68]

Another vote for the Elmarit-M 28mm f/2.8 (latest version for me)

This lens is really hard to beat for the price

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[pippy]

10 hours ago, petereprice said:

What is it about the Elmarit that you feel is better than the Voigtlander?

Everything.

To make things clear; there is absolutely nothing 'wrong' with the Voigt. Ultron whatsoever. As I wrote in my earlier post it really is a lovely lens and had I not been given the loan of an Elmarit ASPH I would still be a very happy Ultron user.

On a tangential note; the Elmarit I was loaned was the v2 and the one thing which I didn't like about it was the size of the screw-on hood. The v1, however, uses a smaller style of hood which I happen to prefer.

Philip.

[Jewl]

I have a similar decision to make. As of today, I was all in for the new Summicron! Was not a very big fan of Voigtlaender lately tbh, recently sold a 35mm Nokton as I couldn't see the look anymore. But the price difference and also close focus feature of the CV 28mm 1.5 is quite tempting. Close focus for me is an important selling argument for the cron... Need to see how the CV performs eventually!