Any thoughts on the Elmarit 28mm from 1975 ? Only 250 were made...

[marwanfilali]

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Hi everyone,

I am curious about an Elmarit 28mm lens, with a serial number starting at 2758..... It seems to be made in the year of 1975, and only 250 units were made...

Is there a "bad" thing about this lens that would explain why so few units were produced ?

Has anyone used this lens ? Or still use it ? 

I would appreciate your help on this case with a feedback !

Thank you !

Marwan.

Edited January 26, 2024 by marwanfilali

[UliWer]

The lens seems to be the second Version of the 28mm Elmarit. The number of 750 only applies to the year 1975 (and there is no guarantee that this number is right). Altogether several thousands of this version were made from 1969 to 1975. I havn‘t used this version but only the 3. one which is said to show better resolution especially in the edges. 

[marwanfilali]

Thank you for your helpful reply !

Will investigate a bit more on the quality of this version 2.

Best,

Marwan

[pgk]

I used to own a copy of this lens (and the previous version too). Its characteristics are what you might expect from a relatively early retrofocus design from Leica in that it is neither terribly bad nor wondrous. From memory it has good central performance but poor peripheral perfomance wide open. Overall performance improves stopped down but it is never as good as more recent lenses and edges always remain poorer than the centre. If you want a lens which is better than the Leica screw thread 28mm lenses, is of retrofocus design and which is characteristic of its era then its ok. If you want a high performing lens then more recent designs will be better.

[marwanfilali]

Thank you very much for sharing your thoughts on this ! 

I think I will pass on this lens...!

[adan]

Actually - about 7000 were made, 1969-ish to 1978-ish (Leica records only list when S/Ns were assigned for future use - not precisely when the lenses were made.)

pgk's summary is just about perfect - Leica's first-ever attempt at a retrofocus design for the M (to clear the metering arm in the M5 camera). Not Dr. Mandler's crowning achievement, and not a lens for landscapes, but adequate for quick-and-dirty 1970s photojournalism.

Serial numbers compiled from known lenses and Puts Pocket Pod.pdf

SN Start	SN End	Product	Year	Total
2314801	2316000	28mm f/2.8 Elmarit (ELC)	1969	1200
2459501	2460500	28mm f/2.8 Elmarit (ELC-11801)	1970	1000
2523801	2524800	28mm f/2.8 Elmarit (ELC-11801)	1972	1000
2543501	2544500	28mm f/2.8 Elmarit (ELC)	1972	1000
2733951	2734950	28mm f/2.8 Elmarit (ELC-11801)	1975	1000
2757901	2758150	28mm f/2.8 Elmarit	1975	250
2768001	2768500	28mm f/2.8 Elmarit	1976	500
2880201	2880600	28mm f/2.8 Elmarit (ELC-11801)	1977	400
2885701	2886400	28mm f/2.8 Elmarit (ELC)	1978	700
TOTAL	ASSIGNED	SERIAL NUMBERS	1969-1978	7,050

That info and more can be found at: http://wiki.l-camera-forum.com/leica-wiki.en/index.php/28mm_f/2.8_Elmarit_II

 

[marwanfilali]

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Thank you everyone for your help, much appreciated !

[algrove]

OP Thanks for asking your question.

[Danner]

IMHO, and take this with a grain of salt, but the pre-ASPH Leica 28s aren't great performers, optically.  Not to say they can't be 'collectable', but for a shooter, I prefer/recommend the later ASPH models.

 

my 2¢

Edited March 22, 2024 by Danner