Elmarit 28mm vs Nikon 28/2.8 Ai-s?

[tegel]

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I have the Nikon lens and really like it. Does anyone here have any experience on how it compares to the Elmarit?  I use a Nikon Zf, and am interested in adapting Leica lenses, mostly for their smaller size. I’d also consider a Summicron, but I’ve read mixed reviews. Someday, I’d like to get a Leica M body, so this would also be looking to the future. Any thoughts/ recommendations are appreciated.

[250swb]

I've used/tested Nikon F mount lenses and also M lenses with adapters on my Z7 and all it serves to do is remind me how good Nikon F lenses always were. I compared the 28mm 2.8 Ai-S with my 28mm Summicron and there isn't a lot, if any, difference between the quality of the images side by side and that goes for other focal lengths as well. But I'm not really into testing and mixing and matching for the sake of tiny perceived improvements between lenses so to be honest I tend to stick with one of my Z lenses which can give both Leica M and Nikon F lenses a run for their money. But I take your point and picking out some good Leica lenses now that you can use on an M body later and having them as a smaller alternative with your Zf isn't such a bad idea.

[adan]

1) The Nikkor 28mm Ai-S is/was one of Nikon's most phenomenal F-system lenses. I used one continuously from 1984 to 1999. I tested it against a Leica 28 Elmarit-M v.4 around 1996, and found them to be virtually indistinguishable (except for the min. focus distance - Nikkor 0.2m vs. Leica 0.7m).

The 28 Ai-S is probably the single lens I would consider getting a Nikon DSLR body to use (while keeping my M10s for everything else). Just for that close-focus ability - it got me some great medical-research close-up pictures in the 1980s. (And yeah, someone will point out that Leica will likely soon produce a close-focus M 28 as well, for EVF use. 😁 )

2) The 28 Elmarit ASPH (v.1), successor to the v.4, has a bit more contrast than either of those, and equal resolution over most of the image area - but is hyper-compact.

3) The 28 Summicron-M ASPH v.1 is its own beast. Also equally high resolution, but a bit lower global contrast, and a bit gentler for "people" pictures. Identical size to the v.4 (a part of its design-brief in 2000 - "cannot be larger than the Elmarit-M v.4").

I happen to be on a "compactness/lightest-weight" binge at the moment, so I am using the Elmarit-M ASPH for now, personally. But kinda miss the Summicron's smoother character, at the same time. 😰 

I also think the Summicron is somewhat better built - the Elmarit ASPH occasionally has been reported to develop wobbles in the aperture ring. But one pays for the Summicron construction in size and weight.

So it will boil down to your priorities.

[tegel]

Thanks for the info. The equivalent IQ is what I assumed. I didn’t find any direct comparisons with a Google search. Given that, I don’t think the smaller size alone justifies the cost. I would like to get at least one Leica lens to use with my Zf (and maybe even my Z8).  I just need to figure out what focal length and aperture, probably a 28 or 35. The Ai-s MF Nikons I use the most are 28/2.8, 35/2, 50/1.2 and 105/2.5. I find all of them to be excellent, but just a bit front heavy on the Zf with the FTZ adapter. Maybe I need to consider a Summilux to get the benefit of the larger aperture as I like to do low light and night photography. I know they are a bit larger than the Crons, but they would still be smaller than the Nikkors and a few stops faster.  I’ve read good things about the 28 Lux. I would mostly use it with the Zf, but pairing it with the Z8 would give me something between a Q2 and Q3. Interesting thought. I’d also be interested in the 35 Lux, but people seem to favor the Cron despite it being slower. Maybe it’s the size? Unfortunately, there is no place close by to try them out, so I’m trying to get as much info as I can so I can make an informed decision. Again, any insights are appreciated.