28mm Unlocked: A Year of Seeing Wider

[cinejay]

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Hey all,

I spent a full year with the 28mm and I did a video summarizing my thoughts on the use of the 28mm. If you have a moment, I'd appreciate feedback:

28mm Unlocked: A Year of Seeing Wider

Photo: Metro Cafe

Leica M11 Monochrom

Voigtlander 28mm f/2.8 Color-Skopar Type II

 

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[Dazzajl]

Really enjoyed your film there. Speaks to me as I’ve been shooting a lot lately with a 246 monochrom and a 28mm f5.6 lens. As you know, that’s a combo which leaves you nowhere to hide but I’ve not been brave enough to commit to it exclusively 

A lot of food for thought here…..

[cinejay]

Thank you for watching, the whole case study was eye opening for me, and it takes some getting use to when framing. I think I'll keep with it and push myself to get closer. I enjoyed it so much I'll be selling my Leica Summarit-M 50mm f/2.4 Lens to buy the Leica Elmarit-M 28mm f/2.8 ASPH.

[patrickcolpron]

Great little video, photos are on point. Indeed prints are a must for photography.

I wish you would film these outside, in the city, as opposed to just sit behind a desk. 
 

Keep 'em coming 

[cinejay]

Patrick,

Thank you for watching, I did a few photo walks in and around the city, but you are right I'll try and mix it up a bit more.  

[catacore]

I have really enjoyed your films/videos, I watched the 28mm, the 35mm and the 35vs50mm. I do consider myself a 50mm guy, so I am curious where I will land in a year or two years time....

I will surely re-visit your above mentioned films.

Edited June 4 by catacore

[cinejay]

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Catcore,

Thank you for binge-watching! Yes, as you've heard in my videos, I was primarily a 50mm lens user when I relied on autofocus. However, on a Leica M, you really get to test all your preferences. I'm excited for you, because it has been a wonderful journey for me to discover that I actually enjoy the 28mm. I've found that my sensibilities have now caught up with my skill level, to the point where I can have that internal dialogue about a 50mm versus a 35mm, or a 28mm and I find that very rewarding. 

[So was Red]

Great video and well-articulated, sound points. Really enjoyed your photography.

I think a 28mm offers a more immersive experience and the final result is more dynamic compared to a 35mm for example.

I'm about to embark on a journey with the 'Leica train' by getting a Leica M and I'm on the fence between a 28mm and a 35mm lens for street photography, as a 28mm is not for the timid.

Edited June 4 by So was Red

[cinejay]

So was Red,

Thank you for watching! I would say get the 35mm its wide enough that it will allow you to capture a good amount of background but not as demanding as the 28mm.  

[JoshuaR]

I enjoyed this—thank you. I was a 35mm shooter for many many years, but over the past couple of years have really converged on 28mm as my main lens with a 50mm in my pocket. I'm on the verge of selling my 35mm lenses. The bottom line for me is that my distance to my subjects is often too close for 35mm—so it's not really a complicated decision.

[M8X2]

Very insightful and very much reflecting my experience. I was intimidated by the 28 mm on the Q2 and never got to enjoy the camera that much. I feel more at home with 35-50 on the M, at the moment, with the little amount of practice I get. However, your video also explains why so many more experienced photographers enjoy 28 mm.

Your pictures are pretty cool, by the way.

[Tseg]

Nice review.   13 years ago I bought the Sony RX1 and locked myself into 35mm for the next 12 years.  But early on, I wished it was a 50mm.   Over time, I began to gain comfort with the 35mm.   Then I discovered the Q3 43 and I hopped all over it and became fascinated with Leica, which quickly led to the M11-D + 28mm Summicron ASPH III.

I really enjoy photo walks "in the big city" with the 28mm.  At the same time, I find it the most difficult lens to compose well.  Your comments about focus on the background first is very good advice.  I'm still working on my confidence "to get closer".  Easier said than done.

One addition, your comments about prioritizing a Q3 28 over Q3 43 is interesting... I use my Q camera to capture the activity I'm engaged in and the M to capture activity others are engaged in.   Because I find 28mm composition takes more brain power I like having the Q3 43 which, for me, is more brainless to use, so I can better enjoy the function/activity in which I'm participating.

Edited June 4 by Tseg

[hansvons]

18 hours ago, cinejay said:

If you have a moment, I'd appreciate feedback:

Considered video. Like it!

I have a long-time relationship with 35mm lenses, as they are the got-to lens for filmmakers. 35mm perfectly mimics the human field of view in terms of angle (not in terms of proportion, that's 50mm). For my stills photography, I only own 35mm lenses. Why? Becauese I know exactly what I will be getting when visualising a scene. 

28mm is too a wide lens for my work. Too epxressive, too loud, altough great for long shots. In filmaking it's loved for its speed when actions happens close to the camera. I absolutely get why people like it. But if I were using it for my prints, my work would lose consistency, or I had to deafult to it, as I did with 35mm. 

(I have no issues with your talking head sittimg behind the desk. I find this to be an accptable style. It adds some calm and focuses on the topic. I'm no fan of these walk and talks. They became fashionable in documentaries in the late 90ies to add action where's none, and only distract from the content.)

Keep the good work going!

[cinejay]

On 6/4/2025 at 4:31 PM, M8X2 said:

Very insightful and very much reflecting my experience. I was intimidated by the 28 mm on the Q2 and never got to enjoy the camera that much. I feel more at home with 35-50 on the M, at the moment, with the little amount of practice I get. However, your video also explains why so many more experienced photographers enjoy 28 mm.

Your pictures are pretty cool, by the way.

I totally agree the 28mm focal length is for the more experienced photographer. I'm glad I went the route I did because I can now fully appreciate the Q3's 28mm lens

[cinejay]

On 6/4/2025 at 6:01 PM, Tseg said:

Nice review.   13 years ago I bought the Sony RX1 and locked myself into 35mm for the next 12 years.  But early on, I wished it was a 50mm.   Over time, I began to gain comfort with the 35mm.   Then I discovered the Q3 43 and I hopped all over it and became fascinated with Leica, which quickly led to the M11-D + 28mm Summicron ASPH III.

I really enjoy photo walks "in the big city" with the 28mm.  At the same time, I find it the most difficult lens to compose well.  Your comments about focus on the background first is very good advice.  I'm still working on my confidence "to get closer".  Easier said than done.

One addition, your comments about prioritizing a Q3 28 over Q3 43 is interesting... I use my Q camera to capture the activity I'm engaged in and the M to capture activity others are engaged in.   Because I find 28mm composition takes more brain power I like having the Q3 43 which, for me, is more brainless to use, so I can better enjoy the function/activity in which I'm participating.

I like your analogy about the way you view the M vs the Q is interesting, I like it. 

[Josh Rainey]

Filmmakers traditionally were using a 35mm on Super35, so a 50mm is closer to that field of view on full frame. 

Some filmmakers would only use a 50mm, so that's getting closer to 75mm on full frame.

So much variation out there, but format size changes should be noted.