28 or 35 “character” M lens

[o2mpx]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

Have always gravitated to lenses with resolution and detail for landscapes. APO 35 and 50. Also have 21mm SEM and 90 macro Elmar. Which 28 or 25 is known for its color and character that provides a different look compared to the APO’s?

[Advertisement]

The Leica Q3 is available for pre-order at B&H Photo Video and Adorama

[raizans]

For 28mm, there’s the Canon 28mm f/2.8 LTM, Light Lens Lab 28mm f/2.8 9-element, Leica 28mm f/2.8 Elmarit V3.

[evikne]

If you want the opposite of the 35 APO, then the 35mm Summilux pre-ASPH is the way to go. It's well known for its very dreamy look wide open with lots of “Leica glow”, but immediately becomes much sharper by f/2, and even better from f/2.8 onwards. But it retains its charm throughout and never becomes clinical.

Edited August 28 by evikne

[frame-it]

5 hours ago, o2mpx said:

Which 28 or 25 is known for its color and character that provides a different look compared to the APO’s?

never heard of a leica 25mm lens...but look through this thread and decide yourself?

 

[evikne]

59 minutes ago, frame-it said:

never heard of a leica 25mm lens...

I'm sure they mean 35, as in the title. 

And here is a popular thread dedicated to the 35mm Summilux pre-ASPH lens:

https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/288041-35mm-14-summilux-pre-asph/

Edited August 29 by evikne

[beewee]

If you can swing it, the 35 Summilux Aspherical (with double aspherical, not ASPH version) has a nice classical rendering reminiscent of Mandler era lenses but with the resolution and contrast of the current single aspherical “ASPH” variants (Pre-FLE, FLE, FLE v2).

There’s also the now rather overpriced 35mm Summicron v4 (aka “king of bokeh”).

For 28mm, there’s always the re-issue 28mm Summaron if you want something very different.

[lct]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

If you mean 35mm, i would quote most versions of Summilux 35 pre-asph, Summicron 35 pre-asph, and Summaron 35, also Elmar 35 if you intend to use LTM lenses. Being 40+ years old lenses, beware that their optical quality can vastly vary depending on their optical condition. You may have to send them in for a CLA eventually. You will read some posts describing such lenses as hazy, which they should not be if they are in good condition. Mine are not more hazy than modern lenses actually. I would not expect to make deals on clean lenses like that though but you may have some luck, as i happened to have with my pristine Summicron 50/2 DR from 1957 that i got for less than 800 EUR. FWIW.

Edited August 29 by lct

[J S H]

I would also suggest some of the previous generation Voigtlander lenses like the 35  1.4 Nokton V2 or 35 2.5 Color Skopar.  
 

Both lenses are small with interesting characteristics wide open and decent performance stopped down…and they are very reasonably priced. 

[Pyrogallol]

I have had several 35mm M lenses. Despite just buying a 35mm f2.5 Summarit my “best” 35mm is an original 8 element Summicron that came from the personal collection of the late Peter Grisaffi.

[costa43]

For 28mm the Elmarit v3 pre-ASPH has a more gentle draw than the ASPH versions. Could be worth a look. Well priced too.

[lct]

5 hours ago, Pyrogallol said:

[...] my “best” 35mm is an original 8 element Summicron [...]

Ditto here, perfect match with the Summicron 50/2 v1. For a match with the 50/2 v2 (Rigid or DR) i prefer the Summaron 35/2.8 though. YMMV.

[Kiwimac]

I’m quite enjoying the Light Lens Lab 35mm 8 element. 
 

Lots of character (flare, ghosting especially if you have the sun in the wrong place) at f2, mostly normal by f4 or 5.6. 
 

Small, very well made and relatively inexpensive. 

[Pyrogallol]

4 hours ago, costa43 said:

For 28mm the Elmarit v3 pre-ASPH has a more gentle draw than the ASPH versions. Could be worth a look. Well priced too.

I have one.

[Pyrogallol]

3 hours ago, lct said:

Ditto here, perfect match with the Summicron 50/2 v1. For a match with the 50/2 v2 (Rigid or DR) i prefer the Summaron 35/2.8 though. YMMV.

I have two 35mm f2.8 Summarons in screw fit.

[spydrxx]

For years I used the Summaron 35/2.8 and it did a very good job for me. Looking for something which rendered a little crisper, I sold it (stupid I know) and bought a CV 35/2.5 Color Skopar. Yes it was sharper, but didn't really grab me like I expected. I finally settled on a Summaron 35/3.5 as my daily go to 35 lens with characted. It is an LTM lens which I use on my Barnack bodies as well as on my M2 and digital bodies with the appropriate adapter. This lens is readily available and relatively inexpensive, but renders beautifully.