jimleicam3 Posted June 22, 2009 Share #1 Posted June 22, 2009 Advertisement (gone after registration) Would anyone care to comment on the new Elmar 24 mm f/3.8? thanks again Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted June 22, 2009 Posted June 22, 2009 Hi jimleicam3, Take a look here Comments please on the Elmar 24 mm f/3.8. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
bschaffel Posted June 22, 2009 Share #2 Posted June 22, 2009 I have been using this lens since April. Generally, I agree with Sean Reid's review of the lens. For my shooting, I chose this lens because I prefer using the built-in rangefinder rather than an external finder... the three lenses I own all let me use the rangefinder. (I have this 24, and two Summarits: 35 and 75. I don't envision purchasing any other lenses at this point... I think these three will cover my needs.) Although I would have preferred to have a faster lens, I decided to balance the speed against the cost and I'm not sorry I did. As far as the size of the lens is concerned, it's true that it blocks a portion of what I'm viewing in the finder... that hasn't been a problem for me because I generally try to pre-visualize what I'm going to photograph even before my eye is at the camera. The focus on my 24 is a little stiff... at first I thought that might be a problem because it takes a bit of push to move the dial. But now I'm used to it and find it increases my confidence that the focus will not inadvertently shift if I'm not careful with my left hand... I always hold the camera with my left hand under the lens and my left elbow bracing against my chest. My impression is that the lens is sharp and as Sean has pointed out a bit on the contrasty side... I like that. Below are links to a couple of photos I just put into my pbase gallery. They were taken in April just after I purchased the lens. The photographs were taken inside a hospital and in a convenience store both in Guangzhou, China with the lens wide open and the camera set to ISO 640... I've uploaded full size jpegs so you can see the detail... if you click the word "original" under the large thumbnail you'll get to the full-size images. You'll also see a bit of noise in the images that I chose not to entirely process out. I think the store photo might be just a touch soft due to my own error in focusing with a new lens. Bob 1747_ExaminationRoom.jpg photo - Bob Schaffel photos at pbase.com 1711_GloriousGrocery_2.jpg photo - Bob Schaffel photos at pbase.com Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimleicam3 Posted June 22, 2009 Author Share #3 Posted June 22, 2009 Thanks for your photos and comments. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
akiralx Posted June 22, 2009 Share #4 Posted June 22, 2009 I like it a lot, compact and with excellent image quality. Seems sharp corner to corner and with perfect contrast levels to me. I find the focus ring fine, not too hard. Sadly I've already lost the hood cap... anyone know the item ref number? Some shots with it, mainly from Mt Pilatus, Switzerland: Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sclamb Posted June 22, 2009 Share #5 Posted June 22, 2009 The Elmar-M 24mm f/3.8 is absolutely terrific. It is again one of those Leica lenses that doesn't improve much from stopping down as it is already excellent wide open and it is near to the 35mm length that I used a lot with my M6. Of course, it is nearly three stops slower than the 24mm Summilux, but if you don't intend to use it for low light work then it is superb. Sean Reid has an excellent review of the 24mm Elmar on his site and compares it to the 24/2.8 and 24/1.4. I think the results will surprise you for a lens that is around $1,000 cheaper then the 24/2.8! The latest edition of LFI is also suitably impressed. This is with the 24/3.8: Simon Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nicoleica Posted June 22, 2009 Share #6 Posted June 22, 2009 I have the 24mm Elmar 3.8, and think that it is a beautiful lens. It may not be the fastest of lenses, but for size, cost and image quality, it is hard to beat. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
thompsonkirk Posted June 22, 2009 Share #7 Posted June 22, 2009 Advertisement (gone after registration) I suggest a close reading of the Reid Review. What's your own 'take' on contrasty lenses? As much as I admire Simon & others' photographs posted here, the review makes it clear that this is a contrasty lens, & the improvement over the little 25 Skopar f4 is so small as to call the greater expense into question. Having bought a contrasty 28 Elmarit before changing to a better-behaved Summicron, I won't make that mistake again. I'd use a Skopar while saving for either of the faster Leica 24s. Kirk Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sclamb Posted June 22, 2009 Share #8 Posted June 22, 2009 Indeed Kirk, there is the subjective assessment of whether one finds the contrast of the lens good to work with or otherwise. Personally I like the contrast, as well as the overall image quality. As Sean said in his review, every now and then he sees pictures from a camera/lens combination that makes his jaw drop, and the Elmar 24mm on the M8.2 is one of those. I have to agree - the first time I saw a picture taken with this lens I was amazed at the clarity and detail. Not to take away from the Skopar though, which also seems to be a very good lens. Simon Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevem7 Posted June 22, 2009 Share #9 Posted June 22, 2009 I have yet to try the Elmar 24 but from what I have seen and read it appears to be fantastic. The images posted here are all wonderful. Yes, it does appear to be a high contrast lens but sometimes this can make an image really stand out. I have been shooting with the 24 Elmarit which I LOVE. Just having a hard time finding a buyer for my 28 cron to fund it! I should have an Elmar in a week or two to test out myself. If I did not need a faster lens, I would buy the Elmar no question. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
NordHiker Posted June 22, 2009 Share #10 Posted June 22, 2009 I really love the Elmar 24 because it seems to be very sharp at every f stop and is easy and smooth to focus. Tilman Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/88658-comments-please-on-the-elmar-24-mm-f38/?do=findComment&comment=940887'>More sharing options...
jimleicam3 Posted June 22, 2009 Author Share #11 Posted June 22, 2009 Does the Elmar come with the hood/sunshade, or is that an additional cost? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sclamb Posted June 22, 2009 Share #12 Posted June 22, 2009 Does the Elmar come with the hood/sunshade, or is that an additional cost? It comes with the hood. Simon Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sclamb Posted June 22, 2009 Share #13 Posted June 22, 2009 I have yet to try the Elmar 24 but from what I have seen and read it appears to be fantastic. The images posted here are all wonderful. Yes, it does appear to be a high contrast lens but sometimes this can make an image really stand out. I have been shooting with the 24 Elmarit which I LOVE. Just having a hard time finding a buyer for my 28 cron to fund it! I should have an Elmar in a week or two to test out myself. If I did not need a faster lens, I would buy the Elmar no question. LOL Steve!!!!! You will end up buying every lens you test, and I wouldn't blame you. There really isn't a bad Leica lens. Simon Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimleicam3 Posted June 22, 2009 Author Share #14 Posted June 22, 2009 Thanks everyone for your posts, I just spoke with my dealer and I should have the lens by next week! I have started down the slippery slope of owning more than one Leica lens.... 35 mm f/2.0 and soon the 24 mm f/3.8, what will be next????? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sclamb Posted June 22, 2009 Share #15 Posted June 22, 2009 Thanks everyone for your posts, I just spoke with my dealer and I should have the lens by next week! I have started down the slippery slope of owning more than one Leica lens....35 mm f/2.0 and soon the 24 mm f/3.8, what will be next????? Congratulations, you will love the Elmar. So next - perhaps the Super Elmar 18mm f/3.8 if you want to go wider, or the Summilux 50mm f/1.4 if you want a great longer length and good for portrait type shots. Simon Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimleicam3 Posted June 22, 2009 Author Share #16 Posted June 22, 2009 Simon, I had looked at the Super-Elmar 18 mm, however was not interested in using the added viewfinder, and I was concerned that without the viewfinder it was going to be more difficult to use than the 24 mm. I really like the 50 mm Lux that I used at the camera store and it was a major coin toss as to which lens to purchase, the 24 mm or the 50 mm, and the 24 mm won. Thanks for your posts and advice. Jim Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
microview Posted June 23, 2009 Share #17 Posted June 23, 2009 Some lovely images here. But has anyone experience of the 24mm Elmarit f2.8 AND the Elmar f3.8? Would DNGs from these lenses appear to be identical if taken at the same spot, swapping one lens for the other at around f4 (obviously) and above? I already have the Elmarit so would it be simply pointless to get the Elmar? Or do they draw/render colour differently? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
cblackmer Posted September 22, 2011 Share #18 Posted September 22, 2011 I suggest a close reading of the Reid Review. What's your own 'take' on contrasty lenses? As much as I admire Simon & others' photographs posted here, the review makes it clear that this is a contrasty lens, & the improvement over the little 25 Skopar f4 is so small as to call the greater expense into question. Having bought a contrasty 28 Elmarit before changing to a better-behaved Summicron, I won't make that mistake again. I'd use a Skopar while saving for either of the faster Leica 24s. Kirk I see....so you don't own the lens and you prefer to use the voigtlander. The Elmar buries it. Coupled with my M8.2, the lens produces stunning imagery. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
smkoush Posted September 22, 2011 Share #19 Posted September 22, 2011 ok, so the 24mm Elmar is a fantastic lens (as per the reviews of people here and elsewhere). I am contemplating trading my 28mm Elmarit-ASPH for the 24mm Elmar. Did anybody do something like that? Lens speed is not an issue, but depth of field is, i.e., the longer depth of field at 24mm is an advantage in cases where sometimes quick action is needed (street photography). Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
glenerrolrd Posted September 23, 2011 Share #20 Posted September 23, 2011 ok, so the 24mm Elmar is a fantastic lens (as per the reviews of people here and elsewhere). I am contemplating trading my 28mm Elmarit-ASPH for the 24mm Elmar. Did anybody do something like that? Lens speed is not an issue, but depth of field is, i.e., the longer depth of field at 24mm is an advantage in cases where sometimes quick action is needed (street photography). I ve been working on finding the “best “ all around street photography lens for years. Generally I find that FOV is a preference not an absolute and can very based on location. For example you can get closer and user a wider lens in crowded situations .Having a wider view can allow for shooting from any angle and without critical view finder framing ...without clipping your edges .....but wider than 28 can distort . Assuming you are using FF ..I prefer the 28mm FOV for all around street work. Second is speed ....not because I am trying to achieve a limited DOF ..but because I need 1/250 to stop subject movement and often 1/500 works better. Not a rule but what good is a shot taken at F5.6 if the exposure drops to 1/90 and you get motion blur. Cloudy day,rain,snow ,night etc...I need all the speed I can get and wish my M9 would produce at ISO 3200 . So I find a limit of F3.8 too restrictive. So my take on the 24/3.8 is its too wide and too slow . The best balance I ve found is the 28/2 summicron...I will probably end up with a 24/3.8 but it will be used more for travel/landscape work than street. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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