Jump to content

28mm Summilux?


laglaph

Recommended Posts

yes, this questions seems central to the wide angle M8 vs M9 decision. Assuming we want to use in camera frame-lines, not an external VF, and use current Leica lenses, do we prefer a 28/2 on the M9 or an equivalent 32/1.4 (using the 24 lux) on the M8? If I had to pick, I think it would be the "32mm"/1.4 and M8. If I were to make a big purchase this year, I think I'd be more inclined to get the 24/1.4 and keep my M8, rather than an M9. A 28/1.4 would certainly change things a lot! best....Peter

Link to post
Share on other sites

Advertisement (gone after registration)

I've no idea about a 28 'lux (although it seems logical)

 

What I DO know is that the 28 'cron on the M9 is an absolutely stellar performer - sharp to the corners and deliciously wide for all sorts of situations. It's also really small (I've been shooting it without the huge lens hood and had almost no flare issues), and, of course, it's the widest lens you can get and still use the viewfinder.

 

I know there are different opinions about how much better at high ISO the M9 is, I think it's a great improvement (especially if you want colour), but even if you don't agree, the extra size of the sensor and respective enlargements gives you around a stop difference for prints (see Sean Reid's excellent discussion on this).

 

Basically, to my mind, the 28 'cron on the M9 gives you the same FOV as the 21 'lux on the M8, but for 1/2 the price and much less than 1/2 the size, and without the need for a viewfinder . .

Link to post
Share on other sites

Leica has a policy of not talking about future products (real or imagined) and they have said nothing about a 28/1.4. But it is a lens that makes a lot of sense, IMO.

 

Since we're discussing lenses, I've been particularly pleased by the 35 Summicron on the M9.

 

Cheers,

 

Sean

Link to post
Share on other sites

Leica has a policy of not talking about future products (real or imagined) and they have said nothing about a 28/1.4. But it is a lens that makes a lot of sense, IMO.

 

Since we're discussing lenses, I've been particularly pleased by the 35 Summicron on the M9.

 

Cheers,

 

Sean

 

. . . and if you're a cheapskate, like me, then the tiny 35 Summarit works wonderfully well on the M9 too.

Link to post
Share on other sites

Leica has a policy of not talking about future products (real or imagined) and they have said nothing about a 28/1.4. But it is a lens that makes a lot of sense, IMO.

 

Since we're discussing lenses, I've been particularly pleased by the 35 Summicron on the M9.

 

Cheers,

 

Sean

 

hi sean,

any back/front focus issues on it? thanks in advance, peter

Link to post
Share on other sites

Given the likely price of a 28 lux, I would just buy the 28 cron second hand and trade up when/if the lux becomes available. (Or - in my case - when the 28 lux becomes available second hand).

The carry cost will be relatively trivial, basically you would most likely end up dropping a couple of hundred pounds to 'lease' the 28 Cron for the duration.

 

If I had to punt on it - I'd say a new 35lux is a more likely next lens anyway.

Link to post
Share on other sites

I'd be very unlikely to go for a 28 Summilux which, if it ever is made, would probably cost at least $5500, if not $6k.

 

The 28 'Cron is an amazing lens on film and I assume it will be on the M9 (and I trust jono's judgement on this one). It's small too, and uses normal filters instead of the series filters and mandatory screw-on hoods of the 21 and 24 'Luxes.

 

It makes sense for Leica to offer one since it is a gap in the current lineup, but I don't think I'd buy one. To those thinking of getting a 28 'Cron now and afraid that a 28 'lux will come out--my advice would be to buy a secondhand 28 'Cron. You won't lose much money if you decide to sell. And probably you'll decide to keep it, since it's such a wonderful lens.

Link to post
Share on other sites

hi sean,

any back/front focus issues on it? thanks in advance, peter

 

I haven't done the formal testing. I've just been using it for normal photography. I won't really know the answer to your question until I do that formal testing. I don't see any in my normal work but that's not definitive at all.

 

Cheers,

 

Sean

Link to post
Share on other sites

Word of caution, both my 28 Cron and 35 Cron Asph's back focus at f/4 and f/5.6 on both of my M8s (they are perfect on my M7). So if you can, test before you buy. A friend that just bought a new 35 Cron Asph also is observing significant back focus at all apertures on his M8. I have no idea what sort of tests Leica is running on its lenses for focus shifting, but the tolerances are not tight enough. Before someone chimes in claiming the problem are the M8s, both have had RF calibration and sensor alignment and function perfectly with my 21 Elmarit Asph, 24 Elmarit Asph, and 75 Cron.

Link to post
Share on other sites

I have this gut instinct recently (not born out by any formal testing yet) that one of the great Leica lens sets for the M9 might be the current Summicrons (28, 35 and 50 for starters). They're not as fast as the Lux lenses but they're more affordable yet still fairly fast.

 

Cheers,

 

Sean

Link to post
Share on other sites

Word of caution, both my 28 Cron and 35 Cron Asph's back focus at f/4 and f/5.6 on both of my M8s (they are perfect on my M7). So if you can, test before you buy. A friend that just bought a new 35 Cron Asph also is observing significant back focus at all apertures on his M8. I have no idea what sort of tests Leica is running on its lenses for focus shifting, but the tolerances are not tight enough. Before someone chimes in claiming the problem are the M8s, both have had RF calibration and sensor alignment and function perfectly with my 21 Elmarit Asph, 24 Elmarit Asph, and 75 Cron.

 

That's actually focus shift if the lenses are spot-on wide open. There's a bit of focus shift in the 35 Cron (as per my tests on the M8) but it is minor. It may be that your lenses already back focus just a bit wide open (which is a camera and lens issue sometimes). I have not yet tested the 28 Cron for focus shift but will do so on the M9.

 

I'm headed out for a shoot today with the M9, 35 Cron and 28 Cron.

 

Cheers,

 

Sean

Link to post
Share on other sites

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
×
×
  • Create New...