Which way to go: 35mm Summarit, 28mm Elmarit?

[leicaglow]

I'm nearly embarrassed to say that in 25 years, I've never owned a Leica lens

wider than 50mm. I really need something wider. I'm currently using an M4-P

(mostly for editorial, street and a little fashion) to get that Leica look. I

shoot about 90% of everything in B&W with my Leica.

 

I'm thinking about three options, and wondered which you might prefer:

1) Buy new, either a 35mm f/2.5 Summarit, or 2) 28mm f/2.8 Elmarit-M Aspherical.

3) Buy used, a 35mm cron or lux.

 

Speed is not a big issue in a wide angle lens. I'm thinking 28mm might be a

better choice, but ultimately I want that Leica look (you know what I mean?the

right combination of sharpness, contrast and tonal range). I've used the 35mm

Skopar and it's a nice lens, but I'm not sure it's giving me the total look I

want from the image.

 

I'm leaning toward the 28mm Elmarit thinking its Asph design might give me some

benefit. With Leica dealer's getting harder to find, and no real way to try

lenses, I hope to rely on your collective expert opinions to make the right

choice. Can you lend me some real world experience with these lenses

(particularly interested in how the new Summarit behaves). Thanks a lot!

[neilambrose]

I have no experience of the 28 Summarit, but I can vouch for the 28 Elmarit. It's one of my

favourite lenses. Excellent contrast, flare suppression and able to resolve fine detail easily.

Plus the form factor is favourable, being light and fairly compact. If you want examples I

posted a w/nw thread with some landscapes: #1 and #2 were made with it.

[SolaresLarrave]

I have the third version of the Elmarit 28 (with a 49mm filter size) and I like it a lot. It's a

good lens, sharp all-around. Not fast, but still does the trick if you shoot wide open.

Besides, as a contrast with your 50mm, it's a wider lens than the other contender. I'd go for

the Elmarit instead.

 

Now, if price is a consideration, you can buy a new Summarit for the same you'd pay for a

used Elmarit.

[natharit_srimanus]

used 35 summicron version 4.

[david j.lee]

as Francisco, i also have a third version elmarit. beautiful lens. a little bit on the big size for

an M lens, but highly recommended.

[paul hart]

Michael: in the range you are interested in, I have the new 28 Elmarit-M ASPH and the 35

Summicron Ver IV.

 

They are two very different lenses from different generations. If I had to choose one of

them for myself, it would be the 28 simply on the grounds of its very fine image quality.

 

There are plenty of useful threads on this site about the Summicron ver IV.

 

Erwin's review of the new 35 Summarit is very complimentary, and if you were to opt for a

35 I suspect that would be the optimum choice if you're buying new.

[laurentvuillard]

I used both 35 CronIV and Elmarit pre asph : The main issue is depth of field which is very different between these two lenses. For a true wide angle effect with a lot of DOF you need the 28, however 28 is fine indoors or architecture BUT it is often a bit wide for people or landscape where 35 has the lead: 28 is a bit of a mountain flattener!