I think I am going to give the CV 28 Ultron a go. As uhoh7 says, if I don't like it, I can easily sell it. Then, I can save long term for a summicron, and have some bucks for a ZM 18.
As much as I would love the Contax 28, since I can't use it on a GXR, I think I'll pass on it now.
However, I have a quesion for the Leica people -- everyone talks about the 28mm summicron, but the 28 Elmarit attracts much less attention. Is the cron that much better? In what way?
Thanks to all for your thoughts. I really appreciate your expertise.
partitura wrote:
I think I am going to give the CV 28 Ultron a go. As uhoh7 says, if I don't like it, I can easily sell it. Then, I can save long term for a summicron, and have some bucks for a ZM 18.
As much as I would love the Contax 28, since I can't use it on a GXR, I think I'll pass on it now.
However, I have a quesion for the Leica people -- everyone talks about the 28mm summicron, but the 28 Elmarit attracts much less attention. Is the cron that much better? In what way?
Thanks to all for your thoughts. I really appreciate your expertise....Show more →
I also like the 28 mm focal length on APS-C and am pondering about the same lenses as you. Look forward to see what you think of the ultron.
According to what I have been able to gather of information about the Leicas, they are both superb lenses, from wide open. It is mostly about speed, cost and compactness. The elmarit has the least distortion, and the summicron the flattest field.
partitura wrote:
IHowever, I have a quesion for the Leica people -- everyone talks about the 28mm summicron, but the 28 Elmarit attracts much less attention. Is the cron that much better? In what way?
There are many versions of the 28 elmarit. For the nex, the safest is the version just before current, which is fantastic. The one just before that is also good--but a touch less. The current ASPH is a wonderful lens, widely considered the equal of the summicron in all but speed. I have not seen it work on the nex. It's tiny, and it may be fabulous.
But it still has a bit of a speed issue. Brightly lit indoors is fine at 2.8, but any sort of dimness f/2 is a god send
No love here for the Olympus Zuiko MC 21mm 3.5 ?
I just read through this entire thread and it doesn't get a mention.
I've read elsewhere that it is an excellent wide angle lens, and I just purchased one for my NEX 5N.
I'm looking forward to using it and reporting back here with some pics.
uhoh7 wrote:
There are many versions of the 28 elmarit. For the nex, the safest is the version just before current, which is fantastic. The one just before that is also good--but a touch less. The current ASPH is a wonderful lens, widely considered the equal of the summicron in all but speed. I have not seen it work on the nex. It's tiny, and it may be fabulous.
I think size-wise you can't do better than the 28 El-M ASPH on a NEX - excluding collapsable lenses, I think it's Leica's smallest lens.
It can deliver IQ on par with the Cron, but the Elmarit has a lot more contrast, and the Cron a lot less. You can always add contrast in post, but if you want that ethereal look, you need the Cron.
The 28 Elmarit-R may be a nice compromise between the two - it's not as contrasty as the Elmarit-M
It would be interesting to see, side by side, the same image shot with a 28 Elmarit and a 28 cron. Even better would be to include the Contax 28 and the CV Ultron 28s. Anybody got all four?
soundfanz wrote:
No love here for the Olympus Zuiko MC 21mm 3.5 ?
I just read through this entire thread and it doesn't get a mention.
I've read elsewhere that it is an excellent wide angle lens, and I just purchased one for my NEX 5N.
I'm looking forward to using it and reporting back here with some pics.
Chris
I had it before the nex. Sizewise would be nice since it's a pancake, IQ would prolly be nice as well.
What do people think are the best lenses wider than 35mm for very close up, in the direction of macro? The Sigma Super Wide II 24mm 2.8 seems pretty good and goes to 1:4. The E Zeiss 24mm 1.8 certainly seems possible considering that it goes to 1:2.5, but at 12x the cost. The Sigma Mini Wide 28mm does not get many favorable reviews. I want something for museums with objects big and small.
inglis wrote:
What do people think are the best lenses wider than 35mm for very close up, in the direction of macro? The Sigma Super Wide II 24mm 2.8 seems pretty good and goes to 1:4. The E Zeiss 24mm 1.8 certainly seems possible considering that it goes to 1:2.5, but at 12x the cost. The Sigma Mini Wide 28mm does not get many favorable reviews. I want something for museums with objects big and small.
Nikon 28/2.8 AIS is stunning in the close up range. I don't think it can be beaten there.
inglis wrote:
What do people think are the best lenses wider than 35mm for very close up, in the direction of macro? The Sigma Super Wide II 24mm 2.8 seems pretty good and goes to 1:4. The E Zeiss 24mm 1.8 certainly seems possible considering that it goes to 1:2.5, but at 12x the cost. The Sigma Mini Wide 28mm does not get many favorable reviews. I want something for museums with objects big and small.
The Zeiss goes to 0.25 (1:4), not 1:2.5, so the same magnification as the Sigma. While the Sigma's pretty good (I've owned two different copies) the Zeiss simply destroys it in terms of performance, especially close in where the Zeiss is at its best.
But the best option is even cheaper. The E 30/3.5 Macro. 1:2 magnification, wider than 35mm and 1/4 the price of the ZA E 24.
Partitura, when I got my ZA 24, I was so underwhelmed that I tried a gaggle of lenses. The ZA 24, the kit zoom, my G 28 and 45, a ZM 25, a Leica 50 f:2.5, and the one that really blew my mind, the Leica Elmar 24mm f:3.8. That is the one I ordered (delivery date: unknown). Since then, Boris (bobu) and Lloyd Chambers have confirmed that it is indeed a stellar lens. It will complement my ZM 18.
Thanks for the clarification Mawz
I have a CY 35-70 3.4, which goes down to 1:2.5, which is why I am interested in a macro like lens shorter than 35mm. I wonder how the E 30/3.5 Macro would do since they are close to the same f stop wide open. Maybe I should consider the E 30/3.5 since it is wider and goes to 1:1. I want something to use on medieval ivory reliefs in museums. I wonder how it does contrast wise when compared with the CY. Looks like pretty close focus, so might not work through museum glass cases.
Might be worth a call to them? Some of the staff speak English and are very friendly... or just buy it through their online shopping option... shipping in the EU is only 35 Euro.
Anyone noticed this? Given the sparse supply of fast WAs for the NEX I assume it could be interesting - as some of Sigmas lenses are really good such as the 50/1.4 and 30/1.4.
(sry for the bigsize - it's what I found on the net...)
I just sold my Zeiss 25mm ZF, and still have the Nikon 28mm f2.8 AIS for sale on the Buy / Sell board.
Both are very nice lenses and for the money, the Nikon is hard to beat. If money, size and weight are not considerations, then the ~ $600-700 Zeiss 25mm does get the nod. It is slightly sharper, and has better color and contrast. The bad news is that it is bigger, heavier, and costs over twice as much. All of these seem a little counter to the Nex 5N objectives.
The Nikon at $250-275, with a much smaller size and weight and close but not quite as good in image quality. Still way better than any zoom, or any Olympus lens out there, but just slightly off the Zeiss.
Just my two cents.
Mention this thread for a $5 discount on the Buy Sell Forum
Bill, so what wides are you using now for your NEX?
I just grudging listed my CV 21/4 on the Buy/Sell board... I really like the colors from this lens, but need to thin out the herd. A few others may be soon to follow...
I am using CV15mm and the Zeiss 25mm ZM. The 25 ZM and 25ZF very similar in color and contrast, but the ZM is a true 25mm and the ZF is actually 26.5mm, and of course way bigger and heavier.
Just bought the Zeiss 35mm C that will arrive next week
corposant wrote:
I think size-wise you can't do better than the 28 El-M ASPH on a NEX - excluding collapsable lenses, I think it's Leica's smallest lens.
It can deliver IQ on par with the Cron, but the Elmarit has a lot more contrast, and the Cron a lot less. You can always add contrast in post, but if you want that ethereal look, you need the Cron.
The 28 Elmarit-R may be a nice compromise between the two - it's not as contrasty as the Elmarit-M
He who I will not name has shown us how good the elmarit r v2 really is
But I have not seen elmarit-m ASPH samples--perhaps you can point us to some? I certainly have an open mind. The only thing which gives me pause is the size---the very small lenses seem most un-predictable on the nex-sensor.
The lens is loved and can be found at around 1800--pretty good for a state of the art leica lens.
I'm pretty excited to see philbers 24 elmar samples--but by the time he gets one we will all have different sensors....
Sizewise would be nice since it's a pancake, IQ would prolly be nice as well. 