Review 1 of 4
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I bought the f2 28mm Summicron Aspeherical to replace a 28mm 4th version Elmarit. The Elmarit was already excellent for my work, but, given the reviews of the 28mm f2 Summicron, I assumed I would see at least a degree of improvement in results.
The Summicron is, without doubt, a high resolution optic. However, I was unprepared for the marked reduction in available depth of field, even at smaller apertures, compared to that of the Elmarit. I happily use the latter at 2.8, and seldom miss a shot due to focusing error. I even use the 35 f2 Aspherical in the same way, and have never experienced this limitation with the lens.
With a rangefinder camera, I always work at wide apertures and very close in, using the 28mm as a 'standard' lens, more than as a wide-angle. With the Summicron, the reduced depth of field proves very difficult for this sort of working, even when stopping-down to f4. I have good technique, but this 28mm Summicron challenges it. I found myself using higher ISO settings to gain a stop or two in aperture. This is not what I was hoping for. I'd bought the 28mm Summicron for the extra stop - suddenly, I was working at least a stop down from my usual working aperture.
Even when stopped well down, it has not been my experience with the 28mm Summicron that it renders fine detail as realistically as my sample of the 28mm Elmarit. Even though there is an apparent sharpness, and this is held to the edges of an image, as promised, there is a strange quality to the drawing of the scene that appears as might a vibration of the image before the eye. It's very hard to describe, sensibly. It is not a characteristic I have noticed with other aspherical designs I use. Used in the traditional manner of a wide angle - not close in, and stopped down, the lens does produce a convincing wide view. I note that it will produce an impressive townscape, room shot, or still life. I do a lot of so-called "lifestyle" shots, and have found that the 28mm Summicron works well with close up table-top shots in rooms. It has a modern, "busy" bokeh, that can work well in these circumstances.
If you are considering the Summicron 28mm, say, as a 'standard' lens replacement on an M8 or RD-1, be sure that the shallower depth of field of this aspherical design isn't something that will burden your working style. You may well find that you are better off with a pre-aspherical 28mm Elmarit. Certainly, the version 4 sample I use is everything one would expect from a Leica lens. And, for me, at least, the Elmarit is much easier to use in confidence within my working style. If your experience of the Summicron proves similar to my own, you can save yourself a lot of money by buying the older, slower, and in my view, superior Elmarit.
With the 28mm Elmarit, I'm a photographer. With the 28mm f2 Summicron Aspherical, I have to perform as something of a technician. This is too-much of a restraint for me. The Elmarit remains my general purpose tool, while the expensive Summicron 28m has the role of a specialist lens for those shots where I need its aggressive, apparent sharpness, it's flatness of field, et al. I am not sure I can justify keeping it in my kit, for all the use it receives.
Strengths:
"Sharp".
Eveness of apparent sharpness.
Flatness of field / Minimal distortion.
Relative compactness.
Weaknesses:
Expensive.
Notably shallower depth of field compared to spherical wide-angle lens designs,
may prove limiting to close, handheld work.
My sample does not render fine detail as realistically as my 4th version 28mm Elmarit, nor as well as the 35mm f2 Aspherical Summicron I also use.
Ergonomics favour compactness rather than ease of operation, compared to older body designs.
Enormous, intrusive lens hood.
Modern 'drawing' characteristics of the aspherical design, including bokeh, may not suit the individual more used to the results from earlier Leica lenses.
Similar Products Used:
CV f1.9 28mm (Lovely lens - cheap, and I found it easier to use than the Summicron, even wide open - though focusing was stiff.)
CV f2.5 35mm
35mm f2 Summicron Aspherical.
28mm f2.8 Elmarit Version 4. Customer Service:
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