Re: [Leica] Cheaper of cheap 28mm lenses

[Guy Bennett <2bennett@wanadoo.fr>]

Joe,

A couple of years ago I too was looking for a 28 in LTM to use with my IIIf
and couldn't really find anything I liked. I wanted a vintage lens and thus
Canon seemed the best choice since it was the fastest, but I felt they were
too expensive. The Leica 28s (Hektor and Summaron) were even more expensive
and slower, with (in the case of the Summaron) a maximum aperture of 5.6
(the Hektor's max ap being 6.3). For these reasons I eventually abandoned
the idea of getting a 28 and eventually went with the Cosina 25, which I
sold a few months ago and which I will replace with their new 21.

Like you, I find that some of the Cosina lenses - though they are in LTM -
do not balance well on the LTM bodies. The 50/1.5, 35/1.7, 28/1.9, even the
75 (and, I suspect, the 90) seem too bulky on a IIIf (but probably feel
great on an M). On the other hand, their 21, 25, and 35 "classic" balance
well with the LTM body, and a IIIf with one of those lenses is a great wide
angle combo that's small enough to slip into your pocket.

Why not consider going wider than 28?

Guy


P.S. If your stuck on the 28 focal length and 5.6 is fast enough for you, I
believe that Don Chatterton's currently got a Summaron 28/5.6 for sale...


>Hi,
>
>In attempting to replace a Canon 28 2.8 lens recently stolen, I purchased
>another from ebay. It's a dog, the whole front section is loose and they
>never really tighten up. I'm sending it back. For $500 I would hope for
>better.
>
>I have a Canon 3.5 on the way, hopefully the mount will be sound. I've heard
>they are good from 5.6-16, which is all I need.. Does anyone know of own any
>small light NEW WELL MADE lenses in this format. I use the 28 as a sunny day
>street shooter on my IIIf or with a flash. All I have left in this focal
>length is a Russion f 6 Orion which is sharp but needs one more stop and a
>complete redesign.. Has anyone tried the Adorama or Bower lenses. Or the
>Konica 28? I know it's not screwmount,
>
> I don't care about great performance wide open. I need something light and
>hopefully not too pricey. I wish cosina would make a small V 28 but they
>have chosen to introduce one of those triple aspheric 40 element 10 pound
>wonders in the goal of having the fastest 28 on the block. Any ideas would
>be much appreciated. Their 35 2.5 is a very nice lens, the 35 1.7 feels like
>a brick on a IIIf and is not as sharp as the smaller lens from 5.6 on down.
>Like many aspheric lenses the 1.7  is optomized to be shot wide open.
>
>
>carpe lumen,
>
>Joe Kelly