Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1998/11/06
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]>And on the subject: Just how much better is the 28mm Elmarit-M compared to the >M-Rokkor 28mm f2.8 built for the CLE? >Mike Dear Mike, I bought my first Rokkor 28 with my first CLE new in 1980. It was a very sharp lens but in about two years or so of use in tropical Singapore, the glue holding the front elements together started to break down - evidenced by white spots inside the lens - and I had to have the front lens assembly replaced by Minolta in Hong Kong at a cost of about US$40. This was a standard repair in the price list of repairs and was fairly common - I guess. Anyway, I progressed to a 28 Elmarit, 1969 first version and shot a test roll of Black and White, using a tripod, and as I recall it there was little or no difference between the two lenses. Later I traded the 1969 Elmarit for a 1975 second version and then I shot some Extachrome slide film (100ASA) to check out the two lenses and my recall is that there was little difference in colour contrast or details at medium apertures - but the Elmarit was sharper wide open. I have now owned three units of the Rokkor 28 (I like the size) - the two earlier units developing the lens separation mentioned above - and my most recent specimen also starting to show some spots around the edge of the front element. The most recent model doesn't seem to be as sharp wide open as the Elmarit and the contrast is lower. This may be because of the individual lens. In my view, 28mm Rokkors are selling in the US$700 - 800 range, and older Elmarits are selling for not much more, I would buy an older Elmarit, because a) there seems to be less problem with element separation (based on my individual experience), b) Leica lens hoods and caps are available, and c) for those who dare the 40.5mm filter size for the Rokkor is very hard to find. THe 28mm Rokkor hood has become very collectable - Wall Street Camera has (had)them for about US$80 and Don Chatterton was recently asking about US$250 for the unit he had - and in my experience, 40.5mm lens caps are simply not available. OTH if I were to find a Rokkor at a garage sale for $50 - I wouldn't pass it up either. My $.02 Best Regards Howard Cummer