1. Which frameline set is brought up in M viewfinders by the 24 ASPH lens?

2. I want to get a 28 Elmarit eventually and have questions about the current lens and the previous version (1980 design? 49mm 'bullnose' version, anyway) Was the current design ever assembled in Canada? Was the 1980 design ever made in Germany? Does anyone have personal comments on either model, and are there any 'aging' issues with the 1980 design as with the more-or-less contemporary 90 Tele-Elmarit or Minolta 28 CLE (coatings, element separation, etc.)

-- Andy Piper (apidens@denver.infi.net), June 26, 2001

Answers

Not at all in response to your question, but I can't help but wonder if you've considered the Cosina/Voight 28mm lens. Said to be a star.

-- Phil Stiles (Stiles@s-way.com), June 26, 2001.

Andy,

Having had the 1980 version, think mine was made in Canada, and now owning the latest Elmarit, my only comments are that the older one was physically larger than the current and thus obscured the cameras finder slightly more than the latest(I prefer a separate finder).

In terms of optical performance I would rate both as being better than virtually any SLR wide, with the latest even better from 2.8-f4 and with point source light, quite superb without the bumped up contrast of other designs.

-- Gary Yeowell (gary@yeowell.fsnet.co.uk), June 26, 2001.

I owned the previous-generation E49 28 Elmarit-M and then the current E46 version and could never find any difference in performance. Granted I almost never shoot wider than f4. The only reason I switched was to avoid carrying yet another set of filters, as I also have the 90/2.8 which is E46. I have since sold the 28, after I got the Tri-Elmar it just wasn't ever used again. I did initially have one of the E49's that the whole front portion came unscrewed and the aperture blades dumped all over the floor, but it was a used (abused?) lens in "bargain" grade, and it went right back to the dealer and was replaced by one in near-mint shape which was perfect.

-- Jay (infinitydt@aol.com), June 26, 2001.

Phil: Thanks. Yeah I'm sure I'll try the V'lander f/1.9 before I make a final decision; possibly even the 28 Summi if one becomes available.

I have a sentimental feeling for the Canadian, since everything else I own is Midland-made (21, 35, 90TE, 90S, 4-2, perhaps a 4-P), and I want the 'look' to remain in the family, too. But for all I know the Vlander will fit right in...and I'll be getting a 15 evetually anyway.

-- Andy Piper (apidens@denver.infi.net), June 26, 2001.

1) It is supposed to bring up the 35/135 framelines (source Leica Handbook) but the few samples I have seen bring up the 28/90 framelines.

2) I am pretty sure the latest 28/2.8 Elmarit was only produced in Germany. Again I believe the third version was only produced in Canada. There are no "aging" issues associated with either lens.

In addition I do not believe that where the lens is made makes any difference. Both are excelent lenses but the latest is better wide open. See Erwin's site for a more detailed analysis.

Cheers,

-- John Collier (jbcollier@powersurfr.com), June 26, 2001.

My 24 asph brings up the 35/135 framelines. In my M6's this is also the default position - meaning "no lens attached" brings up the 35/135 pair. I would assume that by design the 24 asph brings this pair up because it has no frameline cam.

-- Jack Flesher (jbflesher@msn.com), June 26, 2001.

The "frameline cam" is just one of the ears of the bayonet mount. A short ear does nothing and the 35/135 is displayed. A medium length ear moves the linkage to the 50/75 position. Finally a long ear moves the linkage to the 28/90 position. My 21/2.8A engages the 28/90 framelines despite all the literature saying it also should be the 35/135. The original superwides (21, 28 &35) brought up the 50/75 framelines as this was the least cluttered finder in the M3.

Cheers,

-- John Collier (jbcollier@powersurfr.com), June 27, 2001.

Thank you all. It would seem the conventional wisdom is right - old lens good, new lens better (espcially wide open). I did shoot a color comparison with the current 28 and a 21-year-old 35 f/2 on Velvia - indistinguishable! But I'll wait to take a look at the Summicron and V'lander before making a decision - besides, by then the flood of Elmarit trade-ins from Summicron buyers will have depressed prices to Elmarit-90 levels (Not!)

My 21 non-ASPH also brings up 28/90 frames, FWIW.

-- Andy Piper (apidens@denver.infi.net), June 27, 2001.