Can anyone provide an opinion or review on the newer Elmarit-R 28mm lens? Also, is it the only R lens with a rectangular lens hood?

-- Stephen Dominick (sdstudio@vaxxine.com), November 19, 2001

Answers

Other square hooded R lenses: 19/2.8 (both versions), 21/4, 24/2.8, second version of the 35/2.8 and first version of the 35/2. For lens reviews, try searching the archives of the Leica-Users:

http://mejac.palo-alto.ca.us/leica-users/

Cheers,

-- John Collier (jbcollier@powersurfr.com), November 19, 2001.

I recently purchased a pair (long story) of the current (though mine's pre-ROM)28-R and sold my 1st-version. The latest 28-R is a spectacular performer in the R lineup...although I think so was the 1st version. I find the new one is better in the corners at close distances and wider apertures, which seems to be consistent with published reviews. The E55 filter size is a definite advantage over the E48 of the 1st version. The current lens is noticeably larger, and I personally find the built-in hood a mixed blessing. There is no friction and it doesn't lock, so the slightest touch and it retracts. I use a hood as a hood, and keep a UV filter to protect the front element. Someone who expects a hood to be a protector will be disappointed. Price:performance, the 1st version is probably the better buy, but in absolutes the 2nd version is the better lens.

-- Jay (infinitydt@aol.com), November 19, 2001.

This lens does not disappoint. It is amazingly sharp even at full aperture. The hood while rectangular is too shallow to serve any useful purpose and it is retractable. This is my only complaint. I liked it more than any Elmarit for the M.

-- ray tai (razerx@netvigator.com), November 19, 2001.

So comparisons of this lens against the two latest 28 Elmarit M, put this R version as a winner?

Salgados´ picture of train station in Bombay was in my own opinion made with that lens, image is amazing (tecnicaly and graphicaly); what do you think?; can my guess be real?

-- r watson (al1231234@hotmail.com), November 19, 2001.

The 28mm Rom has that really crisp look even wide open and it is quite impressive. I guess it is because the design is newer than the M counterpart? I don't know. I suppose the decision to go for the M or R version should be based on which camera you use.....

-- ray tai (razerx@netvigator.com), November 19, 2001.

Stephen: To answer the question you asked. The newest 28 Elmarit-R is the only R lens with a BUILT-IN, RECTANGULAR lens hood. Other R lenses have rectangular hoods or built-in hoods but not both. The Noctilux for the M also has a more-or-less rectangular built-in hood

The newest 28 is optically the same as the last version without a built-in hood, FWIW.

-- Andy Piper (apidens@denver.infi.net), November 20, 2001.

The current version of the 28-R is emphatically *not* optically the same as the previous version without built-in hood. The 1st version is comprised of 8 uncemented elements; the current version is also 8 elements but in 7 groups. It is an entirely new design with a floating element that gives better correction when the lens is focused at close distances.

-- Jay (infinitydt@aol.com), November 20, 2001.

Really? oops...sorry.

-- Andy Piper (apidens@denver.infi.net), November 20, 2001.

I own this lens and find it to be a superb lens in all ways. I like the built in hood, but it is the only one with a built in rectangular hood in the R line I think. Personally I prefer lenses with built in hoods. Erwin Puts says this lens has the same quality as the 1993 Elmarit-M and the current 28mm Summicron-M and I see no reason to diasgree with him.

I had the earlier 28mm for the R series and that was an excellent lens too. Only in comparison can you see that at wider apertures the current model is clearly superior.

-- Robin Smith (smith_robin@hotmail.com), November 21, 2001.