Finally, The Carl Zeiss 28mm f2.8 Biogon Report

[robert blu]

Interestin report with good pictures: thanks Avotius. I like the 28 focal length but now the photo/hobby budget is too low !
robert

[barefoot]

I like the 28mm focal length and have been waffling back and forth between the ZM f/2.8 or the Elmarit-m ASPH. I checked the price of the Leica a few days ago and noticed it had gone up by $200. Then, checking again on the Zeiss, I see it also went up to over $1k.

Anybody else notice this? Maybe I should pony up the bucks before they increase again ....

[fotomeow]

From what my economy friend tells me, the value of the US dollar will continue to decline, making the cost of goods, particularly from oversees, continue to increase. My friend, though not a professional per se, advised me to buy now any item that I would be buying in the next 2 years anyway, since the price will continue to rise. The US administration keeps printing more USD, not good to keep inflation down. Im afraid the US economy is worse than what the general masses (including me) realize.........so about buying that nice piec of glass now vs later??.........

[jsrockit]

Does this lens have a lot of distortion on the M8?

[Avotius]

I will be able to tell you that in a few weeks when my M8 arrives!

[jsrockit]

Originally Posted by Avotius

I will be able to tell you that in a few weeks when my M8 arrives!

How was it on your M6? The thing about the newest Elmarit is that it has no real distortion. However, $2000 is a lot to me. If I can pay half and still have a great lens, then...

Using a 28mm with a lot of distortion (like the Ultron 28mm) as your 37mm on a M8 isn't ideal.

[akremer]

i'm ready to get the 28 2.8 for my G2 - cheers

[Riverman]

Does anyone know what sort of finder blockage I might experience with the f2.8 28mm Biogon on an M6 0.58?

Just picked up an M6 (my first M) and I want to mount a ZM lens on it. I can't decide between the 35mm or 28mm. I want to keep the set up as compact as possible so for 28mm I'm also thinking about the Voigt f3.5 and the Elmarit Asph. But this Biogon looks like a really cracking lens.

[MCTuomey]

i'd say about 8-10% of the finder, with the hood. subjectively, it feels like a fair amount of blockage. if size is important, the c-biogon 35/2.8 is quite a bit more compact than the 28/2.8.

[Riverman]

Cheers Mike. The 35mm Biogon is the other lens I have my eye on and it's a focal length I'm very comfortable with so is probably the way I'll go. I see from your sig that you also have a 50mm ZM. Is it the f2?

[MCTuomey]

R'man, i have the 50/2, also the c-sonnar 50/1.5. both very nice, though the sonnar gets more use.

Originally Posted by Riverman

Cheers Mike. The 35mm Biogon is the other lens I have my eye on and it's a focal length I'm very comfortable with so is probably the way I'll go. I see from your sig that you also have a 50mm ZM. Is it the f2?

[Nick De Marco]

Avotius thank you very much for such a good report and some wonderful punchy photographs
I have recently been getting back into Zeiss lenses with my RFs, maybe because I have been using them with Hasselblad and Rollei.
I recently bough the Zeiss Ikon ZM, and had to get a 35/2 Biogon as its 'lens caps' as the reviews of that lens, and the look of the colur especially, really impressed me. I have just run a couple of films through it and so shall report back soon.

I have also picked up the 25/2.8, second hand. A lens I used to have and sold, as back then I used it on the M8 and then sold the m8 (never really getting on to well with it). As I have CV lenses (old ones) for 28 and 21, and an old 21 Elmarit, and as I remember how sharp the 25/2.8 is I thought it would be good to get back, not least as my Voigtlander R4A has 25mm framelines, and it could be a kind of standard lens on the R4a

The Zeiss Ikon, like the M6 of course, only goes to 28 framelines. Of course I can get an accessory viewfinder, but I have to admit I have been tempted again to buying one steller 28mm lens for thse bodies. The Summicron would be me first choice if it was half the price. I have had, and sold, the Elmarit before. A nice lens, especially if you like small size, but nothing to scream about.

In your opinion is the Zeiss 28/2.8 so good that it is worth adding to a cople of old (pre 28/2 ulton) CV lenses and a Zeiss 25/2.8, or is it unlikely, as I fear, to give me much more than I already have? only wondered as I saw a used one going for a good price.,.....

[Mister E]

Great write-up, cute girlfriend!

[le vrai rdu]

I am using this lens in contax G mount and I have to say it is really impressive

[Avotius]

Originally Posted by Nick De Marco

Avotius

In your opinion is the Zeiss 28/2.8 so good that it is worth adding to a cople of old (pre 28/2 ulton) CV lenses and a Zeiss 25/2.8, or is it unlikely, as I fear, to give me much more than I already have? only wondered as I saw a used one going for a good price.,.....

In my opinion, dont bother getting yet another lens. You already have the 28 1.9 ultron I would say that is a good way to go. Sure the Zeiss is smaller but.... f1.9! I often wish my 28 was an f2, not because I have needed it, but because I am vain. Read my latest M8 blabber and see some of my new 28mm photos. http://www.rangefinderforum.com/foru...ad.php?t=96737

Originally Posted by Mister E

Great write-up, cute girlfriend!

She is my wife now!

[mabelsound]

Originally Posted by Avotius

She is my wife now!

Hooray! Glad to hear it.

[jsrockit]

So, why did Zeiss choose to make this focus to .5 meters? I hated how it added so much to the focus throw so I sold it. However, looking back at the photos, it had the best look of the 28mm lenses I've owned.

[irq506]

Im very interested in finding an acceptable replacement for a 24 and 35 set. I had thought the ZM28 would be a good mid point but Ive been convinced that the ZM25 is a better lens.. does anyone have color images taken with either lens taken with an X-Pro 1 without any post processing?

[redisburning]

Originally Posted by fotomeow

From what my economy friend tells me, the value of the US dollar will continue to decline, making the cost of goods, particularly from oversees, continue to increase. My friend, though not a professional per se, advised me to buy now any item that I would be buying in the next 2 years anyway, since the price will continue to rise. The US administration keeps printing more USD, not good to keep inflation down. Im afraid the US economy is worse than what the general masses (including me) realize.........so about buying that nice piec of glass now vs later??.........

well, since someone necro'd

2 years are more than up. lower than moderate inflation but prices still rise because of the yen to dollar exchange rate and shortages of Leica gear.

well, the truth is that you should always look for an excuse to buy now, rather than later when it comes to lenses

irq as far as 28 vs 25 go, well a flat field is good for some things, and if youre going to buy a camera with the wrong size sensor it's probably better than hoping the field curvature works out right. I suspect corners on the ZM 28/2.8 will be very weak on any APS-c camera, though they are fine on film / M9