This Lens is Made for Storytellers

[@GajanBalan]

Foto Club got the review first and with some extra samples. Join today ✌🏾 www.churchxstreet.com/p/what-makes-this-lens-so-coveted

[@ka_sh_iif]

I went with the 28 elmarit on the M11 and have cron envy from time to time. But I’m super happy with it either way, it’s so compact. It just feels so right on the body. Great video I totally agree with your sentiments.

[@GajanBalan]

Elmarit is a sneaky great lens. Thanks for watching ✌🏾

[@pablounzueta8101]

I bought the 28 Summilux last year to compliment my 50 Summilux and M11. That’s been my go-to setup as a full-time photojournalist-it’s minimal and discrete when I need it to be. The only downside to the 28 Lux is the chromatic aberration that happens on occasion, but I’m really fond of the character that the Lux line up has overall-as you mentioned! I love how compact the Summicron lenses are, but I find the newer versions a tad bit too flat, with the bokeh appearing to be tampered down as well. I tried a 35 Summicron V6 to have something more compact, and I just couldn’t quite connect with it. Obviously it’s all subjective, but for folks thinking about the 28 Summicron or any other Leica focal length at F/2, these lenses are extremely reliable and consistent, especially on film. And I’d definitely recommend trying out a 28 Summilux, too, that lens has its own magic. Great video!

[@GajanBalan]

Well said, thanks for sharing ✊🏾

[@AlexOnStreets]

I own the elmarit and satisfied by it. Used my friends 28 lux for a night and was blown away.. it's almost too much how crazy that thing is. So the 28 cron seems like the perfect way to go..if one has the funds. 🫠 Good job with the video Gajan. Also the photo's especially came out amazing. 28mm in India definitely looks like the right call.

[@GajanBalan]

That Lux is something else! But you’re right one, balance is the key and it depends on what you shoot. Also the 28 in India was like that Thanos inevitable meme… Tried to run from it but I had to do it 😂

[@Visions_in_Toyko]

was probably my 28 lux you used haha, I have seriously been thinking about selling it and the elmarit and then getting the cron. its such a beast and so heavy, that it just doesnt get the use it desrves. I really want to borrow a cron for a week or so and see how that feels. the 35 and the 50 lux are so much better balanced than the 28. i usually thuse the elmarit during the day or with flash and the lux for night, but maybe the cron just hits the sweet spot between them both... let me borrow your cron Gajan haaha

[@nelmur]

I had this exact 28 cron for several years and loved shooting with it. Used it on an M10, M10 Mono, and an M11, as well as on a film MP. It always delivered, and at times I was delighted by the amount of character and subject separation it delivered. I ended up passing it along to fund the purchase of a 35 Lux (no regrets!), but I do have fond memories of it. In the end, I may end up with an Elmarit that stays glued to my MP so that I can take advantage of this 28mm field of view again, without breaking the bank. Great review, Gajan! Always appreciate your POV.

[@GajanBalan]

Nice! And thanks for watching ✌🏾

[@GastonShutters]

Great video. I own the 28 Elmarit and recently picked up the Summicron 28mm. I much prefer the image quality from the Summicron which is sharper.

[@GajanBalan]

Nice, enjoy!

[@jacobh5817]

Last year in London, I ran into the matt black paint version of this lens. Just had to buy it. Not only gorgeous images, but the looks of that lens…❤

[@GajanBalan]

I *deeply* regret not buying that lens when I had the chance. Congrats!!

[@roryjacobs6817]

Hey there, Gajan. Good review. I have the 28mm Elmarit 2.8 ASPH. I went for (small) size over the wider aperture of the Summicron. Most of my other M lenses are the f2 Summicrons but for the 28mm focal length, for me, f2.8 is perfect. When I use the 28mm I'm looking to layer my shots from foreground to background. I challenge myself to not only tell a story with what fits within the edges of the frame, but also within the depth of the frame. In fact I hardly ever even use it at f2.8. So my thought process when I bought a 28mm was: - I want to and will need to get close to my subjects to make compelling images -> smaller is better - I shoot in daylight almost always and live in Durban, South Africa. A city that sees less than a calendar month of rainfall a year...the sun is almost always out -> F2.8 is more than enough if needed - Have you seen the Elmarit without the lens hood? M body and lens are sooo tiny....wait, I made the small and compact point already - I think the image quality (especially at the apertures I'm shooting at) are exactly the same So, the Elmarit. Anyway, thanks for sharing and continue to tell stories with your 28mm Summicron, it looks to be a great lens for those who need f2. And most importantly, very nice photos captured with it.

[@GajanBalan]

Wow, thank you for sharing this brother! Well said. Thanks for watching 🙏🏾

[@blende5.693]

nice video! I change from 35 to 28mm. I like this lens a lot. The summicron is not really better than the elmarit. So if you don’t need a fast lens, the elmarit is good enough. I own the summicron, cause I got this new for nearly the elmarit price. Definitely my all day lens at the moment.

[@BrandonTalbot]

Going to the 28 on the Q2 from a 35 was challenging to say the least, but 6 months later I find it indispensable and my favorite focal length for story telling

[@-grey]

Oh man this is great. I love the clean look. Your shots are feel right at home on that focal length. You captured a very Nat Geo vibe. I think the elmarit would be my ideal lens. I think f2.8 is enough bokeh for me coming from the Ricoh GR III. I like to shoot that at f4-6.3, and I doubt I would ever get proficient enough to use the f2 in low light reliably. Outside of that, if money was no object I'd have this in a heart beat. 🙏

[@GajanBalan]

Truly appreciate the kind words. Thanks for watching ✌🏾

[@oliverkramer4279]

yes i have also the Summicron 28mm ASPH and i love it, i use it i think more then 75% ... my second lense for main use is the Summilux 50mm ASPH ... i love it also, but it is always my second choice .. if i can take only one lens, it will always be the 28

[@garymc8956]

After lots of research, went with the Voigtlander Ultron as a great pair with my 50mm Summicron, both small, light with 39mm filters. Very happy using them with both color and mono M11s. I had never been a great fan of 28mm with DSLRs but am really getting a lot out of it with Leicas. Thanks.

[@GajanBalan]

Nice! Enjoy the journey 👏🏾

[@ZenoWatson]

28mm is a story telling lens. Such a true statement G.

[@GajanBalan]

Right? Thanks for watching brother ✌🏾

[@wanderlust139]

Beautiful shots! Wish I could afford it 😢

[@markusbuechter3766]

28mm wasn’t my preferred focal length. I got my hands on a new 28 Summicron in mate black. Initially it was to stay in the box as an investment. But curiosity killed the cat and since I tried it on my M it is either on the digital M10R or analogue M-P. Love the lens.

[@GajanBalan]

That version has to be my favourite, such a clean look. Enjoy it!

[@monochromios]

This is a nice modern step in Leica's tradition with Summilux: sharp, great contrast, and I love the clean bokeh it provides. I bought this lens the day it was released and never regretted it. It is always on my M6 0.58. I love the hood, too. It's a great improvement compared to older Leica hoods. As a photojournalist, I concord with your idea: the Summicron 28 incarnates Capa's "mantra" and gives you the greatest satisfaction when you get iìnearly in contact with your subjects. Great video; your hints for someone looking for a nice 28mm lense are really good. Thank you for sharing.

[@GajanBalan]

Thanks for watching Stefano ✌🏾

[@ductritran8637]

Personally I didn’t like this lens but the Summilux and Elmarit as I owned and used 3 of them .

[@madspallesen156]

@GajanBalan Do you shoot wide open at f/2 often? Or mainly stopped down for visual context? Trying to decide between the Summicron and Elmart. 😅 Can’t wait to shoot 28mm again.

[@GajanBalan]

It’s depends on the shot I’m going for. Highlighting a very singular subject or tough lighting is when I’ll push wide open. F4.0 through F8.0 depending on how much more of the story I wanna share.

[@madspallesen156]

@@GajanBalan , thanks man. Appreciate it.

[@Vyzima]

At 7:50, f1.4 is 2 stops of light less than f2.8, not just 1 stop

[@GajanBalan]

“About a stop less” with respect to the Summicron.

[@Vyzima]

verbatim "just a stop less" would be f2. 2.8 and 1.4 has a difference of 4 times the amount of light.@@GajanBalan

[@GajanBalan]

@@Vyzima Exactly my point. The comparison is between the Summicron F2.0 and the Elmarit F2.8. Not the Summilux.

Do you have any decent sources for DNGs from this lens? I would love to take a closer look

[@frankphotography8470]

On an M 28 or 35 is where it’s at 🤘

[@wilfredshum3703]

Very suitable on my M10-D

[@leedeleon2745]

This is the lens I’m working towards and letting go of some of my favorites in the process. Perfect timing on this one🫡

[@GajanBalan]

Nice! I think you’d do some amazing stuff with this one. Thanks for watching brother ✌🏾

[@smor07]

J'ai un 28 mm Elmarit-M et je l'utilise régulièrement sur mon MP (typ240). J'aimerais beaucoup tester le 28 mm Summaron f5,6.

[@f__e__e__l__e__e__p]

Would you say Sir that it distorts less compared to 28 on Q ? Just curious 🙂

[@GajanBalan]

Absolutely. The lens on the Q behaves differently. Check out my Q3 review for more details on this.

[@borisharold]

enjoyed the video a lot , but who is the sofa by behind you please ?

[@Junior-mw1zn]

love mine

[@Eddie_q]

Really nice photo and review. I have a Question. What film do you usually shoot with? 🙏🏻 thanks!

[@GajanBalan]

Depends on the purpose. Porta 400 or 800 for personal work. HP5 for black and white. Silbersalz for client work.

[@Eddie_q]

@@GajanBalan thank you so much 😊

[@kolkataphototours917]

Love your photos from kolkata big brother.

[@GajanBalan]

Thank you brother. Looking forward to the next one soon 🙏🏾

[@Junior-mw1zn]

I have this lens

[@fobudomh]

Can you suggest any good third party battery for Fujifilm XT100.

[@oliverlison]

I have downgraded or upgraded to f2 lenes. I don't need f1.4 I love the more natural looking drawing of those lenses.

[@GONZOFAM7]

Beautiful photos.

[@GajanBalan]

Thanks for watching ✌🏾

[@DeeRosa]

If you’re in New York in October let me know so I can try to fight your ass for making me want to stop into B&H and buy this shit.

[@GajanBalan]

I’m definitely not gonna be in NY for 24 hours in October 👀

[@luizfcoimbra82]

Closer but not closer than 70cm 😞

[@GajanBalan]

All too true 🥲

[@albertopaz84]

Set the aperture at f11 an the focus at 0.7m and the image will be perfectly sharp at 0.55m 😅