7artisans 28/1.4 and other fast 28mm options

[film_man]

I'm in the market for a fast 28mm to use in low light, indoors and generally close distances (probably under 3m). So something that works well at f/2 without needing to stop down.

Now...while it would be nice to have the 28 Lux (!) or Cron these are way over budget. Which I think leaves me with the 7artisans 28/1.4 and the Voigtlander 28/2. Does anyone have personal experience with these lenses? A lot of the reviews I see for the 7A lens are kind of conflicting and depend on what digital camera people used them. The overal gist of it is that it is a good lens at f/2 down, which seems to fit the bill plus there's f/1.4 to play with. However, it is big, it is heavy and block the finder a fair bit (got an M4).

The Voigtlander on the other hand is smaller, lighter, same-ish price, work just as nice at f/2 but obviously no f/1.4. The only issue I have with it is that it appears to show rather heavy vignetting at f/2?

So any insights on those two lenses would be great. Also, another option would be to use and LTM lens but I have no idea if anything is available at f/2 (doesn't seem to be?).

I am not interested in f/2.8 or slower lenses, if I wanted that I'd get the Zeiss ZM 28/2.8 to go with the rest of the ZM lenses I have.

Thanks for any advice!

 

[Tim Gray]

For Leica lenses, you can get the older 28 Summicron for a ‘reasonable’ price. One of my all time favorite lenses.

I’ve not used either of the 2 lenses you mentioned, but if it were me I’d choose the Voigtlander as they generally make good lenses.

 

[summicron1]

Cant speak for 7Artisans, although the impression I get is that they are fairly low on the quality control scale.

I don't have a Voigtlander 28 f2, but my experience with their other lenses - a 15 f4, a 25 f 4, a 35 1.8 and a 35 2.8 -- has been excellent. Very good optics. Not quite the build quality of a Leica, but very capable performers.

 

[howardpan]

I have the 7Artisans 28mm f1.4 lens. I thought it was well made. It partially covers the viewfinder but that has never bothered me in practice. Because it’s a fairly new acquisition, I have not yet made prints from the roll that I shot but the contact prints look fine.

 

[Ko.Fe.]

I skipped overpriced Cron and non ASPH Voigtländer.
I have Ultron 28 1.9 ASPH.

 

[film_man]

I have the 7Artisans 28mm f1.4 lens. I thought it was well made. It partially covers the viewfinder but that has never bothered me in practice. Because it’s a fairly new acquisition, I have not yet made prints from the roll that I shot but the contact prints look fine.

Thanks for your comments.

 

[film_man]

I skipped overpriced Cron and non ASPH Voigtländer.
I have Ultron 28 1.9 ASPH.

The cron is expensive however the 28/2 Voigtlander goes for the same as the 28/1.9 in the used market (if not less), plus you don't have to fork out for an adapter either. Is there a particular advantage of the f/1.9 over the f/2 CV?

 

[Ko.Fe.]

The cron is expensive however the 28/2 Voigtlander goes for the same as the 28/1.9 in the used market (if not less), plus you don't have to fork out for an adapter either. Is there a particular advantage of the f/1.9 over the f/2 CV?

One was obvious for me (been ASPH), another is known from others (no focus shift as with f2 non ASPH). Not sure why LTM is the problem. I'm able to use same lens on M and on L.

On Bessa L.


on Bessa R2M:



On M-E:

 

[film_man]

One was obvious for me (been ASPH), another is known from others (no focus shift as with f2 non ASPH). Not sure why LTM is the problem. I'm able to use same lens on M and on L.

Ok thanks!