Anybody using Canon 28mm LTM f2.8 or 3.5 lenses

[GregY]

I'm considering adding a 28mm lens to my Leica M. Usually I go from 21 to 35mm. Over the years I've used a number of Leica 28mm, as well as the Canon 25 and several Voigtlander 28mm f3.5. 28mm is not a focal length i'd use often, and given the cost of the Color-Skopar these days, I thought I'd consider the Canon. Also it might be a plus to have the lower contrast of the Canon vis-a-vis the Color-Skopar. Any comments on the Canon 28mm screw mounts from users, current or past?

 

[Jon Buffington]

I use the canon 28/3.5 ltm lens and have for years. A fantastic lens.

portra 160, leica iiif back

same combo as above

 

[MarkS]

When I was starting out in photography, in the late '70s, I found a Canon Serenar 28/3.5 "Ultra-wide-angle" lens, with finder and case, for $75. I found an LTM-M adapter and used it on my Leica M3 (my only camera then).
Sad to say, it was unsharp at any aperture or focus distance. Later on (mid-90s) I bought a newer (black & chrome) Canon 28/3.5; that was a noticeably better performer. I sold both of them long ago... the focal length just didn't suit me.
I'd think you'll want the newest optical design that you can afford. There have been big improvements in wide-angle lens design in the last 60 years.

 

[GregY]

Thank you Jon.
Mark, as far as improvements, I use and have used (old) wide angle Dagors, Elmars, Summicrons, with success. The latest & sharpest don't always have the greatest character IMO. I'm wondering if there is big variation in these lenses? Reviews between the lenses vary a lot, as well as in the comparison between the f2..8 & f3.5..... Thank you for sharing your experience.

 

[JerseyDoug]

I've been using my 28/3.5 all-chrome Canon for a number of years. I don't find it particularly low in sharpness or contrast but that may be because all of my LTM lenses are from the same era, or older.

 

[MarkS]

Well, my experience was with one example of each lens, and each was more than 25 years old at the time. They appeared to be good mechanically and optically, but who knows?
The later '60s version was good enough to keep...Jon Huffington's photos show that.
Ultimately I decided that the 35/2 Summicron-RF that I had at the same time suited my needs.
And this was all 30-45 years ago, so take my stories with a grain of salt. Bets of luck with your search!

 

[GregY]

JerseyDoug, I should maybe have said that lenses like the Color-skopar are more modern and higher contrast. I like the way the tonal range shows in your image. I guess I'll have to buy a Canon 28 & see.

 

[Paul Howell]

I used the Canon 3.5 for years with a Canon 7S and Leica IIIG, it was my standard RF lens when a working PJ, second body to Nikon F and F2 with usually with a 105. I also had the Leica version as well, preferred the Canon version. Never had a 2.8, not sure if other than a gain in speed if you see any difference. If you have deep pockets and can find one, you might consider the 2.0 which will give a large enough bump in speed to make a difference. Had a friend who worked for a different wire, he had a Nikon SP and used the Nikon 35mm 1.8, now that was a great lens. Always envied him, SP and F, both with motors that he did use on occasion.

 

[GregY]

I used the Canon 3.5 for years with a Canon 7S and Leica IIIG, it was my standard RF lens when a working PJ, second body to Nikon F and F2 with usually with a 105. I also had the Leica version as well, preferred the Canon version. Never had a 2.8, not sure if other than a gain in speed if you see any difference. If you have deep pockets and can find one, you might consider the 2.0 which will give a large enough bump in speed to make a difference. Had a friend who worked for a different wire, he had a Nikon SP and used the Nikon 35mm 1.8, now that was a great lens. Always envied him, SP and F, both with motors that he did use on occasion.

I've never seen a Canon LTM 28mm f2.... I do prefer the smaller overall size of the Canon & Color-Skopar 28 to the Leitz Elmarits.

 

[Mackinaw]

I've never seen a Canon LTM 28mm f2....

That's because there is no LTM Canon 28/2.0. Only a 28/2.8 or 28/3.5.

Jim B.

 

[GregY]

That's because there is no LTM Canon 28/2.0. Only a 28/2.8 or 28/3.5.

Jim B.

That's what i thought.... but Paul H said "you might consider the 2.0"......

 

[Jon Buffington]

Not sure on the age, but my 28/3.5 is all chrome. Very small, compact lens which I love for a small kit out hiking. The lens has always performed very well for me. I will try to find some other examples sometime and post. I don't shoot this lens all that much for some reason....probably because the vc35/2.5 lives on my M5 and the 40 summicron lives on my CL and on the iiif and iiic, it was usually the 50 summitar or old 35 elmar (now sold). I think it is time to shoot that 28 again.

 

[Paul Howell]

Not sure why it was not posted, yesterday I posted my mistake, got it in my head that Canon made a 35mm to compete with the Nikon 1.8, should have checked before I posted.

 

[Jon Buffington]

Another example from my canon 28/3.5 ltm, this time with an ltm to m adapter on my M5, fuji c200 film.

 

[GregY]

Not sure why it was not posted, yesterday I posted my mistake, got it in my head that Canon made a 35mm to compete with the Nikon 1.8, should have checked before I posted.

I have 35mm and 21mm covered ...only considering a 28mm

 

[darinwc]

I have both the 28mm Canon lenses.
I use them on film and digital but it is easier to compare on digital. My digital is only aps size. I have a full frame on the way.

Anyway, the f3.5 is sharp in the center wide open. Gets un sharp further away from center but in a pleasing way. Some chromatic aberration. At 5.6 the ca is gone and most of the frame is sharp. Have to go to f8 to really get the corners sharp.

The f2.8 is also a 6/4 design like the 3.5. this lens surprised in that it resolves better further away from the center at f2.8 than the other at f3.5. chromatic aberration is low, but I think there is more vignetting with the 2.8 lens. My lens also shows some smearing flare around bright objects, but it does not spread across the frame. This could just be my sample.

I also have a Nikkor 28mm f3.5 in LTM mount. It performs very close to the Canon f3.5 even though it is a very different design.

All 3 lenses have very good color and contrast, almost no geometric distortion.

 

[darinwc]

Not sure why it was not posted, yesterday I posted my mistake, got it in my head that Canon made a 35mm to compete with the Nikon 1.8, should have checked before I posted.

Canon did make a 35mm f1.8 and a 35mm f2, and a 35mm f1.5! All 3 in Leica thread mount.

 

[GregY]

Canon did make a 35mm f1.8 and a 35mm f2, and a 35mm f1.5! All 3 in Leica thread mount.

Got that.....but the discussion was about 28mm lenses. &. I found a very clean 2.8....winging its way to me from Japan at this time.

 

[cullah]

Got that.....but the discussion was about 28mm lenses. &. I found a very clean 2.8....winging its way to me from Japan at this time.

 

[cullah]

i had a 28/3.5 for my leica 2f. since it was my only lens, i got to use it quite a bit. it wasn't very sharp, especially at the edges. i don't recall getting a very usable 8x10 out of it. when, sometime later, i used a 28/2.8 for my canon slr, i found that lens very good. comparing a ltm lens with a slr lens is like comparing apples with oranges, though

 

[GregY]

i had a 28/3.5 for my leica 2f. since it was my only lens, i got to use it quite a bit. it wasn't very sharp, especially at the edges. i don't recall getting a very usable 8x10 out of it. when, sometime later, i used a 28/2.8 for my canon slr, i found that lens very good. comparing a ltm lens with a slr lens is like comparing apples with oranges, though

From what i heard, the LTM 2.8 was/is sharper in the centre.... i'll find out.

 

[GregY]

the rig complete at last.... now to take some photos and get an impression of the lens

 

[Patrick Robert James]

Winogrand famously used the 2.8 so there is that if you are a Winogrand fan.

 

[GregY]

Not really a big street photo guy....but I'd bet it will turn out pretty good images

 

[eli griggs]

I used the silver metal Color Skopar 28mm and it's viewfinder, as my daily carry lens for my IIIC, and liked the way it rendered a scene, very much.

It's on my short rebuy list of gear, in my bucket list.

Older lenses can be great, however, poor focus and blurry edges in a "normal" lens, other than special purpose use, does no make a lot of sense to me if I'm trying to build a bag of quality results kit and especially on a tight Budget.

IMO.