Am I nuts?! Do you think the Leica is worth it?

@_willfunk_

3 жыл бұрын

Absolutely

@smichaelpridgen

3 жыл бұрын

its worth it.

@thedeadguy

3 жыл бұрын

It’s as pricy as a half luxury coffin at value mart.

@benjhaisch

3 жыл бұрын

😂😂😂

@nobraidps

3 жыл бұрын

If you can afford it, yes.

FINALLY a Leica vs Voigtländer Video. Great that you covering topics others don't!

Great pictures you captured Benj. The mood/atmosphere in them is fantastic, and that is what it's all about! Enjoy your purchase though, I'm sure it will serve you well!

I enjoy listening to you talk about these lenses and cameras. My experience is with older lenses, Elmarits, the 21, 28 and 90. I used them in the 1980s and 1990s.on 2 M6s along with the early 35 Summilux and a collapsible 50 Summicron. These tools made photojournalism an amazing experience.The Summilux sometimes produced unacceptable flare, I enjoy your intelligent, thoughtful discussions.

I own the Leica 28mm f2 (v2) and love it. Incredibly sharp, versatile, lightweight, and it is 6-bit coded so works perfectly with Leica M systems. I got a near mint copy for $2900 which softens the blow a bit and the Voigtlander 28 v2 is now $900 new. Still a big difference but not so large it would sway me away from the Leica. I do some late evening photography and night stars and the corner to corner is impressive. And I like the fact that it takes the same 46mm filters as my Summilux 50 and the lens hood has the easy on/off cap. Thanks as always for your great reviews and keep up the good work.

I picked up the Voigtländer 28F2 earlier this month. Loving it especially the way I’m using it on a film Leica MP.

Thanks for the comparison vid Benj. Heart the black-browns you got there too

What I like about Benj's videos is I know I will never buy any of this stuff, and I don't even like rangefinders. However, I still enjoy watching him talk about things.

Love your reviews, I see a lot of people bashing the lenses they've been using and praising for years as soon as they get something new, almost as if to justify the purchase to themselves. Not here though, you appreciate how good the Voigtlander still is, and you can actually justify the upgrade for the work you do. I'm looking to get myself a Leica soon, so your videos are great to watch. I really don't know how you don't have more subscribers!

It’s the old 80:20 rule. The Voigtländer delivers about 80% of the quality of the Summicron, and if you want to get the remaining 20%, well, then you have to pay the price. Actually the 28mm Cron and the 50mm Lux are my preferred combo on my digital Leicas as well as on my analog bodies. It’s a magnificent combination!

@alandavis9180

3 жыл бұрын

I'd say the Voigtlander delivers 95% of what the Leica does and you're paying big bucks for that 5%.

@shadowblack1987

Жыл бұрын

80%? Try 95%

@r423sdex

20 сағат бұрын

Try 99

I was just researching for this comparison last night. Couldn’t find a video on it. Thanks!!

@benjhaisch

3 жыл бұрын

The reason this channel exists!

corner sharpness at f2? why? all your pictures that you've shown here with the ultron are amazing and I don't really notice any difference in quality. i had to read the caption below to know the lens. most of the people won't notice either, except pixel peepers, and they would have to compare side by side, but who does that?

Same for me, but I replaced my first generation Voigtlander for the first generation Summicron. Very pleased with the results. The Summicron 28mm Asph just delivers.

always fire man!!!!

Hey Benj, would love to hear your thoughts on the fuji system. Regarding full frame vs crop when it comes to wedding photography / professional work. Could you imagine working with fuji?

thanks for this great video, very nice comparaison, I guess I'll stick with voigtländer for a bit longer :P those Leica lenses are sooo damn beautiful tho!!

Benji, I can highly recommend the 007 B+W filter, it doesn’t have any UV filtering, it’s just a glass protector, costs a Apple and Tomato, worth 100%.

Great review. Thanks :)

Hey Benj, i have heard that this summicron lens sometime has a "loose aperture ring" issue, have you ever encountered that?

Great content as always Benj! Do you also notice the purple color on the right side sometimes? Especialy wide open? I have the Ultron paired with the M240 and sometimes its very noticeable if its against something bright. You can see it barely here as well at 4:30. But not so much cause its a dark area. Its kinda strange cause it doesn't happen on the left side for me. Any experience with this? And what lens profile do you set it on with the 240? Thanks! :)

Thanks for the vid!!!!!

Can I ask you for advice? Which filter (alternative to Leica) do you recommend to protect the lens? Thnaks

totally agree with you on this review! Thanks for providing such sweet content to youtube and filling a huge hole! hahahaa I would also add that IMHO the 28cron pairs better with your 50lux with the fact that Leica glass will be more consistent in its color rendering. Staying within the same eco system will yield similar results for an easier workflow :) not to say that all the now discontinued/vintage lens will render similarly to the current lineup, but at least from out experience, the current lineup of lens renders colors in a similar fashion :) But damn, how can you not love a beautiful lens for $600! hahaha

@benjhaisch

3 жыл бұрын

you guys have way cooler stuff than me, so I'll subscribe to your channel in case you guys start making gear videos haha

Great analysis Benj…. The step up to Leica money wise is huge. That’s when you have to weigh it out.

You made me fall more in live with my Leica Q I just bought! Question though... you could’ve gotten a used Q for 2300$ and saved more than 2k on a 28mm summilux lens... did you consider this as an option? Why or why not?

Do you shoot 28mm through the viewfinder with your glasses on? I find that really challenging.

Have you compared the Summicron 35 asph vs the Ultron 35? Is it the same difference vs the 28?

Love the videos Benj. Always insightful and well done. Have you ever reviewed the Leica Summilux 28 1.4? I'd love to know your thoughts on that compared to the 28 f2 Summicron.. Thank you so much. I know the 1.4 is bigger and a bit annoying in the viewfinder, and also more expensive. Mostly am curious about its personality, I'm not a super pixel peeper. I don't care about edge to edge sharpness or vignetting or aberration. I love the quality of the Canon 50 1.2 lens, not because its perfect but because it has flaws and is just so gorgeously different than the other lenses. Sorry this is long and drawn out, I just like your reviews. Thank you. Keep up the great work :)

@benjhaisch

2 жыл бұрын

I haven’t yet, but I do wish I could get my hands on a copy. I played around with it a bit at the Leica store when I checked out the M11 and was surprised that it wasn’t *as* annoying to carry as I remembered it but it also is nothing like the Summicron in that regard. Hoping I can do a head to head at some point though.

If you are just going to shoot just digital, I'd recommend getting a Leica Q or Q2 instead, and carry your M body with a different lens. It's only slightly more new and used a similar price and the benfits are you are get a summilux with a f1.7, minimum focus distance of .98ft, buttery smooth manual focus like you would on the summicron, macro lens capability, a very excellent EVF (on the Q2), weather sealing (on the Q2), 47MP (on the Q2), and in a pinch, you can make some really excellent videos - the only compromise there is the built in mic and lack of external connections. You get the sharp corners. The only real downside, depending how you roll, is carrying a second body, which I see as a benefit, as it's always good to have a back up.

I bought the Voigtlander 50mm Lanthar APO. Now that is stellar, and arguably equal to the Leica 50mm (various models). For the 28mm I went for the Summilux. Stratospheric bucks… But the images out of my M11P are seriously nice with it on. I think there is room for a Voigtlander lens in everyone’s M kit. It comes down to what is going to work best as a combo. The 50 is such a straightforward design, and maybe the easiest focal length to hit a high mark with.

Hi Benj, where would you say the Carl Zeiss 28mm M mount lens comes in, in comparison to the Voitlander wich is a beautiful lens I must admit. Thank you, Benj

How's the voigtlander at 2.8 or 4 l,ove 28mm focal length!!

I bought a mint with box Elmarit-M 28mm F2.8 recently for US$1000. I can't wait to try it.

Budget Tip for everyone, when you don’t mind playing with higher ISOs, go with the Elmarit, half stop slower but it even kicks the Summicrons butt in Sharpness.

@benjhaisch

3 жыл бұрын

I think it’s a full stop, but I’ve heard amazing things as well. I just need every stop I can get

Bruh, the Summicron is on a different level via you photos there is no competition between the two. I have the 21mm Elmarit and have been thinking about the 28mm vs the 21mm... any thoughts?

I actually thought Voigtlander is good enough, however when you start looking into the corners and do some night photography I noticed how Voigtlander have some sharpness and purple fringing issues... but I'd say for it's price it is good enough!

@linjicakonikon7666

3 жыл бұрын

The fringing is only on digital files.

I'm excited to see what you can do with the 28 cron! Did you consider the 28 lux for that extra separation wide open?

@benjhaisch

3 жыл бұрын

I did, but size and $$$$ kept me from going that direction.

The Leica Q used cost me £2300 in mint condition, it has a 28mm f1.7 lens. Would that combo offer good value for money ?? do you think.

Have Leica 28mm summicron , summilux and Leica Q all are 28mm . Before that I own the ultron Voigtlander . Nothing wrong with the Voigtlander if you can not afford the Leica lenses . But my best 28mm is the 28mm Summilux 1.4 which beat all others but cost me an arm and an leg but I never regretted and never sale it .

Benj, unrelated question. I see that you use Peak Design straps. I have some but have always resisted using them on my Leica for fear of those metal attachment points scratching the sides of the camera (yes, I know they're tools, but they are expensive, beautiful tools). Have they been OK for you in that regard?

@benjhaisch

3 жыл бұрын

The attach points are actually plastic, so maybe a different worry? Haha but I have no issues :)

Sell one Leica body and a couple lenses and get the 21mm Summilux, I've been lusting over that glass for a while now. There's a good youtube video on that lens, unfortunately I don't speak German so I don't understand what he's saying but I can see the excitement all throughout.

Still rocking my collapsible 50mm Summicron V1 from the 50's on my M3. :D

@pggrootde6726

3 жыл бұрын

And rightly so! The old Leica lenses render so nicely.....😊

@gradycarter1298

3 жыл бұрын

@@pggrootde6726 Hell, my collapsible 50mm Summicron V1 rocks on my SonyIII with my TechArt Adapter!!!

I think the ‘Leica Balance Test’ has about as much merit as the “wind tunnel test”

The 28mm focal length I have on my Q2 is out of this world. Wondering if there's any IQ comparison to be made between the two?

Hello Benj, thank you the great videos. I am a M240 and M7 user. Have you tried the color skopar 21mm, please ?

@benjhaisch

3 жыл бұрын

I haven’t, sorry!

Hey Benj! You didn’t address my question on your previous video in this one, so I’ll ask again: in terms of distortion, is the Voigtlander noticeable? Or no?

@benjhaisch

3 жыл бұрын

Hey sorry, Stuart. I actually recorded both of these videos at the same time. I haven’t noticed it personally, so I’d assume it’s minimal enough.

Congrats on the cron. My 28 Cron v1 is one of my favorites. I have a question on your corner performance on the voigtlander. Unless you are focusing at infinity, why would wide open corner sharpness be expected? Wouldn’t they be soft if your focal plane is closer than infinity? The flare kills the CV for me. On a rangefinder with film and not being able to see it would drive me nuts

@benjhaisch

3 жыл бұрын

Expected or needed? When focused close up and the subject in the middle, yeah it doesn’t really matter. I just do photograph things often enough where that corner softness really bothers me and has ruined a few more extreme examples. As for flare, most of my lenses flare at times and it’s just part of using a rangefinder. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

@ccoppola82

3 жыл бұрын

@@benjhaisch the circular flare in most of the CV lenses I’ve owned is what pushed me to upgrade to the Leica. Once in a while it looks cool though. Congrats on your lens. Some of my favorite photos are with the V1. I have to say the hood on the v2 is a HUGE improvement.

@raksh9

3 жыл бұрын

Funny, but I really like the circular flare sometimes seen in Voigtlanders, like the Nokton 35mm f1.4.

You finally got you Leica 28mm 😄

@benjhaisch

3 жыл бұрын

It’s been a long time coming 😂

You prefer the 28focal length over the 35 for your wedding work? I feel like the 35 is a better 1 lens setup for most people

@benjhaisch

3 жыл бұрын

I’m always using 2 lenses. If I could only use one it’d be the 35 though, sure.

how about cheap yashica ml 28mm?

Second hand Leica Q would be my choice. Macro added. Second body. Keep my 50mm on my M10.

Have you tried the voigtlander 28mm on a fuji camera? If yes, would it be something you would recommend?

@benjhaisch

3 жыл бұрын

I have not, but I did see someone else tried it at one point in KZread. I remember seeing it pop up in my suggestions. I don’t own an interchange Fuji right now though so I wouldn’t be able to test it.

@peterkaltoft8032

3 жыл бұрын

@@benjhaisch thanks, appreciate it. I haven't been able to find a lot of reviews of Voigtlander's 28mm. I really love the focal length on my X-T3, and while there are some options for the X-mount, I'm in the process of switching to M-mount lenses, so I won't be tied to a specific camera mount. I've particularly taken a liking to Voigtlander lenses, something about their rendering. At the same time I know that lenses obviously render differently on different sensors, so trying to get as much insight as possible. That aside, love your content. Keep up the great work 🙂

Just looking at this again, the corner sharpness examples you provided of the voigtlander were portrait photos where the background was somewhat blurred.. would be curious for you to retest! I’ve heard corner sharpness is great for this lens.

@peterebel7899

Жыл бұрын

The review is about an older version of the Ultron.

@FrankDavalos

Жыл бұрын

@@peterebel7899 for sure, but doesn’t change the original comment really either way! Either way I now have the 28mm Ultron II and it’s all I need!

have you tried the 7artisan 28mm 1.4? just wondering how does it compare to these 2 lenses?

@benjhaisch

3 жыл бұрын

Just filmed that review yesterday 🙌🏼

@coey31

3 жыл бұрын

@@benjhaisch awesome man cant wait for the launch woop woopp

I almost got the 28mm Summicron. Instead I bought a 28mm Summilux and a Leica body. They say it’s called the Q. 👍🏽

@benjhaisch

3 жыл бұрын

😂 yeah, I’m just too deep in the M system, but I’d love to do a comparison between the M10+28 Summicron and the Q2.

@KeithHodgkinson

3 жыл бұрын

@@benjhaisch Great video again.The above comparison would be excellent if possible.Remember to keep your voigtlander as a backup things do happen,lol.Thanx.

@benjhaisch

3 жыл бұрын

I have a 21 and a 35 as well so I should be ok :)

Thank you for that great video, again :) Without a doubt, the 28mm Summicron ASPH II is a superb lens (at a price, though...). I wonder, still, if you have got a defective Voigtlander: The picture at 7:34 ( kzread.info/dash/bejne/Z6en3LuQaN2Zl6w.html ) seems ridicilous on the right edge, it must be decentered. My 28 VL 2.0 is nowhere near as bad as in that picutre, you can see slight dev´crease in sharpness in the corners at 100% but NOT at normal viewing distances. The vignetting is somewhat severe at the VL but as you said: For the money, it is fantastic. I really think, your VL 28mm must have some kind of issue! Regarding upgrades I actually thought about buying a Leica Q as a pairing for my M240 with the 21 & 50. The Q v1 is 2nd hand aound 2000-2200ish €, will not keep it value as a lens (but is only half the price of a Summicron 28mm :) ). Best regards from Cologne.

Creo que es demasiado caro, yo compraría el Voigtlander. Gracias por el vídeo ✌️

Well...I would prefer the Leica Elmarit at 28mm instead of the Voigtländer

@benjhaisch

3 жыл бұрын

$$$$ and 2.8 instead of 2.0 I have many friends that love the Elmarit though!

@patrickhennigs4501

3 жыл бұрын

@@benjhaisch For street photography, the Elmarit is completely sufficient. In addition, the Elmarit is also sharp in the corners like the summicron.

@patrickhennigs4501

3 жыл бұрын

@@benjhaisch ...and cheaper 👏🏻

@Gynra

3 жыл бұрын

The Elmarit is a no-brainer for anyone who wants a Leica lens but doesn't need f2 or wider. I love mine.

Both lenses seem to be great. Imo no client will notice the difference in the pictures. So I'd go for the voigtländer or even the zeiss biogon :)

@benjhaisch

3 жыл бұрын

A substantial amount of my clients are photographers themselves, so I promise that they notice more than most ;)

@TheGermanCompounder

3 жыл бұрын

@@benjhaisch than that's a different story 😂😅

what about the 28mm Elmarit 2.8? It‘s a lovely tiny lense and super cheap for Leica standard.

@benjhaisch

3 жыл бұрын

it's great by all accounts, especially the newer ASPH ones. I just need more than 2.8

If they were both the same price which one would you buy?

@benjhaisch

3 жыл бұрын

The Leica! I’m excited to see the new 28 Ultron tho!

Are you selling the Voigtlander? I don’t want corner sharpness

@benjhaisch

7 ай бұрын

Already did ;)

If the corner sharpness and color aberration is so critical at f2.0 and you have to stop down, then shouldn't the Leica Elmarit 2.8 28mm considered as a better competitive choice vs. the Voigtländer? As a Leica owner with a Leica quality expectation, I would have a problem by making a compromise with the Voigtländer. Maybe this could be a good idea for the next review.

@benjhaisch

3 жыл бұрын

Not if you need every possible stop of light to photograph weddings

@claus3792

3 жыл бұрын

@@benjhaisch Thanks for the answer. It really depends on the purpose, but also if you are shooting film with less ISO flexibility vs. digital. I am a bit interested in a 28mm lens, although I own a 35mm Summicron, but do not want to spent again so much if I am only rarely use the 28mm. Anyway, thanks for the response. I always enjoy watching your channel. Regards, Claus

A Fujifilm x-pro3 compared to any Leica would be a awesome video 🙏

@benjhaisch

3 жыл бұрын

It’s on the schedule!

@liamdaniel8142

3 жыл бұрын

@@benjhaisch awesome thank you🙏😁

I used the Leica for a while but it just wasn’t significantly better than the Zeiss IMO (on film anyway) I got the Zeiss used for $150.

Interesting video. Unusual voice cadence. Reminds me of Kermit-The-Frog

Almost every image shown from the Voitlander had flair, that would annoy me to no end. I'd rather get the Leica Elmarit f/2.8 that this Voitlander f/2 and sacrifice one stop. Further, although it's fine to crop photos when necessary, the goal should at least try not to so yes, corner sharpness matters a lot. Interesting how photographer's will buy an M mount Leica camera then skimp on the lens which is where the rubber really hits the road. Life is short, get either the Summicron or the Elmarit.

Why do you need ultimate sharpness in the corners on a WA lens? No one zooms in to 400% to pixel peep corners on a photo taken with a WA lens and complains they can't count blades of grass. I just don't get it. Why is corner sharpness so important?

@benjhaisch

Жыл бұрын

It's all personal preference and tolerance

This video hits me right in the wallet. 😣

If you get a chance, please compare the $600 Voiglander against the $100 Chinese lenses. You know, the likes of TTArtisan and its peers.

Split the difference. How does Zeiss compare.

@benjhaisch

3 жыл бұрын

If Zeiss made a 28mm f/2, I’d be all over it. The f/2.8 is too slow for me.

I bought a used voigtlander 28mm for 340 $ ;)

Plot twist, choose the Zeiss 28mm f/2.8 ZM

@ZachBie

3 жыл бұрын

I chose the Zeiss for its flare-resistance, image look (matches the Zeiss 50mm f/1.5 IMO) and relative affordable cost. I am quite pleased with the lens and have enjoyed using it for the past few years.

Can you make a beanie video?

@benjhaisch

3 жыл бұрын

😂

History says the Leica lens will appreciate. Always invest in quality glass.

So the way more expensive lens is better, surprising

@benjhaisch

3 жыл бұрын

Sure, that wasn’t the question though, it was whether or not the difference in quality is worth the difference in price.

8:35 #leicatax

It is a Leica lens. Of course it is worth it! 😅#leckerleica

Hahaha you fall in the pixel peeping trap on screen..., when you print the digital files ( and who don't want their wedding on print) you don't notice this at all and your customers ... they won't see that on screen either. Don't let pixel peepers come into your way, almost all lenses are good enough to make fine prints on paper. This pixel peeping stuff is just a very clever phycological trap to make you buy more and newer stuff you don't need. Just like mega pixels it's all over the top in the old days you zoomed with your feet not by cropping in the software and yes this is where mp's shines but I don't think this add to the quality of your work. It was about 60 years ago when I picked up my first camera and I can tell you this "crappy photographers make crappy pictures no matter what they will use". It seem after seeing some of yours you can handle your trade without the extra pennies.

$600 is now $900. 50% price increase in 2 years. oof.

I'm going to pick up a Canon VT Deluxe and attach a Voightlander 25 f4 to it. Then buy a few hundred rolls of Bergger Pancro 400. Then fill up the jeep with gas, stop by Safeway and buy a coolers worth of munchies and beverages, then take a western road trip, ( Maybe US 95 from the Canadian Border south to Yuma and back), then buy a laptop, design a book of the best images from the trip, go have a Dairy Queen TRIPLE ice cream cone to celebrate the book when it arrives....all for less than what you spent on that Leica lens.

Benj this is not helping my wallet

@benjhaisch

3 жыл бұрын

😬😬😬

You should compare the same pictures taken with both lenses. This way is useless.

@benjhaisch

3 жыл бұрын

Useless? Nah. I can link you to some MTF charts if you’d like though :)

@enricopandiani1852

3 жыл бұрын

@@benjhaisch I'm a big fan of Voigtlander lenses, i have several of them, but a comparison with the Leica lenses must be made on identical pictures taken with both lenses. That's where (sometimes) you see the Leicas are slightly better. But I don't generally think they are worth the extra huge amount of money. In particular if we are talking about the recent Voigtlander releases.

@benjhaisch

3 жыл бұрын

@@enricopandiani1852 totally, I was hoping that was what was coming across in the video. For 95% of people, the Voigtlander is totally fine. My use case is a bit more unique in that realm. I’ve also owned probably 5 different Leica M Mount Voigtlander lenses as well. All good quality glass for the money.