Zhao Zhenguo, Author at i35mm

Leica 28mm f/2.8 ASPH Elmarit-M

Compact lens

It’s a compact Leica 28mm lens with a maximum aperture of f/2.8, which is pretty large for a wide-angle lens. I hadn’t planned on buying this Elmarit lens, but then it came with a set of used cameras. The main advantage is its compactness, but the main disadvantage is that it lacks character compared to other lenses. In terms of quality and features, it’s not quite as good as the more expensive Summicron 28 f/2 ASPH. I like that lens a bit more.

Pretty Compact

However, the clear winner in the 28mm lens category is the Leica 28mm f/2.8 v1 (9-element lens). It offers top-notch imaging, a rich Schneider character, excellent craftsmanship, zero distortion, and great potential for appreciation. Plus, it’s the only symmetrical design lens in the Leica 28mm focal length.

The APS-H version is pretty compact, and for a 28mm lens, that’s one of the main perks. A lot of street photographers like to carry a 28mm lens with them all the time.

Even so, the Elmarit M28 2.8 ASPH is still a Leica lens with its own unique character, and many Leica users can still choose it. First, a new lens won’t have any defects, and second, it works well with digital cameras.

SN Start	SN End	Product	Year	Total
-3928917	unknown-	28mm f/2.8 ASPH Elmarit-M	2006	unknown
-3997682	3999025-	28mm f/2.8 ASPH Elmarit-M	2007	1,344+
-4005877	4007583-	28mm f/2.8 ASPH Elmarit-M	2008	1707+
~4037099	4043484-	28mm f/2.8 ASPH Elmarit-M	2009	6,386+
-4086805	4100089-	28mm f/2.8 ASPH Elmarit-M	2010	13,285+
-4118183	4136266-	28mm f/2.8 ASPH Elmarit-M	2011	18,084+
-unknown	4191851-	28mm f/2.8 ASPH Elmarit-M	2012	unknown
TOTAL	ASSIGNED	SERIAL NUMBERS	2006-current	unknown

This Elmarit is the most compact lens in the entire portfolio of Leica M-Lenses. This is made possible by the use of an aspherical lens element, which enables particularly compact lens construction and a weight of only 180 grams. 
Leica 28mm f/2.8 Elmarit-M Aspherical Lens - Rectangular Metal Lens Hood - Metal Lens Caps - Threaded Protection Ring
Focal length: 28.4mm
Aperture: f/2.8 to f/22
Camera Mount Type: Leica M
Angle of View: 75-degrees

Pages: 12

Voigtlander nokton VM50 1.1

It’s Cheap

In general, the larger the aperture, the higher the price. However, the Voigtlander Nokton VM50 1.1 is very affordable despite its large aperture. This is a Japanese-made lens. It has a large aperture and is very affordable.

Street Photography

A good street photography lens lets users focus on shooting and focus quickly. The Voigtlander vm50/F1.1 is a great example of this. The focus ring has a short travel distance, which makes it easy to quickly focus. Despite its size, the VM50 1.1 is actually pretty lightweight. The Leica Summarit M50 1.5 is smaller than the Nokton 50, but it’s much heavier. Of course, the Leica Noctilux 50 0.95 weighs more. The Voigtlander Nokton 50 is much lighter than the others.

Large aperture lens

Just a heads-up: Leica Noctilux lenses aren’t as sharp at full aperture as you might think. For instance, the Noctilux 50 1.0 and the Noctilux 50 1.2 aren’t as sharp as they could be. The Voigtlander Nokton 50 1.1 shouldn’t be too demanding at f/1.1. After all, the point of using an f/1.1 aperture is to get that beautiful bokeh. This lens is definitely worth using, even if it’s not the most expensive option out there. I’ve been using the f/1.1 aperture for portraits of family and friends, and they’ve all loved it.

Color

The only downside is that the colors aren’t as vibrant as they could be. When I look at the lens coating, I think it’s not as beautiful as those from Leica and Zeiss. That might be the main reason why it’s so cheap. I really like converting the image to black and white; it looks perfect that way. With digital cameras, you can adjust the color through software.

Digital Camera

Just a heads-up: the Leica Noctilux 50 f/1.0 and Noctilux 50 1.2 Asph lenses will have purple fringing on digital cameras. The same goes for the Voigtlander lens. When a lens with a large aperture meets a digital camera, it’s normal for purple fringing to appear. It can be removed with software. My favorite way to use it is with a Leica M8 camera to take black and white photos. It works really well.L1023808.jpg

Leica Elmar 90mm f4 3-element (III)

three panes of glass

For a 90mm focal length lens, it’s got f/4, but the aperture could be better. However, many people like this lens, which is made up of three pieces of glass. It actually has excellent optical quality and vivid color contrast. Collectors like it because it was produced in small quantities. This also makes it cost more than the regular version. What makes it special is that it uses more advanced glass than the previous version, with only three pieces, while the previous version had four pieces.

There are 5,947 M-mount lenses and 543 L39 screw-mount lenses. The lenses were made between 1964 and 1968.

High definition, high contrast

The Elmar 90mm f4 3-element is noticeably sharper than previous versions. It’s better than the Elmarit 90mm 2.8 V1 at f/4. The picture is much more vivid than the Tele-Elmarit 90mm 2.8. This lens is really sharp.

Leica Elmar 90mm f4 3-element + Leica M2

Leica Summicron-M 35 f2 ASPH

The key to opening the door

Maybe a small, exquisite, and beautiful 35mm lens can change your view of photography or give you a different photography style. The Leica Summicron 35mm f/2 Asph is the key to opening the door of street photography for you.

Versions

The Leica Summicron lens has always been a popular choice for street photographers and report photographers. Before the 35mm asph version, there were already four versions without asph. Their optical quality was really impressive, way above what you’d get from other brands of the same era. In terms of optical technology, asph is a big step up from previous versions.

Just wanted to let you know that the asph version has two generations now. I use the first generation asph. It comes in three colors: black anodized aluminum and silver brass chrome. There is also a brass black lacquered version, which is pretty rare. The second generation asph has the same optical design as the first, but with the addition of the aperture blades. I’m happy with the first generation.

Golden ratio

I think the Leica Summicron 35mm lens paired with an M camera is the most beautiful combination. I think it’s a great combination, and my favorite so far. I don’t like to install lens hoods because I want to maintain the golden ratio of lens to camera.

Rainbow

I think the anti-glare capability could be better. With backlighting or side backlighting, it’s easy to create a beam of light that damages the screen. But many people think it’s a wonderful rainbow and have fun with it. I’m not a big fan of it, though. I prefer more classical flares such as large light spots and reduced overall contrast.

Conclusion

I’m amazed that this lens was made in 1997. It works perfectly with digital cameras and produces rich colors and great sharpness. Leica lenses are really good quality. This lens is built to last a lifetime.

Reunited with Spring

Each spring, meeting again under the same tree. The same blue sky, the same tree, the same camera, the same flowers every year.

Street snaps without looking at the viewfinder

If you start street photography, all you can do is wait quietly until your hand gets used to the way a manual lens focuses. Without looking at the viewfinder, lock on 2 meters and press the shutter.

Choose your favorite camera and take it with you wherever you go!

Street Beijing

Choose your favorite camera and take it with you wherever you go!

April 16, 2024

I don’t think photography needs to be a specific time or place, and it doesn’t have to be a scenic location.

Photography can be done anywhere and anytime. In the eyes of many people, there is nothing new around them and nothing seems worth documenting. They say you have to go to a strange place to find inspiration. But I am not such a person. I think we don’t have much choice in life. Spring, summer, fall and winter are not our choice. You can’t say you don’t like winter so you have to live in spring, summer or fall. What I can choose is to choose a device that makes me happy and carry it with me at all times, and the good things will appear in front of the camera by themselves.

Out of focus, film photography

Street Beijing

Out of focus, film photography

April 16, 2024

Negatives don’t need glitz and glamor, just pure sunlight. I don’t discard out-of-focus photos, especially physical film, and digital blurry photos I tend to delete. Out-of-focus film gives you a hazy feeling with a palpable graininess. This realism is something that digital photography can’t give you.

street photography, beauty, reality

Street Beijing

street photography, beauty, reality

April 16, 2024

The difference between people may lie in the fact that they face the same problem and make different choices. In one thought, you make your choice, I make mine, and then I become me and you become you. The difference between you and me stems from that thought, and the fact that I’m carrying a camera in my hand.

Street photography sets us apart. Life is like the tide, the ebb and flow, like the breeze, the spring and the fall. Photographers are bystanders who record their choices. I don’t pursue beautiful photos, I just want to record the reality of life.