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28mm for A7. Minolta too big, nikon too big
- Thread starter echolsphoto
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dazedproductions
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I haven't tested one but I would have thought the M-mount voigtlander 28mm f 2 or earlier 1.9 should be on the list of options.
I've been researching into 28mm M-mount rangefinder lens compatibility for the last month and here are my conclusions (For the A7, not A7R):
- The Voigtlander 28/2 Ultron suffers from noticeable vignetting at all apertures and possibly a little bit of smearing.
- The Voigtlander 28/1.9 seems OK overall, with a little vignetting at the wide end. Drawback: it's a hefty lens. Has a big ol' focus ring which I've heard is not the easiest to turn. Will need a LTM-M adapter. Goes for $500ish
- The Minolta M-Rokkor 28/2.8 is very good; vignettes a bit at the wide end (nothing offensive at all) and is nearly flawless after f4. It is very small and goes for about $500. Unlike the CV28/1.9 the M-Rokkor has a focus tab. Only problem is the notorious 'white spot' issue, which generally doesn't affect image quality.
- The Leica 28/2.8 Elmarit v3 seems to be perfect. Drawback: $$$$
- The Leica 28/2 Summicron has a small bit of vignetting/smearing in corners
- The Zeiss Biogon 28/2.8 has magenta smearing
For me, I finally chose the M-Rokkor 28/2.8. It works very well on my A7. The lens does have a moderate case of the white spots but it doesn't affect the image unless I'm shooting directly into a very intense light source. In practice it shouldn't be a big problem. I like how small the lens is, and I enjoy having the focus tab for street photography. No regrets so far.
- The Voigtlander 28/2 Ultron suffers from noticeable vignetting at all apertures and possibly a little bit of smearing.
- The Voigtlander 28/1.9 seems OK overall, with a little vignetting at the wide end. Drawback: it's a hefty lens. Has a big ol' focus ring which I've heard is not the easiest to turn. Will need a LTM-M adapter. Goes for $500ish
- The Minolta M-Rokkor 28/2.8 is very good; vignettes a bit at the wide end (nothing offensive at all) and is nearly flawless after f4. It is very small and goes for about $500. Unlike the CV28/1.9 the M-Rokkor has a focus tab. Only problem is the notorious 'white spot' issue, which generally doesn't affect image quality.
- The Leica 28/2.8 Elmarit v3 seems to be perfect. Drawback: $$$$
- The Leica 28/2 Summicron has a small bit of vignetting/smearing in corners
- The Zeiss Biogon 28/2.8 has magenta smearing
For me, I finally chose the M-Rokkor 28/2.8. It works very well on my A7. The lens does have a moderate case of the white spots but it doesn't affect the image unless I'm shooting directly into a very intense light source. In practice it shouldn't be a big problem. I like how small the lens is, and I enjoy having the focus tab for street photography. No regrets so far.
echolsphoto
Senior Member
I ordered the ultron f2 yesterday. it weighs 255gm, my nikon 470 w adapter. and it will be a lot shorter.
absolutely right, I should have mentioned it.
Your post has been the best summary of my research too.
I went with, what probably to others is an unpopular option, the Canon 28/2.8 IS. It's a highly rated lens from users and reviewers and it also works on my 5D.
I had the MB III adapter and wanted the AF and IS.
blue_skies
Forum Pro
The CV28/2 will do nicely, it is a bit bulky, but fast. If you get a helicoid M adapter, you can also get very close focusing, a nice benefit.
In past (Nex based) testing, I did favor the Elmarit 28/2.8 (pre-ASPH), but opted for the CG28/2.8 instead with its much lower price point. The CG28 does works on the A7, with the lens compensation app, which is kind of a handicap though. On the A7/r I would avoid the CG28. It also has the AF adapter, which is quite nice to use (I like how easy it is to get precide DMF focus).
Do not rule out the SLR legacy lenses, such as Minolta MD, Olympus OM, Canon Fd, Nikon AIs, Contax C/Y, Leica R. All have very good (and cheap) 28mm/2.8 lenses that do not suffer from vignetting, like the RF lenses do. Size-wise, these are all small lenses. When put on the adapter, they compare roughly in size with the original Nex-series E1855 kit lens.
I also recommend the OM 24/2.8 - it retains slightly sharper edge sharpness at f/2.8 than the OM 28.
My Pleasure; one last which, though shot towards the sun, shows the lens performance fairly well
A7 Elmarit 28 v3
Now the cron may be able to exceed this and adds another dimension entirely:
28 cron @f/2
28 cron @ f/2
There is no other lens which will produce the shots above.
Moving into the landscape mode around f/8:
28 cron A7
a7 28 cron
a7 28 cron
My own opinions, as always, are evolving. I'm not really sure yet which is the superior landscape lens, or even which will smear less at 2.8.
It should be noted that smearing on all lenses is greatly reduced as you move away from infinity.
I can say both of the lenses like the A7 more the the R.
evoprox
Senior Member
I've tried a good number of 28mm lenses on my N7 and the C/Y f2.8 Zeiss is my favorite. No issues to speak of and perfectly useable at f2.8. The Konica Hexanon AR f2.8 is a close second but I wasn't too happy with the Zuikos I've tried (f2/f2.8), especially wide open.
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