Leica Elmarit 28mm f/2.8 vs. Nikon Nikkor Ai-S 28mm f/2.8

[Sanjin Jukic]

Be aware this is not any sort of scientific lens test.

It is just for your information and a web illustration only.

Leica Elmarit 28mm f/2.8 vs. Nikon Nikkor Ai-S 28mm f/2.8

Both lenses are manufactured in the beginning of the 80's.

Also they are the vintage lenses.

Leica Elmarit 28mm f/2.8 from 1980 (Made in Germany).

Nikon Nikkor Ai-S 28mm f/2.8 from 1981 (Made in Japan).

Mechanical quality:

Leica is a bit more expensive then Nikon, not that as much but because a mechanical quality is about 3 times better made then Nikkor's.

Optical quality:

Leica is also slightly better here.

A bit sharper at the center and corners in all apertures.

Leica color rendition is a bit more natural because Nikkor is giving always red and orange more saturated that maybe you don't need it.

So between sharpness and color rendition Leica is giving you something like more a 3D spatial feeling that you can see and recognize mostly in a big picture.

Then I offer here two RAW files to download in the case that you are interested in to check it out those facts by yourself.

Conclusion:

Everybody knows the fact that Leica is a better glass then Nikkor but the Nikkors are optically sometimes very close to Leica quality but not always.

Also don't forget that "ARE just very CLOSE" but never the "SAME or EAQUAL" quality.

And at the end the best is to have both of them and to have more opportunity to choose a right lens for the specific project location, artistic concept or application.

http://homepage.mac.com/sanjinjukic/RED/leica-vs-nikon-28mm-1n.jpg
BOOTS 1: Nikon Nikkor Ai-S 28mm f/2.8 at f/11, ISO 320, shutter speed 1/50 sec on Canon 40D

http://homepage.mac.com/sanjinjukic/RED/leica-vs-nikon-28mm-1l.jpg
BOOTS 1A: Leica Elmarit 28mm f/2.8 at f/11, ISO 320, shutter speed 1/50 sec on Canon 40D

http://homepage.mac.com/sanjinjukic/RED/leica-vs-nikon-28mm-2n.jpg
BOOTS 2: Nikon Nikkor Ai-S 28mm f/2.8 at f/8, ISO 320, shutter speed 1/50 sec on Canon 40D

http://homepage.mac.com/sanjinjukic/RED/leica-vs-nikon-28mm-2l.jpg
BOOTS 2A: Leica Elmarit 28mm f/2.8 at f/8, ISO 320, shutter speed 1/50 sec on Canon 40D

[Sanjin Jukic]

http://homepage.mac.com/sanjinjukic/RED/leica-vs-nikon-28mm-3n.jpg
BOOTS 3: Nikon Nikkor Ai-S 28mm f/2.8 at f/11 on Canon 40D

NIKKOR CR2 RAW FILE 9.8 MB>>> (http://homepage.mac.com/sanjinjukic/RED/nikkor28mm.CR2)

http://homepage.mac.com/sanjinjukic/RED/leica-vs-nikon-28mm-3l.jpg
BOOTS 3A: Leica Elmarit 28mm f/2.8 at f/11 on Canon 40D

LEICA CR2 RAW FILE 9.8 MB>>> (http://homepage.mac.com/sanjinjukic/RED/leica28mm.CR2)

http://homepage.mac.com/sanjinjukic/RED/leica-vs-nikon-1.jpg
BOOTS: 100 % blown up detail (1:1 zoom) from both

http://homepage.mac.com/sanjinjukic/RED/leica-vs-nikon-28mm.jpg
Left: Nikon Nikkor Ai-S 28mm f/2.8 from 1981 (Made in Japan).
Right: Leica Elmarit 28mm f/2.8 from 1980 (Made in Germany).

[sander kamp]

Great test! You have finally convinced me there is really nothing special about Leica lenses. Opened both RAW images at 100%, hardly any difference but think I'll take the Nikkor.

Sanjin, why all the Leica propaganda?

[Sanjin Jukic]

sander kamp,

It's very simple,

As I said on a big picture (4K) you can see all, good and bad.

So you'll take Nikkor and I'll take Leica.

As you like it.

And I'm gonna win.

P.S. Also those lenses are not the best examples of Leica's neither Nikkor's.

[steve palazzese]

Hey sanjin, I like very much Leica Lenses, really love those lenses, don't know why, probably cause i love the M3
Don't see much difference, but the bang for the buck ratio (in this case) is in favor of Nikkor's.

By the way you've got some freaking boots

[Sanjin Jukic]

;156777']Hey sanjin, I like very much Leica Lenses, really love those lenses, don't know why, probably cause i love the M3
Don't see much difference, but the bang for the buck ratio (in this case) is in favor of Nikkor's.
Steve,

By the way you've got some freaking boots

A difference you can see at 4K.

"The bang for the buck ratio" is on the mechanical and optical side of Leica's.

About the "freaking boots" is that I am daily also dealing with fashion and style.

[steve palazzese]

Is this going to be like the MAC Vs. PC threads? :-)

In any case, hope to see some RED&LEICA stuff soon...

[gdv]

Red with a 75mm Leica T1.6 lens, PL mount @ Utopia Tel Aviv, Israel.
Image looked great.
We are still learning the camera we will learn it with other lenses also.

[Sanjin Jukic]

Red with a 75mm Leica T1.6 lens, PL mount @ Utopia Tel Aviv, Israel.
Image looked great.
We are still learning the camera we will learn it with other lenses also.

GDV,

amazing!

Absolutely fantastic!

Where did you get PL mount for that lens (75mm Leica T1.6 lens)

or even better where did you rehouse the lens?

Also a short footage would be nice to see....:love:

[Sanjin Jukic]

;156805']Is this going to be like the MAC Vs. PC threads? :-)

In any case, hope to see some RED&LEICA stuff soon...

Leica vs. Nikkor or Zeiss etc... whatever brand is not like a MAC vs. PC.

Leica is just the best glass and Panavision Primo L lenses can always confirm that.

Have a look at the latest trailer from

Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (2008)

Shot on Panavision film cameras with Panavision Primo L series lenses (based on Leitz-Leica glass)

LINK>>> (http://movies.yahoo.com/feature/indianajones.html;_ylt=An.sZUHi6Oy3_swgSFXt7dBfVXc A?showVideo=1)

[steve palazzese]

Sanjin.....you win!

Q: there's a Nikkor that you think it's best than a Leica? (also Zoom lens)

Steve

[Sanjin Jukic]

Hi Steve,

have a look on this tread

What is your lens shooting kit with Birger EF? (http://www.reduser.net/forum/showthread.php?t=8937)

[steve palazzese]

thanx sanjin that's a nice selection

[Sanjin Jukic]

Do you know that now you can use even Nikon G lenses with Birger EF on RED.

Have a look:

"Because, as a Canon user, you – and your camera – demand the best lenses available.

Sometimes the best lens is a Canon; sometimes it's a Leica or a Zeiss; and sometimes it's a Nikon.

Although adaptors are commonly available for Nikon F, Leica R,

Contax/Yashica Zeiss, and even Olympus, Pentax and M42 lenses, until now,

no commercially-produced adaptor has been available enabling the use of unrivalled,

state of the art Nikon G lenses like the new 14-24mm f2.8...

How?

The Lever-Operated Version features a custom-machined aperture control ring that stops down the lens mechanically;

the Lever-Free Version enables the lens to be stopped open or stopped down simply by rotating the lens in the mount

through a stepless 10mm range. Legends on the adaptor indicate f2.8 / f8 / f22, though all apertures can be selected.

Both versions have AF-confirm chips, stepless iris operation and guaranteed infinity focus."


LINK>>> (http://www.16-9.net/nikon_g/)

[steve palazzese]

wow that's cool, any picture of it?

I think that the new 14-24 really rocks, and now it's possible to use it even on the RED Nikon Mount

nice find Sanjin

[Sanjin Jukic]

Steve,

not so sure that you could use new Nikon 14-24mm f2.8 G zoom on a "dumb" Nikon mount.

Read this:

"The Nikon 14-24mm is a G lens, meaning Nikon removed the aperture ring to save costs.

This means that the 14-24mm is useless on manual focus film cameras,

unless you jam a match stick into the automatic diaphragm lever to preset

your favorite f/stop."

http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/14-24mm/images/14-24mm-no-aperture-ring.jpg
Look ma - no aperture ring!

LINK>>> (http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/14-24mm.htm)

You can use it on Birger Canon EF with Nikon G > Canon EOS Adaptor>The Lever-Operated Version

that will be announced in early 2008.

LINK>>> (http://www.16-9.net/nikon_g/)

[steve palazzese]

uhm...I was a little overexcited...

by the way the Birg EF/Lever is a god way to go

Hope that The Birger System will be available for my ::2861::

Hey and your 694 is in the way for home?

[Sanjin Jukic]

;157487']

Hey and your 694 is in the way for home?

Still nothing.

Be aware I am in Austria and everything here goes in a "super slow motion" :).

Probably RED will arrive here in Vienna during my trip in Milan next week :).

That's life.

[fphgrb01]

"Where did you get PL mount for that lens (75mm Leica T1.6 lens)

or even better where did you rehouse the lens?"

GDV, when you have the time will you post an answer to Sanjin, I am pretty curious about both things!!

[Sanjin Jukic]

"Where did you get PL mount for that lens (75mm Leica T1.6 lens)

or even better where did you rehouse the lens?"

GDV, when you have the time will you post an answer to Sanjin, I am pretty curious about both things!!

This conversion is done at

Van Diemen Films
Film and Video Solutions
Bridge House
Branksome Park Rd
Camberley
Surrey
GU15 2AQ
England
UK

They were doing Leica-R to cine lens rehousing with PL mount

but also I heard that they are soon out of the business with that

(please correct me if I'm wrong).

How good is that rehousing done I did not see any sample footage or get any report.

LINK>>> (http://www.vandiemen.tv/leica_lenses.html)

[Steve Sanacore]

The 28 2.8 Leica R used in the test was an old version. The new version is much sharper (in case anyone is interested). I have my Leica R lenses mounted to Canon EOS with adapters, would love to PL adapters but I don't think it's possible.

[Sanjin Jukic]

The 28 2.8 Leica R used in the test was an old version. The new version is much sharper (in case anyone is interested). I have my Leica R lenses mounted to Canon EOS with adapters, would love to PL adapters but I don't think it's possible.

Leica's newest lenses are much better then old one.

Also Leica's fans know that very well.

Just because Leica CARES about a quality.

My test has an illustration purpose only.

[Caspert79]

See www.photodo.com for MTF data obtained under controlled conditions. The Nikkor 28/2.8 Ai-S has a MTF score of 4.1. Both Leica Elmarit-R 28/2.8 lenses have a score of respectively 3.2 (older version) and 3.8 (newer version). You can imagine I have difficulty believing the old Elmarit-R is sharper than the Nikkor.

[Sanjin Jukic]

They are all, Nikkor's and Leica's sharp enough for RED.

Let us first get the IMS on RED and then as you like: PL, PV, Nikkor, Canon, Leica, Zeiss, Olympus, B4, etc...

[Antoine Fabi]

again...

my taste...Leica, no doubts, hands down.
Less contrasty so more natural (i like) in the mid/low than the Nikon.
Also, the color purity seems better to my eyes.

I'd very very curious to see a Zeiss/Leica comparo.

[Jason Sinclair]

How each looks on a focus pull would sway me... Can anyone test that?

[Sanjin Jukic]

Waiting for Birger EF.

http://homepage.mac.com/sanjinjukic/RED/elmarit28mm_canon40D.jpg
Leica Elmarit-R 28mm f2.8 on Canon 40D with the focus gears, follow focus and all with 15mm rods.

[Roberto B]

http://homepage.mac.com/sanjinjukic/RED/leica-vs-nikon-28mm-1n.jpg

http://homepage.mac.com/sanjinjukic/RED/leica-vs-nikon-28mm-2n.jpg

hey dude.. amazing collection of boots.. :turned:

i knew it i knew it.. you are a feet's lover.. :)

http://www.reduser.net/forum/showthread.php?p=93115#post93115

edit
btw.. those ones are surely nikon.. you're the most funny leica customer-marketeer the german brand had ever once found along their history.. they should try to "sell" you to their competitors.. we are ours anyway and we don't sell you.. where could we get one like you?.. :-)

[Sanjin Jukic]

:) "Stay on Your Feet " gang :) .

[Roberto B]

nikon feet?.. Yes, Sir.

thx to you too..