I've run a series of tests using my 2008 model 28/2.8 asph and the new version of that lens on both an M240 and an SL. As a baseline, I compare both with the results in the same setting from a 28 Summilux at the same f/stops. The test image is tilted so that the details along the horizon line run from the lower left corner to the upper right corner. Here's the gold standard, with the SX28 at ISO 50 and f/5.6 on the SL:
L1010698 by
scott kirkpatrick, on Flickr
The results are that both 28 Elmarit-M lenses do well on the M240, with the new version of the lens slightly better. But the differences on the SL are quite dramatic. The original 28/2.8-asph has been reported elsewhere to have problems in the corners, and I see that as well. The new version does not. It is very nearly as sharp as the SX 28. Here are 100% crops taken at f/2.8 on all three lenses, from a portion in the lower left corner of the frame, ending only 90% of the way to the edges:
First the 28/2.8 version 1 on the SL at f/2.8:
L1010708 copy by
scott kirkpatrick, on Flickr
then the 28/2.8 version 2 on the SL at f.2,8:
L1010701 copy by
scott kirkpatrick, on Flickr
and the Summilux 28 version of the same portion on the SL at f/2.8:
L1010696 copy by
scott kirkpatrick, on Flickr
Now let's do the reasonable thing, and shoot the scene at f/5.6. First the 28/2.8 version 1, on the SL:
L1010710 copy by
scott kirkpatrick, on Flickr
and then version 2 at f/5.6 on the SL:
L1010703 copy by
scott kirkpatrick, on Flickr
The older version Elmarit-asph does have a little trouble at the very edge of the frame even at f/5.6 (and the new version does not), but in this portion both perform very well.
The scene is the district of Nahlaot in Jerusalem, seen from below the Supreme Court building. This warren of old buildings and alleyways was settled in the 1870s when it was first safe to leave the overcrowded old city, got very run down and is now seeing some gentrification. I have a more detailed panorama
here (50 MB file).
scott