This Leica 28mm Elmarit-M f/2.8 ASPH is a Gem of a Lens!

[@TheLefse]

The best lens they make. Tiny and excellent performance.

[@vanandpillai9424]

Looking forward to seeing the results and your perspective on how this lens performs on Film :) Thank you so much for this review!

[@sc1]

Yes, That will be one of my next projects!

[@chrisalberti]

Thanks for your very good analysis. I am in Rome on an extended trip to Italy, and I use the Elmarit 28mm M f/2.8 as my every day lens, for street and architecture. I have had the lens for several years and am delighted. I use my 50mm Summilux f/1.4 as my second lens, and that lens is one of the best lenses I have ever owned. However, wandering the streets and markets I need the wider lens more often than not, and the Elmarit is both sharp and innocuous. FYI, I shoot both lenses with my SL2 when I travel, taking advantage of the viewfinder. With the Elmarit, the footprint is almost identical to my M10-R.

[@sc1]

You are spot-on with the 28-50 combination. Either the 28 Summicron or Elmarit would work fine, but the 50 Summilux is essential, as I own that lens also. I’ve had great results with it, and per RDF, the 50 Summilux is actually an APO lens, but not labeled as such. I considered utilizing my 35 Summilux FLE+ 75 APO Summicron as a travel kit, but 35 is sometimes just not wide enough. And I can always crop in the 50 to look like a 75. And the 28-50 combination is small/lighter. But I ultimately could not handle the size and weight of the SL2-S, so I sold it, and I’m now relying on the M11 and MP. I wish I had my Leica with me when I visited Italy many years ago, but I unfortunately started in with Leica too late for that.

[@JimmyCheng]

it's not as sharp as the lux at 2.8, but sharp enough. it's got a crisp rendering that I really enjoy. Great street lens!

[@jeitoots]

I have the version before this, released with the M8 in 2006. It's such a good little lens. The Elmarits are just beautiful.

[@sc1]

Seems like an under-rated lens that deserves more attention.

[@quickerthandrawing2822]

i've often thought of snaggin' one of these for my m cameras

[@sc1]

if you can find a nice pre-owned, it’s a good value.

[@TCMx3]

All of these 28s are sharp (though no longer world class other than the summilux which for its speed is amazing). If there is a summilux look it's going to be the transition from focused to out of focus, often interacting with field curvature. Both the 28 and 50 Lux have it so you can get the look. When the 50 Lux was first introduced, it was a lot rarer for lenses to do what it did. That lens was often compared to medium format greats like the various 80mm planars and the Pentax 105mm f2.4. Today, more and more lenses do it just because now every company is making highly corrected, aspherical lenses with ultra low dispersion type glass, including 500 dollar Nikon and Voigtlanders. It's actually quite easy to induce the effect btw, not saying this is the only way to make it pop up at all but if you want to see it easily this is readily reproducible. Grab a subject, you know a pet child partner stuffed animal whatever, and place them about 5 to 15 feet away in highly directional lighting (e.g. golden hour). You want side lighting, doesnt have to be exactly 45 degrees dead on but something in that ballpark. Now, and this is important for making sure you get this to really show up, make sure you point the camera down enough to capture a good amount of ground in front and behind your subject. Portrait orientation can help but is not at all necessary. It tends to work at most apertures f4 and below but is really accentuated IME at f2-2.2 especially on a 50mm.

[@sc1]

“ If there is a summilux look it's going to be the transition from focused to out of focus”. - good point, I will need to take more advantage of the f/1.4

[@richardsimms251]

That is quite interesting about your comment. RS. Canada

[@garymc8956]

Mine is coming tomorrow. The used one I initially purchased from a dealer arrived with a loose front end that rattled when shaken. I returned it and had to wait for a new one to come in stock. I saw online posts with others having this issue and hoping it isn’t characteristic of the model. Also, I will use a 39-46 step up ring as a hood as the stock hood is ridiculous in doubling the size of the lens.

[@sc1]

Cool. Enjoy it.

[@berndvandecruys]

That's quite the 28mm line-up you have there 🙂. The Elmarit is indeed great for street and architecture (as it almost has no distortion). If you don't need the wide angle bokeh look of the 1.4, the Elmarit is one of the best deals in the Leica line-up indeed. Now that you have the Elmarit, in which situations or for which type of photography do you think you will use the Summilux?

[@sc1]

That is something I am still trying to figure out! I suppose the Elmarit will be mostly used on my MP film camera (I find it difficult to shoot at f/1.4 on the MP due to shutter speed limited to 1/1000, and a small lens is better balanced with the MP body). I will keep experimenting with the 28 Summilux on the M11 and try to take advantage of the f/1.4 and try out some night-time shooting. Such a high quality lens. it would be a shame for me NOT to use it. But because of the size and weight, I can’t say whether it will be a permanent lens in my collection. I think I was really under-estimating the Elmarit, until I got it in my hands.

[@sc1]

I just posted another video of my 28mm Elmarit in the setting of NYC street photography, on my film MP Camera. Analogue Film is very challenging. Could you please suggest how to improve on these sample compositions? kzbin.info/www/bejne/sHOQY6qvm9yIhqs

[@berndvandecruys]

@@sc1 The 28mm is a challenging lens. Main tip would be to get closer to your subject or work with layers (front, middle, background) to create some visual direction throughout the frame. Another one could be to clean up the compositions a bit more, putting focus on the subject while keeping the context that the 28mm provides. Another tip, carry a digital camera as well (could be our iPhone or your M11) and take a film picture once you like the digital composition. Nothing beats practice, you need to get your reps in to get better at anything :-). But great camera-lens set-up!

[@cinqo7]

Excellent review thank you

[@GastonShutters]

Great lens. I own it and questioned why I bought the Summaron many times :) It is sharp, not as sharp as the Summicron but sharp enough and it's compact size makes it the best bang for buck, size and weight. I never found this lens needing a lens hood. Great flaring resistance. Great Choice. I wish you enjoy it very much.

[@sc1]

I didn't realize how sharp the Elmarit is. I am selling my Summaron 5.6, and keeping the 35 Steel Rim as my "character" lens." I can also use the Elmarit on either my M11 or MP. At this level of Leica quality, it is difficult for me to discern any differences (in terms of sharpness) between the 28 Elmarit vs the 28 Lux, even when cropping in extremely. I just sent in 3 rolls of film to be developed from street shooting in NYC. I am curious to see how this little 28 Elmarit performed on my MP film camera. Check out my latest Patek video. Beautiful 5226G. I'm on the list for the Pilot Travel Time and the 5726/1A.

[@sc1]

I just finished trying it out on my film MP. kzbin.info/www/bejne/sHOQY6qvm9yIhqs It's a great size that balances out well with my Leica MP. I'm still having difficulty with capturing interesting compositions, even with the extensive playground of NYC. Any suggestions to improve my photography?

[@Leander-tt9kg]

I want the Summicron the most. However, if I can get something one stop slower for less than half the price, it’s hard to ignore the Elmarit (size is a bonus). It’s a bit disappointing to hear that sharpness falls off at the edges. My main lens is the 50mm Summilux, and I’m considering the new 28mm Summicron as a secondary lens. But when I think about the fact that I could add a bit more and get the Q3 instead, the Elmarit seems like the more sensible choice.

[@lottic]

Can't say I agree with the lack of sharpness from the previous 28mm Elmarit-M ASPH. I have owned both the current and the version prior; and much prefer the second-to-last version due to its much smaller lens hood design; esp with the ones released by squarehood very recently.

[@laurapodrasky9687]

The Look of each lens wide open is what most people talk about. From about 5.6 to 8 all about the same. Can see difference at 2.8 between all 3. You spend the extra money of you want to shoot wide open. When I am out in the streets I take the small elamrit out with me. Generally my cron is on the M10M the most. MY small travel kit is the M10m with the 28 cron and the 50APO

[@richardsimms251]

Very interesting video.

[@IDaumI]

I don't like lenes slower than f2 on my M cameras but I agree the size makes a huge difference. That's why I use my 40mm Summicron over my 35mm Lux FLE 90% of the time for daily use. As for 28mm, I would use my Voigtlander 28mm 1.5 since it is the smallest fast 28mm out. But other times I just use my Ricoh GR if for when I just want to shoot over 2.8.

[@kevinmallory5237]

Perhaps my favorite lens for the M - but you need a low light lens to compliment - say a 35 Lux or a 50 Lux. The 35 is might be to close to the 28 for some - but I find each has a nice spot in my kit.

[@sc1]

I have the 35 lux fle and 50 lux. this is a good addition to these.

[@kevinmallory5237]

Yes - and if you feel the need for a 28 lux on top of the 35 L and 50 L - just buy a Q3 to round out the arsenal 😎

[@sc1]

@@kevinmallory5237 I wish I would have heard this sooner. Too late, already bought the 28 lux, on top of the Q3. Not a wise decision. kzbin.info/www/bejne/fXTRYYigZs1rrJo

[@kevinmallory5237]

Yes - I have a Q being delivered on Wed - need to rethink my M lenses - 34 Lux is a mainstay but perhaps trade my 28 Elm and 50 Cron for a 50 Lux - this will leave me with a Q3 an M11 with a 35 and a 5O lux!

[@rogerwalker3201]

I wouldn’t expect a pronounced bokah effect, since it’s a wide angle lens with the characteristic of having excellent depth-of-field rather than shallow depth-of-field ability. The swirliness (bokah) in the background is due to a shallow depth-of-field and the characteristics of the glass of the lens. At f/11, you can set it up for preset focusing. Right?

[@thinkpadx60]

Great comparison. I have the 28 summicron f2 the new one. It’s a sharp lens.

[@sc1]

Nice 👍

[@selim910]

Will you do another “show us your Rolex?”

[@sc1]

Yes, please send me your photos of your Rolex. [e-mail]

[@mike_qbik]

Do you still keep in rotation your SL2S?

[@sc1]

I sold my SL2-S. It was just too large for me and I didn’t like carrying it. I still use the Q3 when I want autofocus or video.

[@joseuribe430]

Nice cameras and lenses, along with the Rolex watches. Wait! No Montblanc Meisterstuck 149?

[@sc1]

Not this particular model, but I do have THREE Montblanc pens! (a rollerball, ballpoint, and fountain)

[@joseuribe430]

@@sc1 your my hero! I should have my MP within the month and maybe a Montblanc as well. I have about 150 rolls of Tri-X in the fridge, woohoo!

[@sc1]

@@joseuribe430 the MP is worth the wait! So solid, it feels so dense and compact, perfectly put together, and the mechanics are… indescribable. A perfect Leica mechanical body. But knowing that each exposure is costing extra money, that takes on an extra sting to the wallet…

[@joseuribe430]

@@sc1 I'm so looking forward to it! Are you anywhere near Chicago?

[@jordankelly1782]

Have you taken photography class?

[@sc1]

Not at all. I guess that would be a good idea, but I am just trying to improve on my own.