Compact aspheric , 5th gen ELMARIT M 28
A review and sample photos of the LEICA ELMARIT M 28mm ASPH. used with a Leica M camera.
Table of contents
Gallery
- Sample photos taken with the LEICA M8 and HEXAR-RF +Kodachrme64
Review
1．概要
The LEICA ELMARIT M 28mm ASPH. is a wide-angle lens for the Leica M mount released in 2006.
As the name ASPH. indicates, this lens uses aspherical lenses, and is the fifth generation of the Elmarit M 28mm.
This lens is significantly lighter and more compact than the previous Elmarit 28mm, weighing 85g less and measuring 10mm shorter than the previous fourth-generation Elmarit.
The first digital M camera, the Leica M8, was released around the same time.
The lens has a 6-bit code added to it to recognize the lens name on a digital M Leica, and when used with a digital M Leica or a Leica SL using an M-L adapter, the lens name is recorded in the exif file. Unfortunately, this 6-bit code does not have the function of conveying shooting distance or aperture information, so not much information can be stored in the exif file.
The lens I had was the pre-renewal lens, with a hook-fastened hood (12526) and a special cap (14043) that fits onto the end of the lens hood. The renewed lens, which is the same as the SUMMICRON 35mm ASPH., has a hood (12470), but the special cap does not seem to be sold separately, so I don’t know the model number. It seems that the ones for the SUMMARIT 2.5/35 and 2.5/50 can be used, but I’m not sure.
The exterior of this Elmarit 28mm ASPH. 5th generation was renewed in 2016, and the model number was changed to 11677. The lens structure seems to be complete, so it is thought that only the appearance was made to match the lenses of the 2010s.
Another change is that the lens hood has been changed from the hook-fastened 12526 to the screw-on 12470.
2．Usability
Looking at the shooting records using the LEICA ELMARIT M 28mm ASPH., in addition to the digital Leica M8, I often use it with the film camera Konica Hexar RF rangefinder camera, and I have photos taken with the Hexar RF in the gallery.
It is a neat modern lens, and as far as I can see from the film, there is no peripheral light falloff or distortion even in 35mm format. It is a lens that produces good, natural images even among compact 28mm lenses.
The lens barrel design is almost the same as the Summicron-M 35mm, which uses an aspherical lens, and uses a straight lens barrel with no bumps or irregularities. The appearance is not very interesting, but the finger hook added to the focus ring is well made, and the helicoid of the new M-type Leica lens is very smooth and comfortable to use.
I purchased this lens at Fuji Camera in Nakano when I bought the Leica M8. At that time, the latest Leica aspherical lens could be purchased for 150,000 yen. As of 2024, a new Leica lens is no longer priced so that it can be easily replaced.
3．Summary
The LEICA ELMARIT M 28mm ASPH. is versatile enough to handle both landscapes and snapshots, as it produces high-resolution images.
The compact barrel makes it easy to carry and handle, making it one of the best 28mm lenses for rangefinder cameras in terms of both image quality and size.
Specification and Competitor
The LEICA ELMARIT M 28mm ASPH. has a shorter lens length than the previous 4th generation Elmarit. The lens configuration is significantly different between the 5th generation and the 4th generation in terms of the intermediate structure.
- The lens construction diagrams are quoted from each company’s materials, and the sizes have been adjusted by us, so they are not exact.
| Items | ELMARIT 5th early | 4th |
| Focal length(mm) | 28 | 28 |
| Max aperture | 2.8 | 2.8 |
| Min aperture | 22 | 22 |
| Lens Construction | 8 elements in 6 groups | 8 |
| Aperture blade | 10 | 8 elements in 7 groups |
| Min distance(m) | 0.7 | 0.7 |
| Lens length(mm) | 30 | 41.4 |
| Max diameter(mm) | 52 | 52.5 |
| Filter Size(mm) | 39 | 46 |
| Lens hood | Square type,hooked 12526 | Square hook hood 12451 |
| Lens mount | LEICA M | LEICA M |
| Weight(g) | 180 | 260 |
| Release date | 2006 | 1992-2006 |
| Production numbers | – | 10,130 |
Reference links
- Description page of ELMARIT-M 2.8/28 ASPH. by LEICA Wiki
- Introduction page for the 1st generation ELMARIT-M 2.8/28 (link in Shige’s hobby)
- Introduction page for the 2nd generation ELMARIT-M 2.8/28 (link in Shige’s hobby)
- Introduction page for the 3rd generation ELMARIT-M 2.8/28 (link in Shige’s hobby)
- Introduction page for the 5th generation ELMARIT-M 2.8/28 ASPH. (link in Shige’s hobby)
Update history
- 2025.4.23
- 2024.7.23
- 2024.03.10
- 2022.05.04
ate links
- Amazon Affiliate Link Leica Lens
- Amazon Affiliate Link Leica Books
- Amazon Affiliate Link / Classic Camera Specialty
Leave a Reply