Leica Elmarit 28mm Review (Why You Should Buy!) + 28mm Portraits + YouTube
Need a small super sharp Leica 28mm lens? Look no further!
Here I share 28mm portraits, 28mm landscapes and a short Leica Elmarit 28mm review to explaining why I highly recommend this lens.
Leica Elmarit-m 28mm f/2.8 ASPH lens – a fantastic lens, super sharp wide open at f2.8 and very compact for a Leica lens with a 39mm filter thread.
>> Join me on YouTube!
Leica Elmarit-M 28mm f/2.8 ASPH review
Rather than probably just repeat what others have written before me I thought it is probably easier to show you what the Leica Elmarit-M 28mm lens can do, both on a digital Leica camera and on film, black and white film and some colour film (click any image for details of what film was used). Thanks to Ruby who features in a lot of these photos. Many of the photos were shot during one of my 1-2-1 model photography workshops on location in London.
28mm Portraits:
Leica 28mm Elmarit – On the digital Leica M240
Leica Elmarit 28mm f2.8 – On a Leica film cameras (Leica M2, M4-P)
Leica Elmarit 28mm Landscapes (on Film)
Are you a Leica User?
Leica 28mm Lenses (M Mount Lenses)
My first Leica 28mm lens was for my M9 camera and was a M mount Voigtlander Ultron 28mm f2 lens. I bought it to use for weddings early in my Leica photography. I will write a short review on the Ultron 28f2 when I get chance. Next I bought the Leica Elmarit-M 28mm f2.8 lens, featured here, as I wanted a smaller 28mm lens for travel when size is everything. Finally only a few weeks ago I invested in a Leica Summicron-M 28mm f2 ASPH lens as I want to try to use it for weddings in 2018. It is larger and heavier than the Leica Elmarit-M 28mm f2.8 lens, being an f2 lens so I will keep the smaller Elmarit for when there is plenty of light or if I am stopping the lens down for say landscape photography. I wanted get the Leica Summicron-M 28mm f2 to use for available light wedding photography. Yes the Voigtlander Ultron 28mm lens is also f2 but I think I got my heart set on the Summicron-M 28mm ASPH (and it will hold it’s value in the long term so I see it as an investment).
28mm Elmarit vs 28mm Summicron vs 28mm Ultron
Here is a quick visual size comparison of the three 28mm lenses
- Left: Leica Elmarit-M 28mm f2.8
- Centre: Leica Summicron-M ASPH 28mm f2
- Right: Voigtlander Ultron 28mm f2
(*Sorry for the coloured lighting and dust on the lenses!)
Leica 28mm Elmarit – Recommended!
I highly recommend the Leica 28mm Elmarit ASPH lens if you photograph in places where you don’t need a faster aperture. No complaints from me and definitely a keeper!
Tempted by the Elmarit 28mm? Treat yourself!
Check out the latest Elmarit prices on Amazon! (UK) / (US)
Voigtlander 28mm Skopar vs Leica 28mm Elmarit
Have you considered the Voigtlander Color Skopar 28mm f2.8 vs Leica 28mm Elmarit-M? You might think that the Leica Elmarit 28mm is compact and lightweight but the Voigtlander lens wins on both accounts.
Voigtlander 28mm Color Skopar f2.8 VM lenses come in a few different versions (including LTM mount). Typ I is slightly smaller and more of a retro design (similar to the LTM screw mount version). Typ II focuses to 0.5m (not 0.7m) and is a lightweight aluminium build. I love the Typ II on my Leica M-A as a lightweight walkaround lens and use it more than the Elmarit.
Leica Q/Q2 vs 28mm Elmarit
If you need a 28mm Leica option for low light you should consider the Leica Q and Leica Q2 cameras. If we compare Leica Q/Q2 vs 28mm Elmarit on a Leica M10 or similar the Q cameras give you both a faster aperture and autofocus. The Leica Q particular gives you a great value setup compared to the price of a Leica M camera + 28mm lens. I now own the Leica Q camera and Iove it!
YouTube: Leica 28mm Elmarit ASPH
Need Something Faster?
Best 28mm Lens?
New Leica Elmarit 28mm f2.8 Alternative
Can the new Voigtlander 28mm 2.8 Color Skopar match the results of the Leica lens? I did some testing..
Cheap 28mm Lenses for Leica M Cameras
Perhaps the Leica Q or Leica Q2 makes more sense?
Related Posts
- Leica Summicron-M 28mm f2 ASPH lens – (New!) to follow
- Voigtlander Ultron 28mm f2 lens – to follow
- Leica M 50mm Lenses Compared + Leica Lens Guide!
- Leica M Film Cameras Buyer’s Guide!
- Lightroom Presets – Leica CL Downloads
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Thanks for the review, which version this is? Pre 2016, v4?
Hi Robert, I believe it’s the current version (see embedded YouTube review for a close view of it). Thanks Matt
Very good use of the 28mm . I don’t shoot with Leica but Nikon . Film and digital cameras alike . I like the 28mm fov and use it a lot for my live music photography and videography. It’s helps with telling the (back) story of what is happening on the stage .
I do love looking at your work even though I don’t study or even try to emulate any other photographers work . Your work inspires me , thank you .
By the way I just ordered me the 28mm Sigma Art f/1.4 in f mount . I own the Nikkor non ai 28mm f/2.0 , Nikkor 28mm f/2.8 ais and the Nikon 28mm f/1.8 G . And two Zooms that have a 28mm fov within their range . I feel I see at the 28mm fov or maybe feel the music or maybe experience the view at than focal lenght.
Thanks brother for the art you give !
Troy , live music photography
Hi Troy, sorry I missed this and thanks for your support. Great to hear you have the various 28s. I have the AI Nikkor that I now use on Leica as I can focus closer. Do you see much difference between the AIS and AI versions? Have you ever tried 24/25mm? I thought I liked 28mm but often found it too tight for wedding photos so I used 21mm but then that is a bit too wide so I got 25mm. I also have a 24mm and I find these are a real sweet spot. (If you ever get the chance to try one!) Cheers Matt
Hello, what keep my attention on you pictures is the color rendition and the contrast. A real Leica. On these points, how the summicron renders in comparison ?
Seeing your wonderful gear I am surprised that you did not invest in a Coolscan 5 scanner instead of the flatbed one, especially for color.
Seem nice to have a bike trip at Fuerteventura, what a good idea.
Hi Damian, thanks for all your comments and sorry I missed them.. replying now. I have the 28mm Cron, still need to do a review for it. I really like my V800 flatbed so haven’t really looked further.. and I shoot mostly B&W.. yes bike trip was great.. will do more after Covid
Nice tiny lens.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/m10-r/albums/72177720309682466
Yes great size/ performance ratio! The 28mm ZM Biogon is likely a better performer (my 21 and 25mm ZM are very good so I’d expect the same from the 28mm, but it’s sharper than the new Voigtlander Skopar at f2.8-5.6 even though a bit bigger. I use LTM cameras the most so will get the Skopar and shoot at f8-f11
Elmarit and Biogon are very close.
Thanks! People say the 35mm Lux and 35mm Distagon are close but the Distagon wins (see latest video). I’d see the same from my WA ZM lenses so I hope to get the 35 Biogon to compare to my other 35s.
..the Biogon should have more pop, more contrast, more colour saturation