Leica Elmarit 28mm Review (Why You Should Buy!)

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 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)

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!

1-Click Editing: Leica Q Presets for LR

YouTube: Leica 28mm Elmarit ASPH

Need Something Faster?

Best 28mm Lens?

Cheap 28mm Lenses for Leica M Cameras

Perhaps the Leica Q or Leica Q2 makes more sense?

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

Girls on Film (x70!)

Romania Trip / Models 2020

Tenerife Photoshoot – 2018

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6 thoughts on “Leica Elmarit 28mm Review (Why You Should Buy!)”

Robert Lysakowski
June 7, 2020 at 4:24 pm

Thanks for the review, which version this is? Pre 2016, v4?

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1. matthewosbornephotography
  June 8, 2020 at 12:26 pm
  
  Hi Robert, I believe it’s the current version (see embedded YouTube review for a close view of it). Thanks Matt
  
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naturaox2
August 11, 2020 at 6:17 am

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

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1. matthewosbornephotography
  August 27, 2020 at 11:06 am
  
  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
  
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Damian
December 22, 2020 at 11:26 pm

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.

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1. matthewosbornephotography
  January 8, 2021 at 11:22 am
  
  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
  
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