The 28 MM Leica Summilux-M ASPH

The very first wide-angle lens for the Leica was the 35mm f3.5 Elmar of 1930. This was produced to go with the set of lenses for the first interchangeable lens versions of the Leica 1 (model C). The basic focal lengths chosen for this set (3.5, 5, 9 and 13.5cm) became well established as standard for the 36x24mm format. It was not until 1935 that the wide-angle range for the Leica was extended to include a 2.8cm with the introduction of the 2.8cm f6.3 Hektor. Even when the first M (the M3) was launched in 1954 the immediate successor to the Hektor (the f5.6 Summaron - a screw-mount lens) was still a year away although bayonet mount versions of the 1948 3.5cm f3.5.Summaron were available for the new camera. In fact it wasn’t until 1965 that a bayonet mount 28mm, the first version F2.8 Elmarit, came along.

For a majority of Leica photographers the basic wide-angle lens has always been a 35mm. Even to the extent that for many it often becomes the lens they use most. The moderate wide- angle style suits the direct vision approach of the M and the 35mm complements it perfectly. This and the fact that in the early M models the widest lens that could be used via the range/viewfinder frames was 35mm no doubt influenced the neglect of the 28mm. However even after the M4-P of 1981 squeezed in a built-in finder frame for 28mm, the 35 has remained the more popular focal length of choice, regularly outselling the 28mm many times over. Although there were several versions of an F2.8 Elmarit in the 28mm focal length it was not until 2000 that Leica introduced a fast compact 28 – the outstanding f2 Summicron ASPH. It is only very recently however that they have developed an F1.4 lens for this focal length. The new lens was made available, first in 2014, as a special series of 100 in silver finish to celebrate 100 years of Leica and now in 2015 as a regular production lens with the normal black anodised finish. Interestingly too the highly successful Leica Q has a fixed 28mm Summilux (albeit f1.7 maximum aperture). However the image quality available from Leica’s superior lens designs and the latest sensor technology has led to the inclusion of pre-indicated cropped areas for 35 and 50mm framing on the ‘Q’.

Size, Weight and Handling

The complications involved in the design of a fast high performance extreme wide-angle lens were exemplified by the 21 ands 24mm Summiluxes. The lenses grow larger and the optical design more complex.  Even at a more modest focal length like 28mm once you move beyond f2.8 the demands on the optical designer increase exponentially. Thus the 28mm Summilux is bigger and heavier than the 35mm Summilux but still smaller than its 21 and 24mm equivalents.  There is a penalty to pay for the light gathering power of f1.4 and its ability to creatively limit depth of field when desired. Nevertheless in actual use I didn’t find the bulk of the 28mm Summilux-M to be too much of a problem.  If I preferred a 28mm to a 35mm as my all round wide-angle it would not be a deterrent.

Handling is comfortable; the lens balances well on the M and the focusing and aperture controls are nicely positioned.  Inevitably however with the larger lens and the wider viewing frame there is significant intrusion within the bottom right hand quarter of the viewfinder especially in the near range. For accurate composition and framing live view is very helpful.   Focusing is smooth and the click stops nicely positive.  I also like the new style screw-in lens-hoods that stop positively in the right position. As always the lens’ fit and finish are exemplary.

Compared with the popular 35mm Summilux ASPH FLE the 28mm Summilux is very slightly larger and heavier but not unduly so.

Image Quality

Overall contrast at all apertures is high.  At f1.4 resolution of fine detail in the central area is excellent with a gradual reduction moving towards the edges of the frame where it is still good.  By f2.8 the overall quality is very high indeed across the whole of the full frame.  The optimum aperture is around f4/f5.6.  As is common with wide aperture lenses, performance is slightly reduced at smaller stops. Thanks to the floating element performance is well maintained in the near range even at the widest apertures.

Distortion at 1.1% is remarkably low for a fast wide-angle lens and would only rarely be noticeable.  Vignetting at full aperture is respectably low at 3.4 stops reducing to 1.8 stops at f5.6, which is around the theoretical natural minimum fall off for a 28mm lens.  This is corrected by the camera’s firmware in the M digital models.

Internal reflections and flare are well controlled.  Despite a considerable amount of against the light shooting, in some cases with strong reflections of the sun off water or shiny metal objects, I had no problems.

I always like to directly compare any lens that I am trying against a similar focal length equivalent of known excellent performance.  In this case the only 28mm lens available to me at the time was the highly respected Elmarit ASPH. With direct comparisons of the same subject at near infinity the Summilux edge quality was marginally better at f2.8 and f4 but by f5.6 it was impossible to see any difference between the lenses. The colour balance was consistent.

I also shot some comparisons with my regular 35mm Summilux. ASPH FLE, one of my favourite lenses. Obviously the image scale was slightly different but it was possible to get a feel for the overall character of the two lenses. Looking at the resulting images showed remarkable similarity. Without an obvious difference in scale or checking the EXIF data it was impossible to identify which was which. Contrast, clarity, colour balance and overall ‘style‘, including bokeh, were visually very alike.

C. Ullswater,Cumbria. (c) Brian Bower.

K. Salford gasholder. (c) Brian Bower

J. Donibristle House gate and the Firth of Forth. (c) Brian Bower

H. Lowry Bridge. (c) Brian Bower.

G. Boat museum. (c) Brian Bower

F. Old railway sleepers. (c) Brian Bower.

In Summary

It has to be acknowledged that the 28mm frame in the Leica-M’s direct vision viewfinder is not always the easiest to use, particularly for spectacle wearers. Nevertheless 28mm is a very useful focal length indeed for landscape, travel and street photography. Now that the availability of live view has simplified framing and composition, even more users may appreciate its practical value for these genres. For a lot of landscape and travel photography the slight increase in viewing angle compared with a 35mm and the extra depth of field can be very useful. Images have a more natural look than those taken with a ‘24’ or a’21’ where the steeper perspective can sometimes be a little too striking.

For ‘M’ users the 28mm Summilux ASPH is a first class lens that adds to a range of outstanding lenses of this focal length. It also fully upholds the very high standards set by the other wide-angle f1.4 Leica Summilux–M ASPH lenses.

The 28mm Summilux looks rather handsome on the Leica M-P. It Handles well and fits the hand comfortably.

 © Brian Bower 2015  

Technical details

Optical design: 10 elements (1 aspheric surface) in 7 groups, click stops to f16 in half steps,Focus 0.7m to infinity  - smallest object field 526mm x 789mm (1:21.9),Horizontal angle of view 65 degrees.

Filter: E49

Lenshood: screw-on via external thread

Dimensions: Length 67mm (81mm with lenshood)Diameter 61mmWeight 440gm    

Diameter 61mm

Weight 440gm