Leica 28mm f/2.8 Elmarit-M ASPH. M-Mount Lens without Protection Ring, Germany, Black, 6-Bit {39} 11677

Leica's most compact M-mount wide-angle, proven over decades of street work.

At 30mm long and 180 grams, the Elmarit-M 28mm f/2.8 ASPH. holds the distinction of being the smallest lens in the Leica M lineup. That physical fact is not incidental, it means the barrel barely intrudes on the rangefinder viewfinder, leaving your 28mm framelines clean and unobstructed while you work. The 8-element, 6-group optical design incorporates one aspherical element that keeps distortion controlled from 0.7 meters all the way to infinity, which matters when you're shooting architecture or tight urban geometry where barrel distortion would otherwise require correction in post.

The 10-blade aperture runs from f/2.8 to f/22 with click-stops and half-stop values available, and the preset ring gives you tactile feedback without hunting through a menu. Six-bit coding communicates lens data to digital M bodies for automatic EXIF tagging and any in-camera vignetting correction. The 39mm filter thread keeps accessory costs down, and the included rectangular full-metal hood screws on solidly, or swaps out for a flat protector ring when you need the lowest possible profile.

Made in Germany with a metal barrel and metal mount, this is a lens built to the same physical standard as the bodies it mounts on. At 28mm on full-frame, the 75-degree angle of view sits in a working range that travels well and adapts to a wide range of subjects without becoming unwieldy. For M shooters who want a wide-angle that disappears into the shooting process, this lens has been earning that trust since 2006.

Who It's For

Street photographers running a M body benefit directly from the 30mm barrel length, the minimal viewfinder obstruction lets you read the frame accurately at speed. Documentary and travel photographers will appreciate the 180-gram weight on long shooting days, and the distortion-free rendering means architectural subjects need no straightening in post. Photographers adapting M glass to Sony E, Nikon Z, Canon RF, or L-Mount mirrorless systems get a proven wide-angle prime with full manual control and a compact footprint that suits adapted shooting on any of those platforms.

Key Features

• 8-element, 6-group optical design with one aspherical element
• 30mm length barely intrudes on M-mount viewfinder framelines
• Manual focus with distance and DOF scales
• f/2.8 to f/22 preset aperture with click-stops and half-stop values
• Six-bit coding for automatic EXIF and vignetting correction on digital M bodies
• Metal barrel and mount construction, made in Germany
• 39mm filter thread with included rectangular metal hood
• 180 grams, the smallest prime in the Leica M lineup

FAQ

How does the Elmarit-M 28mm compare to the Summilux-M 28mm f/1.4 ASPH.?

The Elmarit-M is half the weight and 10mm shorter, with no viewfinder obstruction on M cameras. You trade the f/1.4 maximum aperture and faster autofocus capability for a lens that truly disappears into your bag and doesn't compromise your sight picture while framing.

Will distortion correction work on digital M bodies?

The six-bit coding passes lens data to digital M cameras, enabling automatic vignetting correction in-camera. Distortion is already controlled to 0.7% at the closest focus distance due to the aspherical element, so correction beyond that is minimal.

What's the practical focusing range for street work?

Minimum focus is 0.7 meters. At f/5.6, depth of field runs roughly 0.4 to 2 meters, which covers most street distances without hyperfocal calculation. The distance and DOF scales let you preset focus without rangefinder coupling.

Can I use a circular filter instead of the hood?

The 39mm thread accepts standard filters. The included rectangular metal hood unscrews and can swap for a screw-in protector ring if you prefer a lower profile, though the hood itself barely adds bulk.

Is this lens still worth buying in 2024?

Rangefinder geometry hasn't changed since 2006. The 8-element, 6-group design with one aspherical element controls distortion across the entire focus range. Used M lenses hold value, and this focal length remains the working standard for M-mount street photographers.

What's the angle of view on an M9 or M10?

75 degrees on full-frame M bodies. That's wider than 35mm but narrower than true wide-angle, making it practical for travel and urban work without the edge distortion you'd fight with a 21mm.

Does the preset aperture ring have click-stops?

Yes. Full stops and half-stop values both click, giving tactile confirmation without looking. The ring is mechanical with no electronic coupling, so it works identically on digital and film bodies.