Leica 28mm f/2.8 Elmarit-M (4th Version) M-Mount Lens, Germany, Black {E46} 11809

Leica's proven 28mm ASPH: compact rangefinder wide angle done right.

The Elmarit-M 28mm f/2.8 ASPH (4th Version, MPN 11809) is what a mature optical design looks like after decades of refinement. The 8-element, 6-group formula incorporates one aspherical element that cleans up the field curvature and coma that plagued earlier 28mm designs, and the 10-blade aperture produces smooth out-of-focus rendering for a wide angle. At f/22 on the minimum end and f/2.8 wide open, you have a practical working range for everything from zone-focused street work to stopped-down landscape exposures.

The physical form is purpose-built for rangefinder use. At 180 g and just 30 mm long, it sits flush against an M body without throwing off balance or blocking the viewfinder any more than necessary. The 39mm filter thread takes standard M-system filters, and both a distance scale and depth-of-field scale are engraved on the barrel, so pre-focusing at 1 meter or setting a hyperfocal distance is a matter of glancing down, not guessing. The aperture ring clicks at full and half stops, with a preset function for quick stops between set values. Made in Germany with a metal barrel and metal mount, this lens is built to the same mechanical standard as the bodies it was designed for.

For shooters adapting to Sony E, Nikon Z, Canon RF, L-Mount, or Fujifilm X systems, the Elmarit-M 28mm offers a sub-200g wide prime with Leica glass quality at a fraction of what equivalent native lenses demand.

Who It's For

Street photographers working with Leica M bodies will find the 70cm minimum focus distance and engraved DOF scale ideal for zone focusing at arm's length. Travel photographers benefit from the 180g weight and 30mm barrel length, a lens that genuinely disappears into a kit bag. Documentary shooters who need reliable low-light performance at f/2.8 in a discrete package will appreciate the 10-blade aperture and consistent field correction from the single aspherical element. Mirrorless shooters on Sony E or L-Mount systems looking to add a compact, optically mature German-made 28mm via adapter also have a direct path in.

Key Features

• 8-element, 6-group design with 1 aspherical element for field correction
• 10-blade aperture with preset function and half-stop clicks
• Leica M-mount, 180g, 30mm length, flush against M bodies
• Manual focus with distance scale and depth-of-field scale engraved on barrel
• f/2.8 to f/22 aperture range for zone focusing and stopped-down landscape work
• Metal barrel, metal mount, made in Germany
• 39mm filter thread, compatible with standard M-system filters
• 0.70m minimum focus distance for selective framing

FAQ

How does the 4th version differ from earlier Elmarit-M 28mm designs?

The aspherical element corrects field curvature and coma that were present in earlier versions, giving you cleaner edge-to-edge rendering without sacrificing the compact form factor that defines the line.

Is this lens suitable for adapted mirrorless systems?

Yes. At 180g with Leica optics, it's lighter than most native wide primes for E-mount, Z, RF, or L-Mount, and the cost-to-image-quality ratio makes it attractive for adapters.

Can you zone focus with this lens on the fly?

Absolutely. The engraved distance scale and depth-of-field scale let you set hyperfocal distance by eye or pre-focus at any marked distance without looking through the viewfinder.

What's the preset aperture ring actually for?

It lets you dial in a working aperture, then use the outer ring to stop down for exposure without losing your chosen f-stop - useful for zone focusing or quick aperture changes in bright light.

Does the 10-blade aperture matter at f/2.8 on a wide angle?

More blades smooth out bokeh in the mid-frame, which is noticeable when you're shooting at wider apertures or have out-of-focus highlights in the frame.

What's the minimum focus distance, and is it practical for street work?

0.70 meters. Close enough for selective focus on details or subjects a few feet away, but wide enough at f/2.8 that you're not chasing sharp focus constantly on the street.

Will a standard M-mount hood come with this lens?

Yes, Leica supplies a hood with the 4th version. The 39mm filter thread accepts standard screw-in filters, and the metal construction matches the lens barrel.