Leica 24mm f/2.8 Elmarit-M ASPH. M-Mount Lens, Germany, Black {55} 11878

Leica's 24mm f/2.8 ASPH: the widest M-mount prime done right.

At 290 grams and 45mm long, the Elmarit-M 24mm f/2.8 ASPH disappears into a coat pocket without asking much in return. The optical formula runs 7 elements in 5 groups, with a single aspherical element doing the heavy lifting against distortion and field curvature at this focal length. Wide-angle M-mount glass has historically been a difficult engineering problem, and the ASPH designation here is a direct answer to that challenge.

The aperture ring clicks through full and half stops between f/2.8 and f/16, which matters when you're shooting by feel than metering to a screen. A built-in distance scale and depth-of-field scale make zone focusing at 24mm genuinely practical. The 55mm filter thread accepts standard circular polarizers and neutral density filters without adapters. Metal barrel, metal mount, made in Germany, the construction matches what you'd expect from the lineage.

Adapters to Sony E, Nikon Z, Canon RF, and L-Mount systems are widely available, so this lens has a realistic second life beyond M-body shooters. For anyone already invested in the Leica M ecosystem, the Elmarit-M 24mm represents a focal length that most M shooters reach for and rarely put down.

Who It's For

Street and documentary photographers working rangefinder-style will find the 24mm field of view and zone-focusing setup lets them shoot quickly without raising the camera. Travel photographers benefit from the 290g weight and pocketable 45mm length on long shooting days. Architecture and interior shooters get the wide coverage of a 24mm prime with the optical correction that the aspherical element provides. Mirrorless shooters on Sony E or L-Mount systems looking for a compact, manual-focus wide prime can run this via adapter with full aperture control through the clickstop ring.

Key Features

• 24mm focal length, f/2.8 maximum aperture, 7 elements in 5 groups with 1 aspherical element
• Manual focus, manual aperture ring with full and half-stop clicks
• Distance scale and depth-of-field scale for zone focusing
• 290 grams, 45mm length fits coat pockets
• Metal barrel and metal mount construction, German-made
• 55mm filter thread, includes lens hood
• Leica M mount with widely available adapter options

FAQ

Is the 24mm f/2.8 Elmarit-M truly usable for zone focusing on M bodies?

Yes. The distance scale and depth-of-field scale are calibrated and legible enough to set focus by distance alone at common apertures. At f/5.6 and beyond, depth of field widens enough that you can pre-focus and shoot without rangefinder confirmation, which is the entire point of zone focusing.

What's the weight advantage of the black version over the silver chrome?

The black anodized version weighs 290 grams; the silver chrome variant (MPN 11879) weighs 388 grams. That 98-gram difference compounds across a full kit, and it's why the black is the standard choice for working M shooters.

Does this lens work with mirrorless adapters?

Yes. M-to-Sony E, M-to-Nikon Z, M-to-Canon RF, and M-to-L-Mount adapters are all readily available. The lens maintains infinity focus and won't exhibit focus-breathing artifacts since there's no AF mechanism. You lose the rangefinder coupling, but you gain electronic focus peaking on the mirrorless body.

How much distortion should I expect at 24mm?

The single aspherical element is specifically engineered to control distortion and field curvature across the frame. At this focal length, it's well-corrected for a compact wide-angle prime, but straight lines at the edges won't be perfectly straight-that's inherent to the focal length, not a design flaw.

Can I use standard circular polarizers and ND filters?

Yes, the 55mm filter thread is standard. No adapters or step-up rings needed. Keep in mind that circular polarizers on wide-angle lenses can cause uneven sky darkening, but the thread itself will accept any 55mm filter without issue.

Does the aperture ring have half-stop clicks?

Yes, it clicks through both full stops and half stops from f/2.8 to f/16. This matters when you're setting exposure by feel and need granular control without looking at a meter or screen.

What's the minimum focus distance?

0.70 meters (27.56 inches). At 24mm, that's close enough for environmental portraiture and still-life work without feeling restrictive.