28MM BAYONET MOUNT LENSES

28mm f/2.8 Elmarit-M (version 1)

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• Introduced in 1965²⁴⁴
• Version 1 of this lens is the Wetzlar-made 28mm f/2.8 Elmarit-M lens. This initial German version consists of nine elements and features a deeply protruding rear element group, which limits its compatibility with Leica cameras that have built-in metering¹³³.
• Although this Wetzlar-made 28mm f/2.8 Elmarit-M lens can physically mount to the Leica M6, it does not allow for accurate metering. The protruding rear elements interfere with the meter's acceptance angle, preventing it from accurately measuring the light reflected from the subject¹³³.
• The catalog number for this lens is 11801²³⁵.
• The rear lens elements of the very first version of the 28mm f/2.8 Elmarit-M (designated as Code 11801 and located below serial number 2314921) extend deep into the camera body, affecting metering on the M6. However, the optical design was modified at serial number 2314921, effectively eliminating this protrusion, allowing the lens to be used with the newer M5 model. All versions of the Elmarit produced after this change meter correctly on the M6²³⁵.
• It is also important to note that early 28mm f/2.8 Elmarit-M lenses with serial numbers below 2411000 will not correctly activate the 28mm frame on the M6, M4-P, and M4-2 camera bodies²³⁵.
• The lens consisted of nine elements arranged in six groups. Its size was kept within a reasonable limit at the front, allowing for an efficient hood, which stayed clear of the bright-line viewfinder frame. However, at the rear, the glass extended almost as far as the shutter curtain²⁴⁴.
• Image quality was only adequate at full aperture, exhibiting significant curvature of field and flare due to coma towards the edges of the frame. On the positive side, the non-retrofocus design was quite resistant to reflections caused by the sun, whether in or near the frame. Due to the field curvature, the corners of an image were not fully sharp at infinity, even when using the smallest apertures. Nonetheless, the majority of the frame fell within the depth of field at reasonable apertures²⁴⁴.
• If large enlargements were planned, it was advisable to stop down beyond f/5.6. The front flange was threaded for an E48 filter, and the clip-on hood could accommodate a Series VII filter if desired²⁴⁴.

28mm f/2.8 Elmarit-M (version 2)

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• Introduced in 1969²⁴⁴.
• This version, known as Version 2, features a steeply curving convex front surface with an angle of view of 76° and a focal length of 28mm. Note the prominent arc of the front element. Compared to the previous version, this lens has one less optical element¹³³.
• E48 version²⁴⁴
• The second version was designed as a retrofocus lens specifically for the Leica M5. It was shortened at the rear to provide clearance for the M5’s swinging arm, which held the metering cell. The diameter of the new lens at the front remained nearly the same as that of its predecessor, and it continued to use the same hood and E48 (or Series VII) filter²⁴⁴.
• Constructed with eight elements arranged in six groups, this lens benefited from advancements in technology that significantly improved image quality at maximum aperture, particularly in the corners of the frame. At f/4, objects at infinity in the corners were quite acceptably sharp, and the lens maintained excellent sharpness all the way to f/22, exhibiting less diffraction than the first design at that aperture²⁴⁴.
• image quality at maximum aperture was more contrasty. Reflections were observed when the lens was pointed toward the sun, but overall, the performance level was much improved compared to the 28mm f/2.8 Elmarit-M (version 1)²⁴⁴.

28mm f/2.8 Elmarit-M (version 3)

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• Introduced in 1979, the 28mm 28mm f/2.8 Elmarit-M (version 3) lens features a completely new design based on advanced computation. With its large angle of view and excellent optical performance, even at full aperture of f/2.8, this lens occupies a unique position in photography. It consists of eight elements arranged in six groups and is coupled with the rangefinder, allowing for focus from infinity down to 0.7 meters. The designers placed a strong emphasis on ease of handling with this new lens, which is cataloged under the number 11804⁸⁸.
• Version 3 of this lens has a simpler, more tubular barrel design. Maintaining the eight-element configuration, this version slightly adjusts the position of the iris diaphragm¹³³.
• E49 Version²⁴⁴
• The third design retains the eight elements in six groups, but it improves the maximum aperture performance. This new design was intended to produce cleaner and flare-free images at f/2.8. It also offered better reflection qualities when shooting toward the sun. However, it introduced considerable curvature of field, resulting in poor corner sharpness at infinity across all apertures. Despite this, a 28mm f/2.8 lens on a rangefinder Leica is typically used for available light photography at close distances rather than for landscapes requiring stopped-down settings. Most users regard this lens as excellent when used within its design capabilities. The front flange was slightly enlarged to accommodate an E49 filter, and a new twist-on lens hood was introduced. A later version of the same hood (catalog number 12536) included a cutout for easier use with the built-in 28mm finder frame of the M4-P camera, which debuted in 1981²⁴⁴.

28mm f/2.8 Elmarit-M (version 4)

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• The 28mm f/2.8 Elmarit-M (version 4), introduced in 1993, features an E-46 filter size²⁴⁴.
• This lens aims to address issues related to curvature and image quality at maximum aperture. Composed of eight elements arranged in seven groups, it maintains a flat field at all apertures, delivering exceptional image quality even when wide open. However, one slight drawback is the occurrence of flare and reflections when the lens is pointed toward the sun²⁴⁴.
• The front flange of the lens is smaller than in previous designs and is compatible with an E46 filter and a clip-on hood. There have been at least three versions of the hood. These hoods, referred to as catalog numbers 11809, 12547, and 12588, each feature cutouts and their own rectangular caps. The two latter hoods slightly intrude into the bottom of both metal and plastic brightline finder fields, but the cutouts facilitate viewing through the camera's finder frame²⁴⁴.
• The combination of the latest glass types and improved retrofocus design allowed Leica to create a well-balanced lens in the 28mm f/2.8 Elmarit-M of 1993²⁴⁴.

28-35-50mm f/4 Tri-Elmar-M ASPH (version 1)

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• Introduced in 1998²¹¹
• Leica Camera has released the first-ever M lens featuring three focal lengths: 28-35-50mm f/4 Tri-Elmar-M ASPH (version 1). This compact lens is ideal for travel photographers and photojournalists, as it covers the frequently used wide-angle focal lengths of 28mm and 35mm, as well as the standard 50mm. Despite being versatile, it is not a zoom lens; the 28-35-50mm f/4 Tri-Elmar-M ASPH (version 1) can be set specifically to these three focal lengths²¹¹.
• 28-35-50mm f/4 Tri-Elmar-M ASPH (version 1) lens is compatible with Leica's classic M6 rangefinder. It delivers photographs rich in contrast and detail at all three focal lengths. The optical construction includes eight elements arranged in six groups; two of these elements have aspherical surfaces, and five are made from special high-index glass types²¹¹.
• Users can select the focus, lens aperture, and focal length via three distinct adjustment rings. The focal-length adjustment ring includes noticeable click stops at the 28mm, 35mm, and 50mm settings, preventing accidental adjustments. The frame lines for the selected focal length are automatically reflected in the M6's viewfinder²¹¹.
• Extremely compact, the 28-35-50mm f/4 Tri-Elmar-M ASPH (version 1) lens will be available this summer with a suggested retail price of 2495 USD²¹¹.
• 28-35-50mm f/4 Tri-Elmar-M ASPH (version 1) represents a milestone in lens design for the Leica M camera. According to Sonke Peters, the Leica M Product Manager, this lens is the most complex M lens ever created. It features the same eight elements arranged in six groups, including two aspherical surfaces. An additional adjustment ring allows users to select the focal length, alongside the traditional rings for focus and aperture. While it is not a zoom lens in the conventional sense, 28-35-50mm f/4 Tri-Elmar-M ASPH (version 1) offers variable focal lengths reminiscent of convertible lenses from photography's early days²¹².
• Each of the three focal lengths selected by the ring has a distinct detent, ensuring accurate selection. A clever mechanical adjustment was introduced to enable proper actuation of the 28mm frame lines; this involved cutting the frame-actuating cam on the lens mount in two. You might notice that the preview lever on the camera moves independently when you select a new focal length²¹².
• The lens’s front element is designed to be recessed enough that a lens hood is unnecessary, and in fact, none is included. The filter size for this lens is E55, which was increased from the original E49 size due to vignetting issues discovered during development²¹².
• Additionally, a new universal polarizer for the M (catalog number 13356) has been introduced, which can accommodate several different filter sizes, including the newer lenses with built-in lens hoods. The polarizer comes in a fitted leather case with adapter rings for E39 and E46 filter sizes, and a separate adapter for E49 size lenses is available. Users can simply screw the adapter onto the lens and attach the polarizer to it²¹².

28-35-50mm f/4 Tri-Elmar-M ASPH (version 2)

28-35-50mm f/4 Tri-Elmar-M ASPH (version 2) engraved "Leica HISTORICA 1975-2000."

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• This very special lens was created to commemorate the 25th anniversary of Leica Historica e.V. It features a unique engraving that reads "Leica HISTORICA 1975-2000." Only 75 pieces of this lens were produced, numbered 1 to 74, along with one piece numbered 150. The engraving is similar to that on the M6 model, which celebrated the 20th anniversary of Leica Historica e.V.²³⁶.
• The chrome Tri-Elmar lens is particularly special, as only 575 lenses were manufactured, including the 75 with unique engraving. This chrome version weighs 460 grams, while the black version weighs only 340 grams. In addition to the distinctive engraving, the lens cap is also noteworthy; it is made from a heavy metal and features an engraving of the Leica logo²³⁶.
• 28-35-50mm f/4 Tri-Elmar-M ASPH (version 2) engraved "Leica HISTORICA 1975-2000., when paired with the Leica M6 “Leica HISTORICA” body and the 50mm f/2 Summicron lens, creates a special commemorative set for the anniversary²³⁶.

28mm f/2 Summicron-M ASPH

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• The 28mm f/2 Summicron-M ASPH lens was announced in 2000. This new high-speed wide-angle lens was eagerly anticipated by photojournalists and enthusiasts of low-light photography and was introduced at Photokina²³¹.
• Thanks to the use of special glass types and an aspherical lens element, Leica's lens designers achieved improved optical performance²³¹.
• The lens comprises nine elements arranged in six groups, including one aspherical surface, and supports a filter size of E46. It weighs 270 grams (without the lens hood)²³¹.
• The suggested retail price for the lens is 1995.00 USD, and deliveries are set to begin in February of 2001²³¹.
• Lens offers unprecedented image quality at wide open aperture, combined with a flat field and a compact size²⁴⁴

28mm f/2.8 Elmarit-M ASPH (version 5)

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• Introduced in 2006 at Photokina²⁷⁷
• designed to work equally well on analog and digital M’s²⁷⁷
• Word has it that 28mm f/2.8 Elmarit-M ASPH (version 5) was designed with the Leica M8 in mind²⁷⁷.

28mm f/1.4 Summilux-M ASPH

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• 28mm f/1.4 Summilux-M ASPH was first made available in 2014 as a special series of 100 in a silver finish to celebrate Leica's 100th anniversary. In 2015, it was released as a regular production lens in a standard black anodized finish³⁰⁶.
• At a focal length like 28mm, moving beyond f/2.8 significantly increases the demands on the optical designer. Consequently, the 28mm f/1.4 Summilux-M ASPH is big and heavy. There is a trade-off for the light-gathering capability of f/1.4 and its ability to creatively limit depth of field when desired³⁰⁶.
• There is notable intrusion into the bottom right-hand corner of the viewfinder, especially at close distances. For accurate composition and framing, live view is extremely helpful. The focusing action is smooth, and the click stops for the aperture are positively firm³⁰⁶.
• new style screw-in lens hood³⁰⁶
• Technical Details³⁰⁶:
  1. Optical Design: 10 elements (1 aspherical surface) in 7 groups³⁰⁶
  2. Click Stops: to f/16 in half stops³⁰⁶
  3. Focus Range: 0.7m to infinity³⁰⁶
  4. Smallest Object Field: 526mm x 789mm (1:21.9)³⁰⁶
  5. Horizontal Angle of View: 65 degrees³⁰⁶
  6. Filter Size: E49³⁰⁶
  7. Lens Hood: Screw-on via external thread³⁰⁶
• Dimensions³⁰⁶:
  1. Length: 67mm (81mm with lens hood)³⁰⁶
  2. Diameter: 61mm³⁰⁶
  3. Weight: 440g³⁰⁶

28mm f/5.6 Summaron-M

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• The 28mm f/5.6 Summaron-M lens was introduced in 2017, with catalog number 11695³¹².
• Key specifications include³¹²:
  1. Angle of view (diagonal, horizontal, vertical): 75° / 65° / 46°³¹²
  2. Number of elements/groups: 6 elements in 4 groups³¹²
  3. Position of entrance pupil in front of the bayonet: 2.4mm³¹²
  4. Focusing range: 1 meter to infinity³¹²
  5. Distance setting combined meter-increments for the smallest object field (for 35mm): 80 x 120mm³¹²
  6. Largest reproduction ratio: 1:33.4³¹²
  7. Aperture setting/type: prefix with click stops, full stops³¹²
  8. Smallest aperture: f/22³¹²
  9. Number of aperture blades: 8³¹²
  10. Filter thread: E34³¹²
• Dimensions and weight³¹²:
  1. Length: approximately 18mm (without lens hood) / 39mm (with lens hood)³¹²
  2. Largest diameter (without lens hood): approximately 51mm³¹²
  3. Weight: approximately 165g (without lens hood)³¹²