Leica 28mm Lenses Compared | A Detailed Review of Summilux, Summicron, Elmarit and Summaron 

That Elmarit 28mm is still my preferred pick out of all the options, especially if you're just doing mainly street photography in everyday life.

“And I hope this video is helpful” - Jimmy! This video is VERY helpful. This is the video comparison we needed; no one was done a side by side like this before of these main 3 lenses, and it’s helpful reference for me as I own the 28 Elmarit you showed in this video. I sometimes wish I had the Summicron or Summilux, but it seems like performance wise, I’m not really missing out on anything aside from stops of light (that Lux does have a beautiful rendering though…). Also, looks like you’re in Burnaby. Let’s grab coffee sometime!

The Elmarit was my first lens when I switched to Leica M with the introduction of the M8. It was the kit lens back then. I own and used quite a few other Leica lenses. This lens has everything but unnecessary weight! Absolutely gorgeous, I got huge prints on the wall pin sharp and great contrast. It’s amazing for the price point. In 28 I argue you need more then 2.8, that said it’s definitely good to have bit more on 35/50 lenses, it also has a much greater effect. The 50’s will always be the best performance lenses but that is due to the focal lens but the small ones are the general point of using a relatively small camera system. For the look of you desire open aperture shot on relatively medium distance up til 2 m you’ll need one Lux but even with the elmarit at .7m it’s all totally satisfying. The only con I will point out is, I had that lens 3 times in service in 15 years, up to you to decide if that okay. I used it daily but still for me a bit disappointing since none of the other lenses gave me that issue. The Lux lenses are epic but so much more unforgiving and very different workflow plus you’ll encounter several different issues you’ll never have to deal with the other ones including nailing focus under fast stressful working conditions

Jimmy is back in English...:-). Great comparison, your 28mm Summaron video a while back is the reason I got one.... Love your videos Jimmy!

Elmarit is the go for me. Thanks for the review

Your video has inspired me to perform a comparison test on the six 28mm lenses I have for my 35mm SLR cameras.

Thank for this very detailed video! It was helpful on helping me make a decision on which lens to get. Subscribed and looking forward to future videos. Cheers!

Superb comparison. Very helpful. I think the Elmarit wins for my needs. Thank you, Jimmy.

Excellent comparison ! Thank you for sharing ! It is much appreciated !

great video. I notice the same on the lux. even stopped down it exhibits purple fringing in the corners. I love the SR.

The Ricoh GR apsc gen1 kinda introduced me to 28mm and really love the time with it. After the GR, I was shooting with Pentax fa 31 for quite a long time on both my k1 and a7m3. Got a 24 gm along the way to pursue my love for the GR with a more capable AF system. And eventually bought a Q2 several months ago to set an end to this journey 😂 the color rendering of fa 31 on k1 is unique and superb. Love it even more than that of the Q2. But the 28mm on the Q2 is way sharper and more crispy I would say. And it’s easier to carry around.

Great comparison. I enjoyed how you balanced objective and subjective views to make it all come together fairly and understandably. I have the 35 Cron and 50 APO for my M10 Monochrom. Looking at 28s for travel/landscape more than street. Thanks to you, I can eliminate the Lux and focus on the Cron and Elmarit.

Good stuff, Jimmy! Your video affirms my decision to go with the Elmarit.

great review format and awesoe content as usual

Thanks for the review. It is very useful for users considering to buy the 28mm lens.

thanks for sharing your comparisons. This is exactly what I needed to hear, thanks

Another excellent comparison focusing on the right things. Just a note: on several occasions, in not just this video, the caption reads "bouquet" instead of "bokeh" is that under your control? Similarly there are a few misspelling in this video (Sumicron (5'46"), do-it-all "lean" should be lens (9'50"), these are just tiny details for your own use ;o)

Possibly more photographers are using a 28mm today because lens design has allowed for higher quality wider optics than in the past...

Thank you so much for this (and all the other) video !

the 28 Lux on my M11P. Seriously nice setup. The limited DOF shooting wide open is the biz!!!

Let's see if you can help me, I want to buy a 28mm but I'm between Summilux and Summicron. I am more attracted to the capabilities of the Summilux but I have read the following comments and wanted to know if you have noticed any of this: "This lens always develops a wobble right at the gap between the focusing ring and the DOF scale. Just gently rock the two pieces above and below this gap and you will hear clicking noises." "My copy had a very tight focus ring. I even sent it to the service department for diagnosis. They told me that it was normal for that lens. But after a couple of months the lens broke down and I had to send it in for service again." I would greatly appreciate knowing your feelings. Thanks in advance.

hello , your video are very high quality and you disserve much more subscribers . daniel from france

It would be great to have a comparation between the elmarit and the new voigtlander 2.8 color skopar

Just bought an Elmarit 28mm F2.8 V3 this morning. 😅😅😅

hi Jimmy, which camera did you use to test these three lenses? i think you may have said M11P but i couldnt be sure. BTW what 3 M lenses would you pack as a travel kit? Do you use M lenses on SL2 or SL2-S?? thanks

always will appreciate these controlled comparison be it even that only 5% of people would be able to tell the difference in real world use on these already spectacular glasses

very good details! thanks man!

I have these three 28 mm except the Summilux. The Summicron is a limited edition with the Matt black finish. All fit exceptionally well on the M and are easy to focus for overall sharpness. I skip the Summilux because I think my 50 mm Summilux has more character.

Great video! In English 🙌

Thank you so much jimmy! Personally I like the 28mm quite a lot but I already have a zm Biogon, I always want to get one 28mm with focus tab, but still struggling with the choice of Leicas or Voigtlander ultron. I am slightly inclined to elmarit, but it’s so close my ZM in terms of the spec!(28 2.8)

Hello Jimmy, Since I also wearing glasses Do you have any problem with the framline when using 28 mm len ? thanks ps. I do a lot of street photography but been looking for m11 now.

Nice Video, thank you!

Almost bought the Cron asph, but since I have a Q I don’t need the f2. Got the Elmarit v4 since i stop down for street and zone focus. I hope I decided well.

the first gen leica 28mm: sexyness in body shape and hood shape.

在Voigt 28.2（颜值太低）和elmarit（光圈略小有时拍暗光）之间纠结😂

I have the 28MM Summilux and find it to be a $7000 paper weight. .7 meter close focus distance on a 28MM makes cripples it as it is not possible to create dramatic close subject shots with recessed backgrounds.

Excellent job as usual! ❤❤🎉🎉

以前一直不喜欢28mm，直到上手了一只summilux之后。。。

Hong Kong post tracking

Thanks for the review. It is very useful for users considering to buy the 28mm lens.