The 28mm lens gets ignored by many since 24mm starts to get really wide (on full frame) and 35mm is the preferred "walk-around" gentle wide angle for most users. However, with the advent of digital rangefinder cameras, the 28mm is now a 35mm focal length. Below are the Leica M made lenses for 28mm. Prices are the approximate amounts you can expect to pay on ebay or a private transaction - add 10-20% buying from a dealer. Add more for hoods, caps or boxes. Updated JANUARY 2012
Lens Name
Amount $$
Serial # Range
28 Elmarit F2.8 Type 1 (9 element 6 groups )
$ 2,400-3,400 ( Wetzlar marked add $ 2,000+ )
1965 - 1972. Serial # range 2,061,501 - 2,533,850. Leica Code 11801. Min. focus .7m, filter is Series VII with some later using E48. Symmetrical lens design. Cannot be used on an M5 or CL due to projecting rear cell. Optimum performance between F4 and F5.6. Vignetting 2.7 stops. Designed in Wetzlar.
28 Elmarit F2.8 Type 2 (8 element 6 groups )
$ 975-1,250
1972 - 1979. Serial # range 2,314,801 - 2,978,550. Leica Code 11802. Min. focus .7m, filter is Series VII and later E48. Retrofocus design, can be used on all Leica M cameras. This designed focused on high central deifnition, and less on the corners. Optimum performance at F4. Vignetting 2.1 stops. Designed in Canada.
28 Elmarit F2.8 Type 3 (8 element 6 groups )
$ 1,100-1,450
1979 - 1993. Serial # range 2,977,551 - ? Leica Code 11804. Min. focus .7m, filter is E49. Similiar retrofocus design as Type II, but improved performance. This designed has improved contrast, edge performance and flare resistance. Optimum performance at F4. Vignetting 2.1 stops. Designed in Canada.
28 Elmarit F2.8 Type 4 (8 element 7 groups )
$ 1,400-1,700
1992 - ? Serial # range 3,585,865. Leica Code 11809. Min. focus .7m, filter is E46. Now 8 elements in 7 groups and lens was made more compact. This designed has improved contrast wide open as well as better overall performance than all previous models. Optimum performance between F4 and F5.6. Vignetting 1.8 stops. Designed in Solms.
28 Elmarit F2.8 ASPH (8 element 6 groups )
$ 1,750-2,250
2006 - current. The most compact M lens Leica has ever produced. 8 elements with one being asphere. Reviews seem to indicate very high contrast with very good resolution, although perhaps not out to the edges. Some are calling this a digital design due to the edge performance on full frame. Many believe the Type IV Elmarit to be the ultimate 28mm Elmarit for all around modern performance. Demand has been VERY high for this lens due to its relative low cost brand new. In early 2007, many were selling over $ 1800, when the price new was $ 1,495. E39 filter. Designed in Solms.
28 Summicron F2.0 ASPH
$ 2,800-3,400
2000 - current. Leica Code 11604. Min. focus .7m, filter is E46. Optimum performance at F3.5. Considered to have outstanding contrast, resolution and be flare free ! At F2.0, performance is similiar to the Elmarit at F2.8. One of Leica's finest lenses in the modern tradition. Vignetting 2.1 stops. Designed in Solms.
