Leica Elmarit-M 24mm f/2.8 ASPH.

Leica Elmarit-M 24mm f/2.8 ASPH.

When Leica introduced this lens, it filled a long-standing gap between the 21mm and 28mm focal lengths in the M system and became the first 24mm aspherical design offered for the rangefinder line [1][2]. The 24mm view sits close to the 21mm in coverage, with a diagonal angle of view of about 84 degrees, yet it remains easier to manage for architecture and reportage because converging verticals are simpler to control from a workable distance. Its aspherical construction was the key to delivering high contrast and fine detail across the frame at full aperture, performance that Leica positioned as a new standard among wide-angle lenses of its time.

The optical formula uses 7 elements in 5 groups, focusing down to 0.7 m, with a manual diaphragm of 8 blades running from f/2.8 to f/16 in click stops that include half values. The lens couples to the rangefinder and mounts on the Leica M quick-change bayonet, and it accepts E55 screw-in filters. The barrel is compact at 46 mm long and 58 mm in diameter, and the standard black anodized aluminum version weighs about 290 g. Handling is conventional for an M wide-angle: a focusing scale combined in meters and feet, and depth-of-field markings appropriate to the focal length.

The lens is inscribed ELMARIT-M ASPH. 1:2.8/24. Leica records a black version under order number 11878. According to the Leica Wiki, a chrome-plated brass version was also produced under order number 11898, weighing roughly 388 g, alongside the lighter black model. Serial-number records show 24mm Elmarit-M production beginning in the mid-1990s and continuing into the later 2000s, with the aspherical designation appearing consistently in the records from the early 2000s onward.

Optical qualities

Rendering Documented rendering centers on high contrast and strong detail rendition, present even at maximum aperture, with Leica noting that closing down by roughly 1 to 1.5 stops brings the lens to its peak across the field. The maker also describes good brilliance and plasticity retained into close focus, traits cited in the context of photojournalism and architectural use. Beyond these manufacturer-stated characteristics, detailed independent rendering analysis is limited in freely available sources, so claims about bokeh, flare, and distortion are best treated cautiously rather than overstated.

History

Development and Launch The Elmarit-M 24mm f/2.8 ASPH. was created to provide a moderate ultra-wide option between the 21mm and 28mm Elmarit-M lenses, using an aspherical surface to reach high edge-to-edge performance in a compact M-mount package. Its 84-degree diagonal coverage and 24mm focal length made it well suited to architecture and documentary work, where the slightly tighter view compared with a 21mm eases the control of converging lines.

Production Evolution Leica Wiki serial-number tables show 24mm f/2.8 Elmarit-M lenses being produced in batches from the mid-1990s, with both black and chrome runs appearing in the late 1990s, and aspherical-labeled production continuing through the 2000s. The same records list later large production blocks in the second half of the 2000s.

Special editions No widely documented military, export, or special factory variants of this lens are recorded beyond the standard black and chrome finishes noted in the Leica Wiki.

Collector Notes The lens can be identified by its ELMARIT-M ASPH. 1:2.8/24 inscription and its E55 filter thread. Buyers should confirm whether a given example is the lighter black anodized aluminum version or the heavier chrome-plated brass version, since the two differ noticeably in weight. Note a small discrepancy among references: LeicaLensList records this lens in black only, while the Leica Wiki associates order number 11898 with a chrome finish; the confirmed LeicaLensList data should take precedence for cataloguing. As with any wide-angle M lens, it is worth checking the aspherical front group and internal optics for haze or cleaning marks and verifying smooth aperture click action before purchase.