Leica Summicron-M 28mm f/2 ASPH. III

Leica Summicron-M 28mm f/2 ASPH. III

Announced on 26 October 2023, this is the third generation of Leica's fast 28mm wide-angle for the M system, and its headline feature is something rare among rangefinder-coupled M lenses: it focuses closer than the usual 0.7 m limit [1][2]. Where almost all M lenses are constrained to a 0.7 m minimum, set by the physical reach of the optical rangefinder, this lens can decouple and continue down to 0.4 m, a range separated from the standard coupled travel by a light detent and marked with subtle gray distance engravings [2]. Carrying Leica reference 11618, it follows the first version of 2000 (11604) and the second of 2016 (11672), and it arrived alongside the close-focusing reissues of the 35mm and 50mm Summilux lenses, sharing their design philosophy [1][2].

The optical formula is unchanged from the previous generation, with nine elements in six groups, one aspherical surface, and a ten-blade diaphragm that stops down to f/16 with half-stop lock settings [1][2]. For the new version the rear element was adjusted to work better with modern M and SL sensors, notably the M11 [1]. The screw-on metal hood of the earlier lens has been replaced by a built-in pull-out circular shade that twists out and locks gently in place, a mechanism in the spirit of the 50mm APO-Summicron-M [1][2]. The lens stays compact, at about 55 mm long and 58 mm in diameter, takes 46 mm filters, and weighs roughly 275 g; it mounts on the Leica M bayonet with six-bit encoding for the coupled infinity-to-0.7 m range [1][2]. Using the close-focus portion requires composing without the optical rangefinder: on an M body this means Live View, the FOTOS app, or the Visoflex 2, while on SL bodies the electronic viewfinder handles it directly [1][2].

Compared with the version II of 2016, the body grew about 5 mm in diameter and 1 mm in length, yet the new lens is lighter, dropping from roughly 289 g to about 275 g, and its maximum reproduction ratio improves from 1:21.9 to 1:11.3 thanks to the close-focus helical [1][2]. The 46 mm filter thread and ten-blade aperture carry over unchanged, so the most visible identifiers of the third version are the retractable hood and the gray close-focus scale below 0.7 m [2]. The lens is offered in black [1].

Optical qualities

Rendering Because the optical design is shared with the previous version, reviewers expect comparable image quality, with the revised rear element intended to improve definition on current digital M cameras [1]. One reviewer who used the lens on the M11 and M11-P described its out-of-focus rendering favorably, noting good bokeh, particularly useful now that the lens can isolate close subjects against a distant background [1]. Detailed independent comparative resolution testing of the third version was limited at the time of its release, so claims beyond these points should be treated with caution [1].

History

Development and Launch The 28mm Summicron-M has been a long-running part of the M lineup, with its fast f/2 aperture and nine-element, six-group layout established at the first version's introduction in 2000 [1]. The second version of 2016 was released together with revised versions of the 28mm Elmarit and 35mm Summilux, gaining a metal screw-in hood and an optical revision aimed at flatter field and better edge and corner resolution [1]. The third version, 11618, continued this evolution by focusing on digital sensor compatibility and close-range usability rather than a new optical formula [1][2].

Production Evolution Across the three generations the core optical design and ten-blade diaphragm were retained, while the lens hood changed substantially: a bulky clip-on plastic shade on the first version, a flared screw-on rectangular metal hood on the second, and a built-in twist-out circular shade on the third [2]. The third version also revised the rear element for modern M and SL sensors and added the decoupled close-focus helical to reach 0.4 m [1][2].

Special editions No major factory special editions of the third version are widely documented at the time of writing; it is cataloged as the standard black 11618 lens [1][2].

Collector Notes The clearest way to distinguish the third version from earlier ones is the retractable built-in hood and the gray sub-0.7 m close-focus markings, together with reference number 11618 versus 11604 (2000) and 11672 (2016) [1][2]. Buyers should note that the close-focus range only functions on Live View-capable or SL bodies; on older non-Live View cameras such as the M9 or M7 the lens still works as a normal rangefinder-coupled 28mm but without access to the 0.4 m range [2]. The lens ships with front and rear caps and a case, and as a current production item supply was reported to be limited for some months after launch [2].

Sources

• [1] Macfilos (Jonathan Slack). Review: Leica Summicron-M 28 f/2 close focus. https://www.macfilos.com/2024/02/16/review-leica-summicron-m-28-f-2-close-focus/
• [2] Red Dot Forum. New Leica Summicron-M 28mm f/2 ASPH III. https://www.reddotforum.com/content/2023/10/new-leica-summicron-m-28mm-f-2-asph-iii/