Leica Summilux-M 28mm f/1.4 ASPH

Leica Summilux-M 28mm f/1.4 ASPH

When Leica added a 28mm to its Summilux family, it filled the last gap in the company's lineup of high-speed M wide angles, joining the existing 21mm, 24mm, 35mm and 50mm f/1.4 lenses [2]. It is the fastest 28mm Leica has ever built for the M system, pairing a popular reportage focal length with an aperture that, until its arrival, was simply not available at that angle of view [2]. The combination was aimed squarely at available-light and documentary work, where the extra stop over the 28mm f/2 Summicron buys both shutter speed and a previously unattainable shallow depth of field for a lens this wide [2].

The optical design uses ten elements in seven groups, with one aspherical surface and seven elements made from glass with anomalous partial dispersion to keep colors focused in a common plane [2]. A floating element positioned toward the rear of the system, behind the diaphragm, moves independently of the main focusing group to maintain performance down to the 0.7 m close-focus limit [2]. The lens is rangefinder coupled and focuses smoothly, with reviewers describing a sample as effectively perfect out of the box and even smoother than many 35mm Summilux examples [4]. In size it sits between the 24mm and 35mm Summilux lenses, balancing well on an M body despite a noticeable weight increase over the 35mm, and it uses a screw-in metal lens hood similar to the 35mm Summilux design [4]. Because the angle of view exceeds the standard M finder, there is some viewfinder blockage at the lower right, on the order of a fifth of the corner, which most rangefinder users learn to ignore; precise framing favors an electronic viewfinder [1].

The lens has been offered in black anodized finish, and a silver anodized version has also been produced [1]. It first reached photographers in chrome as part of Leica's 100th-anniversary M Edition 100 set before entering regular production, which is one reason early black examples were the only standard-catalogue option at launch [4].

Optical qualities

Rendering The 28mm Summilux is documented as a high-contrast, high-resolution optic that performs strongly from maximum aperture. Reviewers report outstanding center and edge sharpness wide open, with crisp, well-detailed files even on the 60-megapixel M11 sensor, though near corners can soften when focus is set at infinity and may need stopping down for depth-of-field reasons [1]. Color is neutral to rich and saturated, with contrast that carries a moderate S-curve yet keeps shadows open and files malleable in post [1][4].

Bokeh and transitions For a wide angle the out-of-focus rendering is smooth, comparable to the 28mm f/2 Summicron, but the f/1.4 aperture produces a more dramatic falloff from sharp to blurred that allows real subject isolation [4]. At distances of about two meters and beyond the transition is gentle, while at minimum focus the drop-off becomes immediate and pronounced [4].

Distortion and vignetting Distortion is very low for a fast wide angle, rated at a maximum of about 1.1 percent and rarely noticeable in practice [2]. Vignetting is more pronounced than on standard lenses, as is typical of a fast wide angle: Leica cites roughly 3.4 stops in the corners at full aperture on full-frame, falling to about 1.8 stops by f/5.6, beyond which mainly natural falloff remains [2]. Several users regard the wide-open falloff as a pleasing part of the lens character [1].

Aberrations and flare The most commonly noted flaw is purple fringing in high-contrast situations, a trait shared with other fast Leica lenses and readily corrected in software [4]. One long-term user otherwise treats chromatic aberration as a non-issue and reports flare resistance as another non-problem area [1].

History

Development and Launch Leica introduced the Summilux-M 28mm f/1.4 ASPH in 2015 as the first M lens to combine f/1.4 with the 28mm wide-angle focal length [3]. The company positioned it as the completion of its range of high-speed M wide angles and stated that it delivers the same recognized performance level as the 35mm f/1.4 Summilux, in some respects exceeding it [4]. Its arrival coincided with Leica's wider emphasis on the 28mm focal length, also seen in the fixed-lens Leica Q introduced the same year [4].

Special editions The lens debuted in chrome within the Leica M Edition 100 anniversary set commemorating the centenary of Leica photography, before it became a standard production item, and a silver anodized version has also been offered alongside the regular black finish [4][1].

Collector Notes The lens carries the six-bit identification used by modern M lenses and is offered under model numbers 11668 and 11911 [3]. The screw-in metal hood is a recurring point of discussion among owners, since it must be removed and stored when changing filters and replacements are costly [1]. Prospective buyers should confirm the hood and caps are present, and weigh the lens's substantial size and weight against more compact 28mm alternatives such as the f/2.8 Elmarit and f/2 Summicron before purchase [1][4].

Sources

• [1] PebblePlace.com (John Schwarz). REVIEW | Leica 28mm F1.4 Summilux-M ASPH. https://www.pebbleplace.com/reviews/rangefinder/leica_28mm_summilux/index.html
• [2] Amateur Photographer. Leica Summilux-M 28mm f/1.4 ASPH review. https://amateurphotographer.com/review/leica-summilux-m-28mm-f1-4-asph-review/
• [3] Leica Camera USA. Leica Summilux-M 28mm f/1.4 ASPH. M-Mount Lens in Black. https://leicacamerausa.com/leica-summilux-m-28mm-f-1-4-asph-black-anodized.html
• [4] Kristian Dowling. Leica Summilux-M 28/1.4 ASPH - 1 month Field Review. https://kristiandowling.com/blog/2015/7/21/leica-summilux-m-2814-asph-field-review