Leica Summicron-M 28mm, ASPH. E46

The Leica Summicron-M 28mm f/2 ASPH. is a compact, fast wide-angle prime made for the Leica M system, pairing the everyday versatility of 28mm with a bright f/2 maximum aperture.

28mm gives you plenty of room without feeling extreme. It's particularly at home with street photography, documentary work, travel and everyday shooting, where you can take in more of the scene while still getting close to your subject.

The f/2 maximum aperture also makes this a particularly useful wide-angle when the light drops. Its optical design uses nine elements in six groups with an aspherical element, while manual rangefinder focusing keeps the shooting experience compact and direct.

This particular example is the earlier 0.7m-focus E46 version, serial 3922430. Supplied also is a Leica lens hood, Leica front cap and Leica cylindrical leather case, giving this copy a particularly nice set of original accessories.

Best for

Street photography, documentary work, travel, environmental portraits, landscapes, available-light photography and photographers looking for a fast wide-angle to use across Leica M film and digital bodies.

What to expect

A 28mm lens gives a noticeably wider view than a 35mm or 50mm without pushing into an exaggerated ultra-wide perspective. Leica's technical data gives this version an approximately 75° diagonal angle of view on the 35mm frame.

The f/2 aperture is useful for working in lower light and gives you more control over depth of field than slower 28mm lenses. Focus runs from 0.7m to infinity, and the aperture closes down to f/16 with half-stop settings available.

It's completely manual focus, with no autofocus or image stabilisation. On a Leica M body, the rangefinder-coupled design keeps the experience straightforward and tactile.

The included rectangular Leica hood is also visible in the supplied photos and provides useful protection as well as helping control stray light.

Developing

This lens is designed for the Leica M system and can be used with compatible film and digital Leica M bodies.

When used on a 35mm film camera, developing depends on the film loaded. Colour negative film commonly uses C-41 processing, while black and white and slide films require their respective processes.

When used on a compatible digital Leica M body, no film developing is required.