A moderately wide Summilux lens.
| Reasons to buy | Cons |
|---|---|
| + Adequate size + Great for low light + Conventional focal length + Sharp and low distortion + Bokeh is possible + Lighter than the 21mm | – Blocks the built-in viewfinder |
The Leica Summilux 28mm f/1.4 is one of the best Leica wide angle lenses available. With only a 1.1% distortion the lens is sharp, fast and also smaller than it’s wider 21mm counterpart.
Technical data
Here’s the technical fata of this lens
Specifications
| Angle of view (diagonal, horizontal, vertical) | 75° / 65° / 46° |
| Number of lenses/groups: | 10 / 7 |
| Focal length | 28mm |
| Position of entrance pupil: | 31.9 mm |
| Focusing range | 0.7m – infinity |
| Scales | Combined meter/feet graduation |
| Smallest object field: | 526 mm x 789 mm |
| Largest reproduction ratio: | 1:21.9 |
| Setting/Function | Manual / Click-stops / half stops |
| Lowest value | 16 |
| Bayonet | M |
| Filter | E49 |
| Lens hood | Separate, screw-on type |
| Length | 81 mm / 67 mm (without / with lens hood) |
| Largest diameter | 61 mm |
| Weight | 440 g |
Lens design
The floating element is on the rear and the aspherical lens is the last until it hits the sensor.
MTF Charts
Below are the Summilux 28mm’s MTF charts for the apertures 1.4, 2.8 and 5.6. There’s less of a significant drop than the 21mm at the 21mm area.
Using the Summilux 28mm f/1.4
Wide, fast and really minimal distortion, here’s some great uses for the 28mm
Landscape photography
Not as wide as the 21mm but the 28mm makes for great landscapes shots. The fast aperture is also great for when night wants to come around and there is less and less light.
Street photography
When it comes to Leica street photography lens, the 28mm takes the cake. 28mm is THE focal length that street photographers gravitate to and the 1.4 makes it particularly suited for street portraiture.
Travel photography
Since this is more portable than the larger 21mm, this makes a great all around travel lens, the fast speeds are good for day and night and the focal length is perfect to get in those travelscapes, environmental portraits and more
Portrait photography
It is a myth that wide angle lenses can’t blur the background. With full frame and a fast lens, you can. So yes the 28mm can bokeh real well and blur the background and makes it possible to do great environmental portraits with silky smooth bokeh.
Architecture photography
Distortion vs focal length. This is a better lens for distortion vs the 21mm (1.1% vs 2.3%) but it is a less wide lens. The distortion is minimal so only if you are doing technical architectural work should this be a deciding factor.
More about Summilux series:
Leica lenses > Summilux lenses > 21mm – 28 mm – 35mm – 50mm – 90mm