28 Summilux - practicality in size and weight

[fil-m]

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8 hours ago, Kiwimac said:

It certainly is strange to have a ring that blanks the inner threads which are neither visible nor at risk but not to have one for the outer threads which are both visible and at risk. 
 

It’s possible that Leica wanted to guide users not to take the hood off, I suppose. However a simple line in the instructions warning that taking it off had potential consequences for both IQ and front element damage would have covered that. 

They simply chose not to provide their users with the outer thread protection ring even though they had one provided with the first Summilux 28mm which was produced in limited quantities back in 2014 and in a steel finish part of the Leica "M Edition 100" kit (which is very rare and expensive). A year later they released the black anodised version without the ring (only the inner thread filter ring).

Following reports that some users asked Leica to provide this ring (it looks like they built one or two prototypes), I contacted them and was told that their product management department decided not to produce it as an accessory. I asked if it could be done on demand and for a fee, no answer... So officially it existed but only for the first 2014 steel edition limited to one hundred samples.

You can find here the summilux 28 with the ring (you can scroll down and click to see higher resolution pictures)

https://www.leitz-auction.com/en/M-Edition-100/AI-27-32162

So just to say I don't believe that there is a fundamental impact on IQ. Obviously the hood would reduce flare and provide more protection but I wished they gave their users the flexibility to decide between bulk vs better protection.

 

[Josh Rainey]

28 Summilux will be my next lens. I thought about just getting a Q because even a Q3 comes out as cheaper. I recently shot an event with a borrowed Q2, next to my M11 with 50mm Summilux. Very nice, but a little too crispy. 

I would love this lens to get the close focus and extendable lens hood treatment of the 35mm Summilux. 

Probably won't, but if it happens in the next few month (a dream), I'd happily by the full retail new price, over the used price.

The summilux lenses capture the atmosphere in an amazing way. The air is almost visible. Where the APOs (or Q 28) seem to cut through that and give a crisper atmosphere, which I prefer less.

To me this explains the "cinematic" quality. A false, but understandable description. They do create a sense of an alternate reality (if only slightly), and a story can unfold there (like cinema).

I've looked at every option ad nauseam: Simera, Voigtlander, etc, and I can see a visible difference with the Summilux that would justify an extra 4,000+ $/EUR.
 

 

[Kiwimac]

The list price here in NZ is NZ$14,000. That’s about $500 more than a Q3. 
 

I paid $9,000 for a mint barely used copy. 

[Josh Rainey]

Used ones are available in europe for around 5,000 EUR, about the same for a Q3 (used, or new w/o VAT)

[Kim Dahl]

I have both the Q3 and the M28 summilux. You should be aware that the M28 at f1.4 and f2 suffers a lot from CA. If there is a difference between the lenses and what the tolerance is I don’t now. But my old model suffers so much that I will send it in for service. Unfortunately, I think that is how the lens is. My Q3 is different and without CA (or it has been successfully removed in the Q3 software) It also makes great pictures at f1.7 that seem magical. Especially if you underexpose a little and give it a little vignetting

[hydet]

I bought this lens 8 or 9 years ago to shoot narrow Venice streets at night.  It performed superbly wide open on my M240 and M10s and still see's service on my M11s, though I spend less time in alleys and narrow European streets at night these days.   I would never sell it.  

[Josh Rainey]

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Yes the CA is real, but the other qualities of the lens are essentially unavailable in any other lens. So I can accept that flaw.

That style of bokeh CA is not really as jarring when you have a strong subject that’s lit and composed to draw attention. We scrutinize those things more than the viewing public.

I did get some spectacular images off the Q2, but I debayer my DNGs in Davinci Resolve, so the Leica profile is lost and the distortion and corner vignetting are pretty bad. Like a hard edge vignette at higher f-stops. No CA that i could see though. 

[Derbyshire Man]

On 6/5/2025 at 2:25 PM, Kim Dahl said:

I have both the Q3 and the M28 summilux. You should be aware that the M28 at f1.4 and f2 suffers a lot from CA. If there is a difference between the lenses and what the tolerance is I don’t now. But my old model suffers so much that I will send it in for service. Unfortunately, I think that is how the lens is. My Q3 is different and without CA (or it has been successfully removed in the Q3 software) It also makes great pictures at f1.7 that seem magical. Especially if you underexpose a little and give it a little vignetting

Mine went in for a service for loose barrel and sticky focussing. Came back with barrel the same and focus improved for about 10 minutes. Loads of CA before and after. I think that's just the way it is. I'm 99% monochrome so it bothers me not!

[Kiwimac]

I don’t particularly concern myself with the inevitable CA. Lightroom removes it easily enough if the image is marred by it. 

 

They could make an Apo version to get rid of it but the lens is already fiercely expensive. I dread to think what an Apo version would cost. Probably another $10,000. 

[kiwidad]

On 5/18/2025 at 7:01 AM, Kiwimac said:

I I’ve more or less concluded that 28/35/50 are the three focal lengths I can focus reliably without resorting to the EVF or rear screen. How people ever manage things like the 90 Lux I’ve no idea. 
 

 

I have found the same. I just completed my summilux trifecta, started with a 50mm then a month or so back got a 35 and just today got. my 28.

All the noise about focus shift on the pre FLE 35 asph seems true at first but DAG did magic and now its great except a little soft wide open and that equals my focussing skills I suspect lol.

the 28 is a beast tho as you say. I am also astonished Leica made no thread protection Rin for the hood thread but made one for the filter threads. very odd. I generally leave hoods on so is not a crisis tho.

Hope to be down under next year for a few week visiting my hometown (Hamilton) and putting this luxes to use on scenery. 

Has anyone shot any night sky with the 28?

[fil-m]

2 hours ago, kiwidad said:

 

Has anyone shot any night sky with the 28?

Honestly just out of curiosity, it is not my type of photography and I don't believe that the pictures are outstanding

It just happened that I had for once a tripod and I wanted to experiment with it and use it while the kids are asleep  The first is based on an 8s exposure and the second, 4 minutes, both with the Lux 28

It was clear sky on a Normandy beach front. 

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[Kiwimac]

14 hours ago, kiwidad said:

I have found the same. I just completed my summilux trifecta, started with a 50mm then a month or so back got a 35 and just today got. my 28.

All the noise about focus shift on the pre FLE 35 asph seems true at first but DAG did magic and now its great except a little soft wide open and that equals my focussing skills I suspect lol.

the 28 is a beast tho as you say. I am also astonished Leica made no thread protection Rin for the hood thread but made one for the filter threads. very odd. I generally leave hoods on so is not a crisis tho.

Hope to be down under next year for a few week visiting my hometown (Hamilton) and putting this luxes to use on scenery. 

Has anyone shot any night sky with the 28?

Ah, the Tron. If you’ve seen the overnight news you’ll be packing a stab vest. 
 

Sometimes I despair. 
 

My current 35 is the LLL 8 element recreation. It’s very nice. I will probably add a less optically ‘characterful’ modern 35. I kick myself every day for selling my 35 Apo.