Leica Elmarit-R 28mm f/2.8 Lens
The Leica 28mm f/2.8 is a 28mm f/2.8 lens designed for Leica R mount cameras. Used copies start from $1,949 on GearFocus, with buyer protection on every purchase.
Leica Elmarit-R 28mm f/2.8 Lens
Used Leica 28mm f/2.8 Listings on GearFocus
Lens Overview — Leica 28mm f/2.8
Key Features — Leica 28mm f/2.8
28mm Full-Frame Prime: Fixed 28mm focal length covers a full-frame image circle, delivering a consistent wide-angle field of view with no optical compromises from a zoom design.
f/2.8 Maximum Aperture: Provides solid light-gathering capability for a wide-angle prime, allowing for usable shooting in lower light conditions.
Leica R Mount: Designed for the Leica R camera system and compatible with a wide range of mirrorless and DSLR bodies via readily available third-party adapters.
Manual Focus Design: Direct, tactile focus control suits deliberate shooting workflows and adapts well to video use on other camera systems.
Lightweight Build: At 290g, the lens adds minimal weight to a camera kit, making it well suited to extended handheld or travel shooting.
55mm Filter Thread: Standard 55mm thread size accommodates a wide selection of polarizers, ND filters, and UV protection filters.
Lens Specifications — Leica 28mm f/2.8
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Use Cases | Landscape, Architecture, Street, Travel |
| Lens Type | Prime |
| Format | Full Frame |
| Zoom/Prime | Prime |
| Focal Length | 28mm |
| Maximum Aperture | f/2.8 |
| Camera System | Rangefinder / SLR |
| Lens Mount | Leica R |
| Autofocus | No |
| Focus Type | Manual |
| Image Stabilization | None |
| Filter Thread | 55mm |
Description — Leica 28mm f/2.8
The Leica Elmarit-R 28mm f/2.8 is a prime, full-frame wide-angle lens designed for the Leica R mount system. With a fixed 28mm focal length and a maximum aperture of f/2.8, it delivers a consistent wide-angle field of view alongside reasonable light-gathering performance. The lens is entirely manual focus, placing precise control directly in the hands of the photographer — a characteristic many find rewarding for considered, deliberate work.
Weighing just 290g, it is impressively light for a full-frame prime, reducing fatigue during extended sessions. The 55mm filter thread makes it straightforward to pair with a wide variety of common photographic filters. With no image stabilization, users should pay attention to shutter speed in challenging lighting conditions.
Its Leica R mount makes it a natural fit for Leica R-system cameras, and its compact, lightweight build also makes it a popular candidate for adaptation to other systems via third-party mount adapters.
Pros — Leica 28mm f/2.8
- ✓Lightweight at only 290g, making it comfortable for extended handheld shooting
- ✓Full-frame coverage suits a wide range of shooting scenarios
- ✓Maximum aperture of f/2.8 offers solid light-gathering for a wide-angle prime
Cons — Leica 28mm f/2.8
- ✗Manual focus only — no autofocus support, which may slow workflow in fast-moving situations
- ✗No image stabilization, so handheld shooting in low light requires careful technique
- ✗Leica R mount has limited native camera body compatibility in the current market
Videos — Leica 28mm f/2.8
LEICA 28MM F2.8 ELMARIT - 6 MONTH REVIEW — Goughie