CameraDecision
  • CAMERAS
    • All Cameras
    • Cameras by Brand
      • Sony Cameras
      • Canon Cameras
      • Nikon Cameras
      • Pentax Cameras
      • Fujifilm Cameras
      • Olympus Cameras
      • Panasonic Cameras
      • Leica Cameras
      • Samsung Cameras
    • Cameras by Body Type
      • Mirrorless Cameras
      • DSLR Cameras
      • Compact Cameras
      • Bridge Cameras
      • Waterproof Cameras
    • Cameras by Lens Mount
      • Sony E Mount Cameras
      • Canon RF Mount Cameras
      • Nikon Z Mount Cameras
      • Micro Four Thirds Mount Cameras
      • Fujifilm X Mount Cameras
      • Leica L Mount Cameras
      • Nikon F Mount Cameras
      • Canon EF Mount Cameras
      • Canon EF M Mount Cameras
      • Canon EF S Mount Cameras
      • Pentax KAF Mount Cameras
      • Sony Alpha Mount Cameras
      • Fujifilm G Mount Cameras
      • Sigma SA Mount Cameras
      • Nikon 1 Mount Cameras
  • LENSES
    • All Lenses
    • Lenses by Mount
      • Sony E Mount Lenses
      • Canon RF Mount Lenses
      • Nikon Z Mount Lenses
      • Canon EF Mount Lenses
      • Canon EF M Mount Lenses
      • Canon EF S Mount Lenses
      • Nikon F Mount Lenses
      • Fujifilm X Mount Lenses
      • Micro Four Thirds Mount Lenses
      • Leica L Mount Lenses
      • Pentax KAF Mount Lenses
      • Fujifilm G Mount Lenses
      • Sigma SA Mount Lenses
      • Sony Alpha Mount Lenses
    • Teleconverters
    • Cinema Lenses
      • Sony E Mount Cine Lenses
      • Canon RF Mount Cine Lenses
      • Nikon Z Mount Cine Lenses
      • Canon EF Mount Cine Lenses
      • Nikon F Mount Cine Lenses
      • ARRI PL Mount Cine Lenses
      • Fujifilm X Mount Cine Lenses
      • Micro Four Thirds Mount Cine Lenses
      • Leica L Mount Cine Lenses
  • TOOLS
    • Cameras
      • Smart Find
      • 1-on-1 Comparison
    • Lenses
      • Smart Find
      • 1-on-1 Comparison
  • BLOG

Leica Summaron-M 28mm F5.6 vs Zeiss Carl Distagon T1.4 35 ZM

x
Lens to replace
Change

Leica Summaron-M 28mm F5.6

Wideangle Prime | Leica M

Leica Summaron-M 28mm F5.6
CHECK PRICE
BUY from B&H PHOTO
Change
    
Carl Zeiss Distagon T1,4/35 ZM

Standard Prime | Leica M

Carl Zeiss Distagon T1.4 35 ZM
CHECK PRICE
BUY from B&H PHOTO

Leica Summaron-M 28mm F5.6 vs Carl Zeiss Distagon T1,4/35 ZM Comparison Overview

Here we are comparing two lenses with different focal types: Leica Summaron-M 28mm F5.6 for the M Mount is a Wideangle Prime lens with a 28mm focal range and a max aperture of F5.6 whereas the Carl Zeiss Distagon T1,4/35 ZM for the M Mount is a Standard Prime lens with a 35mm focal range and max aperture of F1.4.

We will start by looking briefly at the main specs of these two lenses, and in the next section, we will start analyzing them in more detail and listing the pros and cons of each lens.

Leica Summaron-M 28mm F5.6 Key Specs

  • 28mm Focal Range
  • F5.6 Max Aperture
  • Filter Thread: 34mm
  • Max Format: 35mm FF
  • Leica M Mount
  • Weight: 165g.
  • Diameter: 51mm
  • Length: 18mm
  • Min Focus Distance: 1m
  • Max Magnification: 0.03x

Carl Zeiss Distagon T1,4/35 ZM Key Specs

  • 35mm Focal Range
  • F1.4 Max Aperture
  • Filter Thread: 49mm
  • Max Format: 35mm FF
  • Leica M Mount
  • Weight: 381g.
  • Diameter: 63mm
  • Length: 65mm
  • Min Focus Distance: 0.7m
  • Max Magnification: 0.06x

What type of photography are the Leica Summaron-M 28mm F5.6 and Carl Zeiss Distagon T1,4/35 ZM lenses good for?

The type of photography that you are planning to use is an important decision factor. Here we have evaluated the Leica Summaron-M 28mm F5.6 and the Carl Zeiss Distagon T1,4/35 ZM for their suitability to various photography scenarios:

Photography Type Leica Summaron-M 28mm F5.6 Carl Zeiss Distagon T1,4/35 ZM
Bird/WildlifePoorPoor
SportsPoorPoor
PortraitFairAverage
TravelAverageAverage
StreetExcellentExcellent
WeddingFairAverage
Walk AroundAverageAverage
VloggingVery GoodGood
LandscapeGoodVery Good
MacroPoorPoor

Size and Weight Comparison

The size of a lens is an important deciding factor when comparing two lenses. Carl Zeiss Distagon T1,4/35 ZM is the longer of the two lenses at 65mm. The Leica Summaron-M 28mm F5.6 with a length of 18mm, is 47mm shorter. Besides being longer, the Carl Zeiss Distagon T1,4/35 ZM also has a larger diameter of 63mm compared to the Leica Summaron-M 28mm F5.6's 51mm diameter.

The weight of a lens is as important as its external dimensions, especially if you are planning to hand hold your camera and lens combination for longer periods. Leica Summaron-M 28mm F5.6 weighs 165g, which means it is 216g (56%) lighter than the Carl Zeiss Distagon T1,4/35 ZM which has a weight of 381g.


Lens Mounts

Both the Leica Summaron-M 28mm F5.6 and the Carl Zeiss Distagon T1,4/35 ZM has the same Leica M lens mount. Some of the latest released cameras that are compatible with the Leica M lenses are Leica M11, Leica M10 and Leica M Typ 262.

Focal Range

Leica Summaron-M 28mm F5.6 is a prime lens with fixed focal lenght of 28mm. Carl Zeiss Distagon T1,4/35 ZM is a prime lens with fixed focal lenght of 35mm.

Reasons to choose Leica Summaron-M 28mm F5.6 over Carl Zeiss Distagon T1.4 35 ZM

Focal Length - Wide 28mm vs 35mm 7mm Wider coverage
Weight 165g vs 381g 216g lighter
Diameter 51mm vs 63mm 12mm smaller in diameter
Length 18mm vs 65mm 47mm shorter
Filter Thread 34mm vs 49mm Smaller filters are cheaper and easier to find

Reasons to choose Carl Zeiss Distagon T1.4 35 ZM over Leica Summaron-M 28mm F5.6

Focal Length - Tele 35mm vs 28mm 7mm more Tele coverage
Max Aperture - Wide 1.4 vs 5.6 Wider aperture at wide end
Max Aperture - Tele 1.4 vs 5.6 Wider aperture at tele end
Diaphgragm Blades 10 vs Potentially more rounded and smooth bokeh
Depth-of-Field Scale Yes vs No Depth of Field scale to assist focusing
Minimum Focus Distance 0.7m vs 1m can focus closer to the subject
Max Magnification 0.06x vs 0.03x higher magnification better for close-up shots

Common Strengths of Leica Summaron-M 28mm F5.6 and Carl Zeiss Distagon T1.4 35 ZM
Distance Scale Yes vs Yes Distance Scale to assist focusing
Aperture Ring Yes vs Yes able to adjust the aperture on the lens
Common Weaknesses of Leica Summaron-M 28mm F5.6 and Carl Zeiss Distagon T1.4 35 ZM
Image Stabilization No vs No Reliant on in-body Image Stabilization
Autofocus No vs No Slow and less accurate focusing
Weather Sealing No vs No not safe under rain and dust


**This post contains affiliate links, and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking through my links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Leica Summaron-M 28mm F5.6 vs Carl Zeiss Distagon T1,4/35 ZM Specs Table

Detailed comparison of specifications
General
Brand Leica Zeiss
Lens Type Prime Prime
Price CHECK PRICE CHECK PRICE
Lens Type Wideangle Prime Standard Prime
Lens Mount Leica M Leica M
Max Format 35mm FF 35mm FF
Focal Range 28mm 35mm
Image Stabilization No
Colour - -
Zoom Method No Zoom No Zoom
Power Zoom No No
Zoom Lock No No
Zoom Ratio 1.0X 1.0X
Aperture
Max Aperture F5.6 F1.4
Min Aperture F22 F16.0
Aperture Ring Yes Yes
Diaphragm Blades - 10
Optics
Optical Elements 6 10
Optical Groups 4 7
Focusing
Min Focus Distance 1m 0.7m
Max Magnification 0.03X 0.06X
Autofocus No No
AF Motor Type No AF None
Full Time Manual Yes N/A
Focus Method - -
Distance Scale Yes Yes
DoF Scale No Yes
Distance Scale Yes Yes
Focus Distance Limiter No No
Physical Specs
Weight 165g 381g
Diameter 51mm 63mm
Length 18mm 65mm
Materials - metal barrel, metal mount
Weather Sealing No No
Filter Thread 34mm 49mm
Hood Supplied Yes -
Tripod Collar No No
Report a Correction
FOLLOW US


Latest Lenses
Leica Vario-Elmar-SL 100-400 f5-6.3
Leica Vario-Elmar-SL 100-400 f5-6.3
Leica L | F5-6.3 Telephoto Zoom
Sony FE 50mm F1.4 GM
Sony FE 50mm F1.4 GM
Sony E | F1.4 Standard Prime
Tamron 11-20mm F2.8 Di III-A RXD
Tamron 11-20mm F2.8 Di III-A RXD
Fujifilm X | F2.8 Wideangle Zoom
Leica Summicron-SL 50mm f2 ASPH
Leica Summicron-SL 50mm f2 ASPH
Leica L | F2.0 Standard Prime
Leica Summicron-SL 35mm f2 ASPH
Leica Summicron-SL 35mm f2 ASPH
Leica L | F2.0 Standard Prime
Most Popular Lenses
Sony FE 24-105mm F4 G OSS
Sony FE 24-105mm F4 G OSS
24-105mm | F4 Standard Zoom
Canon EF 75-300mm f4.0-5.6 III
Canon EF 75-300mm f4.0-5.6 III
75-300mm | F4.0 - F5.6 Telephoto Zoom
Nikon AF Nikkor 70-300mm f4-5.6G
Nikon AF Nikkor 70-300mm f4-5.6G
70-300mm | F4.0 - F5.6 Telephoto Zoom
Fujifilm XF 16-55mm F2.8 R LM WR
Fujifilm XF 16-55mm F2.8 R LM WR
16-55mm | F2.8 Standard Zoom
Fujifilm XF 18-55mm F2.8-4 R LM OIS
Fujifilm XF 18-55mm F2.8-4 R LM OIS
18-55mm | F2.8 - F4.0 Standard Zoom
Copyright © 2023 by CameraDecision
Privacy About Contact Us SpeakerDecision

Report a Correction