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Leica Super-Elmar-M 21mm f3.4 ASPH vs Leica Summicron-M 28mm f2 ASPH

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Leica Super-Elmar-M 21mm f3.4 ASPH

Wideangle Prime | Leica M

Leica Super-Elmar-M 21mm f3.4 ASPH
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Leica Summicron-M 28mm f2 ASPH

Wideangle Prime | Leica M

Leica Summicron-M 28mm f2 ASPH
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Leica Super-Elmar-M 21mm f3.4 ASPH vs Leica Summicron-M 28mm f2 ASPH Comparison Overview

In this review, we will be comparing the Leica Super-Elmar-M 21mm f3.4 ASPH for the M Mount and the Leica Summicron-M 28mm f2 ASPH for the M Mount, two Wideangle Prime lenses by Leica.

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 Super-Elmar-M 21mm f3.4 ASPH Key Specs

  • 21mm Focal Range
  • F3.4 Max Aperture
  • Filter Thread: 46mm
  • Max Format: 35mm FF
  • Leica M Mount
  • Weight: 279g.
  • Diameter: 53mm
  • Length: 43mm
  • Min Focus Distance: 0.7m
  • Max Magnification: 0.03x

Leica Summicron-M 28mm f2 ASPH Key Specs

  • 28mm Focal Range
  • F2.0 Max Aperture
  • Filter Thread: 46mm
  • Max Format: 35mm FF
  • Leica M Mount
  • Weight: 270g.
  • Diameter: 53mm
  • Length: 41mm
  • Min Focus Distance: 0.7m
  • Max Magnification: 0.045x

What type of photography are the Leica Super-Elmar-M 21mm f3.4 ASPH and Leica Summicron-M 28mm f2 ASPH lenses good for?

The type of photography that you are planning to use is an important decision factor. Here we have evaluated the Leica Super-Elmar-M 21mm f3.4 ASPH and the Leica Summicron-M 28mm f2 ASPH for their suitability to various photography scenarios:

Photography Type Leica Super-Elmar-M 21mm f3.4 ASPH Leica Summicron-M 28mm f2 ASPH
Bird/WildlifePoorPoor
SportsPoorPoor
PortraitFairFair
TravelAverageAverage
StreetExcellentExcellent
WeddingFairFair
Walk AroundAverageAverage
VloggingVery GoodVery Good
LandscapeGoodGood
MacroPoorPoor

Size and Weight Comparison

The size of a lens is an important deciding factor when comparing two lenses. Leica Super-Elmar-M 21mm f3.4 ASPH is the longer of the two lenses at 43mm. The Leica Summicron-M 28mm f2 ASPH with a length of 41mm, is 2mm shorter. On the other hand, there is no difference between the max diameters of these lenses, both coming at 53mm.

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 Summicron-M 28mm f2 ASPH weighs 270g, 3% (9g) lighter than the Leica Super-Elmar-M 21mm f3.4 ASPH's weight of 279g.


Below you can find the dimension and weight table of the Wideangle Prime Lenses in Leica M Mount for size comparison purposes.

Wideangle Prime Lenses in Leica M Mount for Size Comparison
Model Length Diameter Weight Street Price
Voigtlander 25mm F4 Color Skopar Pancake Lens Voigtlander 25mm F4 Color Skopar
30mm
55mm 156g Amazon B&H Photo
Leica Elmarit-M 24mm f2.8 ASPH Lens Leica Elmarit-M 24mm f2.8 ASPH
45mm
58mm 290g Amazon B&H Photo
Leica Elmarit-M 21mm f2.8 ASPH Lens Leica Elmarit-M 21mm f2.8 ASPH
46mm
58mm 300g Amazon B&H Photo
Voigtlander 35mm F2.5 Color Skopar Lens Voigtlander 35mm F2.5 Color Skopar
23mm
55mm 134g Amazon B&H Photo
Leica Summarit-M 35mm f2.5 Lens Leica Summarit-M 35mm f2.5
34mm
51mm 220g Amazon B&H Photo
Voigtlander 21mm F4 Color Skopar Pancake II Lens Voigtlander 21mm F4 Color Skopar II
25mm
55mm 136g Amazon B&H Photo
Leica Elmar-M 24mm f3.8 ASPH Lens Leica Elmar-M 24mm f3.8 ASPH
53mm
41mm 260g Amazon B&H Photo
Voigtlander 35mm F1.4 Nokton Lens Voigtlander 35mm F1.4 Nokton
29mm
55mm 200g Amazon B&H Photo

Lens Mounts

Both the Leica Super-Elmar-M 21mm f3.4 ASPH and the Leica Summicron-M 28mm f2 ASPH 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 Super-Elmar-M 21mm f3.4 ASPH is a prime lens with fixed focal lenght of 21mm. Leica Summicron-M 28mm f2 ASPH is a prime lens with fixed focal lenght of 28mm.

Reasons to choose Leica Super-Elmar-M 21mm f3.4 ASPH over Leica Summicron-M 28mm f2 ASPH

Focal Length - Wide 21mm vs 28mm 7mm Wider coverage

Reasons to choose Leica Summicron-M 28mm f2 ASPH over Leica Super-Elmar-M 21mm f3.4 ASPH

Focal Length - Tele 28mm vs 21mm 7mm more Tele coverage
Max Aperture - Wide 2 vs 3.4 Wider aperture at wide end
Max Aperture - Tele 2 vs 3.4 Wider aperture at tele end
Diaphgragm Blades 10 vs Potentially more rounded and smooth bokeh
Weight 270g vs 279g 9g lighter
Length 41mm vs 43mm 2mm shorter
Max Magnification 0.045x vs 0.03x higher magnification better for close-up shots

Common Strengths of Leica Super-Elmar-M 21mm f3.4 ASPH and Leica Summicron-M 28mm f2 ASPH
Distance Scale Yes vs Yes Distance Scale to assist focusing
Depth-of-Field Scale Yes vs Yes Depth of Field scale to assist focusing
Aperture Ring Yes vs Yes able to adjust the aperture on the lens
Common Weaknesses of Leica Super-Elmar-M 21mm f3.4 ASPH and Leica Summicron-M 28mm f2 ASPH
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 Super-Elmar-M 21mm f3.4 ASPH vs Leica Summicron-M 28mm f2 ASPH Specs Table

Detailed comparison of specifications
General
Brand Leica Leica
Lens Type Prime Prime
Price CHECK PRICE CHECK PRICE
Lens Type Wideangle Prime Wideangle Prime
Lens Mount Leica M Leica M
Max Format 35mm FF 35mm FF
Focal Range 21mm 28mm
Image Stabilization No No
Colour Black -
Zoom Method No Zoom No Zoom
Power Zoom No No
Zoom Lock No No
Zoom Ratio 1.0X 1.0X
Aperture
Max Aperture F3.4 F2.0
Min Aperture F16.0 F16.0
Aperture Ring Yes Yes
Diaphragm Blades - 10
Optics
Optical Elements 8 9
Optical Groups 7 6
Focusing
Min Focus Distance 0.7m 0.7m
Max Magnification 0.03X 0.045X
Autofocus No No
AF Motor Type None None
Full Time Manual N/A N/A
Focus Method - -
Distance Scale Yes Yes
DoF Scale Yes Yes
Distance Scale Yes Yes
Focus Distance Limiter No No
Physical Specs
Weight 279g 270g
Diameter 53mm 53mm
Length 43mm 41mm
Materials Metal body, metal mount metal barrel, metal mount
Weather Sealing No No
Filter Thread 46mm 46mm
Filter Notes Does not rotate -
Hood Supplied Yes Yes
Tripod Collar No No
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