I’d heard about this lens before I even owned a Leica camera. I’d heard from older colleagues how great the first-generation Summicron 35mm lens is. It wasn’t until I got my own Leica camera and put it on this legendary lens that I could confirm what my colleagues had said. It’s really excellent.
I often use this lens with black and white film, and it has consistently delivered excellent results. It has high definition, overly natural grayscale, rich shadow sculpting, and the colors are pretty good, too. This lens is pretty solid, whether you’re using it with a digital camera or a film camera.
If you’re looking for a truly unique photography experience, the Leica 0 series camera is the one for you! It’s the perfect blend of classic Leica style and cutting-edge technology. Capture stunning images with the “slow” and “portable” philosophy at the heart of every Leica camera. It may be a bit slow, but I sell this camera quickly.
My story
I found the Leica 50mm/0.95 around my neck to be too heavy, and it caused my neck to hurt for days. So I missed out on the smaller Leica, the 0 series replica is compact, even smaller than today’s smartphones, but it still has a solid case and pure Leica lenses, so I bought one to free my neck.
This is a replica of the Series 0. The original Model 0 sold for $2.16 million at auction, making it the most expensive camera in the world at the time. This special edition Leica camera has a gorgeous black lacquer finish and brass top. I had planned to use this camera for a while and then let the black paint wear off naturally.
Before I started using it for photos, I really liked the design. If you could carry it around with you, this camera could last a lifetime. The reality is that it’s really difficult to use, so you have to cover the lens every time you switch to the next negative.
Of course, it’s not the camera, it’s me! This limited-edition camera is meant to be a collector’s item, not a tool for street photographers like me.
Slow Philosophy
The concept of “slow” is relative and depends on the context. Back when the Leica 0 was first introduced, it was seen as a fast photography tool. Just like computers, you can’t really compare CPU speeds from 20 years ago to today’s standards.
Just a few more things to keep in mind when taking pictures with this camera. For instance, you’ve got to put the lens cap back on before you can switch to the next picture. Also, you’ve got to hold down the shutter while rewinding the film.
Just a heads-up: Once you’ve finished winding, the shutter speed is fixed, so it’s important to set it first.
How to use
To get the most out of this vintage camera, it’s important to develop good operating habits, like:
When you’re ready to stow the camera away in your bag, leave the shutter on release so you can adjust the shutter speed for your next shooting need.
Trim the spare film in advance before using it.
When installing a new roll of film, ensure that the protrusion on the film aligns with the notch on the spindle to ensure proper installation. Instead of using the spindle to locate the notch, you can use the notch to locate the protrusion on the spindle.
Always remember to open the lens cover before taking a photo, and cover it after winding the film. This simple mantra is worth remembering.
It may take some practice and skill to use a 0-type camera effectively, but the stunning results make it all worthwhile.
The Leica 0-series camera used the Anastigmat 50 3.5 lens, which was originally designed by Berek in 1920. Despite what some people said, the lens only had four elements in three groups, which is similar to the Elmar lens. The new version of this lens has four elements in three groups, but it’s got a new design and coated glass. It’s said to offer better contrast and sharpness when used at full aperture, and it’s pretty similar to the Summicron 50 f2.
The lens is really excellent. However, I really think that this camera is not suitable for use, only for collection.
This classic Leica lens has an interesting history. Since the Hektor 28mm 6.3 didn’t have a true aperture ring, it needed to be upgraded. They redesigned it with new glass and a half-stop increase in aperture, plus more refined craftsmanship. When this 28mm lens was first released, it was only available with the L39 mount. When the M3 was released in 1954 with the new M mount, there was no M mount version. It wasn’t until 2017 that an m-mount version of this lens became available.
Yes, it’s a recently listed older lens.
f/5.6
This Leica lens with an f/5.6 aperture has got to be one of the best optical lenses out there. It has great sharpness and contrast, with a Leica feel to it. In fact, most Leica lenses have an optimal aperture of f/5.6. For street photographers, this aperture is more than enough during the day. It’s very compact.
Just to let you know, the lens I have is the original, not the latest production. It still performs great optically, in line with the usual Leica philosophy. Of course, the main thing is how compact it is. For street photographers, image quality isn’t the most important thing. Hahaha. In the old days, lenses were designed to be very small, which was pretty incredible at the time. These days, lenses are getting bigger and bigger, and the light gap is also getting bigger. However, with a small f/5.6 lens, you can really shoot on the street for 12 hours during the day.
It’s a compact Leica 28mm lens with a maximum aperture of f/2.8, which is pretty large for a wide-angle lens. I hadn’t planned on buying this Elmarit lens, but then it came with a set of used cameras. The main advantage is its compactness, but the main disadvantage is that it lacks character compared to other lenses. In terms of quality and features, it’s not quite as good as the more expensive Summicron 28 f/2 ASPH. I like that lens a bit more.
Pretty Compact
However, the clear winner in the 28mm lens category is the Leica 28mm f/2.8 v1 (9-element lens). It offers top-notch imaging, a rich Schneider character, excellent craftsmanship, zero distortion, and great potential for appreciation. Plus, it’s the only symmetrical design lens in the Leica 28mm focal length.
The APS-H version is pretty compact, and for a 28mm lens, that’s one of the main perks. A lot of street photographers like to carry a 28mm lens with them all the time.
Even so, the Elmarit M28 2.8 ASPH is still a Leica lens with its own unique character, and many Leica users can still choose it. First, a new lens won’t have any defects, and second, it works well with digital cameras.
LEICA m8 + 28mm f/2.8 ASPHELMARIT-M
SN Start
SN End
Product
Year
Total
-3928917
unknown-
28mm f/2.8 ASPH Elmarit-M
2006
unknown
-3997682
3999025-
28mm f/2.8 ASPH Elmarit-M
2007
1,344+
-4005877
4007583-
28mm f/2.8 ASPH Elmarit-M
2008
1707+
~4037099
4043484-
28mm f/2.8 ASPH Elmarit-M
2009
6,386+
-4086805
4100089-
28mm f/2.8 ASPH Elmarit-M
2010
13,285+
-4118183
4136266-
28mm f/2.8 ASPH Elmarit-M
2011
18,084+
-unknown
4191851-
28mm f/2.8 ASPH Elmarit-M
2012
unknown
TOTAL
ASSIGNED
SERIAL NUMBERS
2006-current
unknown
This Elmarit is the most compact lens in the entire portfolio of Leica M-Lenses. This is made possible by the use of an aspherical lens element, which enables particularly compact lens construction and a weight of only 180 grams.
Leica 28mm f/2.8 Elmarit-M Aspherical Lens - Rectangular Metal Lens Hood - Metal Lens Caps - Threaded Protection Ring
Focal length: 28.4mm
Aperture: f/2.8 to f/22
Camera Mount Type: Leica M
Angle of View: 75-degrees
In general, the larger the aperture, the higher the price. However, the Voigtlander Nokton VM50 1.1 is very affordable despite its large aperture. This is a Japanese-made lens. It has a large aperture and is very affordable.
Street Photography
A good street photography lens lets users focus on shooting and focus quickly. The Voigtlander vm50/F1.1 is a great example of this. The focus ring has a short travel distance, which makes it easy to quickly focus. Despite its size, the VM50 1.1 is actually pretty lightweight. The Leica Summarit M50 1.5 is smaller than the Nokton 50, but it’s much heavier. Of course, the Leica Noctilux 50 0.95 weighs more. The Voigtlander Nokton 50 is much lighter than the others.
Large aperture lens
Just a heads-up: Leica Noctilux lenses aren’t as sharp at full aperture as you might think. For instance, the Noctilux 50 1.0 and the Noctilux 50 1.2 aren’t as sharp as they could be. The Voigtlander Nokton 50 1.1 shouldn’t be too demanding at f/1.1. After all, the point of using an f/1.1 aperture is to get that beautiful bokeh. This lens is definitely worth using, even if it’s not the most expensive option out there. I’ve been using the f/1.1 aperture for portraits of family and friends, and they’ve all loved it.
Color
The only downside is that the colors aren’t as vibrant as they could be. When I look at the lens coating, I think it’s not as beautiful as those from Leica and Zeiss. That might be the main reason why it’s so cheap. I really like converting the image to black and white; it looks perfect that way. With digital cameras, you can adjust the color through software.
Digital Camera
Just a heads-up: the Leica Noctilux 50 f/1.0 and Noctilux 50 1.2 Asph lenses will have purple fringing on digital cameras. The same goes for the Voigtlander lens. When a lens with a large aperture meets a digital camera, it’s normal for purple fringing to appear. It can be removed with software. My favorite way to use it is with a Leica M8 camera to take black and white photos. It works really well.L1023808.jpg
For a 90mm focal length lens, it’s got f/4, but the aperture could be better. However, many people like this lens, which is made up of three pieces of glass. It actually has excellent optical quality and vivid color contrast. Collectors like it because it was produced in small quantities. This also makes it cost more than the regular version. What makes it special is that it uses more advanced glass than the previous version, with only three pieces, while the previous version had four pieces.
There are 5,947 M-mount lenses and 543 L39 screw-mount lenses. The lenses were made between 1964 and 1968.
High definition, high contrast
The Elmar 90mm f4 3-element is noticeably sharper than previous versions. It’s better than the Elmarit 90mm 2.8 V1 at f/4. The picture is much more vivid than the Tele-Elmarit 90mm 2.8. This lens is really sharp.
Elmar 90mm f4 (III) 3-element lensElmar 90mm f4 (III) 3-element lensElmar 90mm f4 (III) 3-element lensElmar 90mm f4 (III) 3-element lensLeica Elmar 90mm f4 3-element + Leica M2Leica Elmar 90mm f4 3-element + Leica M2Leica Elmar 90mm f4 3-element + Leica M2Leica Elmar 90mm f4 3-element + Leica M2Leica Elmar 90mm f4 3-element + Leica M2Leica Elmar 90mm f4 3-element + Leica M2Leica Elmar 90mm f4 3-element + Leica M2Leica Elmar 90mm f4 3-element + Leica M2Leica Elmar 90mm f4 3-element + Leica M2Leica Elmar 90mm f4 3-element + Leica M2Leica Elmar 90mm f4 3-element + Leica M2Leica Elmar 90mm f4 3-element + Leica M2Leica Elmar 90mm f4 3-element + Leica M2Leica Elmar 90mm f4 3-element + Leica M2Leica Elmar 90mm f4 3-element + Leica M2Leica Elmar 90mm f4 3-element + Leica M2Leica Elmar 90mm f4 3-element + Leica M2Leica Elmar 90mm f4 3-element + Leica M2Leica Elmar 90mm f4 3-element + Leica m2
Maybe a small, exquisite, and beautiful 35mm lens can change your view of photography or give you a different photography style. The Leica Summicron 35mm f/2 Asph is the key to opening the door of street photography for you.
Versions
The Leica Summicron lens has always been a popular choice for street photographers and report photographers. Before the 35mm asph version, there were already four versions without asph. Their optical quality was really impressive, way above what you’d get from other brands of the same era. In terms of optical technology, asph is a big step up from previous versions.
Just wanted to let you know that the asph version has two generations now. I use the first generation asph. It comes in three colors: black anodized aluminum and silver brass chrome. There is also a brass black lacquered version, which is pretty rare. The second generation asph has the same optical design as the first, but with the addition of the aperture blades. I’m happy with the first generation.
Golden ratio
I think the Leica Summicron 35mm lens paired with an M camera is the most beautiful combination. I think it’s a great combination, and my favorite so far. I don’t like to install lens hoods because I want to maintain the golden ratio of lens to camera.
Rainbow
I think the anti-glare capability could be better. With backlighting or side backlighting, it’s easy to create a beam of light that damages the screen. But many people think it’s a wonderful rainbow and have fun with it. I’m not a big fan of it, though. I prefer more classical flares such as large light spots and reduced overall contrast.
Conclusion
I’m amazed that this lens was made in 1997. It works perfectly with digital cameras and produces rich colors and great sharpness. Leica lenses are really good quality. This lens is built to last a lifetime.
In the shadow of its mythic sibling, the Summicron-M 50mm Rigid, lies the Summicron-R 50mm f/2 E43—a lens that mirrors its cousin’s soul but dances to a different rhythm. Born in the 1960s, Leica’s first R-system 50mm f/2 dared to adapt Walter Mandler’s M-design wizardry for the single-lens reflex realm. Priced at a modest 450–450–700 (2025 USD), this brass-and-glass enigma offers Mandler-esque magic without the collector’s premium.
Design: Symmetry’s Compromise
Optical Twins, Mechanical Strangers
Glass Kinship: The E43 shares 6 elements with the M-Rigid, missing only its seventh layer—a sacrifice to the SLR’s mirrored altar.
Rear Chamber Depth: The R50’s rear element retreats 2mm farther from the film plane, yielding to the reflex mirror’s mechanical ballet.
Chassis Philosophy
Aperture Wizardry: SLR trickery demands complexity; the E43’s internal linkages swell its waistline, yet its 315g heft feels lighter than a Tang dynasty scroll.
Optical Scripture: Mandler’s Echo
Aspect
Summicron-R 50mm f/2 E43
Summicron-M 50mm f/2 Rigid
Sharpness
Bamboo stalk at dawn—supple yet unyielding
Samurai sword edge—cold perfection
Bokeh
Wang Wei’s mountain mist
Li Bai’s moonlit wine
Focus
0.5m intimacy (SLR’s whispered secret)
0.7m street tango (rangefinder’s waltz)
Soul
Unpolished jade
Imperial porcelain
The SLR Reformation
Wide-Angle Conundrum
Symmetry sacrificed: To dodge the SLR mirror, Leica engineers reforged Mandler’s design like blacksmiths hammering iron—R-system 35mm lenses ballooned to 9-10 elements, compensating with glass alchemy.
E43 vs E55: Evolution or Devolution?
E43 (1964): 6 elements—Mandler’s frugal haiku.
E55 (1977): Sharper but colder, like digital ink beside hand-ground calligraphy.
Practical Zen: Why This Lens Sings
Price-to-Grace Ratio: At 450–450–700 (2025 USD), it’s the cost of three Michelin-starred meals for optical banquets daily.
Focus Sorcery: 0.5m minimum distance—capture a lover’s eyelash or a teacup’s steam spiral.
Film Pairing: Ilford HP5+ @1600—grain dances with the E43’s gentle glow.
Who Should Buy This?
✓ SLR Minimalists: Seeking Mandler’s soul in reflex form ✓ Budget Alchemists: Turning leaden prices to golden imagery ✓ Macro Curious: 0.5m focus unlocks intimate worlds
Avoid If: You demand autofocus or f/1.4’s bokeh delirium.
Final Verdict: The Underdog’s Triumph
The Summicron-R 50mm E43 is photographic wabi-sabi—a $700 lesson in imperfect perfection. For the price of a weekend in Suzhou, you gain:
“A lens that whispers: ‘The overlooked gem often outshines the crown jewel.’”
Pro Tips:
Adapt It: Mount on mirrorless cameras—watch analog flaws become digital virtues.
Hack the Hood: Use a 12585H—flare paints Impressionist halos.
Epilogue: The Forgotten Classic While collectors chase M-Rigids priced like Ming vases, the E43 lingers in the shadows—a lens that scoffs at mythmaking. Yet herein lies its charm: true artistry needs no temple. As the Song dynasty poets wrote, “The moon’s beauty lies not in its fame, but in its silent glow.” The E43 glows on, patient as a sage, waiting for those who see beyond the hype.
Gear is a means, not an end—a truth the Leica Elmarit-R 35mm f/2.8 (1964–1996) embodies with quiet defiance. Designed for Leica’s inaugural SLR system, the Leicaflex, this 320g aluminum relic rebukes modern pixel-peeping obsessions. At 300–300–600 (used), it’s a $500 lesson in humility: “Your best lens is the one that gets out of the way.”
Design: Mechanical Haiku
Close-Focus Sorcery
Minimum Focus: 0.3m (11.8″)—closer than Super-Angulon 21mm’s 0.4m
Build: Brass helicoid, aluminum barrel—dense as a haiku, rugged as a tank
Ergonomic Nuance
Focus Throw: 270°—precision over speed
Aperture Ring: Clickless for cine-smooth transitions (later versions detented)
Optical Scripture
Sharpness Philosophy
Center: Cuts Kodak Tri-X like a scalpel @ f/2.8
Edges: Soft as 1960s Kodachrome nostalgia—flaws as features
Bokeh Ballet
f/2.8 Rendering: Backgrounds dissolve into pointillist abstraction
Close-Up Magic: 0.3m focus transforms weeds into Weston-esque studies
Generational Wars
Aspect
Version 1 (S6 Mount)
Version 2 (S7 Mount)
Version 3 (E55 Mount)
Build
Brass internals
Aluminum lightweight
Plastic hybrid
Coating
Single-layer vintage
Multi-coated pragmatism
Modern flare control
Character
Mandler’s microcontrast
Clinical precision
Digital readiness
Price (2024)
500–500–600
300–300–400
200–200–300
The Leicaflex Legacy
Leica’s SLR gamble birthed quirks:
Why f/2.8?: Corporate caution—testing waters before Summilux plunges
Capa’s Ghost: “If your pictures aren’t good enough, you aren’t close enough”—this lens listens
R-System Irony: Outlived its SLR bodies—now thrives on mirrorless adapters
Who Should Embrace This Relic?
✓ Film Purists: Breathing life into forgotten Leicaflex bricks ✓ Street Minimalists: Who see 0.3m as intimate, not invasive ✓ Budget Connoisseurs: Craving Mandler-era rendering without M-tax
Avoid If: You need autofocus or f/1.4 bokeh bragging rights.
Final Verdict: The Humble Teacher
The Elmarit-R 35mm f/2.8 is optical wabi-sabi—a $500 lesson in photographic Zen. For the price of a premium filter, you gain:
We chase f/1.4 dreams yet find truth at f/2.8. The Elmarit-R 35mm f/2.8—overlooked, underrated—whispers Robert Capa’s forgotten corollary: “The best camera is the one that fits your budget… and your hands.” In its scratched glass and stiff focus ring, we rediscover photography’s first commandment: Thou shalt create, not covet.
