The origin of this lens is quite interesting. Due to the lack of a true aperture ring in its predecessor, the Hektor 28 6.3, a new type of glass was used in the redesign, resulting in a half-stop increase in aperture and a more refined craftsmanship. However, by the time this 28 5.6 lens was introduced, the M3 had already been in production from 1955-1963, yet it was only available with a screw mount. In fact, Leica claimed to have a 28mm 5.6 M mount lens, but it wasn’t until 2017 that this lens was finally produced with an M mount.
The truth is that when the German factory completed the design of the 28 5.6, the Canadian factory also designed a 28mm 2.8 lens with nine elements. In order to avoid conflict, the German 28 5.6 took a classical route and only produced screw mount lenses for the IIIG screw mount model. This lens was produced in small batches from 1955 until it was discontinued in 1963.
In 2017, Leica launched a limited edition of 1000 pieces of the 28mm 5.6 lens, and it can be said that Leica has only fulfilled its promise to equip this lens with two types of mounts until today. I have been looking forward to the M-mount of this replica lens being easily removable, but when I held it in my hand, I found that a screw was locking the mount. Without unscrewing that small screw, it is impossible to remove the M-L39 adapter ring. In terms of craftsmanship, the old and new lenses do inherit a similar aesthetic design, both of which are exquisitely crafted small lenses with handsome lens hoods, which are unprecedented.
For an F5.6 lens, there is no doubt about the optical quality – high sharpness, high contrast, it’s a Leica lens after all. It’s worth noting that the best image quality for most Leica lenses is at F5.6. This is similar to time – we all know that time is limited, but we still take time for leisure and entertainment. Is life worth it in the end? Most people who use Leica cameras are people of taste, because buying such a lens is not about intelligence, but about style. Some people think it’s too expensive and that Leica is just after money. However, I would like to say that products are never the most bloodthirsty things, desire is.
The Summaron-M is modelled on a screw mount lens produced at the Leitz factory in Wetzlar from 1955 to 1963.
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