Leica Elmarit 28mm f2.8 v3

This is a Leica lens that’s often overlooked. The first-generation Leica Elmarit 28mm f2.8 was a favorite among collectors and photographers thanks to its stylish design, solid construction, and limited production run. More photographers are recommending the current version of the Leica Elmarit 28mm ASPH because of its compact size. That’s why the third generation is rarely recommended and why it’s so reasonably priced. In fact, the third generation still has that Leica style and excellent optical performance.

I really like using this lens for close-up street photography. It does a great job at close range with great sharpness. It has a high color contrast, which makes me think it was designed for digital cameras. It’s true, it is a lens from 1980.

I actually prefer the v3 version to the ASPH version because the colors in v3 seem to be a little warmer and more in line with the classic Leica look. What’s more, the v3 has a better depth of field, which makes it easier to take clear photos, especially up close. I think this is because the classic Leica bokeh blur is a gradual pattern from clear to blurry. The ASPH version doesn’t have this gradual blurring process. So, if you take a picture with the ASPH version at close range (about one meter), it’ll be blurry because the camera makes a slight mistake.

One downside to the V3 is that it’s on the larger side, especially with the lens hood attached. The V3 is easier to spot in street shots than the ASPH version, which is where it falls short. Overall, I’m really happy with it. In my opinion, the V3 is probably the cheapest Leica lens with the best optical quality.