Leica 28mm F2.8 Elmarit So the 35mm Summicron is not wide enough and you want to add a lens with a wider perspective to your kit.  There are three wide angle choices in the Leica M system with 21mm, 24mm and 28mm focal lengths.  The 28mm is a good focal length because it can double for really wide scenics as well as good foreground landscape shots.  The other two lenses, the 21 & 24mm are only good for foreground landscapes and people in places shots in cramped conditions.  The 28mm is for the landscape/scenic photographer and the 21 & 24mm for the photojournalist (generally speaking).  The Leica 28mm first came to us in screw mount as the Hektor and Summaron.  Later in M mount with four versions, and most recently as a high speed aspherical lens with the Summicron nameplate.  The advent of the new 28mm Summicron is great news, because in the short term it will drive the prices of the Elmarit down as people trade in for the newer Summicron.  Only the Leica M6 and Minolta CLE/Leica Cl have framelines in the viewfinder for the 28mm.  Other M users will need an auxiliary viewfinder for proper framing.  The Elmarit 28mm lens is a fine performer with minimal vignetting for a wide angle and is plenty sharp and contrasty.  I have one in my camera bag, I use it on occasion, but I find that the 35mm Summicron usually presents a wide enough perspective for most subjects.  Unless your in cramped conditions, the 'Human Zoom' (move forward or back a couple paces) usually is adequate for proper framing with the 35mm Summicron without having to bust out the 28mm Elmarit.  But hey, it couldn't hurt having it available when and if you do need it, street shooters should take note.  Note that if you plan on using the 28mm Elmarit with a Leica M5 or CL/CLE, you must purchase the second through fourth versions as the first version will not work due to the fact that the rear lens cell protrudes too far back into the camera cavity where the meter cell resides.   28mm F2.8 Elmarit 1965-1972 Type 1  SN#2,060,000-2,556,000 Finish Black Mount Rigid Lens Elements 9 in 6 Groups Filter Size 48mm Apertures F2.8-F22 Angle of View 76 Degrees Minimum Focus Distance 70cm Units Produced N/A Weight 225 Grams 28mm F2.8 Elmarit 1972-1979 Type 2 SN#2,503,100-2,977,500 Finish Black Mount Rigid Lens Elements 8 in 6 Groups Filter Size 48mm or Series 7 Apertures F2.8-F22 Angle of View 76 Degrees Minimum Focus Distance 70cm Units Produced N/A Weight 235 Grams Note: This version of the lens can be used with the M5 & CL.  New Optical Glasses enabled the reduction of one element and a shorter protusion into the camera body 28mm F2.8 Elmarit 1979-1993 Type 3 SN#2,977,551-N/A Finish Black Mount Rigid Lens Elements 8 in 6 Groups Filter Size 49mm Apertures F2.8-F22 Angle of View 76 Degrees Minimum Focus Distance 70cm Units Produced N/A Weight 250 Grams Note: This model was also produced in a special 70th anniversary model.  The optical design is different even though the elements and groupings remained the same. 28mm F2.8 Elmarit 1993-Current Type 4 SN# N/A Finish Black Mount Rigid Lens Elements 8 in 7 Groups Filter Size 46mm Apertures F2.8-F22 Angle of View 76 Degrees Minimum Focus Distance 70cm Units Produced N/A Weight 260 Grams Note:  Another new optical design yielding the most compact lens of all the versions.