Leica 28mm Street Photography Guide
(Summaron 28mm f/5.6 & Summicron 28mm f/2 ASPH)
1. Lens Characteristics & Use Cases
Summaron 28mm f/5.6
Rendering:
• Vintage, classic look with lower contrast.
• Soft micro-contrast, gentle tonal transitions.
• Slight glow in highlights, adding a nostalgic feel.
• Less clinical sharpness but a unique “lived-in” texture.
Best Use Cases:
• Rustic, historic streets: Examples - Chandni Chowk (Old Delhi), narrow lanes of Varanasi, Sausalito (San Francisco), Kyoto.
• Post 8 AM light & bright conditions: When the sun is out, its unique rendering shines.
• Timeless street photography: Works well for creating mood-driven, classic imagery.
Summicron 28mm f/2 ASPH
Rendering:
• Modern, high-contrast, and very sharp.
• Stronger micro-contrast, making subjects pop.
• Cinematic look with rich blacks and deep details.
• Handles flare well, great for high-contrast scenes.
Best Use Cases:
• Modern urban environments: Example - Tokyo, London, New York, Mumbai.
• Dynamic events: Pushkar Fair, Holi at Vrindavan.
• Early morning or late evening light: Excellent for low-light street photography.
• Winter mornings with fog: Maintains clarity and contrast in misty conditions.
2. Aperture & Hyperfocal Distance Settings
• f/8 (Sweet Spot): Maximum sharpness while retaining character.
• f/11: Works well for layered compositions with deep focus.
• f/5.6: Good for balanced contrast and moderate subject separation.
• Avoid f/22: Diffraction softens the image.
Hyperfocal Distance:
• f/8 → Set focus to ~2.5m (8 ft) → Depth of field: 1.2m (4 ft) to infinity
• f/11 → Set focus to ~2m (6.5 ft) → Depth of field: 1m (3.3 ft) to infinity
• f/5.6 – f/8 (Sharpest Range): Perfect for street photography.
• f/8 – f/11: Best for hyperfocal focusing with deep layers.
• f/4: Useful in lower light while maintaining some depth.
• f/2: For subject isolation or night street scenes.
Hyperfocal Distance:
• f/8 → Set focus to ~3m (10 ft) → Depth of field: 1.5m (5 ft) to infinity
• f/11 → Set focus to ~2.5m (8 ft) → Depth of field: 1.2m (4 ft) to infinity
3. Practical Usage & Shooting Conditions
• Summaron for daylight, Summicron for early/late light.
• Summaron for historic streets, Summicron for modern cityscapes.
• Summicron for foggy mornings – sharper details, better contrast.
• Use hyperfocal focusing at f/8-f/11 for fast street photography.
• Avoid f/22 due to diffraction on both lenses.
Camera:
Recommended Shutter Speed for Street Photography - Generally at 1/250