CameraReview
Brightin Star 28mm f/2.8 Pancake
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Brightin Star · f/2.8 · Leica M mount

Brightin Star 28mm f/2.8 Pancake

Where to buy — 1 offer
Mount
KEY FACTS
BrandBrightin Star
Release Year2026
Production StatusIn Production
Lens MountLeica M
SystemLeica M
What We Like
+Exceptional compactness: only 9.9mm thick, making it a true micro-pancake lens
+Sharp center and mid-frame performance, suitable for APS-C coverage
+Quality brass construction with beautiful black lacquer finish
+Rangefinder-coupled for accurate Leica M focusing
+Variable aperture f/2.8-f/16 is wider than most comparable pancake lenses
+Affordable price point around $325-359 USD
Worth Knowing
Significant corner softness and vignetting, especially at wider apertures
Difficult aperture ring control due to compact size—impossible with gloves
Not weather-sealed; limited durability for heavy use
Mirror-equipped cameras cannot use this lens due to rear element depth

General

Brand
Brightin Star
Release Year
2026
Production Status
Current status of lens manufacturing (e.g., in production, discontinued).
In Production
Lens Mount
The lens mount will tell you what type of lens range you can fit onto the camera body. Often the same camera company will have different lens ranges for different cameras.
Leica M
System
Indicates which camera system the lens is designed to attach to.
Leica M
Maximum Format
Largest sensor size compatible with the lens.
Full Frame
Read our notes on general
The Brightin Star 28mm f/2.8 is an ultra-compact micro-pancake lens that pushes the boundaries of pancake lens design. In the center of the image, the lens shows considerable sharpness and detail rendition even at open aperture with pronounced micro-contrast and natural color reproduction. However, sharpness decreases significantly toward the edges, making it a niche lens for photographers who value compactness above all else and are willing to compromise on optical performance. With decent optical performance even wide open at f/2.8 and an attractive black paint over brass build, photographers will likely appreciate its well-thought-out handling.

Physical

Lens Weight
125 g
Lens Diameter
Width of the lens at its widest point
51.4 mm
Lens Length
How long the lens is from front to back.
9.9 mm

Optics

Focal Range
Shortest to longest focal length of the lens (zoom range start - end )
28 mm
Aperture Range
Largest aperture at the lens's shortest focal length to longest focal length (aperture range start - end)
2.8
Blades
Number of diaphragm blades in aperture
10020
Zoom Lens
Zoom allows you to vary the focal length, change between long shots and close-ups
No
Autofocus Mode
No