Leica Summilux-M 50mm f/1.4 Lens - Silver

Leica Summilux-M 50mm f/1.4 Lens - Silver

Some lenses are so good that they deserve to be re-released! This Leica Summilux-M 50mm is similar in design to the Summilux from 1962 but the manufacturing methods are modern.

In the same Leica Classic series, the Noctilux 50mm F1.2 and Summilux 35mm F1.4 Steel rim reissues have also been announced, which have been well-liked lenses.

At full aperture the image is dreamy, with a certain glow. This is almost impossible to achieve with post-processing or diffusion filters. And when stopped down the image becomes salon-worthy and sharp like a modern Leica. The same duality as in the 35mm F1.4 Steel Rim Summilux from 2011.

So it's almost like two lenses in one. The aperture not only controls the exposure, but also the mood of the image.

The lens is not exactly the same version, but a combination of the best aspects of several versions. Mechanically this is close to the I model produced in 1959-1961. The weight has increased slightly due to the different metals, i.e. about 417g.

The optical structure is the same as in versions II and III. But there is one big difference here, at full aperture the image feels very nostalgic and beautifully soft, meaning there is a glow.

But the glass qualities and coatings used have been deliberately changed to modern ones , meaning that even though the structure is the same, the nature of the image changes to modern precision when dimming, not quite on the level of the new Summilux Asph, but sufficient. So here you have basically two lenses in one.

The edge definition when dimmed is not the same as in the 2023, i.e. the latest generation 50mm optics. However, the new coatings keep reflections under control when shooting against backlight.

The mechanical quality is typical Leica, meaning the aperture ring feels as precise as a clock. The manual focus cycle is quite long, but it is suitable for precise work with a shallow depth of field.

Made in Germany

Specifications:

• Compatibility: Leica M-mount
• Focal length 50mm
• Maximum aperture: f/1.4 (min. f/16)
• Construction: 7 elements in 5 groups, 12 diaphragm blades
  
• Closest focusing distance: 0.7 m
  
• Magnification ratio: 1:1.74
• Filter thread: 46mm
• Size: 45 x 58mm
• Weight: 417g