2025 is Leica’s year, and there is nothing that is going to change that. After massive financial success in the past, the company continues to pave its way forward with newer launches. They have already released the Leica SL-3, a grip for phone photographers and a limited edition instant camera. Joining this list is the revival of an iconic Leica lens: the Leica Summilux-M 50 f1.4 in silver color. What does it offer? Let’s take a peek.
All images are courtesy of Leica. Used with permission.
Leica has been crafting impeccable lenses for the past 150 years. However, the history of M-lenses only began 70 years ago, with the first introduction of Leica Summilux-M 50 f1.4. Created in 1959, the lens was designed to offer maximum light, which is why it is called Summilux, deriving from the Latin “summa lux.” However, since then, the lens had various iterations over the years, each offering the same iconic look and feel of the original fast lens. In fact, the Summilux lenses became known for being fast lenses in Leica’s range.
According to Leica, the new lens offers a new interpretation of the legacy of Summilux lenses, where the vintage appeal meets today’s technology. Like the other iconic lenses, such as the Summaron-M 28 f5.6, the Thambar-M 90
f2.2, the Noctilux-M 50 f1.2 ASPH, and the Summilux-M 35 f1.4, the new Summilux-M 50 f1.4 looks and feels exactly like its predecessor. The lens is an “unchanged version” of the Summilux-M lenses launched between 1962 to 2004. This means that the new lens aims to offer image quality and lens character similar to those of its predecessors. Here is a quick look at its specs:
- 7 lenses in 5 groups
- 12 aperture blades
- Focus range of 0.7 m to infinity (an improvement from the original lens)
- Largest scale: 1:12.5
- Click-stop diaphragm with half-increment lock settings
- Filter thread of E46
- Size: 45 mm/71 mm
- Weight: Approx. 417 g
The lens is not too heavy, and with a 12-blade aperture, it will offer soft, creamy bokeh, which makes it a perfect choice for portrait photographers, particularly those shooting weddings or couple portraits. Leica says when the aperture is increased, it will create “sharper and higher-contrast images than its historical predecessor.” This is possible due to the special glasses used in the Leica Summilux-M 50 f1.4. Furthermore, the new edition was also created to meet the demands of the modern M-Cameras, which features a 60MP sensor, like the M-11.
As expected from Leica, the lens is made by hand from solid brass and comes with a round vintage lens hood. Furthermore, the company will offer the Summilux-M 50 f1.4 in newly designed packaging. The lens also has a hefty price tag of $3,895.
We had the opportunity to review one of the versions in 2011, and we loved the quality it produced. “The 50mm F1.4 Summilux is essentially the perfect 50mm lens for me. The out-of-focus area is gorgeous; it is sharp from corner to corner, there is an aperture ring, the manual focusing is smooth, and it isn’t too heavy or large,” said our review. In the 2021 version, we also loved the quality, the price, and the build, but we didn’t like that it was not fully weather-sealed.
Our hopes of the new lens being in the same league are pretty high. However, we are not sure about weather sealing at the moment. If it does lack at that price point, it would be a bummer. But if you are a professional who owns Leica M’s latest cameras, this lens could be for you.
You can see the proof of performance below:
For more information, head to Leica’s website.