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A Modern Classic: The New Leica Summilux-M 50 mm 1:1.4 - Review by Elmar Streyl

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elmars

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Leica probably has the largest number of 50 mm lenses of all manufacturers in its programme. Nevertheless, for a long time I couldn't find the right one: the Apo-Summicron is not fast enough for me; the Noctilux is unique, but too heavy, so I sold it again; the first version of the Summilux ASPH from 2006 was never beautiful enough for me. Then came its successor in 2023, the current Summilux ASPH with extended close-up and I was satisfied. Great performance, great looks, great handling. I thought it was a lens for life.

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But Leica has little devils to tempt us. The new Summilux-M 50 mm now introduced looks even better than the aspherical version. It is a fantastic portrait lens and, despite the lack of aspherical lenses, a good all-round lens with character. The handling is good. I was able to try out a prototype for a few months.

These two photos show once again how good the sensor of the M11 is; they were overexposed by more than three stops.

Leica offers two lens lines for the M. On the one hand, there are the modern lens designs, which deliver top optical performance with compact dimensions. Taken to the extreme, this applies to the APO lenses, which also include the Summilux 50 ASPH, even if it does not have APO in its name. On the other hand, there is the Classic line, which previously offered new editions of ‘old’ lenses that were once produced. The Summilux now presented does not quite fit into this scheme, even if Leica does include it in the Classic line. Leica had to recalculate the lens because the earlier lens glasses were no longer available in the same or a comparable specification. Leica tried to imitate the charm and character of the older Summilux lenses as far as possible. This was achieved while at the same time raising the general optical standard.

The justification for Classic lenses lies in their special imaging properties. Especially at open aperture, they give the image a certain character that results from uncorrected image errors. This could be maliciously described as poor optical performance. In contrast, modern lenses are corrected according to the state of the art even at open aperture, which is why their imaging characteristics are often described - just as maliciously - as clinical. In this sense, the new Summilux is a modern classic. It is not fully corrected at open aperture and therefore has ‘character’; however, this character is more restrained and, in my opinion, much more pleasant than that of the Summilux 35 mm Steel Rim, for example.

At open aperture, the new, non-aspherical Summilux is somewhat softer than the Summilux ASPH. It is not as crisp and slightly less contrasty. I find this very pleasant for portraits; it is a little flattering without being downright soft or even glowy. At f/2.0 the sharpness increases (except in the corners) without being too sharp; f/2.0 is therefore also a good portrait aperture. At f/2.8 it is almost on a par with the Summilux ASPH.

The bokeh is very harmonious - not as uneven as many old lenses, but not unlike the bokeh of the Summilux ASPH. I like this very much, it contributes to its character as an all-round and portrait lens.

Older lenses, especially non-aspherical lenses, tend to focus shift. This means that the point of optimum sharpness moves slightly forwards or backwards when the lens is stopped down. The image can become unsharp if the focal point moves outside the depth of field plane. The new Summilux also has focus shift; the focus moves slightly backwards. However, this does not result in unsharpness, but only in a reduction of the depth of field towards the front, while it expands towards the back.

Being part of the Classic line means that the lens mount follows classic models. In my opinion, the lens designers have achieved great things here. I like beautiful lenses and this is one of the most beautiful. It is based on the design of the first Summilux from the 1950s, but has better proportions; it is slightly shorter and has a slightly larger diameter.

The brass mount of the lens is chrome-plated. I like chrome-plated brass very much, rather than the anodised aluminium that is common at Leica today. The silver is not as white with chrome-plating, but a little more greyish. But there is one disadvantage. Brass weighs more than aluminium, the lens is approx. 100 g heavier than the current Summilux ASPH, which is quite a lot.

The second small drawback from my point of view is that the focus hub is quite long - as is usual with older lenses. Some people like this, but I prefer the short focus hub of modern lenses.

I took the previous photos in Paris shortly before the Olympics. Here are two more portraits that show how wonderful this lens renders.

f/1,4
f/2,8

My conclusion: A great universal lens with a surprisingly favourable price by Leica standards.

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elmars

elmars

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Some more pics at f1,4.

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Olaf_ZG

Olaf_ZG

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2 hours ago, jakontil said:

Damn.. now im torn if u should go and test this lens.. im a sucker for 50mm 😛

danke elmar!

Lucky you. You are just torned to test it. I’m torned to buy it…

thanks @elmars. Especially interested in the portrait performance of this lens…

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elmars

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vor 12 Stunden schrieb Olaf_ZG:

Lucky you. You are just torned to test it. I’m torned to buy it…

thanks @elmars. Especially interested in the portrait performance of this lens…

Hi Olaf,

I think it's the best portrait lens in Leica's current range of 50mm lenses if you don't want the sharpness and absolute clarity of the Apo-Summicron or the Summilux ASPH. It flatters the skin a little more at 1.4 and 2.0, emphasising the whole face rather than the details of the skin, so to speak. However, it does not have the glow of very old lenses (such as the Zeiss Sonnar). Something like this is difficult to put into words. I would say it simply draws pleasantly.

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elmars

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Here are a few more photos from a series I call Advertising; all taken with the Summilux.

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elmars

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Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here…

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aires35iii

aires35iii

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On 2/21/2025 at 7:27 AM, elmars said:

Hi Olaf,

I think it's the best portrait lens in Leica's current range of 50mm lenses if you don't want the sharpness and absolute clarity of the Apo-Summicron or the Summilux ASPH. It flatters the skin a little more at 1.4 and 2.0, emphasising the whole face rather than the details of the skin, so to speak. However, it does not have the glow of very old lenses (such as the Zeiss Sonnar). Something like this is difficult to put into words. I would say it simply draws pleasantly.

Good morning, thank you for your review.

You wrote about the Nocilux 0.95, but compared to the Noctilux 1.2 ?

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Scrapbook

Scrapbook

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I had the Chance to test the Summilux 50 classic. It is a wonderful lens. Though some frames showed irritating results. Maybe that´s the often discussed character of the newold Summilux?🙃

Claus

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Edited by Scrapbook
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