1776588

Leica

Leica 50mm f1.4 Summilux-M Classic

$3,895.00

Note: This lens is available for pre-order. We won't charge your card until the item is ready to ship. You can also contact us directly to place your order and reserve a lens. As this is a handmade lens, not mass-produced, order fulfillment times will reflect the crafted production process.

Pickup available at Camera West Rancho Mirage

Usually ready in 24 hours

Note: Pickup not immediately available for Pre-Orders


Leica reintroduces a classic 50mm, the original 50mm f1.4 Summilux-M from 1959. The original 50mm f1.4 Summilux became an icon alongside the Leica M3, featuring a unique characteristics when used wide open due to its lack of modern optical corrections. Since the original 50mm Summilux, there have been four key versions, culminating in the modern aspherical, close-focus version we know today making the 50mm Summilux-M a staple in Leica’s optical offerings over the past seven decades. The recreation of the 50mm f1.4 Summilux-M brings welcomed changes while remaining true to its predecessor's form both aesthetically and functionally, with two key exceptions. The modern recreation moves from an e43 filter thread to a more contemporary e46 filter thread, and—most notably—allows for 0.7m close focus compared to the original's 1m minimum. This improvement in close focus significantly increases the creative possibilities of the classic 50mm f1.4 Summilux-M and enhances the already illustrious and unique signature of the lens when used wide open.

We think the reintroduction of the 50mm f1.4 Summilux-M is a fantastic addition to the Leica M lineup of classic lenses, which includes the 28mm f5.6 Summaron-M, 35mm f1.4 Summilux-M Steel Rim, 50mm f1.2 Noctilux-M, and 90mm f2.2 Thambar. These classic reintroductions offer photographers a unique character in their images, distinct from the perfection found in modern optics, yet without the idiosyncrasies common in vintage lenses that have stood the test of time and use. We love historical Leica optics, and these recreations are some of our personal favorites here at Camera West & Leica Store San Francisco!

Features at a Glance
  • New optical design of a classic Leica lens: Replicating the distinguished bokeh from the original lens released 1962, while also supporting Leica’s high-resolution sensors, thanks to new
    manufacturing techniques, modern glass elements and lens coatings.
  • Homage to Leica’s lens heritage: The barrel design is based on the first version of the 50mm Summilux-M lens (released between 1959 – 1961) while the optical design is based on the 2nd version of this lens (released between 1962 – 2004).
  • Designed to the highest standard: Composed of over 100 different parts, this brass lens is handmade in Germany, with a chrome-plated surface finish. This lens is not a limited edition
    and is part of Leica’s current lens portfolio.
  • Unique image rendering: Creating images with a wide-open aperture allows the lens to produce incredibly soft bokeh, while also being very sharp and showcasing low optical distortions
    when stopped down.
What's Included
  • Leica Summilux-M 50 f/1.4, Silver Chrome Finish
  • Leather case
  • Lens front cap
  • Lens hood
  • Lens hood cap
  • Rear cap
Ask Us A Question

Product information

All our shipments are fully insured. For shipments valued over $200, a direct signature will be required upon delivery.

We utilize various shipping carriers, with FedEx Express being our primary choice for 2-Day and Overnight shipping within the US, as well as International deliveries.

We accept returns within 14 days of delivery, subject to a restocking fee of up to 15%. This fee is not for profit, but to cover the costs associated with selling an item. Each return is evaluated individually, and we strive to minimize this fee. In many instances, we waive it entirely if the refund credit can be applied towards another item in the store.

Please note, all returned items must be in the condition in which they were shipped. If the items are returned in a different condition, we will not be able to accept them.

We highly recommend visiting us in person to experience our fine photographic tools before deciding which tool best fits your needs. Please note that our inventory is distributed among our three stores, and what you see online may be at any of these locations. Below are a few points that we’d like to make in order to meet your needs for in store pick up.

The location of each item is indicated online. For convenience, you can choose to pick up your item at any of our stores. Once purchased, the item should be ready for pick up within 4 hours at the designated store, although this might vary depending on the store's busyness and time of day. We request that you wait for a notification from us confirming that your order is ready for pick up, to ensure the best service.

If your chosen item is not available at your preferred store, we can transfer it there after purchase. If you want to pick up an item at a different store, select that store for pick up during checkout, or choose a regular shipping method and let us know your preferred pick up store via support@camerawest.com or by responding to your order confirmation email.

For any questions about in-store pick up, please email support@camerawest.com. We'll do our best to accommodate your needs.

We offer a concierge trade-in program for the gear you'd like to upgrade, cross-grade, or simply pass on to a new owner. This enables you to acquire the tools that fit your specific needs. The easiest way to trade is to bring your gear into one of our stores and meet with us in person. However, we also accommodate those who can't visit our stores. Our online process is both personal and simple.

To begin, fill out the form on our Trade // Sell page with the details of the fine photographic equipment or watches you'd like to trade in. One of our team members will then contact you to confirm any details we might need for an accurate estimate. We will provide an estimate that doesn’t only look at the value of your trade in but the whole picture of where you want to go. If the estimate is satisfactory to you, we can provide a shipping label for you to ship your gear to one of our stores for a final inspection and store credit. Finally, we apply that credit towards your new gear!

More Info
Striking Shots and Unparalleled Portraits

This legendary lens will inspire you with its image quality and picturesque bokeh when shooting with a wide aperture. At the same time, it delivers precise focus and striking contrast when stopped down. The Summilux-M 50 f/1.4 invites you to explore the interplay of sharpness and blur, offering you boundless opportunities to express yourself creatively.

Timeless Aesthetics

The Summilux-M 50 f/1.4 has been developed based on its legendary predecessor. The new version of this standard lens is also made by hand out of solid brass and equipped with a removable, round lens hood. This protects the lens, minimises glare and lens flares, and emphasises the vintage look. The aesthetics of this classic lens form a perfect symbiosis with a Leica M-Camera, both visually and technically.

Unmatched – Since 1959

We introduced the first Summilux lens back in 1959. The name ‘Summilux’ is derived from the Latin ‘summa lux’, meaning ‘maximum light’. Since then, Summilux has been synonymous with our particularly fast lenses. The Summilux-M normal lens, with its focal length of 50 mm, is the prime lens for many photographers worldwide, and has captured countless iconic pictures throughout the history of photography.

“Made in Germany” Quality

The reinterpretation is based on optical calculation for the second Summilux-M 50 f/1.4, which was produced between 1962 and 2004 with very few modifications. Meticulously crafted from 105 individual components, this optical masterpiece is the result of carefully considered refinements. Seven lenses, manufactured from advanced types of glass and arranged in five groups, reproduce subjects at a close focusing distance of only 0.7 m, delivering the impeccable quality expected from a lens bearing the ‘Made in Germany’ designation. Furthermore, its twelve aperture blades ensure an exceptionally smooth and harmonious bokeh.

Specifications

TRADE // Sell

Trade in & Trade Up

We make it easy to trade in and trade up to the next piece of gear.

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