The new close-focus version of the Leica Summilux-M 50 f/1.4 ASPH is announced today and will be available in a choice of black or silver. It closely follows the design of the latest Summilux-M 35 f/1.4 ASPH.
The Leica Summilux-M 50 f/1.4 ASPH has been newly refined to house the latest high-end technology while keeping its compact and lightweight design, providing even more flexibility and freedom when taking photographs.
The Standard
With its “standard” focal length of 50mm, the new Summilux-M is suitable for almost every photographic situation and is characterised by an unmistakable high image quality. This new lens unleashes the full performance of the new camera sensors, offering exceptionally high contrast and detailed results, even in difficult light conditions. With two additional aperture blades, 11 istead of nine, it allows for a visibly rounder bokeh.
The closest focus distance has also been reduced, from 70cm to 45cm, made possible by the double-cam gear especially developed by Leica engineers. This has allowed the rotation angle of the distance ring to be greatly expanded compared with the previous model, enabling even more precise focusing over the entire range setting.
At the same time, neither the frame size nor the sensitivity of focus has been changed, making the lens particularly comfortable to handle even when focusing in the extended close-up range. Focusing up to 70cm is done as usual via the rangefinder of the digital and analogue M cameras. For focusing in the extended close-up range between 70 and 45cm, Live View needs to be activated via the screen, Visoflex or the Leica FOTOS application.
Refined
In common with the 35mm model from the high-speed Summilux-M series, the Summilux-M 50 f/1.4 ASPH has now been refined technically and optically. The lens hood has a round design and is directly integrated into the lens, allowing it to be used with only a flick of the wrist. Just like the previous model, the new Summilux-M 50 f/1.4 ASPH is also available in the silver or black anodised version.
The lens is compatible with all current and future M cameras and, in combination with the M-Adapter L, the Summilux-M also enables photographing and filming with the Leica SL2 and SL2-S through guaranteed system compatibility.
The Leica Summilux-M 50 f/1.4 will be available globally at Leica Stores, the Leica Online Store and authorised dealers starting from April 13 at 2 pm BST. The retail price of the lens will be £4,000, including 20 per cent tax for the black version and £4,200 for the silver lens.
The lens is supplied with a leather case and front and rear caps.
Images supplied by Leica Camera AG
@ Röd
it will look almost identical to the 75 in terms of reproduction ratio but the 50 will have an even shallower dof.
But for me it is not at all a question wether its better to own the 75 or the 50. People who have choosen a 50 to be their standard (go to lens) will surely appreciate the new design.
In fact i own the lens and i am amazed not only but the close focus but also with the sharpness. The 50 Lux was already a great lens even at 1.4 but the new one…. incredible. I know the mtf charts suggests that ther should be not a (visible) difference but it is there.
Me, i only liked the old Lux better for its design. Never had any issues with that lens hood and it just looked nicer in person. Build wise the new 50 is among Leicas best i would say. Aperture ring just right (not too firm or loose with a click you can feel) focus ring super smooth with the right tension and focus throw.
I swapped out my 35lux FLE for the newer close focus (40cm) version. It’s a terrific lens, but so was the previous version and I even liked the square lens hood. Whether or not it was worth the upgrade cost is questionable but it will get a little more general purpose use than my 50lux which is actually one of my favourite lenses ever.
I guess, the 45cm close focus on the 50lux will be slightly more useful than the 40cm close focus on the 35lux. Interestingly, the 35 APO Summicron has CF of only 30cm which is much more useful.
If anyone’s got a new 50lux, I’d be interested to see a 45cm close focus comparison to a 70cm minimum focus distance on the 75 APO Summicron, which seems to be my go-to lens for taking photos of ‘things’ on the desk.
The email said close focus is 45mm. That got my attention.