CameraReview
Leica Summilux-M 50mm f/1.4 Classic Line
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Leica · 50 mm · f/1.4 · Leica M mount · Full Frame

Leica Summilux-M 50mm f/1.4 Classic Line

From $4,514.75 — 1 offer
KEY FACTS
BrandLeica
Announcement dateFeb 2025
Released2025
Production started2025
Production statusIn Production
What We Like
+Stunning bokeh with creamy, soft out-of-focus rendering at wide apertures for portraiture
+Improves significantly when stopped down with modern coatings and glass providing sharp results by f/5.6
+Beautiful chrome and brass construction evokes 1950s-60s aesthetic while being modern and reliable
+E46 filter compatibility and 0.7m close focus are practical improvements over original versions
+Exceptional handling with tactile aperture clicks and smooth focus ring
+Synthesizes best optical characteristics of original versions I, II, and III pre-ASPH designs
Worth Knowing
Soft focus wide open at f/1.4 makes critical focusing challenging, unlike modern ASPH versions
Susceptible to focus shift and not as corner-sharp as modern lenses even when stopped down
Clip-on hood design less secure than screw-thread alternatives and easily lost
Limited supply at launch and premium price of $3,895 reflects collector-grade positioning

General

Brand
Leica
Announcement date
Refers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera.
Feb 2025
Released
Refers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale.
2025
Production started
2025
Production status
Current status of lens manufacturing (e.g., in production, discontinued).
In Production
Read our notes on general
Leica's reissued Summilux-M 50mm f/1.4 combines the most desirable aspects of versions I, II, and III of the legendary 50mm Lux with modern manufacturing techniques, glass elements, and lens coatings. While the body design follows the version I with a normal scallop, the optical formula follows that of version II and III. The lens delivers creamy, smooth, cinematic bokeh that "melts" backgrounds into a watercolor-like wash with natural gradual fall-off and beautiful 3D pop. Stopped down to even f/5.6 the lens matches the performance of a modern 50mm lens, if not as sharp overall as the APO-Summicron-M 50mm f/2.0.

Optics

Lens Elements
7 elements in 5 groups
Optical Formula
Based on Version II/III pre-ASPH design
Min focal length
50 mm
Max focal length
50 mm
Focal range
Shortest to longest focal length of the lens (zoom range start - end )
50 mm
Zoom lens
Zoom allows you to vary the focal length, change between long shots and close-ups
No
Max aperture wide
1.4
Max aperture zoom
1.4
Closest focusing distance
Minimum distance for a subject to be in focus.
70 cm01500
Blades
Number of diaphragm blades in aperture
12020

Focus

Focus Type
Manual, rangefinder coupled
Focus Ring
Scalloped, smooth tactile motion

Build

Construction
Solid brass with chrome plating
Finish
Silver chrome
Included Accessories
Clip-on ventilated lens hood, lens cap

Filters threads

Compatible Filters
Standard E46 filters work with hood attached

Aperture

Aperture Range
f/1.4 to f/16

Special features

Lens Hood
Clip-on black ventilated hood
Design Heritage
Based on 1959-1961 original design with modern manufacturing
Glass Type
Advanced types of glass with modern coatings

Physical

Lens mount
The lens mount will tell you what type of lens range you can fit onto the camera body. Often the same camera company will have different lens ranges for different cameras.
Leica M
Lens weight
417 g
Front filter size
Diameter of attachable filters.
46 mm
Maximum format
Largest sensor size compatible with the lens.
Full Frame