Leica SUMMILUX-M 50mm F/1.4 ASPH. [I]

Standard prime lens • Film era

Abbreviations

ASPH. The lens incorporates aspherical elements.

Sample photos

F/1.4
F/1.4
F/???
F/2
F/???
F/1.7
F/2
F/2.4
F/1.4
F/???
F/1.7
F/???
F/???
F/5.7
F/2
F/1.4
F/2
F/1.4
F/???
F/1.4
F/2
F/2
F/1.4
F/2
F/2
F/4.8
F/4.8
F/4.8

Model history (10)

Leitz Wetzlar XENON 50mm F/1.5 [LSM]M7 - 51.00mA51 1936 
Leitz Wetzlar / Leitz Canada SUMMARIT 50mm F/1.5 [LSM]M7 - 51.00mE41 1949 
Leitz Wetzlar / Leitz Canada SUMMARIT 50mm F/1.5M7 - 51.00mE41 1954 
Leitz Wetzlar SUMMILUX 50mm F/1.4 [I]M7 - 51.00mE43 1959 
Leitz Wetzlar SUMMILUX 50mm F/1.4 (548 units) [LSM] 1960 
Leitz Wetzlar SUMMILUX 50mm F/1.4 [II]M7 - 51.00mE43 1961 
Leitz Wetzlar SUMMILUX 50mm F/1.4 [II]M7 - 51.00mE43 1968 
Leitz Wetzlar SUMMILUX 50mm F/1.4 "Oskar Barnack 100th Anniversary" (1000 units) 1979 
Leitz Wetzlar SUMMILUX 50mm F/1.4 "Leica 1913-1983" (200 units) 1983 
Leica SUMMILUX-M 50mm F/1.4 "150 Jahre Photographie, 75 Jahre Leica Photographie" (1250 units) 1989 
Leica SUMMILUX-M 50mm F/1.4 Gold "Sultan of Brunei" (350 units) 1992 
Leica SUMMILUX-M 50mm F/1.4 Platinum "Sultan of Brunei" (250 units) 1992 
Leica SUMMILUX-M 50mm F/1.4 "Traveller Edition" (500 units) 1994 
Leica SUMMILUX-M 50mm F/1.4 [III]M7 - 50.70mE46 1995 
Leica SUMMILUX-M 50mm F/1.4 Platinum "Sultan of Brunei" (125 units) 1996 
Leica SUMMILUX-M 50mm F/1.4 "150 Jahre Optik" (30 units) 1999 
Leica SUMMILUX 50mm F/1.4 [LSM] 1999 
Leica SUMMILUX-M 50mm F/1.4 for M6 TTL Millennium (2075 units) 2000 
Leica SUMMILUX-M 50mm F/1.4 "Al-Thani" (16 units) 2001 
Leica SUMMILUX-M 50mm F/1.4 [III] TitaniumM7 - 50.70mE46 1995 
Leica SUMMILUX-M 50mm F/1.4 ASPH. [I]M8 - 50.70mE46 2004 
Leica SUMMILUX-M 50mm F/1.4 ASPH. Titanium "50 Jahre M-System" (550 units) 2004 
Leica SUMMILUX-M 50mm F/1.4 ASPH. Titanium "9/11 Memorial" (1 unit) 2005 
Leica SUMMILUX-M 50mm F/1.4 ASPH. "LHSA Special Edition" (1500 units) 2005 
Leica SUMMILUX-M 50mm F/1.4 ASPH. "60 Years PRC" (60 units) 2009 
Leica SUMMILUX-M 50mm F/1.4 ASPH. "China’s 1911 Revolution" (101 units) 2011 
Leica SUMMILUX-M 50mm F/1.4 ASPH. "Edition Hermès" (300 units) 2012 
Leica SUMMILUX-M 50mm F/1.4 ASPH. "Edition 100" (101 units) 2014 
Leica SUMMILUX-M 50mm F/1.4 ASPH. "CorrespondenT* (125 units) 2015 
Leica SUMMILUX-M 50mm F/1.4 ASPH. Black 2015 
Leica SUMMILUX-M 50mm F/1.4 ASPH. "Leica Galerie FrankfurT* (50 units) 2016 
Leica SUMMILUX-M 50mm F/1.4 ASPH. "Meister Edition Berlin" (20 units) 2017 
Leica SUMMILUX-M 50mm F/1.4 ASPH. "Jim Marshall" (50 units) 2017 
Leica SUMMILUX-M 50mm F/1.4 ASPH. "Terry O’Neill" (35 units) 2018 
Leica SUMMILUX-M 50mm F/1.4 ASPH. "SC AsseT* (30 units) 2019 
Leica SUMMILUX-M 50mm F/1.4 ASPH. for M10-P "White" (350 units) 2019 
Leica SUMMILUX-M 50mm F/1.4 ASPH. [II]M8 - 50.45mE46 2023 

Features highlight

Ultra fast
1
ASPH
2
AD
3
HR
F.E.
MF
Manual
9 blades
Compact
E46
filters
Built-in hood

Specification

Production details:
Announced:July 2004
Production status: In production
Order No.:11891 - black anodized
11892 - silver chrome
Original name:LEICA SUMMILUX-M 1:1.4/50 ASPH.
System:Leica M (1954)
Optical design:
Focal length:50mm
Speed:F/1.4
Maximum format:35mm full frame
Mount and Flange focal distance:Leica M [27.8mm]
Diagonal angle of view:46.8°
Lens construction:8 elements in 5 groups
1 ASPH, 2 AD, 3 HR
Floating element system
On Leica M8/M8.2 APS-H [1.33x] cameras:
35mm equivalent focal length:66.5mm (in terms of field of view)
35mm equivalent speed:F/1.9 (in terms of depth of field)
Diagonal angle of view:36°
Diaphragm mechanism:
Diaphragm type:Manual
Aperture control:Aperture ring
Number of blades:9 (nine)
Focusing:
Coupled to the rangefinder:Yes
Closest focusing distance:0.7m
Magnification ratio:1:11.3 at the closest focusing distance
Focusing modes:Manual focus only
Manual focus control:Focusing tab
Physical characteristics:
Weight:335g
Maximum diameter x Length:⌀53.5×52.5mm
Accessories:
Filters:Screw-type 46mm
Lens hood:Built-in telescopic round
Lens caps:14231 (front)
14269 (rear)
Source of data:
Manufacturer's technical data.

Manufacturer description #1

03 - 07/2004 - High-speed universal lens

The LEICA SUMMILUX-M f/1.4/50mm ASPH. lens introduced by Leica Camera AG, Solms is a completely new design of the high-speed standard lens. By using an aspherical element, it has been possible to achieve another substantial improvement to the imaging performance of the predecessor model. The LEICA SUMMILUX-M f/1.4/50mm ASPH. is the first Leica M lens to feature a floating element - the last lens element alters its position in relation to the rest of the optical system during focusing – thereby achieving outstanding imaging quality even in the close-up range. To achieve homogeneously high imaging performance over the whole field, the LEICA SUMMILUX-M f/1.4/50mm ASPH. not only features high-refraction glass, but also two elements with anomalous color dispersion (partial dispersion), one of which originated in the former Leitz glass laboratory.

“The new LEICA SUMMILUX-M f/1.4/50mm ASPH. is both optically and mechanically a reference lens that has pushed forward the technical limits of standard focal length photography into new dimensions. Whether selective definition in the close range, high-contrast available light applications or landscapes with great field depth - the LEICA SUMMILUX-M f/1.4/50mm ASPH. delivers a convincing performance. It does an excellent job as a truly universal lens,“ says Stefan Daniel, Head of Product Management of Leica Camera AG's Photo division. “The LEICA SUMMILUX-M f/1.4/50mm ASPH. represents a new standard of mechanical engineering, too. To fully exploit the advantages of the floating element, an ultra precise adjustment mechanism has been devised which is small enough to fit into a compact M lens.“

The new LEICA SUMMILUX-M f/1.4/50mm ASPH. performs almost equally well at any stop and focus setting, rendering excellent contrast even of the finest structures at full aperture. This performance can only be improved slightly by stopping down. Another feature worth mentioning is the virtual absence of distortion. The vignetting normal at full aperture for such a high-speed lens - here up to 2 stops in the corners of the image - is drastically reduced by stopping down - to about 1/2 stop at f/5.6. On top of this, the use of state-of-the-art coating technology ensures a high degree of freedom from reflexes.

The LEICA SUMMILUX-M f/1.4/50mm ASPH. has a built-in, telescopic lens hood that protects from stray light or dirt and can be locked in the extended position to prevent it moving back in by mistake. As well as the familiar knurled ring, the lens has a grip recess to allow extra convenient one-finger focusing. The balanced proportions of the lens encourage long periods of fatigue-free use.

Manufacturer description #2

Leica Camera AG has unveiled a new high-speed standard lens for the Leica M System offering maximum imaging performance: the new LEICA SUMMILUX-M 50mm f/1.4 ASPH. It supersedes the predecessor lens with the same speed, which, notwithstanding a few minor modifications, had been part of our range since 1962.

The aim of this new development was to create a reference lens to push the technical boundaries of photography using standard focal lengths into new dimensions. The new LEICA SUMMILUX-M 50mm f/1.4 ASPH. delivers virtually the same outstanding performance throughout all apertures and focus settings. Whether using selective focus at close range, high-contrast available light applications or an extended depth of field to capture landscapes, the LEICA SUMMILUX-M 50 mm f/1.4 ASPH. handles every situation with ease. It therefore delivers on its promise to be a genuine universal lens in impressive fashion.

The optical structure of the new LEICA SUMMILUX-M 50mm f/1.4 ASPH. consists of eight lens elements in five components. These make up a new type of lens in the range of double Gauss designs. The first three elements conform to the usual Gauss structure, while the construction of the lens elements behind the diaphragm builds on that of the outstanding LEICA SUMMILUX-M 35mm f/1.4 ASPH, which is particularly notable for the concave surface facing the image plane.

Glass with anomalous partial dispersion (elements 2/3) was used to ensure correct color rendition and deliver strong imaging performance. Lens element 2 is made of a fluorite-type glass, while glass originating from the former Leitz glass laboratory was used for element 3. Lens element 4 has an aspherical surface. Alongside the aspherical element, glass with very high refractive power was also used to minimize monochrome imaging aberrations (elements 1/6/7).

At full stop, the LEICA SUMMILUX-M 50mm f/1.4 ASPH. offers high contrast rendering even for the finest structures. This performance can only be raised slightly by stopping down. A high level of freedom from distortion is another notable feature. The normal vignetting for such high-speed lenses at full stop (up to 2 stops in the corners in this case) is strongly reduced by stopping down (to around 1/2 stop with f/5.6). Furthermore, the use of the most advanced coating technology ensures a high degree of anti-glare. For the first time in a Leica M lens, a ‘floating element’ is used to maintain imaging performance even in close-focus ranges down to 0.7m. During focusing, the rearmost component (elements 7/8) alters its position relative to the rest of the optical system. To maximize the benefits of this design, an extremely precise adjusting mechanism has been utilized that also had to fit into the restricted space inside a compact M-lens.

The new LEICA SUMMILUX-M 50mm f/1.4 ASPH. also offers special new features in terms of its handling: The built-in lens hood not only provides protection against stray light and dust, it can also be locked in extended position to guard against accidental retracting. In addition to the familiar knurled ring, the lens is equipped with a finger grip that allows easy focusing using one finger. The balanced proportions of the lens also mean that comfortable usage for longer periods is possible.

Summary:

Every innovation currently available in lens technology – aspherical lenses, glass with anomalous partial dispersion, glass with a high refraction index and a floating element – has been combined to create a lens that sets the new standard in this focal length class.

Manufacturer description #3

Leica Camera AG has unveiled a new highspeed standard lens for the Leica M System offering maximum imaging performance: the new LEICA SUMMILUX-M 50mm f/1.4 ASPH. It supersedes the predecessor lens with the same speed, which, notwithstanding a few minor modifications, had been part of our range since 1962. The aim of this new development was to create a reference lens to push the technical boundaries of photography using standard focal lengths into new dimensions. The LEICA SUMMILUX-M 50mm f/1.4 ASPH. delivers virtually the same outstanding performance throughout all apertures and focus settings. Whether using selective focus at close range, high-contrast available light applications or an extended depth of field to capture landscapes, the LEICA SUMMILUX-M 50mm f/1.4 ASPH. handles every situation with ease. It therefore delivers on its promise to be a genuine universal lens in impressive fashion. Every innovation currently available in lens technology – aspherical lenses, glass with anomalous partial dispersion, glass with a high refraction index and a floating element – has been combined to create a lens that sets the new standard in this focal length class.

Manufacturer description #4

The optical structure of the LEICA SUMMILUX-M 50mm f/1.4 ASPH. consists of eight lens in 5 groups. Glass with anomalous partial dispersion (elements 2/3) was used to ensure correct color rendition.

Lens element 2 is made of a fluorite-type glass while lens element 3 is made from glass originating from the former Leitz glass laboratory. Lens element 4 has an aspherical surface. Lens elements 1, 6 and 7 are made of glass with a very high refractive index to minimize monochromatic aberrations. In all every innovation currently available in lens technology - aspherical lenses, glass with anomalous partial dispersion (APO), glass with a high refraction index and a floating element - has been combined to create a lens that will set new imaging standards. This is the first Leica M lens with a specifically patented 'floating element' used to maintain imaging performance at a very high level even in close-focus ranges down to 0.7m. During focusing, the rearmost optical component (elements 7/8) moves relative to the rest of the optical system and produces brilliant image quality in near focus ranges. To maximize the benefits of the 'floating element' an extremely precise adjusting mechanism has also been utilized that had to fit into the restricted space inside this compact M-lens.

The LEICA SUMMILUX-M 50mm f/1.4 ASPH. also offers special features in terms of its handling: The built-in lens hood not only provides protection against stray light and dust, it can also be locked in the extended position to guard against accidental retracting. In addition to the familiar knurled ring, the lens is equipped with a finger grip that allows easy focusing using one finger. The balanced proportions of the lens also provide comfortable usage for longer periods of time.

From the editor

Weight and dimensions are stated for the black version of the lens. Chrome version has the same dimensions but weighs 125g more (460g).

Lenses with similar focal length

Sorted by manufacturer name

Leica screw mount 45 lenses (17 third-party)
Canon 50mm F/1.2M7 - 51.00m⌀55 1956 
Canon 50mm F/1.4 IM6 - 41.00m⌀48 1957 
Canon 50mm F/1.4 IIM6 - 41.00m⌀48 1959 
Canon 50mm F/1.5M7 - 31.00mS.VII 1952 
Canon SERENAR 50mm F/1.8 IM6 - 41.00mS.VI 1951 
Canon 50mm F/1.8 IIM6 - 41.00mS.VI 1956 
Canon 50mm F/1.8 IIIM6 - 41.00m⌀40 1958 
Canon SERENAR 50mm F/1.9CollapsibleM6 - 43.5 ft.S.VI 1949 
Canon 50mm F/2.2M5 - 41.00m⌀40 1961 
Canon 50mm F/2.8 IM4 - 31.00mS.VI 1955 
Canon 50mm F/2.8 IIM4 - 31.00m⌀40 1957 
Chiyoko Super ROKKOR 45mm F/2.8 [C]M5 - 31.00m 1947 
Chiyoda Kogaku Super ROKKOR 50mm F/1.8M6 - 51.00m⌀46 1958 
Chiyoko Super ROKKOR 50mm F/2.8 [C]M5 - 31.00m⌀40.5 1954 
Chiyoko Super ROKKOR 50mm F/2 [C]M7 - 61.00m⌀43 1955 
Chiyoko Super ROKKOR 50mm F/2M7 - 61.00m⌀40.5 1955 
Cosina Voigtlander Color-SKOPAR 50mm F/2.5 LSMM7 - 60.75m⌀39 2002 
Cosina Voigtlander HELIAR 50mm F/2 LSM "Cosina 50th Anniversary, Bessa 10th Anniversary" (600 units)M5 - 31.00m⌀39 2009 
Cosina Voigtlander NOKTON 50mm F/1.5 Aspherical LSMM6 - 50.90m⌀52 1999 
Fuji Photo Film FUJINON 50mm F/1.2M8 - 63.5 ft. 1954 
Konica HEXANON 50mm F/2.4 LSM (1000 units)CollapsibleM6 - 40.80m⌀40.5 1997 
Leitz Wetzlar / Leitz Canada SUMMARIT 50mm F/1.5M7 - 51.00mE41 1949 
Leitz HEKTOR 50mm F/2.5CollapsibleM6 - 31.00mA36 1931 
Leitz / Leitz Wetzlar SUMMAR 50mm F/2M6 - 41.00mA36 1933 
Leitz / Leitz Wetzlar SUMMITAR 50mm F/2CollapsibleM7 - 41.00mE36.4 1939 
Leitz Wetzlar XENON 50mm F/1.5M7 - 51.00mA51 1936 
Leitz Wetzlar SUMMICRON 50mm F/2 [I]CollapsibleM7 - 61.00mE39 1953 
Leitz Wetzlar Compur-SUMMICRON 50mm F/2 (150 units)M? - ?1.00m 1954 
Leitz Wetzlar ELMAR 50mm F/2.8 [I]CollapsibleM4 - 31.00mE39 1957 
Leitz / Leitz Wetzlar SUMMAR 50mm F/2CollapsibleM6 - 41.00mA36 1934 
Nikon NIKKOR-H·C 50mm F/2 LSMCollapsibleM6 - 30.90mS.VI
Nikon NIKKOR-H[·C] 50mm F/2 LSMM6 - 30.45mS.VI
Nikon NIKKOR-S·C 50mm F/1.5 LSMM7 - 50.45m⌀40.5
Nikon NIKKOR-S[·C] 50mm F/1.4 LSMM7 - 30.45mS.VII
Nikon NIKKOR-N[·C] 50mm F/1.1 LSMM9 - 61.00m⌀62
Jupiter-8 50mm F/2M6 - 31.00m⌀40.5
Industar-61[L/D] 52mm F/2.8M4 - 31.00m⌀40.5
Jupiter-3 50mm F/1.5M7 - 30.90m⌀40.5
Industar-26M 50mm F/2.8M4 - 31.00m⌀40.5
Teikoku Kogaku ZUNOW 50mm F/1.1 [I]M9 - 51.00m 1953 
Teikoku Kogaku / Zunow Opt. ZUNOW 50mm F/1.1 [II]M8 - 51.00m⌀54.5 1955 
Voigtlander NOKTON 50mm F/1.5M7 - 51.00m 1953 
Yashica [Super-]YASHINON 50mm F/1.8M6 - 53.5 ft.⌀43 1959 
Yashica YASHIKOR 50mm F/2.8 [II]M5 - 40.90m⌀40.5 1959 
Yashica YASHIKOR 50mm F/2.8 [I]M4 - 33.5 ft.⌀40.5 1959 
Leica M mount 39 lenses (13 third-party)
Cosina Voigtlander NOKTON 50mm F/1.1 VMM7 - 61.00m⌀58 2009 
Cosina Voigtlander NOKTON 50mm F/1.5 Aspherical VMM6 - 50.70m⌀49 2013 
Cosina Voigtlander HELIAR 50mm F/2 VM "Voigtlander 250th Anniversary" (2500 units)CollapsibleM5 - 31.00m⌀39 2006 
Cosina Voigtlander NOKTON 50mm F/1.2 Aspherical VMM8 - 60.70m⌀52 2018 
Cosina Voigtlander NOKTON 50mm F/1.5 Aspherical II VMM8 - 70.70m⌀43 2020 
Cosina Voigtlander APO-LANTHAR 50mm F/2 Aspherical VMM10 - 80.70m⌀49 2020 
Cosina Voigtlander HELIAR 50mm F/1.5 VMM6 - 30.50m⌀49 2021 
Cosina Voigtlander NOKTON 50mm F/1 Aspherical VMM9 - 70.90m⌀62 2021 
Cosina Voigtlander Color-SKOPAR 50mm F/2.2 VMM7 - 60.50m⌀39 2024 
Konica M-HEXANON 50mm F/2M6 - 50.70m⌀40.5 1999 
Konica M-HEXANON 50mm F/1.2 Limited (2001 units)M7 - 60.90m⌀62 2001 
Leica SUMMICRON-M 50mm F/2 [V]M6 - 40.70mE39 1994 
Leitz / Leitz Canada SUMMICRON-M 50mm F/2 [IV]M6 - 40.70mE39 1980 
Leitz Wetzlar SUMMICRON 50mm F/2 [III]M6 - 50.70mE39 1969 
Leica NOCTILUX-M 50mm F/0.95 ASPH.M8 - 51.00mE60 2008 
Leica NOCTILUX-M 50mm F/1 Type 4M7 - 61.00mE60 1994 
Leitz Wetzlar NOCTILUX 50mm F/1.2M6 - 41.00mS.VIII 1966 
Leitz Wetzlar SUMMILUX 50mm F/1.4 [II]M7 - 51.00mE43 1961 
Leitz Wetzlar SUMMILUX 50mm F/1.4 [I]M7 - 51.00mE43 1959 
Leitz Wetzlar SUMMILUX 50mm F/1.4 [II]M7 - 51.00mE43 1968 
Leica SUMMILUX-M 50mm F/1.4 [III]M7 - 50.70mE46 1995 
Leica ELMAR-M 50mm F/2.8 [II]CollapsibleM4 - 30.70mE39 1995 
Leitz Wetzlar ELMAR 50mm F/2.8 [I]CollapsibleM4 - 31.00mE39 1958 
Leica SUMMARIT-M 50mm F/2.5 [I]M6 - 40.80mE39 2007 
Leitz Wetzlar SUMMICRON 50mm F/2 [II]M7 - 61.00mE39 1956 
Leica APO-SUMMICRON-M 50mm F/2 ASPH.M8 - 50.70mE39 2012 
Leica SUMMARIT-M 50mm F/2.4 [II]M6 - 40.80mE46 2014 
Leitz Canada NOCTILUX-M 50mm F/1 Type 1M7 - 61.00mE58 1976 
Leitz Canada NOCTILUX-M 50mm F/1 Type 2M7 - 61.00mE60 1978 
Leitz / Leica NOCTILUX-M 50mm F/1 Type 3M7 - 61.00mE60 1982 
Leica NOCTILUX-M 50mm F/1.2 ASPH.M6 - 41.00mE49 2021 
Leica ELMAR-M 50mm F/2.8 for M6J (1640 units)CollapsibleM4 - 30.70mE39 1994 
Leitz Wetzlar / Leitz Canada SUMMARIT 50mm F/1.5M7 - 51.00mE41 1954 
Leitz Wetzlar SUMMICRON 50mm F/2 [I]CollapsibleM7 - 61.00mE39 1954 
Leitz Wetzlar SUMMICRON 50mm F/2 [II] Dual RangeM7 - 61.00mE39 1956 
Leica SUMMILUX-M 50mm F/1.4 [III] TitaniumM7 - 50.70mE46 1995 
Leica SUMMILUX-M 50mm F/1.4 ASPH. [II]M8 - 50.45mE46 2023 
Carl Zeiss C Sonnar T* 50mm F/1.5 ZMM6 - 40.90mE46 2004 
Carl Zeiss Planar T* 50mm F/2 ZMM6 - 40.70mE43 2004 
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Chromatic aberration

There are two kinds of chromatic aberration: longitudinal and lateral. Longitudinal chromatic aberration is a variation in location of the image plane with changes in wave lengths. It produces the image point surrounded by different colors which result in a blurred image in black-and-white pictures. Lateral chromatic aberration is a variation in image size or magnification with wave length. This aberration does not appear at axial image points but toward the surrounding area, proportional to the distance from the center of the image field. Stopping down the lens has only a limited effect on these aberrations.

Spherical aberration

Spherical aberration is caused because the lens is round and the film or image sensor is flat. Light entering the edge of the lens is more severely refracted than light entering the center of the lens. This results in a blurred image, and also causes flare (non-image forming internal reflections). Stopping down the lens minimizes spherical aberration and flare, but introduces diffraction.

Astigmatism

Astigmatism in a lens causes a point in the subject to be reproduced as a line in the image. The effect becomes worse towards the corner of the image. Stopping down the lens has very little effect.

Coma

Coma in a lens causes a circular shape in the subject to be reproduced as an oval shape in the image. Stopping down the lens has almost no effect.

Curvature of field

Curvature of field is the inability of a lens to produce a flat image of a flat subject. The image is formed instead on a curved surface. If the center of the image is in focus, the edges are out of focus and vice versa. Stopping down the lens has a limited effect.

Distortion

Distortion is the inability of a lens to capture lines as straight across the entire image area. Barrel distortion causes straight lines at the edges of the frame to bow toward the center of the image, producing a barrel shape. Pincushion distortion causes straight lines at the edges of the frame to curve in toward the lens axis. Distortion, whether barrel or pincushion type, is caused by differences in magnification; stopping down the lens has no effect at all.

The term "distortion" is also sometimes used instead of the term "aberration". In this case, other types of optical aberrations may also be meant, not necessarily geometric distortion.

Diffraction

Classically, light is thought of as always traveling in straight lines, but in reality, light waves tend to bend around nearby barriers, spreading out in the process. This phenomenon is known as diffraction and occurs when a light wave passes by a corner or through an opening. Diffraction plays a paramount role in limiting the resolving power of any lens.

Doublet

Doublet is a lens design comprised of two elements grouped together. Sometimes the two elements are cemented together, and other times they are separated by an air gap. Examples of this type of lens include achromatic close-up lenses.

Dynamic range

Dynamic range is the maximum range of tones, from darkest shadows to brightest highlights, that can be produced by a device or perceived in an image. Also called tonal range.

Resolving power

Resolving power is the ability of a lens, photographic emulsion or imaging sensor to distinguish fine detail. Resolving power is expressed in terms of lines per millimeter that are distinctly recorded in the final image.

Vignetting

Vignetting is the darkening of the corners of an image relative to the center of the image. There are three types of vignetting: optical, mechanical, and natural vignetting.

Optical vignetting is caused by the physical dimensions of a multi-element lens. Rear elements are shaded by elements in front of them, which reduces the effective lens opening for off-axis incident light. The result is a gradual decrease of the light intensity towards the image periphery. Optical vignetting is sensitive to the aperture and can be completely cured by stopping down the lens. Two or three stops are usually sufficient.

Mechanical vignetting occurs when light beams are partially blocked by external objects such as thick or stacked filters, secondary lenses, and improper lens hoods.

Natural vignetting (also known as natural illumination falloff) is not due to the blocking of light rays. The falloff is approximated by the "cosine fourth" law of illumination falloff. Wide-angle rangefinder designs are particularly prone to natural vignetting. Stopping down the lens cannot cure it.

Flare

Bright shapes or lack of contrast caused when light is scattered by the surface of the lens or reflected off the interior surfaces of the lens barrel. This is most often seen when the lens is pointed toward the sun or another bright light source. Flare can be minimized by using anti-reflection coatings, light baffles, or a lens hood.

Ghosting

Glowing patches of light that appear in a photograph due to lens flare.

Retrofocus design

Design with negative lens group(s) positioned in front of the diaphragm and positive lens group(s) positioned at the rear of the diaphragm. This provides a short focal length with a long back focus or lens-to-film distance, allowing for movement of the reflex mirror in SLR cameras. Sometimes called an inverted telephoto lens.

Rectilinear design

Design that does not introduce significant distortion, especially ultra-wide angle lenses that preserve straight lines and do not curve them (unlike a fisheye lens, for instance).

Focus shift

A change in the position of the plane of optimal focus, generally due to a change in focal length when using a zoom lens, and in some lenses, with a change in aperture.

Transmittance

The amount of light that passes through a lens without being either absorbed by the glass or being reflected by glass/air surfaces.

Modulation Transfer Function (MTF)

When optical designers attempt to compare the performance of optical systems, a commonly used measure is the modulation transfer function (MTF).

The components of MTF are:

The MTF of a lens is a measurement of its ability to transfer contrast at a particular resolution from the object to the image. In other words, MTF is a way to incorporate resolution and contrast into a single specification.

Knowing the MTF curves of each photographic lens and camera sensor within a system allows a designer to make the appropriate selection when optimizing for a particular resolution.

Veiling glare

Lens flare that causes loss of contrast over part or all of the image.

Anti-reflection coating

When light enters or exits an uncoated lens approximately 5% of the light is reflected back at each lens-air boundary due to the difference in refractive index. This reflected light causes flare and ghosting, which results in deterioration of image quality. To counter this, a vapor-deposited coating that reduces light reflection is applied to the lens surface. Early coatings consisted of a single thin film with the correct refractive index differences to cancel out reflections. Multi-layer coatings, introduced in the early 1970s, are made up of several such films.

Benefits of anti-reflection coating:

Circular fisheye

Produces a 180° angle of view in all directions (horizontal, vertical and diagonal).

The image circle of the lens is inscribed in the image frame.

Diagonal (full-frame) fisheye

Covers the entire image frame. For this reason diagonal fisheye lenses are often called full-frame fisheyes.

Extension ring

Extension rings can be used singly or in combination to vary the reproduction ratio of lenses. They are mounted between the camera body and the lens. As a rule, the effect becomes stronger the shorter the focal length of the lens in use, and the longer the focal length of the extension ring.

View camera

A large-format camera with a ground-glass viewfinder at the image plane for viewing and focusing. The photographer must stick his head under a cloth hood in order to see the image projected on the ground glass. Because of their 4x5-inch (or larger) negatives, these cameras can produce extremely high-quality results. View cameras also usually support movements.

135 cartridge-loaded film

43.27 24 36
  • Introduced: 1934
  • Frame size: 36 × 24mm
  • Aspect ratio: 3:2
  • Diagonal: 43.27mm
  • Area: 864mm2
  • Double perforated
  • 8 perforations per frame

120 roll film

71.22 44 56
  • Introduced: 1901
  • Frame size: 56 × 44mm
  • Aspect ratio: 11:14
  • Diagonal: 71.22mm
  • Area: 2464mm2
  • Unperforated

120 roll film

79.2 56 56
  • Introduced: 1901
  • Frame size: 56 × 56mm
  • Aspect ratio: 1:1
  • Diagonal: 79.2mm
  • Area: 3136mm2
  • Unperforated

120 roll film

89.64 56 70
  • Introduced: 1901
  • Frame size: 70 × 56mm
  • Aspect ratio: 5:4
  • Diagonal: 89.64mm
  • Area: 3920mm2
  • Unperforated

220 roll film

71.22 44 56
  • Introduced: 1965
  • Frame size: 56 × 44mm
  • Aspect ratio: 11:14
  • Diagonal: 71.22mm
  • Area: 2464mm2
  • Unperforated
  • Double the length of 120 roll film

220 roll film

79.2 56 56
  • Introduced: 1965
  • Frame size: 56 × 56mm
  • Aspect ratio: 1:1
  • Diagonal: 79.2mm
  • Area: 3136mm2
  • Unperforated
  • Double the length of 120 roll film

220 roll film

89.64 56 70
  • Introduced: 1965
  • Frame size: 70 × 56mm
  • Aspect ratio: 5:4
  • Diagonal: 89.64mm
  • Area: 3920mm2
  • Unperforated
  • Double the length of 120 roll film

Shutter speed ring with "F" setting

The "F" setting disengages the leaf shutter and is set when using only the focal plane shutter in the camera body.

Catch for disengaging cross-coupling

The shutter and diaphragm settings are cross-coupled so that the diaphragm opens to a corresponding degree when faster shutter speeds are selected. The cross-coupling can be disengaged at the press of a catch.

Cross-coupling button

With the cross-coupling button depressed speed/aperture combinations can be altered without changing the Exposure Value setting.

M & X sync

The shutter is fully synchronized for M- and X-settings so that you can work with flash at all shutter speeds.

In M-sync, the shutter closes the flash-firing circuit slightly before it is fully open to catch the flash at maximum intensity. The M-setting is used for Class M flash bulbs.

In X-sync, the flash takes place when the shutter is fully opened. The X-setting is used for electronic flash.

X sync

The shutter is fully synchronized for X-setting so that you can work with flash at all shutter speeds.

In X-sync, the flash takes place when the shutter is fully opened. The X-setting is used for electronic flash.

MF

Sorry, no additional information is available.

14231

Replacement lens cap, black finish, for Leica E46 lenses.

14269

Replacement rear cover for Leica M-mount lenses.

Aspherical elements

Aspherical elements (ASPH, XA, XGM) are used in wide-angle lenses for correction of distortion and in large-aperture lenses for correction of spherical aberration, astigmatism and coma, thus ensuring excellent sharpness and contrast even at fully open aperture. The effect of the aspherical element is determined by its position within the optical formula: the more the aspherical element moves away from the aperture stop, the more it influences distortion; close to the aperture stop it can be particularly used to correct spherical aberration. Aspherical element can substitute one or several regular spherical elements to achieve similar or better optical results, which allows to develop more compact and lightweight lenses.

Use of aspherical elements has its downsides: it leads to non-uniform rendering of out-of-focus highlights. This effect usually appears as "onion-like" texture of concentric rings or "wooly-like" texture and is caused by very slight defects in the surface of aspherical element. It is difficult to predict such effect, but usually it occurs when the highlights are small enough and far enough out of focus.

Low dispersion elements

Low dispersion elements (ED, LD, SD, UD etc) minimize chromatic aberrations and ensure excellent sharpness and contrast even at fully open aperture. This type of glass exhibits low refractive index, low dispersion, and exceptional partial dispersion characteristics compared to standard optical glass. Two lenses made of low dispersion glass offer almost the same performance as one fluorite lens.

Low dispersion elements

Low dispersion elements (ED, LD, SD, UD etc) minimize chromatic aberrations and ensure excellent sharpness and contrast even at fully open aperture. This type of glass exhibits low refractive index, low dispersion, and exceptional partial dispersion characteristics compared to standard optical glass. Two lenses made of low dispersion glass offer almost the same performance as one fluorite lens.

Canon's Super UD, Nikon's Super ED, Pentax' Super ED, Sigma's FLD ("F" Low Dispersion), Sony' Super ED and Tamron's XLD glasses are the highest level low dispersion glasses available with extremely high light transmission. These optical glasses have a performance equal to fluorite glass.

High-refraction low-dispersion elements

High-refraction low-dispersion elements (HLD) minimize chromatic aberrations and ensure excellent sharpness and contrast even at fully open aperture.

High Index, High Dispersion elements

High Index, High Dispersion elements (HID) minimize chromatic aberrations and ensure excellent sharpness and contrast even at fully open aperture.

Anomalous partial dispersion elements

Anomalous partial dispersion elements (AD) minimize chromatic aberrations and ensure excellent sharpness and contrast even at fully open aperture.

Fluorite elements

Synthetic fluorite elements (FL) minimize chromatic aberrations and ensure excellent sharpness and contrast even at fully open aperture. Compared with optical glass, fluorite lenses have a considerably lower refraction index, low dispersion and extraordinary partial dispersion, and high transmission of infrared and ultraviolet light. They are also significantly lighter than optical glass.

According to Nikon, fluorite easily cracks and is sensitive to temperature changes that can adversely affect focusing by altering the lens' refractive index. To avoid this, Canon, as the manufacturer most widely using fluorite in its telephoto lenses, never uses fluorite in the front and rear lens elements, and the white coating is applied to the lens barrels to reflect light and prevent the lens from overheating.

Short-wavelength refractive elements

High and specialized-dispersion elements (SR) refract light with wavelengths shorter than that of blue to achieve highly precise chromatic aberration compensation. This technology also results in smaller and lighter lenses.

Blue Spectrum Refractive Optics

Organic Blue Spectrum Refractive Optics material (BR Optics) placed between convex and concave elements made from conventional optical glass provides more efficient correction of longitudinal chromatic aberrations in comparison with conventional technology.

Diffraction elements

Diffraction elements (DO, PF) cancel chromatic aberrations at various wavelengths. This technology results in smaller and lighter lenses in comparison with traditional designs with no compromise in image quality.

High refractive index elements

High refractive index elements (HR, HRI, XR etc) minimize field curvature and spherical aberration. High refractive index element can substitute one or several regular elements to achieve similar or better optical results, which allows to develop more compact and lightweight lenses.

Apodization element

Apodization element (APD) is in fact a radial gradient filter. It practically does not change the characteristics of light beam passing through its central part but absorbs the light at the periphery. It sort of softens the edges of the aperture making the transition from foreground to background zone very smooth and results in very attractive, natural looking and silky smooth bokeh.

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Image stabilizer

A technology used for reducing or even eliminating the effects of camera shake. Gyro sensors inside the lens detect camera shake and pass the data to a microcomputer. Then an image stabilization group of elements controlled by the microcomputer moves inside the lens and compensates camera shake in order to keep the image static on the imaging sensor or film.

The technology allows to increase the shutter speed by several stops and shoot handheld in such lighting conditions and at such focal lengths where without image stabilizer you have to use tripod, decrease the shutter speed and/or increase the ISO setting which can lead to blurry and noisy images.

Original name

Lens name as indicated on the lens barrel (usually on the front ring). With lenses from film era, may vary slightly from batch to batch.

Format

Format refers to the shape and size of film or image sensor.

35mm is the common name of the 36x24mm film format or image sensor format. It has an aspect ratio of 3:2, and a diagonal measurement of approximately 43mm. The name originates with the total width of the 135 film which was the primary medium of the format prior to the invention of the full frame digital SLR. Historically the 35mm format was sometimes called small format to distinguish it from the medium and large formats.

APS-C is an image sensor format approximately equivalent in size to the film negatives of 25.1x16.7mm with an aspect ratio of 3:2.

Medium format is a film format or image sensor format larger than 36x24mm (35mm) but smaller than 4x5in (large format).

Angle of view

Angle of view describes the angular extent of a given scene that is imaged by a camera. It is used interchangeably with the more general term field of view.

As the focal length changes, the angle of view also changes. The shorter the focal length (eg 18mm), the wider the angle of view. Conversely, the longer the focal length (eg 55mm), the smaller the angle of view.

A camera's angle of view depends not only on the lens, but also on the sensor. Imaging sensors are sometimes smaller than 35mm film frame, and this causes the lens to have a narrower angle of view than with 35mm film, by a certain factor for each sensor (called the crop factor).

This website does not use the angles of view provided by lens manufacturers, but calculates them automatically by the following formula: 114.6 * arctan (21.622 / CF * FL),

where:

CF – crop-factor of a sensor,
FL – focal length of a lens.

Mount

A lens mount is an interface — mechanical and often also electrical — between a camera body and a lens.

A lens mount may be a screw-threaded type, a bayonet-type, or a breech-lock type. Modern camera lens mounts are of the bayonet type, because the bayonet mechanism precisely aligns mechanical and electrical features between lens and body, unlike screw-threaded mounts.

Lens mounts of competing manufacturers (Canon, Nikon, Pentax, Sony etc.) are always incompatible. In addition to the mechanical and electrical interface variations, the flange focal distance can also be different.

The flange focal distance (FFD) is the distance from the mechanical rear end surface of the lens mount to the focal plane.

Lens construction

Lens construction – a specific arrangement of elements and groups that make up the optical design, including type and size of elements, type of used materials etc.

Element - an individual piece of glass which makes up one component of a photographic lens. Photographic lenses are nearly always built up of multiple such elements.

Group – a cemented together pieces of glass which form a single unit or an individual piece of glass. The advantage is that there is no glass-air surfaces between cemented together pieces of glass, which reduces reflections.

Focal length

The focal length is the factor that determines the size of the image reproduced on the focal plane, picture angle which covers the area of the subject to be photographed, depth of field, etc.

Speed

The largest opening or stop at which a lens can be used is referred to as the speed of the lens. The larger the maximum aperture is, the faster the lens is considered to be. Lenses that offer a large maximum aperture are commonly referred to as fast lenses, and lenses with smaller maximum aperture are regarded as slow.

In low-light situations, having a wider maximum aperture means that you can shoot at a faster shutter speed or work at a lower ISO, or both.

Floating element system

Provides correction of aberrations and ensures constantly high image quality at the entire range of focusing distances from infinity down to the closest focusing distance. It is particularly effective for the correction of field curvature that tends to occur with large-aperture, wide-angle lenses when shooting at close ranges.

The basic mechanism of the floating element system is also incorporated into the internal and rear focusing methods.

Closest focusing distance

The minimum distance from the focal plane (film or sensor) to the subject where the lens is still able to focus.

Closest working distance

The distance from the front edge of the lens to the subject at the maximum magnification.

Magnification ratio

Determines how large the subject will appear in the final image. Magnification is expressed as a ratio. For example, a magnification ratio of 1:1 means that the image of the subject formed on the film or sensor will be the same size as the subject in real life. For this reason, a 1:1 ratio is often called "life-size".

Manual diaphragm

The diaphragm must be stopped down manually by rotating the detent aperture ring.

Preset diaphragm

The lens has two rings, one is for pre-setting, while the other is for normal diaphragm adjustment. The first ring must be set at the desired aperture, the second ring then should be fully opened for focusing, and turned back for stop down to the pre-set value.

Semi-automatic diaphragm

The lens features spring mechanism in the diaphragm, triggered by the shutter release, which stops down the diaphragm to the pre-set value. The spring needs to be reset manually after each exposure to re-open diaphragm to its maximum value.

Automatic diaphragm

The camera automatically closes the diaphragm down during the shutter operation. On completion of the exposure, the diaphragm re-opens to its maximum value.

Fixed diaphragm

The aperture setting is fixed at F/1.4 on this lens, and cannot be adjusted.

Number of blades

As a general rule, the more blades that are used to create the aperture opening in the lens, the rounder the out-of-focus highlights will be.

Some lenses are designed with curved diaphragm blades, so the roundness of the aperture comes not from the number of blades, but from their shape. However, the fewer blades the diaphragm has, the more difficult it is to form a circle, regardless of rounded edges.

At maximum aperture, the opening will be circular regardless of the number of blades.

Weight

Excluding case or pouch, caps and other detachable accessories (lens hood, close-up adapter, tripod adapter etc.).

Maximum diameter x Length

Excluding case or pouch, caps and other detachable accessories (lens hood, close-up adapter, tripod adapter etc.).

For lenses with collapsible design, the length is indicated for the working (retracted) state.

Weather sealing

A rubber material which is inserted in between each externally exposed part (manual focus and zoom rings, buttons, switch panels etc.) to ensure it is properly sealed against dust and moisture.

Lenses that accept front mounted filters typically do not have gaskets behind the filter mount. It is recommended to use a filter for complete weather resistance when desired.

Fluorine coating

Helps keep lenses clean by reducing the possibility of dust and dirt adhering to the lens and by facilitating cleaning should the need arise. Applied to the outer surface of the front and/or rear lens elements over multi-coatings.

Filters

Lens filters are accessories that can protect lenses from dirt and damage, enhance colors, minimize glare and reflections, and add creative effects to images.

Lens hood

A lens hood or lens shade is a device used on the end of a lens to block the sun or other light source in order to prevent glare and lens flare. Flare occurs when stray light strikes the front element of a lens and then bounces around within the lens. This stray light often comes from very bright light sources, such as the sun, bright studio lights, or a bright white background.

The geometry of the lens hood can vary from a plain cylindrical or conical section to a more complex shape, sometimes called a petal, tulip, or flower hood. This allows the lens hood to block stray light with the higher portions of the lens hood, while allowing more light into the corners of the image through the lowered portions of the hood.

Lens hoods are more prominent in long focus lenses because they have a smaller viewing angle than that of wide-angle lenses. For wide angle lenses, the length of the hood cannot be as long as those for telephoto lenses, as a longer hood would enter the wider field of view of the lens.

Lens hoods are often designed to fit onto the matching lens facing either forward, for normal use, or backwards, so that the hood may be stored with the lens without occupying much additional space. In addition, lens hoods can offer some degree of physical protection for the lens due to the hood extending farther than the lens itself.

Teleconverters

Teleconverters increase the effective focal length of lenses. They also usually maintain the closest focusing distance of lenses, thus increasing the magnification significantly. A lens combined with a teleconverter is normally smaller, lighter and cheaper than a "direct" telephoto lens of the same focal length and speed.

Teleconverters are a convenient way of enhancing telephoto capability, but it comes at a cost − reduced maximum aperture. Also, since teleconverters magnify every detail in the image, they logically also magnify residual aberrations of the lens.

Lens caps

Scratched lens surfaces can spoil the definition and contrast of even the finest lenses. Lens covers are the best and most inexpensive protection available against dust, moisture and abrasion. Safeguard lens elements - both front and rear - whenever the lens is not in use.