Leitz Wetzlar Summilux 50mm F/1.4 [II]
Standard prime lens • Film era • Discontinued
- Announced:
- · 1968
- Production status:
- ● Discontinued
- Country of design:
- · FRG (Federal Republic of Germany)
- Original name:
- · LEITZ WETZLAR SUMMILUX 1:1.4/50
- Order No.:
- · 11113 - black
- · 11114 - black
- Class:
- · Ultra-fast full-frame standard prime lens
- System:
- · Leica M (1954)
Abbreviations
II | Second generation. |
Model history (11)
Specification
Optical design: | |
35mm full frame | |
50mm | |
F/1.4 | |
7 elements in 5 groups (Double Gauss derivative) | |
Leica M | |
46.8° (35mm full frame) | |
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 |
12 (twelve) | |
Focusing: | |
Coupled to the rangefinder: | Yes |
1m | |
1:17 | |
Focusing modes: | Manual focus only |
Manual focus control: | Focusing ring |
Physical characteristics: | |
255g | |
⌀53.3×46mm | |
Accessories: | |
Screw-type 43mm | |
12586 |
Sources of data
- Handbook of the LEICA system (PUB. 100-021) (May 1987).
- Leica M4-P booklet (PUB. 121.110-130) (August 1980).
- Leica M5 booklet (PUB. 110-87d) (March 1974).
- General Catalogue (July 1977).
- Leitz General Catalogue of Photographic Equipment (January 1975).
- Leica Catalogue (January 1979).
- Leitz General Catalogue of Photographic Equipment (September 1978).
- Handbook of the LEICA system (July 1982).
- Handbook of the LEICA system (December 1989).
- Handbook of the LEICA system (April 1981).
- Leica M4-2 booklet (PUB. 121.110-108) (February 1978).
- Leica M6 booklet (PUB. 110-186) (September 1984).
Manufacturer description #1
The SUMMILUX is a 7-element Gauss variant with 5 members. Excellent correction for coma as well as outstanding contrast rendering and freedom from reflections at full aperture f/1.4 deserve special emphasis.
Although the SUMMILUX is designed above all for exposures in poor lighting conditions, because of its large maximum aperture, it offers excellent general performance, suitable for all purposes within its focusing range. It is not, however, designed for use on close-focusing devices or for reproduction purposes (copy work).
Manufacturer description #2
This is also a universal lens but with an extended range of application and with high light transmission. While fully open, sharpness and contrast are excellent. This makes the diaphragm opening 1.4 into a useful lens stop. This objective is free from flare. Even strong light sources will not show in the field-of-view any undesirable double images and it will not lose details in the background. The neutral color rendition is remarkable and so is the exact differentiation of colors.
Manufacturer description #3
You need sacrifice no image quality for maximum lens speed. A thorough test of this lens will prove it. It typifies the clear progress in optical performance which systematic research and up-to-date computer programmes have achieved in the whole range of Leitz lenses.
From the editor
The black anodized version of the predecessor. The focusing ring lost its scallops and is simply finely ribbed.
Leitz Wetzlar Summilux 50mm F/1.4 [II] special editions (6)
- Leica Summilux-M 50mm F/1.4 Gold "Sultan of Brunei" (350 units) - October 1992
- Leica Summilux-M 50mm F/1.4 Platinum "Sultan of Brunei" (250 units) - October 1992
- Leica Summilux-M 50mm F/1.4 "150 Jahre Photographie, 75 Jahre Leica Photographie" [10450] (1250 units) - July 1989
- Leica Summilux-M 50mm F/1.4 "Traveller Edition" [11855] (500 units) - 1994
- Leitz Wetzlar Summilux 50mm F/1.4 "Leica 1913-1983" [11114] (200 units) - 1983
- Leitz Wetzlar Summilux 50mm F/1.4 "Oskar Barnack 100th Anniversary" [11100] (1000 units) - 1979