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Model history (3)

Specification

Sources of data

• 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).
• Leica M4-2 booklet (PUB. 121.110-108) (February 1978).
• LEITZ General Catalogue for the LEICA system (June 1966).

Manufacturer description

This lens has 8 elements and 4 members. Compared with its predecessor, image illumination is even more uniform at medium f/stops; image quality is also excellent at the close-focusing range. The lens is practically free from distortion.

The SUPER-ANGULON is an ultra-wide angle lens for architectural photography as well as reportages with astonishing impact - provided it is used correctly. The angle of field at 92° is more than twice that of a 50mm lens. Because of this and the extremely great depth of field, pictures of unusual perspective can be obtained. At short camera distances, foreground objects are exaggerated in size in relation to a rapidly diminishing background.

SUPER-ANGULON lenses are eminently suitable for photographing architectural models. The following basic rules should be observed:

• Extremely powerful light sources in the picture area should be avoided.
• Attention should be paid to converging lines.
• The outside lens elements must be kept clean.
• Perspective distortion at the edges of the picture at close distances should be observed.

From the Camera 35 magazine (December 1967/January 1968)

As if the f/4 Super Angulon weren't good enough, Leitz has improved on the best by making it even better. Not only does this lens offer a bit more speed, it gives better resolution that the older f/4 lens. Needless to say, this lens exhibits the same fine contrast found with all Leitz optics which make these already overwhelmingly sharp lenses seem even sharper. When lenses like this one are tested, it becomes clear why so many professionals use Leicas... it is improbable you will find anything better.

From the editor

Originally in silver finish, but changed to black in 1967.

The lens accepts Series VII or 48mm screw-type filters.

According to the "Handbook of the LEICA system" (May 1987), the SUPER-ANGULON-M 3.4/21 with serial numbers up to 2993700 has internal thread M48 x 0.75 and uses Series VII filters with lens hood or E48 filters.

According to the "Leitz/Leica Photographic Equipment Catalog 45" (effective January 1, 1972), this lens cannot be used with the M5 meter and lenses below serial number 2.473.251 must be modified to be used at all on the M5.

Other ultra-wide angle prime lenses in the Leica M system

Lenses with similar focal length