6 Leica Lenses you Should Know About
Leica lenses are celebrated for their superior craftsmanship, exceptional image quality, and distinctive character. If you’re familiar with Leica, or own one yourself you may be already entrenched in knowledge about the best Leica lenses and have a strong preference toward your specific build. No Leica lens is a bad lens, but if you’re new to the world of film or thinking of buying a Leica, here are a few of the key lenses to get you started.
Use code Lens10 for 10% off your first order on nicefilmclub.com
1. Leica Summilux-M 50mm f/1.4 ASPH
Key Features
The Leica Summilux-M 50mm f/1.4 ASPH is a quintessential lens for any Leica photographer, offering a perfect balance of performance, size, and build quality. Known for its superb sharpness, even at its widest aperture, this lens delivers outstanding image quality across the frame. This lens was one of the first M lenses to incorporate a floating lens element, a technology that significantly enhances image quality by maintaining sharpness and reducing aberrations across the entire focusing range. This feature allows the lens to deliver outstanding performance even at close focusing distances, making it exceptionally versatile. Its compact design makes it a practical choice for both professional and enthusiast photographers.
Specs
Focal Length: 50mm
Maximum Aperture: f/1.4
Minimum Aperture: f/16
Lens Construction: 8 elements in 5 groups
Minimum Focus Distance: 0.7m
Filter Size: 46mm
Weight: 335g
Dimensions: 53.5mm x 52.5mm (Diameter x Length)
Pros
Exceptional image sharpness and contrast
Smooth and aesthetically pleasing bokeh
Compact and lightweight, ideal for travel
Excellent build quality and durability
Cons
High price point relative to other 50mm lenses
Optimal for
Portrait Photography: Offers beautiful subject isolation with a soft, blurred background.
Low-Light Photography: Performs exceptionally well in dim lighting conditions.
Street Photography: Compact size and natural perspective make it ideal for candid shots.
©2023. STREET SILHOUETTES
2. Leica Summicron-M 90mm f/2
Key Features
The Leica Summicron-M 90mm f/2 is a high-performance telephoto lens renowned for its outstanding optical quality and precise engineering. This Leica lens delivers exceptional sharpness and contrast across the frame, making it ideal for capturing detailed portraits and subjects at a further distance. The Leica lens is designed with Leica's signature attention to detail, featuring high quality glass elements that minimize chromatic aberrations and deliver vibrant, true to life colors. The wide f/2 aperture allows for excellent subject isolation, creating beautifully blurred backgrounds while still maintaining sharp focus on the subject. The lens's robust construction ensures durability and reliability, making it a trusted tool for professional film photographers using Leica film cameras.
Specs
Focal Length: 90mm
Maximum Aperture: f/2
Minimum Aperture: f/16
Lens Construction: 5 elements in 4 groups
Minimum Focus Distance: 1m
Filter Size: 55mm
Weight: 500g
Dimensions: 63mm x 77mm (Diameter x Length)
Pros
Excellent sharpness and contrast, even at wide apertures
Beautifully rendered bokeh for subject isolation
Solid build quality with a classic design
Cons
Heavier than some other lenses in its class
Optimal for
Portrait Photography: Ideal for capturing intimate and expressive portraits with excellent subject separation.
Event Photography: Suitable for capturing subjects from a distance with clarity and precision.
Via minivoss on lomography.com
3. Leica Noctilux-M 50mm f/0.95 ASPH
Key Features
The Leica Noctilux-M 50mm f/0.95 ASPH is an iconic lens renowned for its extraordinary low light performance, maximizing creative potential. With its ultra fast aperture of f/0.95, this Leica lens allows film photographers to capture images in almost complete darkness, while its unique bokeh and soft focus give images a distinct, ethereal quality. The Noctilux is a statement piece that offers unparalleled creative control over depth of field and artistic expression.
Specs
Focal Length: 50mm
Maximum Aperture: f/0.95
Minimum Aperture: f/16
Lens Construction: 8 elements in 5 groups
Minimum Focus Distance: 1m
Filter Size: 60mm
Weight: 700g
Dimensions: 73mm x 75mm (Diameter x Length)
Pros
Unmatched performance in low light conditions
Unique aesthetic with dreamy bokeh and shallow depth of field
Solid construction and premium build quality
Cons
Extremely expensive… this price will scare you.
Heavy and bulky, less suited for casual shooting
Takes an experienced shooter to handle
Optimal for
Night Photography: Excels in capturing images in challenging lighting conditions.
Artistic Portraits: Provides a distinct, dreamy look with a soft focus effect that can be really difficult to replicate.
Fine Art Photography: Ideal for creative projects that demand a unique visual style.
© https://tahusa.co
4. Leica Summicron-M 35mm f/2 ASPH
©Chris Gampat
Key Features
The Leica Summicron-M 35mm f/2 ASPH is a classic wide angle Leica lens is known for its versatility and exceptional image quality. Its aspherical lens elements ensure excellent sharpness and minimal distortion, making it a popular choice for street and documentary film photographers. The Leica lens's compact size and light weight make it an ideal companion for photographers who need a reliable and unobtrusive tool for capturing everyday moments.
Specs
Focal Length: 35mm
Maximum Aperture: f/2
Minimum Aperture: f/16
Lens Construction: 7 elements in 5 groups
Minimum Focus Distance: 0.7m
Filter Size: 39mm
Weight: 255g
Dimensions: 53mm x 35mm (Diameter x Length)
Pros
Excellent sharpness and contrast across the frame
Compact and lightweight, perfect for travel and street photography
Reliable performance in various lighting conditions
Cons
Moderate aperture compared to faster 35mm lenses
Some people complain about the hard fall off around the edges
Optimal for
Street Photography: Captures candid moments with a very natural perspective.
Documentary Photography: Ideal for storytelling and capturing the essence of a scene.
Landscape Photography: Suitable for wide angle shots with great depth and detail.
via meister_pez on tomography.com
5. Leica Elmarit-M 28mm f/2.8 ASPH
©Hillary Grigonis
Key Features
The Leica Elmarit-M 28mm f/2.8 ASPH is one of Leica’s most compact lenses, offering an excellent combination of performance and portability. This wide angle Leica lens is perfect for capturing landscapes, architecture, and any wide shots with minimal distortion. Its lightweight design makes it a favorite for film photographers who need a high quality Leica lens without the bulk.
Specs
Focal Length: 28mm
Maximum Aperture: f/2.8
Minimum Aperture: f/16
Lens Construction: 8 elements in 6 groups
Minimum Focus Distance: 0.7m
Filter Size: 39mm
Weight: 180g
Dimensions: 53mm x 30.8mm (Diameter x Length)
Pros
Ultra compact and lightweight design
Sharp images with minimal distortion
Quick and easy to use for spontaneous shooting
Cons
Slower maximum aperture compared to some other wide-angle lenses
Known to have some “onion ringing” in bokeh: a defect that happens when the aspherical lens elements grind.
Optimal for
Landscape Photography: Captures expansive views with clarity and depth.
Architecture Photography: Excels in capturing buildings and structures with minimal distortion.
Travel Photography: Compact size makes it an ideal lens for travel and exploration.
via Peter Branger on lomography.com
7. Leica Summicron-M 50mm f/2
Key Features
The Leica Summicron-M 50mm f/2 is a classic standard lens known for its outstanding optical performance and versatility. This Leica lens delivers exceptional sharpness, contrast, and color rendition, making it ideal for a wide range of photographic applications. Its compact design and lightweight construction make it a popular choice among film photographers who need a reliable and high quality lens for everyday use. The Summicron M 50mm f/2 is renowned for its ability to produce images with a “natural perspective”, making it a favorite for portrait, landscape, and street photography alike.
Specs
Focal Length: 50mm
Maximum Aperture: f/2
Minimum Aperture: f/16
Lens Construction: 6 elements in 4 groups
Minimum Focus Distance: 0.7m
Filter Size: 39mm
Weight: 240g
Dimensions: 53mm x 43mm (Diameter x Length)
Pros
Superb sharpness and color accuracy
Compact and lightweight design
Versatile focal length for various photography styles
Cons
Moderate maximum aperture compared to faster 50mm lenses
Optimal for
Portrait Photography: Produces beautiful, natural looking portraits with excellent sharpness.
Street Photography: Versatile focal length and compact size make it ideal for candid shots.
Landscape Photography: Delivers stunning detail and color rendition for capturing scenic views.
Thanks for reading! Be sure to visit nicefilmclub.com for all your development and scanning needs
