Having trouble viewing the PDF (typically with Windows MSIE)? Download the "zip" version instead. 50mm Summilux-M ASPH brochure (Zip Archive - 80 kbytes) 50mm Summilux-M ASPH brochure (PDF - 120 kbytes)Ģ.
In June 2004 Emanuel Lowi sent me an Adobe Acrobat PDF copy of the official Leica brochure for the new ASPH lens, containing lens performance charts and photographs of what it looks like:ġ. Standard knurled focus ring with additional focus tab.Built-in cylindrical hood which locks into place.
Glass design using APO elements, one ASPH surface and a floating rear element array, providing - it is claimed - the "ultimate" image quality from a 50mm lens.Four months later the rumours were confirmed: That is as good as it gets for now (which is pretty darn good indeed).ĭespite a general belief that a lens update was a pipe-dream, in March 2004 rumours started to circulate that a new ASPH Summilux-M design was in the wings. The latest version has a mount that focuses to 0.7m and a built-in hood. Larger front elements result in more viewfinder obstruction (note the many complaints against the Noctilux on this account). The problem with redesigning the Summilux-M is that the limiting factor is the size of the front element. While optically identical to the sixties version, the latest version benefits from improved manufacturing, coating and assembly techniques. However, Leica has stated that they are not going to be redesigning the Summilux-M anytime soon. John Collier stepped up to the plate and made the following observations:ĭue to the recent redesign of the Summilux-R, many people have speculated that a new M version is on the way. Can a lens that old be any good, especially when compared to more recent optics? The pre-ASPH (#11114) 50mm ƒ1.4 Summilux-M has an optical design which dates from the late 1960s. Summilux 50mm or Voigtländer Nokton 50mm? 50mm Summilux-M Overview