A Full Information to Leica M Lenses

Leica. The title conjures notions of luxurious, historical past, high quality, and precision. This particularly applies to Leica’s M-mount lenses. Whereas a few of Leica’s newest digital camera our bodies just like the M11 have gathered reward, the lenses have set the business gold commonplace.

This text is a whole information to Leica M lenses, from choosing the right lens so that you can understanding Leica’s naming conventions.

Desk of Contents

A Historical past in Glass

Leica may be thought-about a glass firm that occurs to make cameras. Leitz, the guardian firm of Leica (LEItz CAmera), initially produced world-renowned microscopes and looking riflescopes, till worker Oskar Barnack constructed a compact 35mm digital camera in 1913 and made historical past.

One other Leica legend, Max Berek, designed the Elmar 50mm f/3.5 that accompanied the primary commercially out there Leica digital camera in 1925. Since then, from vast to straightforward to tele lenses, almost all of them primes, Leica M glass has coated world occasions and created effective artwork.

The Leica M-mount, launched in 1954, makes use of a bayonet system. Earlier than that, lenses have been screwed onto the digital camera physique. Leica lenses from the Thirties and after can nonetheless be used on a digital M digital camera by the use of an adapter. Classic lenses, particularly from 1954 onward, nonetheless render beautiful photographs with distinctive attraction. At Leica, longevity is custom.

Lens Title Meanings

The enduring Leica names designate lens pace. For instance, an Elmar shoots no quicker than f/3.5, an Elmarit is f/2.8, a Summicron is an f/2, a Summilux is an f/1.4 and a Noctilux is f/1.25 or quicker.

• Elmar: Most aperture f/3.5
• Elmarit: Most aperture f/2.8
• Summicron: Most aperture f/2
• Summilux: Most aperture f/1.4
• Noctilux: Most aperture f/1.25 or quicker

These names additionally suggest that means. Take the Noctilux, which derives its title from noct-, that means night time in Latin, and -lux, that means mild. A Noctilux f/0.95 can virtually see in the dead of night. Many lens names embody variations that denote design levels and eras, such because the well-known Summicron 50mm v2 from 1956, fairly a special species from right now’s v6 APO-Summicron.

M Lens Classes

Let’s take an excellent nearer take a look at every of the classes of M-mount lenses, every of which generally incorporates a number of fashions with totally different focal lengths, options, and colours.

Noctilux

The forbidden lens, and one of the costly digital camera lenses on Earth, the Noctilux broke new floor upon its launch in 1966 and continues to dominate right now. At f/0.95, Leica calls it “the world’s quickest aspherical lens.”

The Noctilux excels in low mild. It additionally provides essentially the most and the dreamiest bokeh, the standard of the out-of-focus areas within the background of a photograph, of any Leica lens. Pleasing, mild colours additionally include a Noctilux. Nevertheless, such a robust lens brings challenges. For instance, a Noctilux will not be straightforward to shoot vast open in shiny mild, e.g. open air in the course of the day, so ND filters develop into needed until taking pictures with an M11, or an SL physique with an M lens adapter, and their lightning-fast digital shutter.

Focusing with such a shallow depth of subject requires a educated rangefinder eye. At f/1, for instance, specializing in a topic six ft away leads to a pointy zone lower than 4 inches deep. Up shut, a topic’s eye could possibly be in focus whereas an eyelash will not be.

Noctilux photographs is probably not as sharp as these from a Summicron, however the background of a Noctilux picture taken at full aperture turns into so stunning, who cares?

Summilux

As traditional as Leica comes, the Summilux provides a signature glow and a treasured bokeh. The Summilux and Noctilux have a lot in widespread. Some name the Noctilux a Summilux on steroids. Each have an enchanting 3D look, that means excessive distinction on the level of focus and lowering distinction into the velvety out-of-focus foreground and background.

The Noctilux bokeh is a bit dreamier, however the Summilux bokeh has a swirly character all of its personal. Think about the Summilux 35mm f/1.4, initially launched in 1961, extensively often called the “king of bokeh.” In addition to this, the Summilux creates a easy mild and pretty saturated colours.

Whereas the Summilux lacks the utter sharpness of an APO-Summicron lens, it’s quicker than any Summicron, and it possesses extra of that ineffable “Leica look.” Just like the Summicron and Summarit, its prefix refers to a Leica lens from 1933, the Summar, whose etymology stays obscure.

Summicron

Recognized for sharpness, the Summicron excels in recording distinction and texture. This makes it very effectively suited to panorama and studio images, for instance. A normal Summicron (non-APO) prices far lower than a Summilux or Noctilux, and whereas its most aperture of f/2 doesn’t ship the identical creamy bokeh as these classes, it nonetheless has loads of advantages.

The Summicron is sharp corner-to-corner even when shot vast open. The present 50mm mannequin, designed in 1979 by the legendary Dr. Walter Mandler, stays non-aspherical but achieves unimaginable element and correct colours. Summicron bokeh is much less opaque, extra scientific, and agency than that of the Summilux or Noctilux, and it’s smaller, with extra outlined circles. However at full aperture, a Summicron is way simpler to focus.

APO-Summicron

Leica’s APO-Summicron lenses are the assembly level between the Summicron and Summilux. The place the Summicron falls behind the Summilux and Noctilux in bokeh, it greater than compensates in crisp element and fierce colour accuracy as an APO (which denotes the apochromatic design).

Chromatic aberration occurs when the crimson, inexperienced, and blue wavelengths fail to coincide on the sensor. This leads to fringing and flaring. Apochromatic lenses align the RGB waves and in doing so that they right distortion and enhance colour accuracy, even at full aperture.

APO lenses additionally ship extra shades of grey to the sensor, so photographs develop into extremely detailed and wealthy in distinction. The APO-Summicron yields the very best diploma of topic separation as a result of intense distinction it creates between the purpose of focus and the foreground and background. For individuals who admire the scientific look, an APO-Summicron enhances nearly all the pieces in a great way.

APO-Telyt

The longest focal size in right now’s M lens system, the APO-Telyt 135mm f/3.4 additionally advantages from apochromatic design. Just like the APO-Summicrons, this lens supplies hanging distinction, sharpness, and determination in any respect apertures. However as a result of it’s a telephoto lens with a quickest pace of f/3.4, it earns its personal title within the Leica lens household.

Elmarit, Summarit, Summaron

With such a wealthy historical past and custom of crafting the world’s best lenses, Leica provides its inimitable rendering in even the best classes. The Elmarit, Summarit, and Summaron, for instance, present greater than sufficient magnificence and character, at a way more approachable worth.

Easier designs and cheaper uncooked supplies assist maintain the Elmarit, Summarit, and Summaron cost-effective. They’re additionally small, light-weight, and due to this fact distinctive for road images. The Tri-Elmar-M 16-18-21 f/4 is the one remaining “zoom” lens in Leica’s present M portfolio. Elmarit, Summarit, and Summaron lenses come in numerous focal lengths, from macro and wide-angle to tele and all factors in between.

Leica M lenses are about greater than exclusivity, heavenly bokeh, or absolute sharpness. Every M lens, together with the Elmarit, Summarit, and Summaron, provides a picturesque view of the world. Different, older M lenses just like the Elmar, Hektor, and Thambar additionally present the “Leica look” in their very own distinct method. These, nevertheless, may be tougher to seek out. Luckily, an energetic market of pre-owned lenses, together with classic items, exists right now.

Selecting an M Lens

Few lens corporations provide such a variety of eras from which to decide on. Lenses from totally different many years possess their very own tackle qualities like bokeh or colour. Priorities and tastes change over the many years. Importantly, many lenses are available in two classes — pre-aspherical and aspherical — which determines their colour accuracy and distortion correction. Temper is an integral a part of every Leica lens’ look.

Prime or Zoom?

The overwhelming majority of Leica lenses are prime lenses, so should you favor utilizing a zoom lens, your choices are fairly restricted. The one one in manufacturing on the time of this writing is the $6,500 Leica 16-18-21mm f/4.0 Tri Elmar-M Aspherical lens. Leica additionally beforehand produced a Tri-Elmar-M 28–35–50 mm f/4 ASPH.

Aspherical or Not?

So-called “classic lenses” don’t incorporate aspherical parts. Any Leica lens (or, for that matter, some other digital camera lens) made earlier than the 1966 debut of the Noctilux 50mm f/1.2 is pre-aspherical. With that lens Leica launched aspherical lens design to the world. Even a few of right now’s present Leica M-mount choices, just like the Summicron 50mm, designed in 1979, are non-aspherical but very high-performance.

Pre- or non-aspherical lenses have been initially designed for movie, which doesn’t carry the identical necessities for sharpness, colour accuracy, and distinction {that a} high-resolution sensor does. As an alternative, these lenses present extra softness to a picture. Traces might not seem as straight as they really are. Colours can render barely totally different than what the attention sees.

However this may have a satisfying impact on the ultimate picture, whether or not or not it’s movie or digital. Classic lenses can specific a way of nostalgia, of bygone many years. They will additionally tame a high-resolution sensor’s scientific precision.

Aspherical lenses, denoted as ASPH, right distortions and ship better colour accuracy. They current a extra practical view of a scene or topic than pre- or non-aspherical lenses. Inside this class are the apochromatic, or APO, lenses. These take away chromatic aberrations to create an ultra-precise and detailed picture with unimaginable colour accuracy, even when shot vast open. Within the M-mount, Leica makes APO-Summicron lenses — 35mm, 50mm, 75mm, and 90mm — and the APO-Telyt 135mm f/3.4.

If you’re taking pictures a movie Leica M rangefinder, then each older and newer Leica lenses will pair properly and produce incredible photographs. If you’re taking pictures a more moderen digital Leica M rangefinder, nevertheless, you might need to focus your consideration on newer lenses with the newest design applied sciences, as older lenses might produce issues like aberrations, vignetting, and colour casts in your photographs that you could be not discover fascinating.

Temper

The look {that a} lens supplies helps inform a narrative. Lenses create temper. Seeking to current actuality in its each element, or painting a sci-fi sort of sharpness? Select an APO lens. Telling the story of a younger backpacker drifting throughout the Indian subcontinent? A classic lens would soften the sunshine and colour to precise a way of foreignness and slowed-down time.

Bokeh evokes a way of temper as effectively. Leica lenses are well-known for his or her bokeh, and every lens class possesses its personal signature bokeh. In truth, a lot of the “Leica look” contains the attractive abstractness of bokeh.

For that reason, Leica lens classes differentiate themselves primarily based on how they render when shot vast open. At medium aperture or stopped down, the variations between classes will develop into much less noticeable.

However at full aperture, the bokeh and the separation of the topic from the foreground and background change dramatically from class to class: Noctilux photographs at f/1 will look very distinct from an Elmarit’s at f/2.8. Nevertheless, at these full apertures, the main target should be good, which is difficult with a rangefinder. A Noctilux requires expertise and experience, not only a fats pockets.

As soon as a photographer sees how every Leica lens class renders in another way, she or he will start to ascertain topics in another way. Leica lenses view the world in their very own method, which lets photographers embody a sure lens’ expression in their very own storytelling.

As a result of the true character of every Leica lens class comes out when taking pictures vast open, right here is the place a photographer would ideally make the selection between which lens class to buy.

Why Are Leica Lenses So Costly?

Leica is understood for having a number of the highest worth tags for cameras and lenses on this planet of images, and a typical digital camera and lens pairing can price as a lot as a automotive.

Leica lenses are costly for a number of causes, amongst that are:

1. Construct High quality. One motive is that they’re made with high-quality supplies and meticulous consideration to element, which provides to the price of manufacturing.

2. Status. Leica is among the most recognizable manufacturers in images and has a repute of being nearly a luxurious good and standing image along with being a bit of helpful know-how.

3. Restricted Portions. Leica additionally produces far fewer cameras and lenses in comparison with different corporations with vastly bigger market shares. Because of economies of scale, Leica should promote fewer lenses at greater costs in comparison with mass-market manufacturers that promote far better numbers of merchandise at far decrease costs.

Most Leica naysayers will first assault the value tag. Sure, these are high-end digital camera methods, particularly the M. Pre-owned digital camera our bodies and lenses exist aplenty, however they nonetheless typically price greater than a brand new system from one other model.

With the elephant within the room acknowledged, costs for M lenses rely upon dimension and complexity. Smaller, easier glass parts within the Summicron and Elmarit are simpler to supply and require fewer supplies, whereas the Summilux and Noctilux use a lot bigger glass parts that require precision throughout a better floor space. APO lenses make use of extremely exact optical designs and require extraordinarily low tolerances for variation, which makes them very costly. Cool bokeh or blistering element don’t come low cost.

Different Drawbacks of Leica Lenses

In addition to worth, different drawbacks exist in M lenses. For one factor, M lenses should not climate sealed. They continue to be open to the weather and can collect mud and moisture. When an M lens will not be correctly protected or saved, haze and mildew can develop into problematic. Massive particulates, together with eyelashes, can lodge themselves beneath the glass.

M lenses require upkeep through the years or many years. They will fall out of adjustment, and elements can come free. Luckily, for this and any points similar to mildew, mud, and even scratches, M lenses lend themselves to restore. Leica or different accredited technicians can carry out a CLA — clear, lubricate, regulate — on even the oldest M-mount lenses. That is good for photographers who put their M lenses to exhausting work, or for savvy patrons who buy a considerably beat-up lens for reasonable and pay to have it restored. Leica lenses haven’t any shelf life.

A Record of Leica M Lenses

Here’s a record of Leica M-mount lenses, each historic ones in addition to these at present in manufacturing:

• 16-18-21mm f/4 Tri-Elmar-M ASPH
• 28–35–50mm f/4 Tri-Elmar-M ASPH
• 18mm f/3.8 Tremendous-Elmar-M ASPH
• 21mm f/1.4 Summilux-M ASPH
• 21mm f/2.8 Elmarit-M
• 21mm f/2.8 Elmarit-M ASPH
• 21mm f/3.4 Tremendous-Angulon-M
• 21mm f/3.4 Tremendous-Elmar-M ASPH
• 21mm f/4.0 Tremendous-Angulon-M
• 24mm f/1.4 Summilux-M ASPH
• 24mm f/2.8 Elmarit-M ASPH
• 24mm f/3.8 Elmar-M ASPH
• 28mm f/5.6 Summaron-M
• 28mm f/1.4 Summilux-M ASPH
• 28mm f/2 Summicron-M ASPH
• 28mm f/2.8 Elmarit-M
• 28mm f/2.8 Elmarit-M ASPH
• 35mm f/1.4 Summilux
• 35mm f/1.4 Summilux-M ASPH
• 35mm f/2 Summicron-M
• 35mm f/2 Summicron-M ASPH
• 35mm f/2.5 Summarit-M
• 50mm f/0.95 Noctilux-M ASPH
• 50mm f/1 Noctilux-M
• 50mm f/1.2 Noctilux-M
• 75mm f/1.25 Noctilux-M
• 50mm f/1.4 Summilux
• 50mm f/1.4 Summilux-M ASPH
• 50mm f/1.5 Summarit
• 50mm f/2 Summicron-M
• 50mm f/2 APO-Summicron-M ASPH
• 50mm f/2.5 Summarit-M
• 50mm f/2.8 Elmar-M
• 75mm f/1.4 Summilux-M
• 75mm f/2 APO-Summicron-M ASPH
• 75mm f/2.5 Summarit-M
• 135mm f/4.0 Elmar
• 90mm f/2.8 Elmarit-M
• 90mm f/2 APO-Summicron-M ASPH
• 90mm f/2.5 Summarit-M
• 90mm f/4 Macro-Elmar-M
• 135mm f/2.8 Elmarit-M
• 135mm f/3.4 APO-Telyt-M
• 135mm f/4.0 Elmar
• 135mm f/4.5 Hektor

Conclusion

A Leica lens could also be prohibitive, however the efficiency, character, and longevity of a Leica M lens may persuade some to forgo a number of lenses rather than a single piece of Leica glass. Few, if any, different model lenses convey temper and id like a Leica.

Taking pictures a Leica M lens means slowing down, concentrating on the essence and roots of images, and sustaining a dedication to creative magnificence. For a lot of, proudly owning a Leica M lens proves a crowning achievement, a lifelong possession, and a great motive to play the lottery. With Noctilux and Summilux bokeh, and APO-Summicron precision, Leica encourages photographers to dream.

Picture credit: Header picture courtesy Leica Digital camera