Leica announces new steel-rim Summilux 35mm f1.4 lens

[Bingley]

Although there’s a thread on the forthcoming new Leica M6, I haven’t seen similar attention to the other recent announcement from Leica: the reissuing of a Summilux 35mm f1.4 in M mount, based on the 1961 version. Leica’s ad (in an email from the SF Leica store I received this morning) states: “The new edition is made in the original vintage design and with the identical optical calculation as the first Summilux-M 35mm f1.4…” This lens also sports a stainless steel front ring and is made in Germany. The pre-order price is $3895 USD.

Thoughts?

I, for one, am very happy with my Voigtlander Ultron 35mm f2.0 Vintage lens (v. 1), and don’t need the extra stop as most of my street photography is at f4. But it would be interesting to know if there are any Summilux fans out there who might jump at this reissue.

 

[jsrockit]

It is super small and I would love to have one. However, I do not spend more than $1000 on any single lens. It is very cool though.

 

[Mackinaw]

I really don't need it, I'm quite happy with me 35/2.0 Summicron ASPH, but this lens does interest me. No real rational reason outside of its reputation.

Jim B.

 

[analoged]

Why the 1m close focus? We want 0.7m!!! Considering the price, I'd sell my German Pre Lux to fund this, but the 1m close focus meh!

 

[Miles.]

I’ll admit that I’m happy Leica has been reissuing some of its classics even though they feel more like “continuation” lenses than true reissues. I haven’t used them all but do own and shoot the Summaron regularly.

While I understand the pursuit of optical perfection, especially for a German company steeped in its own mythos, it simply no longer matches my priorities and interests in optics and certain aberrations. Hence my excitement for these releases.

In short, if the reissue looks pretty damn close I’ll be buying the first like-new example that Tamarkin lists on his website.

Here’s to hoping the rigid Summar is next 🙂

 

[lukx]

Why the 1m close focus? We want 0.7m!!! Considering the price, I'd sell my German Pre Lux to fund this, but the 1m close focus meh!

I agree, 1m close focus is rather limiting with a 35mm lens. The extra 30cm make a great difference. In general, I think it's good that Leica listen to the users and see the demand for their heritage lenses. Maybe the prices for used Summiluxes will come down a little in the process – but maybe I'm a fool for believing this.

 

[d_c]

At least they've added a filter thread to this version...

 

[leicapixie]

I owned the 2nd version lens way back! I need the goggles on my M3. Mine had the filter thread! I hated the look at full aperture, the swirls and whatever. In fact, I don't like any high-speed lens. Many do! Only Leica seems to look at the past and give new opportunities. Bravo.

 

[yossi]

"The pre-order price is $3895 USD."

Compared to the current (greedy-) asking price of the steel rim summilux (over $30k), $3895 sounds like a bargain 😀

 

[Erik van Straten]

I have both the first and the second versions; bought them long ago when they were still affordable, nrs 17772XX and 20606XX. They are the most incredible 35mm's I've ever used. The second version is better than the first, but the first has a charm all its own. I hope the new one is NOT an ASPH. I guess these lenses are made with very special glasses. They are made with only seven elements. I prefer them to the eight elements 35mm f2.

Erik.

v1:

 

[Erik van Straten]

Summilux steelrim 35mm f1.4 v1:

 

[Erik van Straten]

Summilux 35mm f1.4 v2:

 

[Saganich]

I think if someone has a strong desire this is a great opportunity given the difficulty and ambiguities surrounding getting any period lenses in top condition. Interesting that the resale market is influencing their product line.

 

[Glenn2]

Wow! Makes me happy I bought mine about half a century ago and still have it. New in box with lens hood set me back $190 in the early seventies.

Glenn

 

[raydm6]

I think if someone has a strong desire this is a great opportunity given the difficulty and ambiguities surrounding getting any period lenses in top condition. Interesting that the resale market is influencing their product line.

Interesting observation!

 

[james.liam]

I have both the first and the second versions; bought them long ago when they were still affordable, nrs 17772XX and 20606XX. They are the most incredible 35mm's I've ever used. The second version is better than the first, but the first has a charm all its own. I hope the new one is NOT an ASPH. I guess these lenses are made with very special glasses. They are made with only seven elements. I prefer them to the eight elements 35mm f2.

Erik.

Erik, which if the versions is this new one?

I think if someone has a strong desire this is a great opportunity given the difficulty and ambiguities surrounding getting any period lenses in top condition. Interesting that the resale market is influencing their product line.

It does make sense insofar as the reason an item remains desirable over decades. Wonderful that Leica is resurrecting these historical classics. LLL has cultivated a niche in reproducing some of these and so why shouldn't Leica benefit from it too?

 

[Erik van Straten]

gelatine silver print (summilux 35mm f1.4 steel rim v2) leica m5

Erik.

 

[Erik van Straten]

I don't know wich lens Leica will make now, but I don't think that it will be exactly the same as one of the old ones. The old glasses will not be available.

gelatin silver print (summilux 35mm f1.4 v1 (no.17772XX)) leica m2

Erik.

 

[Erik van Straten]

The lens heads of the steel rims can be unscrewed from their focusing mounts. The older lens heads fit in the newer focusing mounts. I wonder if the announced lenses will fit in the the original focusing mounts too.

Erik.

 

[Mackinaw]

I don't know wich lens Leica will make now, but I don't think that it will be exactly the same as one of the old ones. The old glasses will not be available.

gelatin silver print (summilux 35mm f1.4 v1 (no.17772XX)) leica m2 ..

From what I've read, they're using the sane optical formula as the original lens. Don't know about what glass they're using.

Jim B.