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 normal.
This text is an entire information to Leica M lenses, from selecting the correct lens so that you can understanding Leica’s naming conventions.
Desk of Contents
A Historical past in Glass
Leica might be thought of a glass firm that occurs to make cameras. Leitz, the mum or dad 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 accessible Leica digital camera in 1925. Since then, from broad to straightforward to tele lenses, almost all of them primes, Leica M glass has lined world occasions and created wonderful artwork.
The Leica M-mount, launched in 1954, makes use of a bayonet system. Earlier than that, lenses had 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 photos with distinctive enchantment. At Leica, longevity is custom.
Lens Title Meanings
The long-lasting Leica names designate lens pace. For instance, an Elmar shoots no sooner 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 sooner.
- 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 sooner
These names additionally indicate which means. Take the Noctilux, which derives its title from noct-, which means evening in Latin, and -lux, which means mild. A Noctilux f/0.95 can virtually see at the hours of darkness. Many lens names embody variations that denote design phases and eras, such because the well-known Summicron 50mm v2 from 1956, fairly a special species from immediately’s v6 APO-Summicron.
M Lens Classes
Let’s take a fair nearer take a look at every of the classes of M-mount lenses, every of which usually accommodates 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 immediately. At f/0.95, Leica calls it “the world’s quickest aspherical lens.”
The Noctilux excels in low mild. It additionally presents 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, light colours additionally include a Noctilux. Nonetheless, such a strong lens brings challenges. For instance, a Noctilux is just not straightforward to shoot broad open in brilliant mild, e.g. outdoor throughout the day, so ND filters change into obligatory except 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 skilled 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 may very well be in focus whereas an eyelash is just not.
Noctilux photos might not be as sharp as these from a Summicron, however the background of a Noctilux photograph taken at full aperture turns into so stunning, who cares?
Summilux
As basic as Leica comes, the Summilux presents 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 interesting 3D look, which means excessive distinction on the level of focus and reducing 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 generally known as the “king of bokeh.” Moreover this, the Summilux creates a clean mild and pretty saturated colours.
Whereas the Summilux lacks the utter sharpness of an APO-Summicron lens, it’s sooner 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
Identified for sharpness, the Summicron excels in recording distinction and texture. This makes it very nicely suited to panorama and studio pictures, 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 broad open. The present 50mm mannequin, designed in 1979 by the legendary Dr. Walter Mandler, stays non-aspherical but achieves unbelievable 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 coloration accuracy as an APO (which denotes the apochromatic design).
Chromatic aberration occurs when the purple, 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 appropriate distortion and improve coloration accuracy, even at full aperture.
APO lenses additionally ship extra shades of grey to the sensor, so photos change 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 many who respect the scientific look, an APO-Summicron enhances nearly every part in a great way.
APO-Telyt
The longest focal size in immediately’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 presents 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 value.
Easier designs and cheaper uncooked supplies assist preserve the Elmarit, Summarit, and Summaron cost-effective. They’re additionally small, light-weight, and due to this fact distinctive for avenue pictures. 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, presents 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 manner. These, nevertheless, might be tougher to seek out. Happily, an lively market of pre-owned lenses, together with classic items, exists immediately.
Selecting an M Lens
Few lens firms 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 coloration. Priorities and tastes change over the many years. Importantly, many lenses are available in two classes — pre-aspherical and aspherical — which determines their coloration 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 in the event you desire 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 components. 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 immediately’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 had been initially designed for movie, which doesn’t carry the identical necessities for sharpness, coloration accuracy, and distinction {that a} high-resolution sensor does. As an alternative, these lenses present extra softness to a picture. Strains could not seem as straight as they really are. Colours can render barely totally different than what the attention sees.
However this will have a lovely impact on the ultimate picture, whether or not it’s movie or digital. Classic lenses can categorical a way of nostalgia, of bygone many years. They’ll additionally tame a high-resolution sensor’s scientific precision.
Aspherical lenses, denoted as ASPH, appropriate distortions and ship higher coloration accuracy. They current a extra lifelike 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 unbelievable coloration accuracy, even when shot broad open. Within the M-mount, Leica makes APO-Summicron lenses — 35mm, 50mm, 75mm, and 90mm — and the APO-Telyt 135mm f/3.4.
In case you are taking pictures a movie Leica M rangefinder, then each older and newer Leica lenses will pair properly and produce unbelievable images. In case you are 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 could produce issues like aberrations, vignetting, and coloration casts in your images that you could be not discover fascinating.
Temper
The look {that a} lens supplies helps inform a narrative. Lenses create temper. Trying 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 coloration to specific a way of foreignness and slowed-down time.
Bokeh evokes a way of temper as nicely. Leica lenses are well-known for his or her bokeh, and every lens class possesses its personal signature bokeh. In reality, a lot of the “Leica look” consists of the attractive abstractness of bokeh.
For that reason, Leica lens classes differentiate themselves based mostly on how they render when shot broad open. At medium aperture or stopped down, the variations between classes will change 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 photos at f/1 will look very distinct from an Elmarit’s at f/2.8. Nonetheless, at these full apertures, the main focus have to 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 manner, 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 broad 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 among the highest value tags for cameras and lenses on the earth of pictures, and a typical digital camera and lens pairing can price as a lot as a automobile.
Leica lenses are costly for a number of causes, amongst that are:
1. Construct High quality. One purpose 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 pictures and has a fame of being virtually 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 firms with vastly bigger market shares. On account of economies of scale, Leica should promote fewer lenses at larger costs in comparison with mass-market manufacturers that promote far higher numbers of merchandise at far decrease costs.
Most Leica naysayers will first assault the worth tag. Sure, these are high-end digital camera techniques, particularly the M. Pre-owned digital camera our bodies and lenses exist aplenty, however they nonetheless usually price greater than a brand new system from one other model.
With the elephant within the room acknowledged, costs for M lenses rely on dimension and complexity. Smaller, less complicated glass components within the Summicron and Elmarit are simpler to supply and require fewer supplies, whereas the Summilux and Noctilux use a lot bigger glass components that require precision throughout a higher 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
Moreover value, different drawbacks exist in M lenses. For one factor, M lenses are usually not climate sealed. They continue to be open to the weather and can collect mud and moisture. When an M lens is just not correctly protected or saved, haze and mildew can change into problematic. Massive particulates, together with eyelashes, can lodge themselves beneath the glass.
M lenses require upkeep over time or many years. They’ll fall out of adjustment, and elements can come free. Happily, 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, alter — on even the oldest M-mount lenses. That is good for photographers who put their M lenses to arduous work, or for savvy patrons who buy a considerably beat-up lens for affordable and pay to have it restored. Leica lenses don’t have any shelf life.
A Checklist of Leica M Lenses
Here’s a listing of Leica M-mount lenses, each historic ones in addition to these presently 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/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 would possibly persuade some to forgo a number of lenses instead of 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 pictures, and sustaining a dedication to inventive magnificence. For a lot of, proudly owning a Leica M lens proves a crowning achievement, a lifelong possession, and a great purpose to play the lottery. With Noctilux and Summilux bokeh, and APO-Summicron precision, Leica encourages photographers to dream.
Picture credit: Header photograph courtesy Leica Digicam
