Leica Summarit-M 35mm f/2.4

Leica Summarit-M 35mm f/2.4

Within the Summarit-M family the 35mm f/2.4 holds a distinction the others do not: it is the only lens in the range ever built with an aspherical element [1]. Introduced in 2014 as part of a complete renewal of Leica's more affordable M lens line, it was promoted as the smallest and lightest 35mm lens in the Leica rangefinder system. The design pairs an aspherical surface with glass of anomalous partial dispersion to keep the barrel compact while controlling aberrations across the frame [2][3].

The optical layout uses six elements in four groups, with a nine-blade diaphragm that stops down from f/2.4 to f/16. The lens is fully manual focus with rangefinder coupling, focusing to 0.8 m, and it carries six-bit coding so a digital M body can read it for frame lines and metadata. The barrel is metal, built and assembled in Germany, and at well under 200 g it is light without feeling insubstantial; reviewers describe firm, precise aperture clicks and a relatively quick, lightly damped focus throw. It takes 46 mm screw-in filters and was supplied with a metal lens hood and a metal lens cap. One handling point noted by users is the 0.8 m minimum focus distance, which is longer than the 0.7 m of some comparable M lenses.

The lens was offered in two finishes, a black anodized version under model number 11671 and a silver anodized version under 11679[4]. This was the first time the Summarit-M line was made available in a choice of black and silver, a change introduced with the f/2.4 generation.

Optical qualities

Rendering Reviewers consistently describe the 35mm f/2.4 as a clean, neutral performer rather than a characterful one. It is reported to render with little visible distortion and few obvious aberrations, producing consistent results with good sharpness and clarity rather than a pronounced signature look. Opinions on its drawing differ among users, with some valuing precisely that even-handed, modern character and others finding it lacking in distinctive personality. Coverage of out-of-focus rendering is limited in published reviews, so claims beyond this neutral, well-corrected character are not strongly supported.

History

Development and Launch Leica announced the new Summarit-M generation on 16 September 2014, replacing the earlier f/2.5 Summarit-M range with four faster f/2.4 lenses in 35, 50, 75 and 90 mm focal lengths. The 35 and 50 mm versions reached stores in October 2014, after the 75 and 90 mm models. The line was positioned as an ideal compromise between speed and compact size, made in Germany and assembled by hand. The 35mm directly succeeded the 35mm f/2.5 Summarit-M (order number 11643), produced from 2007 to 2014, which also used a six-element, four-group layout but took E39 filters and had no aspherical element [5].

Special editions No major factory special editions of the 35mm f/2.4 are widely documented; the lens was sold in regular black and silver anodized finishes under 11671 and 11679 respectively.

Collector Notes Identification is straightforward from the front engraving and the order number, with 11671 denoting the black finish and 11679 the silver. Because the f/2.4 shares the Summarit-M name and the same six-element, four-group element count with the older f/2.5, the two are easy to confuse; the maximum aperture marking, the 46 mm filter thread on the f/2.4 versus the E39 thread on the f/2.5, and the "ASPH." designation are the reliable distinguishing points. As a recent and still-produced design, the lens is less prone to the haze and coating problems of older Leica glass, but buyers should still confirm the original metal hood and cap are present, since these were included as standard.