Leica Summilux-M 35mm f/1.4 II (v2)

Leica Summilux-M 35mm f/1.4 II

Known among collectors simply as the "pre-aspherical" 35 Summilux, this lens earned a near-mythic reputation for the way it renders at full aperture, where it softens and glows before snapping into modern-looking sharpness once stopped down. It was designed by Walter Mandler and built largely at Leitz Canada in Midland, Ontario, before later examples were assembled in Germany [1][2]. The optical formula uses seven elements in five groups, and the lens reached the market as the second version of the original 35mm f/1.4, succeeding the first model that introduced the f/1.4 wide-angle to the Leica M system[3].

The build is compact and dense, with a 10-blade diaphragm and a focusing throw that bottoms out at a 1 m minimum distance, longer than the 0.7 m most M lenses allow, which is a frequently cited usability trade-off. Because all controls are packed into a small barrel, users note that the aperture ring, focus tab and hood tabs sit close together and can be confused by feel alone. It is a coupled rangefinder lens on the Leica M bayonet, was offered in black finish under order number 11870, and is not factory six-bit coded. The matching vented hood is the 12504.

Two main barrel variants exist within the type. Earlier examples carry an infinity lock on the focus mount, while later ones omit it; a few of the latest lenses are engraved "Leica Summilux-M" rather than the older "Leitz" inscription. The change from the silver first version also brought a switch to Series VII filters and the 12504 hood in place of the earlier E41 filters and OLLUX hood, and the lens was not offered in silver after that point.

Optical qualities

Rendering The pre-aspherical 35 Summilux is valued for character rather than clinical correction. Wide open it shows low contrast and a soft, diffused glow that reviewers compare to a built-in diffusion filter, then gains contrast and resolution quickly as it is stopped down. Centre sharpness improves markedly by f/2 and peaks across roughly f/4 to f/8, with corners needing more stopping down before they sharpen, and diffraction softening the image at the smallest apertures.

Bokeh and transitions Out-of-focus highlights can show pronounced outlining, cat's-eye shapes toward the frame edges and a degree of swirl, traits that stem from the lens's less-corrected design and contribute to its signature look.

Aberrations Wide-open performance includes visible aberrations and some purple fringing between f/1.4 and f/2.8, which is largely gone by f/4; the low contrast at wider apertures tends to mask the fringing in practice.

Digital use The lens is usable on modern digital M bodies, where the wide-open glow and stopped-down sharpness are both apparent, though it is not factory six-bit coded for automatic lens detection.

History

Development and Launch The lens replaced the first f/1.4 35mm Summilux and entered production in the late 1960s, carrying over the product code from the silver first version to the new black second version. Optical design is credited to Walter Mandler, the prolific Leitz Canada designer responsible for many of the firm's high-speed lenses of the era. It became closely associated with photojournalism through the 1970s and 1980s on account of its speed and small size.

Production Evolution Production ran for nearly three decades, ending in the mid-1990s, with roughly 28,550 examples made across the run. Early examples were made in Canada and later ones in Germany, a shift reflected in the change of inscription from "Leitz Canada" to "Leica Summilux-M" on the latest lenses. The most visible mechanical change during the run was the deletion of the infinity lock on later barrels.

Special editions Beyond the standard black lens, documented variants include a titanium finish (order number 11860), a special version for the M3 rangefinder with closer focusing (order number 11871), ELC and ELW versions, and a 1913 to 1983 anniversary edition. Collectors should note that some ELC versions reportedly require Leica service modification to mount on certain digital bodies.

Collector Notes Values for clean examples have risen substantially, and versions with the infinity lock have at times commanded a premium over those without. When evaluating a lens, it is worth confirming the inscription and serial number against published Leitz Canada and Leica records to date the example and confirm origin, and checking for the correct 12504 hood, caps and filters. Reported weights for this lens vary slightly between sources; the Leica Wiki and at least one retailer list about 245 g, which differs from the figure recorded here.