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Leica. The identify 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 trade gold normal. 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 will be thought-about a glass firm that occurs to make cameras. Leitz, the father or mother firm of Leica (LEItz CAmera), initially produced world-renowned microscopes and searching 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, practically all of them primes, Leica M glass has coated world occasions and created fantastic artwork. The unique Elmar 50mm f/3.5 lens designed by Max Berek on the unique Leica digital camera designed by Oscar Barnack. Photograph © Kameraprojekt Graz 2015 and licensed below CC BY-SA 4.0 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 means of an adapter. Classic lenses, particularly from 1954 onward, nonetheless render beautiful photos with distinctive attraction. At Leica, longevity is custom.
Lens Identify 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 suggest that means. Take the Noctilux, which derives its identify from noct-, that means evening in Latin, and -lux, that means mild. A Noctilux f/0.95 can virtually see in the dead of night. Many lens names embrace variations that denote design levels and eras, such because the well-known Summicron 50mm v2 from 1956, fairly a special species from at the moment’s v6 APO-Summicron. A Leica Summicron lens mounted to a Leica M4 rangefinder digital camera. Photograph from 123RF. M Lens Classes Let’s take an excellent nearer take a look at every of the classes of M-mount lenses, every of which usually comprises a number of fashions with totally different focal lengths, options, and colours. Noctilux The $13,000 Leica 50mm f/0.95 Noctilux-M Aspherical lens. 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 at the moment. 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, light colours additionally include a Noctilux. Nonetheless, such a robust lens brings challenges. For instance, a Noctilux isn’t simple to shoot vast open in shiny mild, e.g. outside in the course of the day, so ND filters turn out to be crucial until capturing with an M11, or an SL physique with an M lens adapter, and their lightning-fast digital shutter. Leica M10 + Leica Noctilux-M 75mm f/1.25 ASPH. Photograph by Sean Hopkins. Focusing with such a shallow depth of discipline requires a skilled rangefinder eye. At f/1, for instance, specializing in a topic six toes away ends in a pointy zone lower than 4 inches deep. Up shut, a topic’s eye could possibly be in focus whereas an eyelash isn’t. Noctilux photos might not be as sharp as these from a Summicron, however the background of a Noctilux picture taken at full aperture turns into so lovely, who cares? Summilux The $4,500 Leica 50mm f/1.4 Summilux-M Aspherical lens. As traditional as Leica comes, the Summilux provides a signature glow and a treasured bokeh. The Summilux and Noctilux have a lot in frequent. 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. Contemplate the Summilux 35mm f/1.4, initially launched in 1961, broadly often known as the “king of bokeh.” Moreover this, the Summilux creates a easy mild and pretty saturated colours.
Leica M10 + Leica Summilux-M 50mm f/1.4 ASPH. Photograph by Nathan Kellum. 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. Leica M10 Monochrom + Leica Summilux-M 50mm f/1.4 ASPH. This portrait showcases the Summilux’s swirly bokeh. Photograph by Nathan Kellum. Summicron The $4,100 Leica 35mm f/2.0 Summicron-M Aspherical lens. 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 typical 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. Leica SL2 + Leica Summicron-M 28mm f/2 ASPH. Photograph by Jason Roman. 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 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 The $5,500 Leica 90mm f/2.0 APO-Summicron-M Aspherical lens. 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 pink, inexperienced, and blue wavelengths fail to coincide on the sensor. This ends in fringing and flaring. Apochromatic lenses align the RGB waves and in doing in order that they appropriate distortion and enhance coloration accuracy, even at full aperture. Leica M9 + Leica APO-Summicron-M 50mm f/2 ASPH. Photograph by Pedro Ferreira. APO lenses additionally ship extra shades of grey to the sensor, so photos turn out to be extremely detailed and wealthy in distinction. The APO-Summicron yields the 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 respect the scientific look, an APO-Summicron enhances nearly the whole lot in a great way. APO-Telyt The $4,600 Leica 135mm f/3.4 APO-Telyt-M lens. The longest focal size in at the moment’s M lens system, the APO-Telyt 135mm f/3.4 additionally advantages from apochromatic design. Just like the APO-Summicrons, this lens offers hanging distinction, sharpness, and backbone 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 identify within the Leica lens household.
Leica M11 + Leica APO-Telyt-M 135mm f/3.4 Photograph by Nathan Kellum. Elmarit, Summarit, Summaron The $2,800 Leica 28mm f/2.8 Elmarit-M Aspherical lens, $2,000 Leica Summarit-M 50mm f/2.4 lens, and $3,100 Leica 28mm f/5.6 Summaron-M lens. With such a wealthy historical past and custom of crafting the world’s most interesting lenses, Leica provides its inimitable rendering in even the only 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 hold the Elmarit, Summarit, and Summaron cost-effective. They’re additionally small, light-weight, and subsequently distinctive for road 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 M10 + Leica Elmarit-M 28mm f/2.8 ASPH. Photograph by Nathan Kellum. 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, nonetheless, will be harder to seek out. Thankfully, an lively market of pre-owned lenses, together with classic items, exists at the moment. Selecting an M Lens Few lens corporations supply such a variety of eras from which to decide on. Lenses from totally different a long time possess their very own tackle qualities like bokeh or coloration. Priorities and tastes change over the a long time. Importantly, many lenses are available 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 $6,500 Leica 16-18-21mm f/4.0 Tri Elmar-M Aspherical zoom lens. The overwhelming majority of Leica lenses are prime lenses, so for those who 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, another 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 at the moment’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 a substitute, these lenses present extra softness to a picture. Strains might not seem as straight as they really are. Colours can render barely totally different than what the attention sees. However this will have a satisfying impact on the ultimate picture, whether or not or not it’s movie or digital. Classic lenses can categorical a way of nostalgia, of bygone a long time. They will additionally tame a high-resolution sensor’s scientific precision. Aspherical lenses, denoted as ASPH, appropriate distortions and ship better coloration 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 unbelievable coloration 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. In case you are capturing a movie Leica M rangefinder, then each older and newer Leica lenses will pair properly and produce incredible images. In case you are capturing a more recent digital Leica M rangefinder, nonetheless, you might need to focus your consideration on newer lenses with the most recent design applied sciences, as older lenses might produce issues like aberrations, vignetting, and coloration casts in your images that you could be not discover fascinating.
This picture captured with a more recent Leica M9 digital rangefinder and an older 35mm Summicron lens reveals undesirable coloration casts and vignetting. Temper The look {that a} lens offers 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 coloration to precise 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 actual fact, a lot of the “Leica look” contains the gorgeous 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 turn out to be 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 excellent, 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 otherwise, she or he will start to examine topics otherwise. Leica lenses view the world in their very own method, which lets photographers embrace a sure lens’ expression in their very own storytelling. As a result of the true character of every Leica lens class comes out when capturing 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 the earth of pictures, 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 cause 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 without doubt one of the most recognizable manufacturers in pictures and has a status 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. Attributable to economies of scale, Leica should promote fewer lenses at larger 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 usually 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, 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 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 Moreover 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 isn’t correctly protected or saved, haze and mould can turn out to be problematic. Massive particulates, together with eyelashes, can lodge themselves below the glass. M lenses require upkeep over time or a long time. They will fall out of adjustment, and components can come free. Thankfully, for this and any points comparable to mould, 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 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/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 instead of a single piece of Leica glass. Few, if any, different model lenses convey temper and identification like a Leica. Capturing a Leica M lens means slowing down, concentrating on the essence and roots of pictures, 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 cause to play the lottery. With Noctilux and Summilux bokeh, and APO-Summicron precision, Leica encourages photographers to dream. Picture credit: Header picture courtesy Leica Digicam
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