Leica Announces Reissue of the Vintage Summilux-M 35mm f/1.4 Version 1 “Steel Rim”
For three days, the Leitz-Park in Wetzlar was once again a place where people could share their passion for photography in many ways. As part of the “Celebration of Photography,” the winners of this year’s Leica Oskar Barnack Award (LOBA) and the Leica Picture of the Year were announced on October 20. The celebration was launched the day before with a performance by jazz trumpeter Till Broenner, renowned for his extraordinary virtuosity.
Kiana Hayeri, a Canadian photographer, and Valentin Goppel, a German photographer, were recognized for their LOBA series during a fantastic event. The Leica Gallery Wetzlar also debuted a large exhibition by French Leica photographer Claudine Doury at the same time. Three new Leica products, including the Leica M6 and Leica SL2-S Reporter, were unveiled during the ceremony, which was its high point.
Alongside Leica announced it’s re-releasing its 50-year-old Summilux-M 35mm f/1.4 lens.
Leica looks back on more than 150 years of experience in developing lenses. Since then, numerous masterly precision tools have been formed which have consistently set photography standards and redefined the boundaries of what is technically feasible. In particular, that includes the lenses of the legendary Leica M-System. One of these legends returns now: the Leica Summilux-M 35 f/1.4.
Since its launch in 1961 and after over 35 years of almost unchanged production, the M lens has been enjoying great popularity up to the present day. The world’s fastest wide-angle lens at the time has also always been very compact and extremely light, weighing only 200 grams. Last but not least, it convinces with its imaging performance and the unique image effect. Photographing with maximum aperture creates pictures with an exceptionally soft, almost magical bokeh which is hard to achieve even with digital image processing. Its extraordinary pictorial look earned the Summilux-M 35 f/1.4 the title “True King of Bokeh.” Photographing at an open aperture in backlit conditions creates intended lens flares that can be used for specific creative effects. At the latest, after stopping down to f/2.8, it produces very sharp and particularly distortion-free pictures which also meet modern requirements for image quality.
Its relaunched edition is made in the Leica manufacture in Wetzlar – in the original vintage design and with the identical optical calculation of the first Summilux-M 35 f/1.4. Furthermore, the stainless steel front ring known as “Steel Rim,” the lockable focus ring, and the black attachable lens hood are also modeled on the original. What is new, however, is the second, round lens hood with E46 thread, which enables filters and is also included in the delivery.
The Summilux-M 35 f/1.4 joins the ranks of the Leica Classic Line as the fourth member next to the Summaron-M 28 f/5.6, the Thambar-M 90 f/2.2, and the Noctilux-M 50 f/1.2 ASPH.
The Leica Summilux-M 35 f/1.4 is available globally at all Leica Stores, the Leica Online Store and authorized dealers. The retail price will be €3,850.00 including VAT.
More info on Leica’s website.
