Leica Announces New 35/50mm Black Chrome Lenses

Submitted by Double Negative on March 17, 2015 - 10:51am

Last week we were the first to tell you about a new Summilux-M 50mm f/1.4 ASPH version (#11688) coming. Today Leica has released this lens - and upped the ante to include a new Summicron-M 35mm f/2 ASPH version (#11689) with the same black chrome finish. Don't get too excited though - only 500 of each will be produced at a cost of 3,950€/$ and 3,150€/$, respectively. Also remember that optically, they're the same as existing versions. Look for them at the end of April 2015. Read more below for details!

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Leica
Lens

Summilux-M 28mm f/1.4 ASPH Delays

Submitted by Double Negative on March 16, 2015 - 9:10am

The Leica Summilux-M 28mm f/1.4 ASPH was rumored for over two years - ever since the 6-bit code for it was discovered in an M9 firmware update in July 2012. The lens finally made its appearance in September 2014 at Photokina as part of the Leica M "Edition 100" set and only in a stainless steel finish. Typically, it would become generally available in the usual black anodized aluminum or silver chrome plated brass finishes... But it hasn't. So where is it? From what we understand, Leica is having issues of scale with this lens, namely a similar phenomenon as the trouble with the APO-Summicron-M 50mm f/2 ASPH lens. There also seem to be some design hurdles with machining new barrels out of something other than stainless steel - such as the aluminum and brass usually used. It's coming, but it might take a bit longer.

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Leica
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Rumor

Leica Survives the Digital Shift

Submitted by Double Negative on March 14, 2015 - 8:55am

The Wall Street Journal has a piece called "Leica Survives the Digital Shift" which rehashes a bit of recent Leica history that we're all aware of; the struggle during the latter film years to the new-found niche in digital. Sprinkled with the names of a few famous Leica photographers, mention of a couple of outlandish special editions for shock value and there you have it. Still, an interesting read - and oddly timed, considering The End is Nigh: Leica Edition. Read more below for analysis.

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Leica
Film
Digital
Article

New Summilux-M 50mm f/1.4 ASPH Version?

Submitted by Double Negative on March 13, 2015 - 12:39pm

It's technically not a new version in the sense that the optics are identical to the current Leica Summilux-M 50mm f/1.4 ASPH. What is new is that it's in the style of previous versions - ones that had been made for special MP3 sets, for the LHSA (Leica Historical Society of America) and most recently, the Lenny Kravitz "Correspondent" set. It appears that this lens will be a regularly stocked item (carrying Leica part number 11688) and only finished in black chrome. What's interesting is that there are only a few camera models that are available in black chrome currently; the M Monochrom, for example. In the past, this lens was available in black paint and regular chrome. No word on pricing yet - stay tuned.

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Leica
Lens

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