Leica 35mm f/1.4 Summilux-M Manual Focus Lens (11874)

by Leica

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 2 x 1 x 1 inches ; 1 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B0000AQJ6U
• Item model number: 11874
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: May 2, 2004

Product Description

Leica M Series Lenses Compact, lightweight and covering an optimum range of practical applications, Leica M lenses offer a unique optical performance that has secured them a leading position throughout the world. With focal lengths ranging from 21 to 135mm and speeds of up to f/1.0, these valuable precision lenses are distinguished for their superb imaging performance and long service life. Other features include: Excellent sharpness, high-contrast performance and an extreme resolving power even at full aperture Extremely compact design using lens elements with high refractive indices and low dispersion values Uniform, neutral colour rendition Exceptional freedom from flare due to special Leica multiple coating Long service even in tough, everyday professional use and smooth focusing thanks to the mechanical precision of the metal helical focusing mounts. The focal length makes this an all-round versatile lens - yet its high speed makes it an exceptional lens with ample reserves for any situation. The complex optical design with an aspherical lens surface produces an image quality at full aperture that is unique for compact wide-angle lenses. This lens is available in black anodized or silver chrome finish.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best fast wide angle rangefinder lenses available, July 16, 2005

By 

John Kwok (New York, NY USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Leica 35mm f/1.4 Summilux-M Manual Focus Lens (11874) (Electronics)

The Leica 35mm f1.4 Summilux-M ASPH lens is not only one of the finest fast wide angle rangefinder lenses available, it was also the first of the new generation of Leica M lenses renowned for their optical excellence. Wide open, this lens performs essentially as well as its slower f2 sibling, judging from test reports I have read at Erwin Puts's website and elsewhere. It is the lens favored by most Leica M rangefinder photographers working in low-light conditions. I have found this lens to be amazingly sharp with excellent contrast and resolution; only my 28mm f 2 Summicron-M ASPH lens performs noticeably better. But now, here's the $3,000 question. Is it worth paying this much for such optical excellence? I'll let you the customer decide, but I shall state that I remain a very satisfied user of this lens. However, I will also mention that I bought this lens when it was available for one third its current price brand new.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very good lens, pretty standard use, October 1, 2010

By 

Mehran Farahmand - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Leica 35mm f/1.4 Summilux-M Manual Focus Lens (11874) (Electronics)

I like this lens very much. But seems like I always opt for either my 50mm f1.0 or the 21mm f1.4.
As a general rule, I find 35mm lenses a bit neither here nor there.
Certainly many people still prefer 35mm lens for their general day to day use, and I respect their preference.

Is it worth it? Well, if you get a Leica, you should aim for their top lenses anyways, so the pricing question is rather moot. Leica charges a lot for their lenses because they can.
Only if you want to buy this lens now, you might as well for the latest, improved lens that they came out with a few months ago.

You do not go wrong with either.