Leica 50mm F/2 APO-Summicron-M ASPH

The Leica 50mm f/2 APO-Summicron-M ASPH is a normal-range lens designed for Leica M-mount cameras. Key features include:

• The highest possible image quality

• Excellent edge-to-edge sharpness and contrast

• Smooth, full-time manual focusing

• Advanced optical design

Exceptional Image Quality. The Leica 50mm f/2 APO-Summicron-M ASPH offers the highest possible image quality. Wide open at f/2, there’s slight vignetting in the extreme corners, but you can eliminate vignetting by stopping down to f/2.8. It has almost imperceptibly low distortion (0.4% pincushion) and offers excellent contrast rendition at all focus distances, thanks to its floating-element lens design.

Advanced Optical Design. This lens’s excellent resolving power across the image plane makes it unique. By f/5.6, both tangential and sagittal lines of MTF testing are flatlined, which signifies absolute edge-to-edge image sharpness and contrast. Three apochromatic glass elements provide a common focus plane for three light wavelengths, effectively eliminating chromatic aberration. Two high refractive index elements further improve light transmission. Its Gaussian-type optical formula features an aspherical surface element in the first position of the floating rear group, eliminating spherical aberration and producing its superb flat image field.

High-Quality Build. This lens’s 6-bit coding allows the camera to apply optional “final-stage” software-based vignetting correction. The built-in, retractable lens hood provides protection from lens flare, and the front of the lens barrel is threaded to accept 39mm filters. For situations where you require the highest possible image quality, the 50mm f/2 APO-Summicron-M ASPH is unbeatable.

Experience: Weekend rentals.

Take: This is easily one of the most optically perfect lenses I’ve used in my entire life, if not THE best. Zero barrel distortion, clinical sharpness from wide open t…

Experience: Weekend rentals.

Take: This is easily one of the most optically perfect lenses I’ve used in my entire life, if not THE best. Zero barrel distortion, clinical sharpness from wide open to completely stopped down, and it’s absolutely tiny. If you’re looking for the epitome of image quality, then this is the lens for you. If you’re a casual user who really enjoys a 50mm lens, isn’t looking too spend that much, and still wants outstanding image quality, the “regular” or the will be right up your alley. I almost can’t spot the differences unless I’m pixel peeping (I never do this), so I’d suggest the latter two lenses for most people.