Leica reimagines its famous Summilux 35mm f/1.4 ASPH lens

Leica Summilux-M 35 f/1.4 ASPH redesign
(Image credit: Leica)

The history of Leica producing lenses dates back more than 150 years and tells of innovative engineering, uncompromising precision work, and offering incredible image quality. It is a story about legendary tools, which photographers rank among the best in the world. 

This applies especially to Leica M lenses, and now the most versatile among them has been redesigned and refined to provide even more flexibility for creativity for those out in the field: the new Leica Summilux-M 35 f/1.4 ASPH is born.

Pre-order the Black variant at B&H (US)
Pre-order the Silver variant at B&H (US)

Pre-order the Black variant at Wex (UK)
Pre-order the Silver variant at Wex (UK)

In this new design, eleven instead of nine aperture blades are used for a visibly improved bokeh and the closest focusing distance has been reduced from 70 to 40 centimeters. This is made possible by a patent-pending double-cam unit newly developed by Leica engineers which allow the rotation angle of the focus ring to almost double to 176° in comparison to the previous model – with the same compact size of the lens. 

This ensures reliable, precise focusing over the entire setting range. Up to 70 centimeters, this works, as usual, via the range-finder of all digital and analog M cameras. After a slightly perceptible resistance, the extended close-up range between 70 and 40 centimeters is focusable via Live View on the screen, Visoflex viewfinder, or Leica FOTOS app - sorry older digital or analog Leica users, this new lens ability is only for those with an M240 and up.

The lens' industrial design has been brought up to date with almost unchanged dimensions – the new Summilux-M 35 f/1.4 ASPH is only 2 millimetres shorter, while 2 millimetres have been added to the diameter. As with the Summilux-M 50 f/1.4 ASPH., the lens hood is now round and directly integrated into the lens and can easily be screwed in and unscrewed at any time; allowing for even faster and more flexible handling, and for even more design freedom when taking photos. 

Two colour variants (black and silver) of the new Leica Summilux-M 35 f/1.4 ASPH are available globally at all Leica Stores, the Leica Online Store and authorised dealers. 

The retail price of the black variant will be $5,395 / £4,950.00 including VAT and the retail price of the silver variant will be $5,595 / £5,100.00 including VAT.

Pre-order the Black variant at B&H (US)
Pre-order the Silver variant at B&H (US)

Pre-order the Black variant at Wex (UK)
Pre-order the Silver variant at Wex (UK)

Check out our Leica M11 review and Leica M-A review. You might also like to see out buying guide for the best Leica camera.

Sebastian Oakley
Ecommerce Editor

For nearly two decades Sebastian's work has been published internationally. Originally specializing in Equestrianism, his visuals have been used by the leading names in the equestrian industry such as The Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI), The Jockey Club, Horse & Hound, and many more for various advertising campaigns, books, and pre/post-event highlights.

He is a Fellow of The Royal Society of Arts, holds a Foundation Degree in Equitation Science, and is a Master of Arts in Publishing.  He is a member of Nikon NPS and has been a Nikon user since the film days using a Nikon F5 and saw the digital transition with Nikon's D series cameras and is still to this day the youngest member to be elected into BEWA, The British Equestrian Writers' Association. 

He is familiar with and shows great interest in street, medium, and large format photography with products by Leica, Phase One, Hasselblad, Alpa, and Sinar. Sebastian has also used many cinema cameras from the likes of Sony, RED, ARRI, and everything in between. He now spends his spare time using his trusted Leica M-E or Leica M2 shooting Street photography or general life as he sees it, usually in Black and White.