‘This is the first Leica M lens ever to combine an initial aperture of f/1.4 with the popular 28mm standard focal length,’ the firm confirmed in a statement (see below).
‘This make it ideal, not only for photojournalism but also for architecture and landscapes – and in all lighting situations.’
Leica adds that its 440g weight makes the lens ideal for travel or reportage assignments.
‘The optical system features a floating element to guarantee constantly high imaging performance at close focusing distances,’ added Leica.
The newcomer will cost £3,975.
Featuring 10 elements in 7 groups, the Leica Summilux-M 28mm f/1.4 ASPH is due to go on sale in June.
Press release
LEICA SUMMILUX-M 28 mm f/1.4 ASPH.
A new milestone in the world of high-speed wide-angle lenses
With the Leica Summilux-M 28 mm f/1.4 ASPH., Leica Camera expands the lens portfolio of the Leica M-System with a new high-speed wide-angle lens. This is the first Leica M lens ever to combine an initial aperture of f/1.4 with the popular 28 mm standard focal length. This makes it ideal not only for photojournalism, but also for architecture and landscapes and in all lighting situations. The fast initial aperture in this class of focal lengths enables unparalleled imaging effects. Thanks to its extreme sharpness in the plane of focus and very shallow depth of field, subjects can be isolated from their surroundings with crystal clarity to create images with an unmistakeable visual signature.
The Leica Summilux-M 28 mm f/1.4 ASPH. offers exceptional imaging performance over the entire focusing range, outstanding contrast rendition in even the finest structures, and excellent reproduction of details across the whole image field. The optical system features a floating element to guarantee constantly high imaging performance at close focusing distances. The lens group behind the diaphragm is designed as a floating element that changes its position relative to the front group during focusing. Three cemented elements and seven lenses with anomalous partial dispersions guarantee the extremely effective colour correction of the lens. Contrast gradation is uniform and consistent from infinity to the minimum focusing distance and is maintained with almost no loss of performance across the entire image field.
The optical construction of the Leica Summilux-M 28 mm f/1.4 ASPH. features ten lenses, one of which is aspherical with curvature that deviates from the typical spherical form and contributes significantly to the very compact size of the lens. All this plus its low weight of only 440 grams make this lens an ideal choice for a light travelling outfit or reportage assignments.
As is the case for all other Leica lenses, the Leica Summilux-M 28 mm f/1.4 ASPH. was designed and developed by Leica optical specialists in Wetzlar and represents the perfect combination of optical and technical expertise. As a particularly reliable product ‘made in Germany’ and with enduring value, the Leica Summilux-M 28 mm f/1.4 ASPH. is manufactured from only the best materials and is assembled in an elaborate process completely by hand. The combination of cutting-edge technologies and painstaking manufacturing procedures guarantees the consistently excellent quality of every single Leica lens.
The Leica Summilux-M 28 mm f/1.4 ASPH. is supplied complete with an all-metal lens hood. The hood not only protects the lens effectively against reduction of contrast by extraneous light but also against damage and the accumulation of dirt on the front lens element.
The black anodised Leica Summilux-M 28 mm f/1.4 ASPH. will be available from authorised Leica distributors from early June 2015.
