Summilux M 1.4/35mm chrome

The Leitz Canada 35mm Summilux f/1.4 lens was introduced in Germany at the Photokina fair (the annual world's largest trade fair for the photographic and imaging industries) in 1960. It was the first wide-angle Leica lens with f/1.4 aperture. In the first version, the lens front mount is designed in the form of a quite heavy stainless steel rim which could accommodate the special OLLUX sunshade.

Two versions of that lens were launched at the same time: a regular (M2) type as well as a model with incorporated optical viewing unit that enlarged the 50 mm brightline finder image of the Leica M3. Of the second one, by far a larger proportion seems to have been produced. The M2 type can easily be used on any later Leica M camera, which all are equipped with a built-in wide-angle finder and 35 mm frameline. In 1966 the lens mount was redesigned with a regular A42 front mount.

The steel rim M2 type Summilux is a classic collectible. Recently quite a trend also seems to have developed for using particularly this rare first version of the lens with modern Leica M cameras, although Leitz never announced a change in optical design, until the lens was discontinued as late as 1992.

Photo credit: © WestLicht Photographica Auction