Dan Kerin

 Leica 50mm Summilux version 2

Introduced in 1961 and having a long production run until 1991, a total of 43,505 version 2 Summilux’s were produced. Designed by Dr Walter Mandler this lens has stood the test of time, even when used on a digital Leica or converted to a mirrorless camera system. The lens has seven elements in five groups and a 12 bladed aperture diaphragm, allowing this lens to have brilliant bokeh. Being one of Dr Walter Mandlers designs wide open it lacks the sharpness of later lenses designed by Peter Karbe. Erwin Puts writes in the Leica Lens Compendium ‘With quite low contrast at full aperture, this lens can record subject outlines and small details with good visibility. Stopping down two stops markedly improves the on-axis performance, with the outer zones lagging behind significantly. Even in its day it did not set a record performance.’

Having used two of the older 50mm Summicrons it was interesting to see what shooting with the Summilux would be like. The lens is slightly heavier and larger than the Summicrons which is to be expected and having the extra stop does allow for shooting in lower light environments. When developing my film, I was expecting the results to be every similar to my 50mm Summicron V3, I was wrong. The way this lens renders wide open is magical. The out of focus areas melt away while the areas that are in focus remain sharp. Though the Canon 50mm f1.2 offers similar results, the Summilux is far sharper.

Is this lens for you? If you are a 50mm shooting then I would say yes. From having shot with it on a number of occasions having the extra stop has really helped especially when shooting inside. Being designed by Dr Walter Mandler it is not as sharp as the later Summilux’s however I would still choose this one for the way it renders images there is just something special about it.