The optical structure of the LEICA SUMMILUX-M 50mm f/1.4 ASPH. consists of eight lenses in 5 groups. Glass with anomalous partial dispersion (elements 2/3) was used to ensure correct color rendition.
• Lens element 2 is made of a fluorite-type glass while lens element 3 is made from glass originating from the former Leitz glass laboratory. Lens element 4 has an aspherical surface. Lens elements 1, 6 and 7 are made of glass with a very high refractive index to minimize monochromatic aberrations.
In all every innovation currently available in lens technology - aspherical lenses, glass with anomalous partial dispersion (APO), glass with a high refraction index and a floating element - has been combined to create a lens that will set new imaging standards.
This is the first Leica M lens with a specifically patented 'floating element' used to maintain imaging performance at a very high level even in close-focus ranges down to 0.7m.
• During focusing, the rear most optical component (elements 7/8) moves relative to the rest of the optical system and produces brilliant image quality in near focus ranges.
To maximize the benefits of the 'floating element' an extremely precise adjusting mechanism has also been utilized that had to fit into the restricted space inside this compact M-lens
At full aperture, the LEICA SUMMILUX-M 50mm f/1.4 ASPH. offers high contrast rendering even for the finest structures. This performance can only be raised slightly by stopping down. Another notable feature of this lens is that it is virtually distortion-free.
The normal vignetting for such high-speed lenses at full aperture is strongly reduced by stopping down slightly. Furthermore, the use of the most advanced coating technology ensures a high degree of anti-glare.
The LEICA SUMMILUX-M 50mm f/1.4 ASPH. also offers special features in terms of its handling: The built-in lens hood not only provides protection against stray light and dust, it can also be locked in the extended position to guard against accidental retracting.
In addition to the familiar knurled ring, the lens is equipped with a finger grip that allows easy focusing using one finger. The balanced proportions of the lens also provide comfortable usage for longer periods of time.
6-bit lens identification code
The digital Leica M writes the lens data it reads off the code to the EXIF file and utilizes this information to process the image data for optimal image quality. In the digital Leica M, this allows compensation of system-immanent vignetting customized according to the lens attached. Therefore, when using the digital Leica M, this feature results in even a slight improvement of the accustomed high image quality produced by Leica M lenses.
In flash mode, the output of the pre-flash is determined by the focal length information supplied by the 6-bit code.
