No photo available for this lens
Production
2004 – 2023
Country
-
Optical
8 elements in 5 groups, with two aspherical and floating elements
Updated
Feb 15, 2026
Leica Summilux-M 50mm f/1.4 (pre-ASPH)
Leica M
Overview
The Leica Summilux-M 50mm f/1.4 pre-ASPH represents Leica's fast fifty before aspherical elements arrived. Multiple versions exist — the pre-ASPH models have character the clinical ASPH versions lack. Dreamy wide open, sharp stopped down. The romantic's Leica.
Verdict: The romantic's fast fifty. The pre-ASPH Summilux delivers character and glow that clinical modern lenses can't replicate. If you want perfection, get the ASPH. If you want soul, get this.
Optical Character
Sharpness wide open
The lens was designed for film cameras 20 years ago, so its optical performance should be considered in that context. It is sharp wide open and very good stopped down.
Vignetting
The lens exhibits moderate vignetting wide open.
Community Insights
What people love
- The 'glow' at f/1.4
- Romantic rendering
- Character over clinical
- Classic Leica build
- Beautiful bokeh
What people dislike
- Not sharp wide open (by modern standards)
- Expensive
- ASPH version is 'better' technically
- Flare wide open
Pro Tips
- The 'flaws' are features for many
- f/2 is the sweet spot
- Compare pre-ASPH to ASPH — different lenses
- Black paint versions are collector items
Sources (4)
phillip_reeve-
https://phillipreeve.net/blog/review-leica-50mm-1-4-summilux-m-asph/
unknown-
https://www.macfilos.com/2025/02/20/long-term-review-the-new-leica-summilux-m-50-f-1-4-classic-line/
unknown-
https://www.stevehuffphoto.com/the-leica-50-summliux-f1-4-asph-lens-review/
Lens Heritage 2nd JSONsecondary
The Leica Summilux-M 50mm f/1.4 pre-ASPH represents Leica's fast fifty before aspherical elements arrived. Multiple versions exist — the pre-ASPH models have character the clinical ASPH versions lack. Dreamy wide open, sharp stopped down. The romantic's Leica.