Leica Summilux-M 50mm F1.4 ASPH Close Focus 2023 model: First impressions

The new Leica Summilux-M 50mm F1.4 ASPH Close Focus 2023 (11728) model follows the recent update to the Summilux-M 35mm F1.4 ASPH CF last year and adopts the built-in rangefinder decoupling or "double-cam" feature for the focus ring. This enables focusing down to 0.45m from the usual 0.7m - the former is the typical minimum focus of DSLR/mirrorless lenses of this focal length (50mm). The double-cam feature was first introduced on the Leica Summilux 35mm F2.0 APO and was quite stiff on the model I tried. To disengage rangefinder focusing, you push the focus ring through some slight resistance at the minimum focus distance marked at 0.7m in orange-coloured paint - the shorter distance scale on the barrel is painted in grey to differentiate the two. The operation is much smoother on the new Summilux-M 50mm F1.4 ASPH CF, but that's difficult to say if it's down to the design without trying others. Barrel extension roughly doubles, but that is to be expected. If you're not fam