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 familiar with this feature, it’s intended to be used with Live View (which means the Leica M upwards, as the earlier M8 and M9 models used CCD, which isn’t particularly suitable for LV). It will, of course, work on the Leica SL mirrorless models, which are a great option for M-lens users. However, the feature is most likely in anticipation of a future Leica M model with a built-in electronic viewfinder.

Test picture showing the common, and edited to taste in C1 Pro — One of the very first test pictures with the Leica M11 Monochrom and new Leica Summilux-M 50mm F1.4 ASPH Close Focus 2023 model and showing the local Common. Edited to lift (brighten) the mid-tones in C1 Pro. Resized to 1200px. ISO 125, 1/90s at F5.6 (from EXIF, but F5.6 is about right from memory).

Although I reviewed it for the super-friendly bunch at Digital Photographer (one of my favourite magazines to work with) and had one when I reviewed the Leica M11 for this site, I don’t have the previous version to conduct side-by-side testing.

No doubt due to the double-cam feature, the new lens looks and feels a little chunkier than its predecessor; it is well-balanced and perhaps even better to handle as a result. The ribbed focusing ring of the old model has gone – there is no grip to speak of now – but the resistance is low anyway, and so smooth it doesn’t need it. A focus tab is included, which I prefer anyway, but understand this will likely be a contentious move for some.

Summilux-M 50mm F1.4 ASPH on a Leica M11 Monochrom — The new Summilux-M 50mm F1.4 ASPH CF 2023 model on a Leica M11 Monochrom

A built-in lens hood is featured on the original, and on the new lens, this appears to be the same push-pull design, complete with guide cams. Extending approximately 1 cm (about a half-inch) in total, it’s not particularly deep, but it locks softly in place and is always readily available (you can’t leave it behind in a drawer). As an aside, I don’t particularly like hoods as they alter the handling adversely (or straps for that matter, as they get in the way), but the built-in hood option is welcome.

In terms of rendering, or drawing style, I don’t see a lot of difference between this and its predecessor, which is a good thing. Perhaps, there’s a slight increase in acutance from better mitigation of flare, but it’s difficult to tell without a side-by-side comparison. Anyway, I like it a lot, but then I also thought its predecessor was the best value proposition for this focal length anyway. If you have a Leica M11, or a Leica SL variant, this new lens is the one to go for.

Silver Birch trees at F2.0 on the Leica Summilux-M 50mm F1.4 ASPH and Leica M11 Monochrom — Silver Birch trees at F1.4* on the new Leica Summilux-M 50mm F1.4 ASPH Close Focus 2023 model and Leica M11 Monochrom. Mildly edited in Capture One Pro. Resized to 1200px. ISO 125, 1/500s at F2.0 (*From EXIF, but from memory, I believe it was F1.4. Leica Ms approximate aperture values, as there’s no electronic data transfer between the lens and camera).

Shadows and highlights. Another test shot of trees, only with greater depth, this time at F4.8 (as EXIF says) on the new Leica Summilux-M 50mm F1.4 ASPH Close Focus 2023 model and Leica M11 Monochrom. Processed (mildly) to taste in Lightroom. Resized to 1600px. ISO 125, 1/250s at F4.8 (likely F5.6).

The review of the outstanding Leica M11 Monochrom(e) with the Leica Summilux-M 50mm F1.4 ASPH Close Focus 2023 model can be read on this site, here.

Check price and availability of the Leica Summilux-M 50mm F1.4 ASPH 11728 at the following stores [affiliate links]:

B&H Photo (US) | Adorama (US) | Leica US (Leica Online Store)

WEX (UK) | Park Cameras (UK) | Leica UK (Leica Online Store)

MBP (secondhand) | KEH (secondhand)

Leica MTF charts for the new Leica Summilux-M 50mm F1.4 ASPH

The data sheet shows MTFs at three aperture settings. The lens has been changed optically from the last version, but only slightly, with changes to the edges of some elements and new glass types.

The differences between the solid and broken lines reveal some astigmatic behaviour (which often imparts some interesting aesthetic), while the dips at around 9-12mm at high spatial resolution (lower curves) are likely the result of some field curvature. That would place it at the top of the frame and in the periphery (zone B, if A is the centre and C the edge of a three-zone system) on the long edge. Note the fall-off at 18mm, which is at the outer edge and corners (Zone C) of a 36x24mm sensor. As 0 is the absolute centre, and the hypotenuse of a full-frame sensor is 43.27mm, the extreme corner performance is shown at 18 to 21mm for what it’s worth. The MTFs show very good performance overall.