* Item pictured for illustrative purposes only, actual item not pictured. See ‘Notes’ next to grade for included items.
Leica 50mm f/1.4 Summilux-M ASPH. M-Mount Lens with Built-In Hood, Germany, Black {E46} 11891
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$3,190.00
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KEH Certified™ pre-owned gear, expertly inspected†
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All rental gear is between Excellent and Like New Minus condition
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Standard accessories included
Leica 50mm f/1.4 Summilux-M ASPH: the rangefinder standard-bearer.
The Summilux-M 50mm f/1.4 ASPH is the lens Leica M shooters eventually arrive at. The aspherical optical design resolves the field curvature and spherical aberration that plagued earlier 50mm fast primes, and at f/1.4 you get genuine low-light capability without sacrificing the rendering character that makes M glass worth the commitment. It's manual focus only, which on a rangefinder is the point, the coupling precision of the M mount makes manual focus faster and more reliable than it sounds to anyone accustomed to autofocus systems.
Built in Germany to the tolerances Leica's production line has maintained for decades, the lens ships with a built-in hood that retracts cleanly and accepts 46mm filters when extended. The black finish reads discreet on the street and pairs cleanly with any M body. At 50mm on a full-frame M sensor, the angle of view matches roughly what the human eye isolates in a scene, which is why this focal length has anchored documentary and street photography for generations.
On mirrorless systems via adapter, the Summilux-M 50mm f/1.4 ASPH works natively on L-Mount bodies and adapts to Sony E, Nikon Z, and Canon RF mounts. Focus peaking and magnified live view on those systems make critical focus at f/1.4 achievable in practice, not just in theory. For shooters who want a 50mm that holds its value and produces results distinguishable from modern clinical renderers, this lens has a proven track record that no firmware update will change.
Who It's For
Street and documentary photographers shooting on Leica M bodies get the most direct benefit, the built-in hood keeps the lens compact during long carry days, and f/1.4 handles available light in cafes, galleries, and dim public spaces without flash. Portrait shooters adapting to Sony E or L-Mount bodies can use focus peaking to work at maximum aperture, where the ASPH design produces subject separation without the swirling distortion of older fast fifties. Travel photographers who want one lens for an entire trip will find 50mm forces compositional discipline while covering everything from environmental portraits to architecture. Film photographers transitioning to digital M bodies will recognize the handling immediately.
Key Features
- 50mm fixed focal length with f/1.4 maximum aperture
- Aspherical optical design corrects field curvature and spherical aberration
- Manual focus coupled to Leica M rangefinder
- Built-in retractable hood with 46mm filter thread
- German-manufactured construction to Leica tolerances
- Leica M mount with native L-Mount compatibility, adapter-ready for E/Z/RF
- Black finish discreet for street and documentary work
FAQ
- Does the Summilux-M 50mm f/1.4 ASPH work on mirrorless cameras?
- Yes. It mounts natively on L-Mount bodies and adapts to Sony E, Canon RF, and Nikon Z mounts. Focus peaking and magnified live view on mirrorless systems make critical focus at f/1.4 practical, unlike on film bodies where depth of field demands precision.
- What's the difference between this lens and older Summilux 50mm designs?
- The aspherical optical design eliminates field curvature and spherical aberration that earlier 50mm fast primes couldn't correct. At f/1.4, you get the low-light performance without the rendering artifacts previous designs carried across the frame.
- Is manual focus a limitation on a rangefinder?
- No. The M mount's mechanical coupling between rangefinder and focus helicoid makes manual focus faster and more reliable than autofocus in practice. On rangefinders, it's the intended workflow, not a workaround.
- What filter size does the lens accept?
- The built-in hood retracts cleanly and the lens accepts 46mm filters when extended. The E46 thread is standard across Leica's modern M lens lineup.
- How does the 50mm focal length translate to shooting style?
- At 50mm on full-frame M bodies, the angle of view matches roughly what the human eye naturally isolates in a scene. This is why the focal length anchored documentary and street photography for generations.
- Will adapter performance degrade image quality on mirrorless?
- Optical adapters for M-to-mirrorless mounts are optically transparent. Image quality depends on the mirrorless body's sensor and processor, not the adapter itself. The lens delivers identical optical performance regardless of mount.
- Does the black finish affect performance?
- The black finish is aesthetic and functional for street work where discreet gear blends into the environment. Optically, it makes no difference to the lens's rendering or color reproduction.
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Focal Length | 50mm |
| Max Aperture | 1.4 |
| Mount | Leica M |
This description was generated using AI based on KEH's internal product standards, product expertise, and knowing what customers care about most. While we strive for accuracy, details may vary by individual item.
| Brand Name | Leica |
|---|---|
| Filter Size | 46mm |
| Focus Type | Manual focus (only) |
| Lens Mount | Leica M |
| Lens Type | Standard / Normal |
| Max Focal Length | 50mm |
| Min Focal Length | 50mm |
Learn what to expect from each condition, cosmetically. Images are representative of each grade and may not show the exact item you receive. All equipment is guaranteed to work as intended, unless otherwise noted. We also occasionally offer items that fall .
Exceptions
- New
- New in box complete with manufacturer's USA warranty. Not previously owned or used.
- Like New
- Essentially new with no signs of use. “Open box.” In manufacturer's packaging with original accessories and instructions. 180-day warranty.
- As Is
- Non-functional or damaged. Equipment will not work. Usable for parts. Not covered under KEH warranty and non-returnable.
Like New Minus
Like New Minus
Barely used with virtually no traces of wear. Only the closest inspections will reveal slight use. Lens glass could contain light dust or debris. Excellent picture quality. Accessories usually not included, unless noted in listing. 180-day warranty.
Excellent Plus
Excellent Plus
Lightly used with limited signs of wear. Exceptionally nice but may have slight wear on finish visible. Lens glass could contain light dust or debris. Excellent picture quality. Accessories usually not included, unless noted in listing. 180-day warranty.
Excellent
Excellent
Noticeably used with average signs of wear. Shows moderate wear for the age of the item, with the possibility of blemishes and/or minimal dings. Lens glass may have average dust and zoom/focus ring tension may have slight looseness or tightness overall, but will not affect picture quality. Accessories usually not included, unless noted in listing. 180-day warranty.
Bargain
Bargain
Frequently used with above-average wear. May have dents, dings, or finish loss. Lens glass may have small scratches, dust, and blemishes, and zoom/focus ring tension may have moderate looseness or tightness overall, but should not affect picture quality. Accessories usually not included, unless noted in listing. 180-day warranty.
Ugly
Ugly
Heavily used with extensive visible wear. Equipment is rough, with multiple impressions in the finish, excessive finish loss and brassing. Glass will have marks, fungus and/or heavy/cloudy haze which could affect picture quality. Accessories usually not included, unless noted in listing. Not covered under KEH warranty.
