Leica 50mm f/2 APO-Summicron-M ASPH. (Type 6) M-Mount Lens, Silver Anodized, 6-Bit {E39} 11142

Leica's apochromatic 50mm: color fidelity taken to its logical conclusion.

The APO-Summicron-M 50mm f/2 ASPH. is one of the most precisely corrected lenses Leica has ever produced for the M system. The apochromatic design brings all three primary wavelengths of light to a common focal plane, eliminating the chromatic fringing that plagues conventional 50mm designs at f/2. Pair that with an aspherical element, and the result is a lens that holds its rendering quality wide open in a way that most standard lenses only achieve stopped down two or three stops.

The 6-bit coding communicates directly with Leica M digital bodies, enabling automatic lens profile correction for vignetting and distortion without manual input. The E39 filter thread is compact and clean, fitting the slim profile expected of a rangefinder lens. Silver anodized finish matches the classic chrome M bodies and holds up over decades of use the way anodized aluminum always does.

This is a lens that photographers buy once and keep. At f/2 with apochromatic correction, you are getting a technical standard that very few 50mm lenses at any price reach.

Who It's For

Street photographers shooting Leica M digital bodies will get the most from the 6-bit coding and the wide-open rendering at f/2 in mixed, uncontrolled light. Portrait photographers working with M10 or M11 bodies benefit directly from the apochromatic correction, which keeps skin tones clean and shadow transitions free of color fringing. Travel photographers who want a single, compact prime that performs without compromise across varied lighting conditions will find the E39 form factor and silver finish suit both the camera and the context.

Key Features

• APO design eliminates chromatic fringing at f/2
• Aspherical element corrects spherical aberration throughout frame
• 6-bit coding enables automatic profile correction on M digital bodies
• E39 filter thread keeps profile compact and rangefinder-appropriate
• Silver anodized finish pairs with classic M bodies
• Optical standard rare for 50mm lenses at maximum aperture

FAQ

What does apochromatic correction actually do?

It brings all three primary wavelengths of light to the same focal plane, eliminating chromatic fringing at wide apertures. Most 50mm lenses need to be stopped down two or three stops to control this; the APO-Summicron reaches that color fidelity wide open at f/2.

Will this lens work with my Leica M digital body?

Yes. The 6-bit coding communicates directly with Leica M digital cameras, enabling automatic lens profile correction for vignetting and distortion without manual setup.

How does the aspherical element improve performance?

It corrects spherical aberration, allowing the lens to hold its rendering quality and sharpness across the frame at f/2 instead of requiring stopping down to maintain edge definition.

What filter size does this lens take?

E39 thread. It's compact and pairs cleanly with the slim profile of a rangefinder lens.

Is the silver anodized finish durable?

Yes. Anodized aluminum holds up over decades of use and matches the classic chrome finish of M system bodies without introducing mismatched materials.

How does this compare to standard 50mm rangefinder lenses?

At f/2, this lens reaches color and optical correction standards that most standard 50mm designs only achieve when stopped down several stops. The combination of apochromatic and aspherical design is rare at this aperture.

Is this a lens built to last?

It's built to be kept. Photographers buy this lens once because the optical and mechanical standards mean it doesn't need replacement.