Leica 50mm f/2 Summicron-M (Type 5) M-Mount Lens with Built-In Hood, Germany, Chrome {E39} 11816

The 50mm Summicron-M: Leica's most enduring standard lens.

The Summicron 50mm f/2 is the lens Leica has built its reputation around. Made in Germany, finished in chrome, and fitted with a built-in hood that tucks away cleanly when not in use, this is a lens designed without compromise on the physical side. The E39 filter thread keeps the front element compact, contributing to the slim profile that makes this lens disappear on a M body. At f/2, there's enough light-gathering for available-light work without the bulk that faster glass demands.

This is a Leica M mount lens, which means it pairs with M-series rangefinders going back decades and forward through the M10 and M11 generation. The chrome finish isn't cosmetic theater, it matches the silver body variants that many shooters prefer and ages into a patina that black paint never achieves. For anyone shooting Leica seriously, the 50mm Summicron is less a choice than a fixture.

Who It's For

Street photographers working available-light scenes at f/2 get a lens that won't attract attention and handles dim storefronts or lit interiors without flash. Travel photographers who want one lens on a M body will find 50mm a workable field of view across most situations. Collectors and long-term Leica shooters drawn to the chrome finish will appreciate a body-matched aesthetic on silver M cameras. Documentary photographers who need reliability over years of continuous use get German manufacturing and a mechanical build that holds up.

Key Features

• Leica M mount, compatible with M-series rangefinders past and present
• 50mm focal length, f/2 maximum aperture for available-light rangefinder work
• E39 filter thread keeps front element compact and slim
• Built-in hood retracts into barrel, protects glass without added bulk
• Chrome finish, hand-assembled in Germany
• Optical design proven across decades of production

FAQ

What's the difference between the Summicron 50mm f/2 and faster 50mm lenses?

The f/2 aperture is a deliberate design choice-it delivers enough light for available-light rangefinder work without the size and weight penalty of f/1.4 glass. You're trading maximum speed for a lens that actually feels proportional on an M body.

Does the built-in hood stay on permanently?

No. The hood retracts into the barrel when you're not using it, keeping the overall profile compact and protecting the front element without adding bulk to your bag.

Which Leica M bodies does this lens work with?

It's M mount, so it pairs with any M-series rangefinder from the original M3 forward through the current M10 and M11 generation. No adapter needed.

Why does a standard 50mm lens cost this much?

Leica M lenses are hand-assembled in Germany and calibrated to work with the rangefinder patch and close-focus mechanics of M bodies. The Summicron has been in production for decades because the design doesn't need reinvention-it works.

Is the chrome finish practical, or just aesthetic?

It's both. Chrome matches the silver M bodies that many shooters prefer and develops a natural patina over years of use. Black paint lenses don't age the same way-chrome actually looks better after a decade of work.

What filter size do I need for this lens?

E39. It's a compact thread size that keeps the front element small and contributes to the slim profile that makes this lens pair so well with rangefinder cameras.

Can I use this lens on digital M bodies?

Yes. The Summicron-M works on M9, M10, M11, and other digital M bodies. Rangefinder focusing is fully functional, and the lens renders consistently across both film and digital.