Digital SLR Camera

 
One of the biggest appeals of Leica cameras is the high-quality Leica glass you can use with them. The lenses – as everybody knows – aren’t cheap, however. To help, perhaps, bolster sales of its Leica M8 digital rangefinder camera, Leica has released a new line of more “affordable” lenses known as the “Summarit-M class.” While the four lenses in the Summarit-M line certainly wouldn’t be mistaken for “budget” models, their sub-$1,500 price tags should put them in reach of more Leica photographers. (Yeah, we know, under $1,500 ain’t exactly a bargain but this is still Leica glass we’re talking about here.)

The lenses include the Leica Summarit-M 35mm f/2.5 ($1,495), Leica Summarit-M 50mm f/2.5 ($1,195), Leica Summarit-M 75mm f/2.5 ($1,495), and Leica Summarit-M 90mm f/2.5 ($1,495). All four are spherical and sport the classic black Leica look with the familiar “Leiz-Norm” font and red button on the lens mount. The lenses come with a metal front cap, a lens hood cap and a velour storage pouch. Metal lens hoods are available as accessories.

Leica has said it’s using the launch of the Summarit-M line as part of a new marketing campaign that plays to the Germany company’s long recognized strengths, namely it’s high quality optics. To us, that seems like a very smart idea. Leica’s lenses are hand crafted at the company’s main factory in Solms, Germany and are renowned for their incredible sharpness, rich color, and quality contrast and resolution.

If these more affordable Summarit-M lenses, which will be available in November, live up to the performance of their higher-priced predecessors, these Objects of Desire will definitely be objects Leica users will want to acquire.

Pricing: $1,195-$1,495
By Dan Havlik
Further information: www.leica-camera.com