subject: All About The Leica Lens [print this page] Leica lens are made in Solms near Wetzler Germany and have been for many years. They are precision optics using high quality techniques and technologies that deliver only the best quality for your images. Offering the first 35mm camera with a super fast 1/1000 second shutter speed they have been the leader in camera lenses. It was the third generation camera after the original daguerreotype was invented in 1839.
In the digital world the life cycle of a digital camera is about two years. With each new camera there are added features and increased megapixel resolution. Enhancement of image quality and depth of field can be seen. The Vario-Summicron Leica lens offers the effect of softer focus in the digital camera.
Image stabilization helps to cut down on camera shaking caused by the weight of the lens and the natural shaking of the hands. The Vario Summicron can assist is stabilizing your photographs and enhancing auto-focus. Ghosting effects are eliminated in bright lighting. Wide angle shots can be done in f2.0 as well as telephoto shots with f2.4. The multi-coated lens reduce glare and eliminates image fogging. The addition of anti-reflective coatings eliminate this problem due to corrosive damage to the glass components used that absorbed moisture.
In the film world the f2.0 was announced in 1933 as the first Leica lens. Known as the 2/50 Summar lens, it's best results are between the f3.4 and 6.3 range giving sharp contrast in color but very little detail in shadows. It's lens is considered warm to neutral.
In 1939 the 2/50 Summitar lens was released. It came in coated an uncoated versions and its best results are in the f2.0 to f4.0/4.5 range. It has sharper contrast than the 2/50 Summar and is similar to the 2/50 Summicron. With a rich color rendition in lower light the color changes to a transparent water color like effect. There are some shadow details. It is considered a cold lens.
The 2/50 coll Summicron was released in 1953 and has 2 to 3 versions. This lens has a yellow cast with some of them showing blue that rubbed off after a time with repeated cleaning. The third option has a mirror like reflection. Best results are between f2 and f5.6. Color is saturated and shows a softer sharpness in contrast. It is a warm to neutral lens.
The Rigid Chrome M Summicron came into being in 1956. It has two coatings in grey and the second in blue to a blue violet. Best results are from f2 to f8. It is a sharp contrast. Color and grey tone are rich especially in daylight. It does very well in stormy conditions and is considered a cold low to middle contrast lens.
Made by hand in Leica's factory in Germany, the Leica lens represents many years of optic and precision mechanics. Known the world over by amateur and professional photographers these lenses give digital cameras the warm of a film camera. You can be assured that your Leica lens is made with the highest of standards. Use a soft cloth when cleaning to avoid scratching, especially if you are using one of the older types of lenses on your camera.
