Leica 35 Summilux Asph 2022 Close Focus

Photo by Jono Slack

Introduction

I've been shooting with the new 35 Summilux since February, but I wasn't aware of the launch date until the day before we came to Crete. So I've been shooting the M11 with the 35 Summilux almost exclusively since we arrived; we've become the best of friends. Mostly just using the rangefinder (with Live view for the odd close up shot) but sometimes with the EVF. It's a little like shooting a 35mm Q2 on steroids! However, the upshot of this is that quite a lot of this article has been written on an iPhone mini whilst sitting on the beach. At any rate, here are my thoughts on the new lens; this is rather a work in progress, so please revisit for more thoughts and pictures later in the week!

Since the early days of 35mm images, photographers have been divided as to whether 35mm or 50mm is the real 'standard lens'. Of course there isn't a proper answer, it depends on what you shoot and your personal preference.

What certainly is the case is that since the arrival of the first Summilux lens in 1959 (the 5cm Summilux in 1959) the Leica Summilux has been the workhorse lens for photographers around the world. The first 35mm Summilux arrived in 1961 (the 'steel rim') and is still a lens prized by collectors and photographers alike.

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