Leica has finally released the $12,995 Summilux-M 90mm f/1.5 ASPH lens
Dec 12, 2019
John Aldred
John Aldred is a photographer with over 25 years of experience in the portrait and commercial worlds. He is based in Scotland and has been an early adopter – and occasional beta tester – of almost every digital imaging technology in that time. As well as his creative visual work, John uses 3D printing, electronics and programming to create his own photography and filmmaking tools and consults for a number of brands across the industry.
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It’s been a long while since the Leica Summilux 90mm f/1.5 ASPH lens was first rumoured way back in 2017. Finally, last week, things looked a little promising as a few images of the lens had been leaked. But with the serial number of the lens shown falling into 26 known lenses that had been published in the Leica Pocket Guide (1953-2018) nobody was quite sure if it was actually coming soon.
Today, though, it’s official. Leica has now announced the new Leica Summilux 90mm f/1.5 ASPH lens. The fast long prime is designed primarily for shooting portraits with a very shallow depth of field. But it s not cheap, by any stretch of the imagination, coming in at a hair under $13,000.
It’s a Leica M mount lens not L Mount, so if you were hoping to be using this on your Panasonic S1, S1R, S1H or Sigma fp, then you’re out of luck. But at almost 13 grand, if you’re shooting one of those cameras, then it probably wasn’t high up on your shopping list anyway, even if it had been L mount.
| Focal Length | 90mm |
| Maximum Aperture | f/1.5 |
| Minimum Aperture | f/16 |
| Lens Mount | Leica M |
| Format Compatibility | Full-Frame |
| Angle of View | 23° |
| Maximum Magnification | 1:8.8 |
| Minimum Focus Distance | 1 metre |
| Optical Design | 8 Elements in 6 Groups |
| Diaphragm Blades | 11 |
| Focus Type | Manual Focus |
| Image Stabilization | No |
| Filter Size | 67mm |
| Dimensions (ø x L) | 74 x 91mm (without lens hood) |
| Weight | 1,010 g |
Included with the lens are a metal lens cap, a clip-on lens cap, a rear lens cap and a soft leather lens case. Two of the elements are aspherical and made of “specialised glass types” – beyond which Leica hasn’t said anything, really. They do say that it offers “a new level of sharpness” and that this is the first Summilux lens with a 90mm focal length.
If you happen to have 13 grand burning a hole in your pocket, the Leica Summilux 90mm f/1.5 ASPH lens is available pre-order now for $12,995 and will start shipping soon.
John Aldred
John Aldred is a photographer with over 25 years of experience in the portrait and commercial worlds. He is based in Scotland and has been an early adopter – and occasional beta tester – of almost every digital imaging technology in that time. As well as his creative visual work, John uses 3D printing, electronics and programming to create his own photography and filmmaking tools and consults for a number of brands across the industry.
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13 responses to “Leica has finally released the $12,995 Summilux-M 90mm f/1.5 ASPH lens”
oh dear lord !
69k $ for mac, 12k for this lens.. hmm ?
Inferior lens, inferior price ;)
Tim, based on?
Based on official MTF, it is inferior than Otus 85/1.4 by large margin. It can be expected since it is only an 8 element design. If it were compared to Otus 100/1.4, that’s day and night… Leica lenses are very good, but their current pricing is crazy.
It’s a new Leica lens…
Tim, ?
Created for people with more money than sense. There are a few of them about, so they will sell some
Paul, what a clever expression! Did you come up with that yourself using that superior budget-friendly brain?
GGuuillaume, lol you started it!
Vibranium?
The barrel coating is made from unobtanium and the lenses are coated with unicorn tears in a chamber filled with mermaid farts. Just remember you read it here first!
Holy smokes! :O