Leica Summilux-M 50mm f/1.4 ASPH Lens Safari Edition

Leica Summilux-M 50mm f/1.4 ASPH Lens Safari Edition Summary

The Leica Summilux-M 50mm f/1.4 ASPH Safari Edition offers the same optical performance and close-focus capability as the regular black Summilux-M 50mm f/1.4 ASPH lens, but with a distinctive olive green finish that ties into Leica’s longstanding Safari theme.

The matt olive-green exterior of the lens barrel is perfect match for the Leica M11-P Safari, and has a silver-chrome brass focus tab and contrasting red and white scales. This provides photographers with a unique version of one of Leica’s most appreciated M lenses.

It is complemented by Safari versions of the Summilux-M 35mm f/1.4 ASPH and the Summicron-M 28mm f/2 ASPH, with al three matching the colour of the Leica M11-P Safari camera.

The lens optical design features aspherical and floating elements, which render high sharpness, contrast and consistent performance even wide open at the maximum f/1.4 aperture. A shorter close minimum focus distance enables focusing down to 45cm, which provides a different experience compared with M lenses that stop at 70cm. Focusing between 70cm down to 45cm is supported through a secondary helicoid, which delivers smoother transitions.

50mm is an extremely popular prime lens focal width due to being so versatile and well suited to everyday photography with the ability to capture anything from portraits and street, to travel, landscapes and other everyday genres. The contact size of the lens also complements the M body as a portable and discrete option.

Leica Summilux-M 50mm f/1.4 ASPH Lens Safari Edition Key Features

• Matt olive-green Safari finish
• Identical optics to the regular Summilux-M 50
• 45.4 ° Diagonal angle of view
• Closer working range of 0.45 m through to infinity
• Integrated lens hood
• Number of lenses/groups: 8/5
• 59.3 mm long
• E46 filter thread
• Made in Germany

Leica Summilux-M 50mm f/1.4 ASPH Lens Safari Edition in More Detail

What does ‘Summilux’ mean?

Summilux lenses have been made since the late 1950s, and the word comes from the Latin words summi and lux, which mean “maximum light.” Any Leica lens with an f/1.4 aperture is denoted as Summilux, but it carries more weight than that because Summilux lenses also feature a recognisable look.

They are made by hand in Germany and provide high sharpness with clean rendering, while providing gentle falloff between the subject and the background. The combination of speed and character is why many photographers choose this range today, and it is also why Leica produces so few variations on each design. The Safari Edition has an olive-green finish on the exterior, but all of the range’s characteristics on the interior.

How does the optical design affect image quality?

With identical optics, this version of the lens performs just like the standard black version. Aspherical and floating elements render good results even wide open at f/1.4, and there is consistent sharpness across the frame.

Contrast and colour rendering are also the same, and the lens renders fine details with smooth separation between the subject and background.

Is the 45cm close-focus distance useful on rangefinders?

The extended close-focus feature provides more room to work. You still focus normally through the rangefinder to 70cm, and then a second helicoid takes over for the remaining distance down to 45cm.

This closer range is ideal for table-top subjects, small objects or when you want to capture close-ups, adding to the versatility of an already popular standard focal length. The range between 70 and 40 centimetres can be focused via Live View on the display screen, the Visoflex clip-on viewfinder, and even via the Leica FOTOS App.

What is unique about the Safari finish on this Leica lens?

Leica has released Safari design variants for decades, and this version continues the matt olive-green theme. It complements the M11-P Safari body, although it also complements black or silver M cameras.

The silver-chrome brass focus tab stands out against the green, and the red and white distance markings are easy to read.

Is the 50mm Summilux good for everyday photography?

Yes, a 50mm lens is often the first choice for an M camera because it suits such a wide variety of subjects. It is popular for diverse genres, including portraits, street photography, travel and everyday snaps.

The compact size with a fast f/1.4 maximum aperture provides the flexibility to excel in low light as well as for experimenting with a shallow depth of field.

What’s in the box

• Leica Summilux-M 50mm f/1.4 ASPH Lens Safari Edition
• Cover for lens hood
• Lens back cover
• Soft case
• Instructions

Specifications