LEICA APO-SUMMICRON-M 50 mm

SUPER ELMAR-M 21mm f/2ASPH.

f/3.4 ASPH. 1

More than 30 years after the launch of Summicron-M 1:2/50 mm, which is still available, the Leica APO Summicron-M
1:2/50 mm ASPH. represents a totally new development. With its compact body - only marginally longer and slightly heavier than
the Summicron-M 1:2/50 mm, and with an almost identical diameter, it provides visibly higher image quality. On the Leica APO
Summicron-M 1:2/50 mm ASPH. the exceptional correction enables all aberrations to be reduced to a minimum level that is negli-
gible in digital photography. Its key features include excellent contrast rendition, all the way to the corners of the image, even with
a fully open aperture. The use of a „floating element“ ensures that this is retained, even for close-up shots. Vignetting is limited to
a maximum - i.e. in the corners of the image - of just 2 stops at full aperture in 35 mm format, or around 1 on the Leica M8 mo-
dels. Stopping down to 2.8 visibly reduces this light deterioration towards the edge of the image, with practically only the natural
vignetting remaining. Distortion is very low at a maximum of just 0.4 % (pin cushoin), which is practically imperceptible. A total of
eight lens elements are used to achieve this exceptional performance. To realize the apochromatic correction (resulting in a com-
mon focusing plane for three light wavelengths), three are made of glass types with high anomalous partial color dispersion, while
two of the others have a high refractive index. The aspherical surface of the first lens in the rear group helps to reduce spherical
aberration and flatten the image field. While the optical construction in front of the aperture is a Gaussian type, the arrangement
of the lens elements behind it is similar to that in the Summilux-M 1:1.4/35 mm ASPH. This group comprises a „floating element“,
which is moved independently of the rest of the construction during focusing.

Summary: The Leica APO Summicron-M 1:2/50 mm ASPH. delivers exceptional picture quality and sets new standards in 35 mm
digital photography.

Optical design
Aspherical
Asphäre surface

Floating
FloatingElement
Element
 LEICA APO-SUMMICRON-M 50 mm
SUPER ELMAR-M 21mm f/2ASPH.
f/3.4 ASPH. 2

Engineering drawing

Technical Data
Angle of view (diagonal, horizontal, vertical) 47° / 40° / 27° (With Leica M8 models: 36° / 30° / 20°)
Optical design Number of lenses/groups: 8 / 5
Position of entrance pupil (from bayonet flange): 24.4 mm
Focus range: 0.7 m to ∞
Distance setting Scales: Combined meter / graduation
Smallest object field: approx. 271 mm x 407 mm (With Leica M8 models: 203 mm x 305 mm)
Largest reproduction ratio: approx. 1:11.3
Aperture Setting / Function: prefix with click-stops, half steps
Lowest value: 16
Bayonet Leica M quick-change bayonet
Lens hood Built-in, extendable by rotating
Filter mount Female thread for screw-on E39 filters, non-rotating
Dimensions and weight Length: approx. 47 mm
Largest diameter: approx. 53 mm
Weight: approx. 300 g
 Apo-Summicron-M 1:2,0/50mm AS
Blende 2,0
Apo-Summicron-M 1:2,0/50mm ASPH. [%] Brennweite 50 mm [%]
LEICA APO-SUMMICRON-M
SUPER
[%]
Blende 2,0
50 mm
ELMAR-M 21mm f/3.4 f/2ASPH.ASPH.
100
Vignettierung
[%]
100
3
100 100 80 80

80 80 60 5,6 60
2,8
2,0
60 60 40 40

MTF-graphs
40 40 20 20

20 20 0 0
0 3 6 9 12 15 18 21 0 3
Apo-Summicron-M 1:2,0/50mm ASPH. Brennweite 50 mm Y'[mm]
0 0
0 3 6 Blende
9f/2.0
12
2,0 15 18 21 0 3 6 Vignettierung
9 Aperture
12 15Stop 185.6 21
f/2.8
[%] [%] Blende 2,8
100 Y'[mm] 100 [%] Y'[mm] [%]
100 5
4
Blende 2,8 Relative Verzeichnung 5,6
80 [%] 80 [%] 80 3
100 5 2,8
4 2,0 2
60 60 60 1
80 3
2 0
40 40 40 -1
60 1
0 -2
20 20 20 -3
40 -1
-2 -4
0 0 0 -5
20 0 3 6 9 12 15 18 21 -3 0 3 6 0 9 3 12 6 15 9 18 12 21 15 18 21 0 3
Y'[mm] -4 Y'[mm] Y' [mm]
0 -5
0 3 6 Blende
9 2,8
12 15 18 21 0 3 6 9 Verzeichnung
Relative 12 15 18 21
[%] [%] Blende 5,6
100 Y' [mm] 5 [%] Y'[mm]
100
f/5.6 4 Y'[mm]
Blende 5,6 Effektive Verzeichnung
80 [%] 3 80
100 The MTF is indicated at full aperture, at f/2,8 and f/5,612
2
Y'[mm]at long taking distances (infinity). Shown is the contrast
60 1 60
80 in percentage for 5, 10, 20 and 40 lp/mm accross the9
0
12 height of the 35 mm film format, for tangential (dotted
40 -1 line) and
40 sagittal (solid line) structures, in white light.
60 6
-2
9 The 5 and 10 lp/mm will give an indication regarding
20
40
-3 the contrast
20 ratio for large object structures. The 203
6
-4 and 40 lp/mm records the resolution of finer and finest
0 -5 object structures.
0 0
20 0 3 6 9 12 15 18 21 30 3 6 0 9 3 12 6 15 9 18 12 21 15 18 21 0 3
Y' [mm] tangential structures
Y'[mm] Y'[mm]
0 0 sagittal structures
0 3 6 Blende
9 5,6
12 15 18 21 0 3 Effektive
6 9 Verzeichnung
12 15 18
[%] Y'[mm] X'[mm]
100
Y'[mm]
80
12
60
9

40
6

20 3

0 0
0 3 6 9 12 15 18 21 0 3 6 9 12 15 18
Y'[mm] X'[mm]
 Y'[mm] Y'[mm]
cron-M 1:2,0/50mm ASPH. Brennweite 50 mm
Vignettierung Blende 2,8 Relative Verzeichnung
[%] [%]
[%] 100 5
LEICA APO-SUMMICRON-M 50 mm f/2ASPH.
ASPH. 4
100
SUPER ELMAR-M 21mm f/3.4 4
80 5,6 3
80
2,8 2
2,0
60 60 1
0
40 40 -1
-2
20 20 -3
-4
Distortion
0 0 -5
15 18 21 0 3 6 09 312 615 918 1221 15 18 21 0 3 6 9 12 15 18 21
Y'[mm] Y'[mm] Y' [mm] Y'[mm]

Relative Distortion Blende 5,6 Effective

EffektiveDistortion
Verzeichnung
Relative
[%] Verzeichnung
[%] 100
5
4 Y'[mm]
3 80
12
2
1 60
9
0
-1 40
6
-2
-3 20 3
-4
-5 0 0
15 18 21 0 3 6 09 312 615 918 1221 15 18 21 0 3 6 9 12 15 18
Y' [mm] Y'[mm] Y'[mm] X'[mm]

Effektive Verzeichnung

Y'[mm]

12
Vignetting
9

6
cron-M 1:2,0/50mm ASPH. Brennweite 50 mm
3
Vignettierung
[%]
0
100 Distortion is the deviation of the real image height (in
15 18 21 0 3 6 9 12 15 18 the picture) from the ideal image height. The relative
Y'[mm] X'[mm] f/5.6
5,6 distortion is the percentage deviation. The ideal image
80
f/2.8
2,8 height results from the object height and the magnifica-
f/2.0
2,0
tion. The image height of 21.6 mm is the radial distance
60
between the edge and the middle of the image field for
the 24 mm x 36 mm format. The graph of the effective
40 distortion illustrates the appearance of straight horizon-
tal and vertical lines in the picture.
20
Vignetting is a continous decrease of the illumination to-
0 wards the edges of the image field. The graph shows the
15 18 21 0 3 6 9 12 15 18 21 percentage lost of illumination over the image height.
Y'[mm] Y'[mm] 100% means no vignetting.

Relative Verzeichnung
[%]
5
4
3
2
1
0
-1
 LEICA APO-SUMMICRON-M 50 mm
SUPER ELMAR-M 21mm f/2ASPH.
f/3.4 ASPH. 5
Depth of field table

Aperture
BlendeStop Magnification
Vergrößerung
2,0 2,8 4,0 5,6 8,0 11,0 16,0
0,7 0,690 - 0,710 0,686 - 0,714 0,681 - 0,721 0,673 - 0,729 0,662 - 0,743 0,649 - 0,760 0,629 - 0,792 1/11,3
0,8 0,787 - 0,814 0,782 - 0,819 0,774 - 0,828 0,764 - 0,840 0,750 - 0,858 0,733 - 0,882 0,706 - 0,926 1/13,2
[m]

Blende Vergrößerung
[m]

1 0,979 - 1,023 0,971 - 1,032 0,958 - 1,046 0,943 - 1,065 0,920 - 1,096 0,894 - 1,137 0,853 - 1,214 1/17,1
Entfernung

2,0 2,8 4,0 5,6 8,0 11,0 16,0

EingestellteSetting

1,2 1,169 - 1,233 1,157 - 1,247 1,139 - 1,268 1,117 - 1,297 1,085 - 1,345 1,047 - 1,409 0,991 - 1,531 1/21
0,7 0,690 - 0,710 0,686 - 0,714 0,681 - 0,721 0,673 - 0,729 0,662 - 0,743 0,649 - 0,760 0,629 - 0,792 1/11,3
1,5 1,450 - 1,554 1,432 - 1,575 1,404 - 1,610 1,370 - 1,659 1,321 - 1,739 1,264 - 1,850 1,181 - 2,071 1/26,8
0,8 0,787 - 0,814 0,782 - 0,819 0,774 - 0,828 0,764 - 0,840 0,750 - 0,858 0,733 - 0,882 0,706 - 0,926 1/13,2
Entfernung [m]

2 1,910 - 2,099 1,878 - 2,139 1,830 - 2,205 1,771 - 2,300 1,688 - 2,459 1,595 - 2,693 1,462 - 3,203 1/36,5
Distance

1 0,979 - 1,023 0,971 - 1,032 0,958 - 1,046 0,943 - 1,065 0,920 - 1,096 0,894 - 1,137 0,853 - 1,214 1/17,1
3 2,799 - 3,233 2,729 - 3,332 2,627 - 3,499 2,503 - 3,749
Blende2,338 - 4,201 2,161 - 4,950 1,919 - 7,055 1/55,8Vergrößerung
1,2 1,169 - 1,233 1,157 - 1,247 1,139 - 1,268 1,117 - 1,297 1,085 - 1,345 1,047 - 1,409 0,991 - 1,531 1/21
5 4,458 - 5,694 4,280 - 6,016 4,032 - 6,591 3,743 - 7,556 3,381 - 9,690 3,017 - 15,01 2,560 - 185,1 1/94,5
1,5 1,4502,0
- 1,554 1,4322,8
- 1,575 1,4044,0
- 1,610 5,6
1,370 - 1,659 1,3218,0
- 1,739 1,26411,0
- 1,850 1,18116,0
- 2,071 1/26,8
∞ 40,20
0,7 - ∞ -
0,690 29,05
0,710 - ∞ -
0,686 20,36
0,714 - ∞ -
0,681 14,55
0,721 - ∞ - 10,20
0,673 0,729 - ∞ -
0,662 7,435
0,743 - ∞ - 5,128
0,649 0,760 - ∞ -
0,629 1/∞
0,792 1/11,3
Eingestellte

2 1,910 - 2,099 1,878 - 2,139 1,830 - 2,205 1,771 - 2,300 1,688 - 2,459 1,595 - 2,693 1,462 - 3,203 1/36,5
0,8
3 0,787 --
2,799 0,814
3,233 0,782 --
2,729 0,819
3,332 0,774 --
2,627 0,828 2,503
3,499 0,764 -- 0,840
3,749 0,750 --
2,338 0,858
4,201 0,733 --
2,161 0,882
4,950 0,706 --
1,919 0,926
7,055 1/13,2
1/55,8
[m]

51 0,979 -- 1,023 0,971 -- 1,032 0,958 -- Blende

1,0462,0 3,743
0,943 -- 1,065 0,920 -- 1,096 0,894 -- 1,137 0,853 -- 1,214 1/17,1
Eingestellte Entfernung

4,458 5,694 4,280 6,016 4,032 6,591 7,556 3,381 9,690 3,017 15,01 2,560 185,1 1/94,5
1,2
∞ 1,169 --
40,20 1,233
∞ 1,157 --
29,05 1,247
∞ 1,139 -- 1,268
20,36 ∞ 1,117
14,55 -- 1,297
∞ 1,085 --
10,20 1,345
∞ 1,047 --
7,435 1,409
∞ 0,991 --
5,128 1,531
∞ 1/21
1/∞
1,5 1,450 - 1,554 1,432 - 1,575 1,404 - 1,610 1,370 - 1,659 1,321 - 1,739 1,264 - 1,850 1,181 - 2,071 1/26,8

0.7 2 1,910 - 2,099 1,878 - 2,139 1,830 - 2,205 1,771 - 2,300 1,688 - 2,459 1,595 - 2,693 1,462 - 3,203 1/36,5
3 2,799 - 3,233 2,729 - 3,332 2,627 - Aperture
3,499 Stop
Blende
2,503 - 2,0
2,0 3,749 2,338 - 4,201 2,161 - 4,950 1,919 - 7,055 1/55,8
0.8 5 4,458 - 5,694 4,280 - 6,016 4,032 - 6,591 3,743 - 7,556 3,381 - 9,690 3,017 - 15,01 2,560 - 185,1 1/94,5
∞ 40,20 - ∞ 29,05 - ∞ 20,36 - ∞ 14,55 - ∞ 10,20 - ∞ 7,435 - ∞ 5,128 - ∞ 1/∞
1
Eingestellte Entfernung [m]

0.7
1.2
0.8 Blende 2,0
1.5
1
[m] [m]

2
Entfernung

1.2
0.7
[m] Setting

3
1.5
0.8
Eingestellte

5
21
Distance

∞
Eingestellte Entfernung

3
1.2

5
1.5
0 1 2 3 4 5 6
∞2 Schärfentiefe [m]

3
0 1 2 3 4 5 6
5 Depth of Field[m]
[m]
Schärfentiefe
Blende 2,8
∞

0.7 0 1 2 3 4 5 6
Blende 2,8
Schärfentiefe [m]
0.8

1
Eingestellte Entfernung [m]

0.7
1.2
0.8 Aperture
Aperture
BlendeStop
Stop
2,8 2,8
2.8
1.5
1
Entfernung [m]

2
1.2
0.7
3
1.5
0.8
Eingestellte

5
21
[m]

∞
Entfernung
[m]

3
1.2
Setting

5
1.5
0 1 2 3 4 5 6
Eingestellte

∞2 Schärfentiefe [m]
Distance

3
0 1 2 3 4 5 6
5
Schärfentiefe [m]

0 1 2 3 4 5 6
Depth of Field [m]
Schärfentiefe [m]
 LEICA APO-SUMMICRON-M
LEICA SUPER ELMAR-M 21mm f/3.4
50 mm f/2ASPH.
ASPH. 6

Aperture4,0
Blende Stop 4,0

0,7

0,8

1
Eingestellte Entfernung [m]Eingestellte Entfernung [m]

Blende 4,0
1,2
Distance Setting [m]

1,5
0,7

2
0,8

3
1

5
1,2

∞
1,5

2
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
3 Depth of Field [m]
Schärfentiefe [m]

∞
Blende 5,6

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Schärfentiefe [m]
0,7

0,8

1 Aperture5,6
Stop 5,6
[m] [m]Eingestellte Entfernung [m]

Blende
1,2

1,5
0,7

2
0,8

3
1
Entfernung

5
1,2
Setting

∞
1,5
Eingestellte

2
Distance

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
3 Schärfentiefe [m]

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Depth of Field [m]
Schärfentiefe
 LEICA SUPER
LEICA APO-SUMMICRON-M 50 mm
ELMAR-M 21mm f/2
f/3.4 ASPH.
ASPH. 7

Aperture Stop 8,0

Blende 8,0

0,7
Blende 8,0
0,8

1
[m] [m]

0,7
Entfernung

1,2
0,8
Setting

1,5
1
Eingestellte
[m]

2
Distance
Eingestellte Entfernung

1,2
3
1,5
5
2
∞
3

5 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Depth of Field [m]
Schärfentiefe [m]
∞

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Schärfentiefe [m]

Blende 11,0

0,7
Aperture
Blende Stop
11,011,0
0,8

1
[m] Entfernung [m]

0,7
1,2
0,8
1,5
1
Eingestellte

2
Entfernung

1,2
[m]

3
Setting

1,5
5
Eingestellte

2
Distance

∞
3

5 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Schärfentiefe [m]
∞

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Depth of Field [m]
Schärfentiefe [m]
 LEICA APO-SUMMICRON-M 50 mm
SUPER ELMAR-M 21mm f/2ASPH.
f/3.4 ASPH. 8

Aperture
Blende Stop
16,016,0

0,7

0,8

1
[m] [m]
Entfernung

1,2
Distance Setting

1,5
Eingestellte

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Depth of Field [m]
Schärfentiefe [m]

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