Review: A closer look at Leica 50mm lenses

We compare four Leica 50mm lenses—the 50mm f/0.95 Noctilux-M ASPH, the 50mm f/1.0 Noctilux-M, the f/1.4 Summilux-M ASPH and the 50mm f/2 APO-S-M ASPH. As is often the case with Leica, a huge amount of work goes into their lens design. So, we’re exploring their inherent traits when shot fully open and how they compare at more usable apertures. 

First up, is the Leica 50mm f/0.95 Noctilux-M ASPH. This is the most expensive, heaviest and largest aperture Leica ever made. Although it can be used much like any other 50mm, this Leica truly shines as an Astro lens, short portrait lens or for creating dreamy images fully open.

In the centre, it’s incredible to see just how sharp the f/0.95 is, with softness simply being a characteristic of the extreme rendering created by the extremely shallow depth of field. By f/5.6, the lens is as sharp as they come.

Next, the Leica 50mm f/1.0 Noctilux-M, the predecessor to the f/0.95. Just as speedy—well, almost—and a follow-up to the f/1.1.

Not quite up to the quality levels of the f/0.95. The f/1 renders even more dreamlike, but without that, the eye-popping sharpness is fully open in the centre. By f/5.6, as expected, things are very sharp, though not quite as much as the f/0.95.

Third, we have the Leica 50mm f/1.4 Summilux-M ASPH. One of Leica’s most popular 50mm lenses, and one in a more manageable size. Similar to the f/2, in terms of usage, this one is aimed at those who want to use their fifty for other applications—such as portraiture and low-light photography.

Amazing sharpness in the centre there at f/1.4. A prime example—pun unintended—of why Leica lenses are so revered. If you’re a fan of fully-open portraits at fast apertures, this is as good as it gets. By f/5.6, things have gone pretty much sharp all over—only the out-of-focus areas remain soft.

Finally, the Leica 50mm f/2 Apo-Summicron-M ASPH. Leica’s latest 50mm Summicron is one of their best. With an apochromatic design and aspherical elements, this is a lens designed to be as close to perfect—aimed at traditional Leica users in the fields of documentary and street photography.

As far as fully-open performance goes, the 50mm f/2 is impressive. While it’s lacking the dreaminess of its faster siblings, it’s incredible just how sharp and contrasty the image is at max aperture. By f/5.6, it’s flawless.