Gear Announcements
Leica Announces New ‘Black Chrome’ Summicron 35mm & Summilux 50mm Lenses
In case you have some extra money just lying around, and want to spend it on something cool, I’ve got some sexy new lens announcements from Leica for you today.
They aren’t new lens designs, but new limited edition versions of two of their more popular lenses: the Summicron 35mm and the Summilux 50mm. They are calling them ‘Black Chrome’, and they are drop dead sexy.
According to the press release, the new lenses will be available/shipping in April, but there is a catch. Only 500 of these lenses (each) will be made, so expect to spend a pretty penny on procuring one. The standard version of the 50mm Summilux, for example, is about $4,000 on its own, so I would imagine the limited black chrome edition would be quite a bit north of that mark.
I know that fellow SLR Lounger Jay Cassario, loves using his Leica Summilux 50mm F/1.4 in combination with his Sony A7 II, in fact he wrote about his shoot in Vegas last week, and that was the combination he used.
Stay tuned for more details closer to the shipping date as a price and other details become available.
With a little bit of sandpaper, one can triple the price of the lenses for a “war journalist” look.
i can literally buy lifetime supply of 5 dollar footlongs for the price of one of these lenses. In fact I could even set a record for most footlongs laid end to end, and then i could get a book deal for my inspiration and eventually there will be a movie made about me where Tom Hiddleston plays a young poor me who was inspired to buy 1000 footlong subs. Then after I make all my money I would still not buy this lens because it’s expensive for no reason
“it’s expensive for no reason”
It’s hand made. Glass hand polished. Hand painted. Every lens is tested for accuracy. By highly trained professionals. You think Canikon does that?
Here’s the reason:
https://vimeo.com/26251829
The photons are transmuted into gold when they exit the rear element.
I don’t know why I said that, just couldn’t help it.
LOL!
The autofocus on those must be stellar for that price.
And I don’t see the IS switch anywhere. Ah, yeah, it must be on the opposite side…
Also: :-P
That conclusion would be only after trying one out. Lens for Rich Kinds!
I love the way they shapped the lens screws. Just amazing lens! The picture quality must be stellar.
Meh, autofocus is for chumps.
I’ve got an original E43 50mm Summilux Non-ASPH. I assume they made the ASPH version E46 to cut down on vignetting. I’d like to see how this limited edition E43 APSH compares to the current E46 ASPH.
Also, I’m quite disappointed to see the negative comments here. Each of these lenses are made by hand. Not rolled off an assembly line.
You can go to Men’s Wearhouse and get 2 suits off the rack for $99 or you can go to Savile Row and get a custom made suit for a couple of thousand.
I will order both of them immediately after I win Euro Jackpot which is around 100 million USD.
Me too
Good luck Rafael :D