Leica Summarit 5cm F/1.5 M39 Screw Mount Lens (CONSIGNMENT)

Leica Summarit 5cm F/1.5 M39 Screw Mount Lens (CONSIGNMENT)

Origins & Production

The Leica Summarit 5 cm f/1.5 debuted in 1949, replacing the earlier Xenon f/1.5 design. It adopted a refined seven-element optical construction—an evolved double-Gauss formula—offering improved correction over its predecessor.

Manufactured in both screw mount (LTM) and, from around 1954, Leica M-mount versions, production ran until approximately 1960, totaling between 40,000–75,000 units depending on the source.

An especially rare variant includes early editions engraved with “Ernst Leitz Canada Ltd.”, produced at the Midland facility—those are estimated at fewer than 2,000 units, making them particularly coveted.

2. Technical Highlights

• Optical Formula: 7‑element, 5‑group design delivering excellent color rendition, contrast (especially when stopped down), and minimal distortion.

• Mount & Use: Mostly non‑collapsible, with focusing done by rotating the barrel; early models featured bayonet hoods, later ones integrated filter threads.

• Specs:

  • Min focus: ~1 m (100 cm)

  • Aperture range: f/1.5–f/16

  • Approx. weight: ~320 g

  • Filter size: ~41 mm

3. Optics & Performance

• Wide‑open Appeal: Known for a dreamy, soft, and glowing rendering at f/1.5. While not tack‑sharp, its aesthetic is prized for portrait and artistic work.

• Sharpness & Contrast: Central sharpness improves significantly by around f/4–f/8, with much better contrast at stopped-down apertures.

• Focus Shift: Some copies are optimized at f/2.8 for close-up and focused at infinity when shot at f/1.5. Enthusiasts often shim or modify the rear element group to correct this behavior.