Summilux 35mm f1.4 1st Generation – Steel Rim. This is the legendary 1st-generation Summilux 35mm f1.4, commonly known as the Steel Rim. It features a serial number in the 1,760,000 range and was manufactured in 1960 by Leitz Canada. The official Leitz product codes are OCLUX / 11870, originally released for the Leica M2.
When shot wide open, this lens produces a beautifully ethereal glow, creating a dreamy, soft rendering. Stopping down sharpens the image dramatically, offering an exceptional level of clarity and crisp detail. Even when slightly stopped down, the transparency and three-dimensional rendering make for an extraordinary photographic experience.
While every generation of the Summilux has its own charm, this 1st model stands apart in both style and craftsmanship. When paired with its dedicated OLLUX hood, it looks truly iconic.
As prices for this lens have skyrocketed in recent years, its desirability is unquestionable. A rare and highly sought-after masterpiece.
Originally sold by our store. Carefully used by its previous owner, it has returned to us in the same excellent condition as when we last sold it.
The exterior is exceptionally clean with almost no signs of use, retaining a beautiful chrome finish that looks as if it has just left the factory.
Fully overhauled in 2025. Thanks to meticulous servicing, the lens continues to offer a smooth and refined feel in every operation, from the aperture ring and helicoid to the precise engagement of the infinity stopper. The overall handling remains silky and stress-free, allowing full immersion in shooting. Rangefinder coupling is perfectly accurate.
There is a single tiny coating mark, about the size of a poppy seed, near the center of the front element. Otherwise, the glass is remarkably clean, free from cleaning marks or haze, and crystal clear. The coating remains fully intact, and test shots have confirmed excellent performance.
Although the box shows signs of age, it comes with a matching serial-numbered original box, our original Steel Rim front cap FB-05, and a genuine rear cap.
A small and perhaps unnecessary piece of trivia: the early original box for the M2 Steel Rim was designed to accommodate the lens with the Leitz OLLUX hood and rear cap attached, while the dedicated front cap was stored in the side compartment. Later versions of the box were redesigned to store the hood beside the lens instead. Just another addition to the ever-growing Leica trivia collection.
