APO-Summicron-M 35mm f2 ASPH. Leica product code 11699. Introduced in 2021, this is an ambitious lens in true Leica style, developed with the aim of going beyond the limits of conventional lenses. It is a wide-angle lens with extremely high resolving power.
It features a highly sophisticated optical design of 10 elements in 5 groups, including three aspherical elements. One of these has aspherical surfaces on both sides, making a total of four aspherical surfaces. Unusually for a wide-angle lens, apochromatic correction is also incorporated.
The minimum focusing distance with rangefinder coupling is 0.7m, while live view allows close-up shooting down to 0.3m. This makes shooting with digital Leica M cameras remarkably flexible.
Even wide open, the lens delivers astonishingly solid image quality. In our long-distance test shots, the results were so sharp that it was hard to tell at first glance whether they had been taken stopped down or wide open. We also find it very useful for our own product photography. An all-round, ultra-high-performance lens.
There are no mounting marks on the lens mount, and the exterior is in like-new condition with no signs of use.
The aperture and helicoid operate properly. The glass is also beautifully clear, with no haze or cleaning marks. The results from our test shooting were also excellent. Rangefinder coupling is spot-on even wide open. Please note that it is not rangefinder-coupled below 0.7m.
The front cap is fairly deep, but surprisingly easy to come off, so please take care not to drop it when taking the lens out for shooting.
The original box, instructions, inspection certificate, leather case, hood, ring, dedicated front cap, rear cap are included. The original box shows some light scuffing.
New examples have become quite expensive these days. This should be good news for anyone looking for a used example in like-new condition!
