Leica Releases Summicron-M 66mm f/2 Lens in Limited Edition
Leica has introduced the Summicron-M 66mm f/2 lens, a limited global production of 660 units priced at $10,900. This release is a modern reinterpretation of the rare 1960s Elcan 66mm f/2 lens.
Leica, the renowned camera and optics manufacturer, has announced the release of the Summicron-M 66mm f/2 lens. This new offering is a limited edition, with only 660 units to be produced worldwide, and carries a price tag of $10,900. The lens serves as a modern iteration of the classic Elcan 66mm f/2 from the 1960s.
The original Elcan 66mm f/2 lens was originally designed for the U.S. Navy and was often paired with the Leica KE-7A, a military version of the M4 camera. It was created for specialized covert photography requiring extreme detail, and with only 200 units ever produced, it remains one of the rarest M-mount lenses.
The new Summicron-M 66mm f/2 maintains the optical structure and body design of its predecessor but has been optimized for contemporary M-system cameras. It features a 6-element, 5-group configuration with an aperture range of f/2 to f/16. The lens measures approximately 60.1 x 60 mm and weighs 456 grams.
Distinctive mechanical features include an aperture ring that rotates in the opposite direction to standard M-mount lenses and a distance scale arranged according to military specifications. Leica states the lens delivers soft bokeh and high contrast when used at its widest aperture, transitioning to fine image quality when stopped down.