Leica Summilux-M 90mm f/1.5 ASPH. Lens – Perfect for Bokeh?

Leica USA is expanding its high-speed prime lens portfolio in the Leica M system with a new telephoto lens. The Leica Summilux-M 90mm f/1.5 ASPH. Lens opens up a variety of design possibilities, for example, portraits with an extremely low depth of field – either with a perfectly sharpened subject on the one hand or in the blur resolved, pleasant soft-looking background on the other. However, in addition to portraits, it is also very suitable for all kinds of available light shots and, thanks to the low focusing distance for detailed shots in nature and technology.

The Summilux-M 90mm f/1.5 ASPH. is designed with 8 lens elements, two of which are aspherical in design and made of specialized glass types, arranged in 6 groups. A floating lens element ensures that the superior optical performance of the lens is maintained across the full focus range, according to Leica. The vignetting and distortion, which can hardly be avoided, especially with very bright lenses, should practically not play a role. The integrated lens hood can be extended and locked in an instant, providing optimal protection from stray light and reflections.

With the shortest shooting distance of one meter and a magnification of 1:8.8, this new Leica lens is ideal for portraits. The Leica lens fully utilizes the potential of the Leica M bayonet mount with a 90mm focal length and bright aperture. Visually and creatively, it is closely related to the Noctilux-M 50 f/0.95 ASPH. and offers roughly its extremely narrow depth of field, which is only around half the size of the Noctilux-M 50 f/0.95 ASPH. lens.

The Leica Summilux-M 90mm f/1.5 ASPH. offers the extremely soft focusing and the controllable bokeh of the lens, which requires a very precise adjustment of the lenses. The Leica lens stands out with its ability to create a free-form subject through an extremely small depth of field and at the same time allow a certain distance through its focal length.

With the separately available M-Adapter L, this Leica lens is also an attractive addition to the Leica SL2 and other L-mount cameras. Thanks to its 6-bit coding, the Leica SL2, and SL recognize the lens automatically and thus enable an optimal image quality with its powerful and high-resolution sensor.

Price and Availability

Leica Summilux-M 90mm f/1.5 ASPH. Lens is now available for pre-order through Bhphotovideo.com at a suggested retail price of $12,995.

Leica Summilux-M 90mm f/1.5 ASPH. Lens Specifications

• Focal length: 90 mm
• Mount: Leica M
• Optical design: 8 Elements in 6 Groups
• Diaphragm Blades: 11
• Front bayonet: 27.2 mm
• Maximum Aperture: f/1.5
• Minimum Aperture: f/16
• Minimum Focus Distance: 1 m
• Angle of View: 27°
• Maximum Reproduction Ratio: 1:8.8
• Distance setting: smallest object field: for 35 mm: 211 x 317 mm; for M8: 158 x 238 mm
• Filter Thread: 67mm
• Dimensions: 74 x L: 91 mm
• Weight: 1010 g