8
Leica World News
To match the camera: the 50 mm Summilux
with silver chrome finish
F O U R T H I R D S SYST E M :
Leica on Board
T H E S O - C A L L E D
‘Four Thirds’ system
was initiated by Olympus and Kodak at the
end of 2002 as an open standard that is
optimized for digital capture and future
development, and is designed to overcome
some of the the technical limitations
imposed by using a format with its roots in
analog camera technology. Basically, the
new standard simplifies the development
of lenses that are compatible with cameras
made by a variety of manufacturers and is
perfectly matched to the size and charac-
teristics of digital image sensors. Once the
type and size of the bayonet mount of the
‘Four Thirds’ forum was standardized as
well, it became e possible to combine prod-
ucts of different manufacturers going for-
ward. Besides Panasonic – a strategic part-
ner of Leica Camera AG – Leica itself has
now joined the ‘Four Thirds’ consortium and
regards the new standard as a welcome
complement to the successful Leica M and
Leica R system with their wide ranges of
lenses and compact cameras. Moreover,
Leica sees the ‘Four Thirds’ standard as an
opportunity to reach a wider customer
audience for its renowned high-perform-
ance lenses in the rapidly expanding digital
SLR sector.
As a first step toward this end, Leica, in
cooperation with Panasonic, designed its
first D lens in 4/3 mount, the LEICA D
VARIO-ELMARIT f/2.8 – 3.5/14 – 50 mm
ASPH. As you would expect, this lens
meets the exceptionally stringent inspec-
tion and quality control specifications of
Leica Camera AG and it provides outstand-
ing performance. And of course the thought
of using this lens on a future digital SLR of
our own was never far from our mind The
new Leica D Vario-Elmarit is indeed a first
step on the way to our eventual goal of
offering a high-quality lens line for the 4/3
standard. There are also plans for develop-
ing a complete camera together with Pana-
sonic. Leica’s long-term aim in joining the
‘Four Thirds’ consortium is simple and
direct: to carve out a niche with innovative
high-performance lenses aimed at conois-
seurs and professionals in the repidly grow-
ing digital SLR market.
N E W S U M M I L U X :
It’s available in silver
I T I S N O
C
oincidence that the 50 mm
lens is often called the standard focal length
for 35mm photography. It has proven im-
mensely useful in so many different situa-
tions that for this reason alone it deserves
a place in the basic outfit of every photo-
grapher. In mid 2004, Leica Camera an-
nounced a completely new design of its
high-speed standard lens – the Summilux-M
f/1.4/50 mm ASPH. The outstanding fea-
tures of this timeless classic for the Leica M
range are enhanced imaging performance
through the use of an aspherical element,
outstanding quality in the close-up range
resulting from its floating-element design
(the last element changes position with
respect to the other optics during focusing)
plus consistently high imaging perform-
ance due to the use of high-refraction glass
and elements with partial dispersion.
Whether it’s used for selective focus in the
macro range, high-contrast available light
photography, or landscapes with impres-
sive depth of field, the new 50mm Summilux
delivers convincing performance whatever
the situation. For all those owners of a
classic M outfit in silver who have hesitated
buying one until now, this is your chance:
The LEICA SUMMILUX-M f/1.4/50 mm
ASPH. is finally available in a matching sil-
ver chrome version. Ask your authorized
Leica dealer for details.
