Leica M Edition 60, Instruction Manual

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EN
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LEICA SUMMILUX-M 35MM F/1.4 ASPH.
"LEICA 60" Edition
SPECIAL FEATURES
The abbreviation "ASPH" in the name refers to an aspherical lens surface
that gives the optical system an unrivaled imaging performance. Even at full
aperture, the Leica Summilux-M 35mm f/1.4 ASPH. has outstanding
characteristics that are unprecedented for a compact 35mm lens: high
contrast, exceptional detail reproduction over the entire image field, good
image field flattening and an almost total freedom from coma from an
aperture of 2. Stopping down brings hardly any improvement in this
excellent imaging performance. The low barrel distortion is normally
negligible for practical photography. Like any optical system, the Leica
Summilux-M 35mm f/1.4 ASPH. has a certain degree of systematic
vignetting. This reduction in light towards the corners of the picture is
particularly visible in low lighting and with a uniformly bright image field (e.g.
a full format house wall or a blue sky). Vignetting is very low at full aperture
and is practically non-existent from f/4. When used on the digital M models,
this vignetting can be reduced further if required by a compensation
function in the camera itself.
Like all high-powered lenses, at full aperture a violet color fringe can occur
at extremely light/dark transitions in the image (e.g. headlights, backlit
situations, etc.). This so-called chromatic aberration is due to the system
itself and can be eliminated by stopping down by 2-3 stops. If you are using
DNG format, many raw data converters (e.g. Adobe
®
Lightroom
®
) also
enable this effect to be eliminated later.
Of the total of 9 lenses – 5 of which are made of highly refractive glass – the
rear 5 make up a “floating element”, which is moved independently of the
other 4 when focusing. This is particularly beneficial in terms of contrast in
the close-up range.
Summary: Thanks to its performance features, the Leica Summilux-M
35mm f/1.4 ASPH. can be used for both long-distance and close-up shots,
is equally well suited for digital and analog photography, and thus represents
a versatile universal wide angle lens.
STRUCTURE OF LEICA M LENSES
All Leica M lenses have essentially the same external construction: they
have an aperture setting ring (6), a distance setting ring (11) and a fixed ring
(5) with an index for the distance (5a), a depth of field scale (5b), and a red
index button for changing lens (5c). In addition, the front mount of the Leica
Summilux-M 35 mm f/1.4 ASPH. has an external thread (9) for attaching
the lens hood.
The bayonet flange contains a 6-bit barcode lens code, which transfers lens
data to the camera body. This aligns it with the exposure metering system
on digital Leica M models and optimizes the picture data for the specific
lens type.
FOCUSING
The focus is adjusted by turning the focusing ring (11). The finger grip (11a)
enables you to work quickly and comfortably.
DEPTH OF FIELD SCALE
The scale (5b) on the fixed ring (5) shows the depth of field range available
for the set distance. This is read off using the corresponding vertical lines
labeled with the aperture values.