Fast vintage Leica 50mm f/1.5 in LTM with distinctive dreamy rendering character.
The Leitz Summarit 50mm f/1.5 in LTM is a fast vintage Leica standard lens from the late 1950s with the f/1.5 aperture that was remarkably fast for its era. The Summit name appears to be a variant designation or market-specific name for what is essentially the Summarit optical formula.
Optical quality delivers the distinctive vintage rendering that ultra-fast vintage Leica lenses are prized for — a dreamy quality wide open with gentle aberrations that create atmospheric images. Stopped down to f/4 the lens sharpens dramatically. The rendering character is utterly different from modern clinical designs.
Build quality is to Leitz's exacting standards with chromed brass construction and the precision mechanics that have kept many examples functioning for over sixty years. The L39 thread mount provides compatibility with Leica screw-mount cameras and adapts readily to M-mount and modern mirrorless systems.
On the used market, this lens appeals to Leica enthusiasts and vintage lens photographers who appreciate the unique rendering of fast vintage optics. For photographers wanting a fast fifty with genuine Leica heritage and characterful vintage rendering, it provides a distinctive shooting experience unlike modern lenses.