The Birth of a Legend
Born in 1959 as Leica’s answer to postwar optimism, the Summilux 50mm f/1.4 v1 (E43) straddles eras like Berlin’s fractured Wall. Its 7-element design—an evolution of the Summarit f/1.5’s dreamy haze—offers photographers a foot in two worlds: the romantic swirl of 1950s optics and the crisp demands of modern film stocks. At 1,200–1,200–1,800 (well-loved), it whispers, “Character over clinical perfection.”
Optical
- Aperture Alchemy
- f/1.4 Reality: Center sharpness cuts Tri-X like a scalpel; edges dissolve into watercolor abstraction
- Stopped-Down Zen: f/2.8 transforms into Ansel Adams’ disciplined disciple
- Bokeh Ballet
- Signature Swirl: Oval highlights pirouette like drunken ballerinas
- V2 Comparison: Later ASPH versions trade chaos for choreography
- Flare Philosophy
- Single-Coated Soul: Sunstars bloom like dandelions in a hurricane
- ND Filter Hack: Slap on a 3-stop ND for midday f/1.4 street sorcery
Generational Wars
| Aspect | Summilux v1 (E43) | Summilux v2 (E46) |
|---|---|---|
| Optical Design | 7 elements / 5 groups | 8 elements / 5 groups |
| Bokeh | Impressionist brushstrokes | Baroque precision |
| Contrast | Milk-steamed window | Crystal goblet |
| Price (2024) | 1,200–1,200–1,800 | 3,000–3,000–4,000 |
| Soul | Kerouac’s typewriter | Hemingway’s editor |
The v1 Paradox
Leica’s open secret: This lens’ “flaws” are its scripture.
- Edge Softness: Masks digital sensors’ clinical gaze
- Focus Shift: f/1.4 to f/2.8 requires Zen acceptance (or zone focusing)
- M3 Synergy: Its 1959 soulmates Barnack’s masterpiece flawlessly
Who Should Embrace This Relic?
✓ Film Alchemists: Brewing magic in silver halide
✓ Portrait Poets: Who see pores as landscapes
✓ Leica Purists: Collecting stories, not MTF charts
Avoid If: You pixel-peep or fear focus shift.
Final Verdict: The Beautiful Flaw
The Summilux v1 E43 is optical jazz—improvised, raw, and unrepeatable. For the price of a weekend in Paris, you gain:
- 80% vintage Summarit mystique + 50% modern practicality
- Proof that “sharpness” is a capitalist conspiracy
- Permission to fall in love with photography again
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 (for romantics) | ⭐⭐/5 (for engineers)
A lens that growls: ‘Perfection is boring—let’s get beautifully lost.’
Pro Tips:
- Filter Alchemy: Yellow filter for skin tones, green for Bauhaus geometry
- Digital Detox: Pair with Ilford HP5+ for analog purity
Single-coated light,
Fifty millimeters hum—
Flaws sing louder here.
