Leica unveils Summicron 66 mm f/2 as reissue of ultra-rare U.S. Navy lens
The brand-new Leica Summicron-M 66 mm f/2 is marketed as a "reinterpretation" of the Leica Elcan 66 mm f/2. The Elcan was originally developed in the 1960s by Leica Canada specifically for the U.S. Navy. According to Leica, only about 200 units exist, making it one of the rarest Leica M lenses in the world.
The lens was originally even shipped with instructions on how to destroy the camera and lens should the user be captured. The unusual focal length, for which Leica M cameras do not provide frame lines, was chosen at the time to achieve the best possible balance between resolution, speed, and size. Compared to typical Leica M lenses, the aperture ring rotates in the opposite direction, while the focus ring’s labeling follows military standards.
Leica touts high contrast and soft bokeh, but the MTF curves make it clear that this classic design, with six elements in five groups, cannot keep pace with modern lenses. The Summicron-M 66 mm f/2 can focus on objects from a distance of at least 1 meter. The lens is about 6 centimeters long and weighs 456 grams.
Pricing and availability
The Leica Summicron-M 66 mm f/2.0 is now available in Leica stores and is offered at a suggested retail price of €9,850. Production of the lens is limited to just 660 units worldwide. At this price, the lens is aimed primarily at collectors, as the technically superior APO-Summicron-M 75 mm f/2 costs less than half as much.
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