The name Summilux is used by Leica and Panasonic Lumix to designate camera lenses that have a maximum aperture brighter than f/2, typically at f/1.4, but dimmer than f/1.25. The lens has been in production since 1959 and carries on to the present day.

History The name Summilux is a combination of Summum, which is the Latin word for highest, while Lux is for light. The first Summilux was the 50 mm of 1959, followed by a new 50 mm Summilux design in 1961, whose optics remained unchanged until replaced by the 50 mm Summilux-M ASPH of 2004.

Description The Summilux lenses have a maximum f-number of f/1.4, f/1.5 or occasionally f/1.7. This means they are 1 to 1.5 f-stops slower than Leica's Noctilux lenses, but the Summilux lenses are smaller as a result. Summilux lenses are designed for low-light photography.

Market position The Summilux lenses are less expensive than the Noctilux lenses, which has a smaller f-number. However they are bigger, heavier and more expensive than the Summicron.

List of Summilux lenses

For the Leica Q system (Leica Q, Leica Q2, Leica Q3) Summilux-M 28 mm ASPH. For the Leica M mount Summilux-M 21 mm ASPH. Summilux-M 24 mm ASPH. Summilux-M 28 mm ASPH. Summilux 35 mm Summilux-M 35 mm ASPH. FLE Version V Summilux-M 35 mm ASPH. FLE "Short Focus" Version VI Summilux 50 mm Summilux-M 50 mm ASPH. Summilux-M 75 mm Summilux-M 90 mm ASPH.

For the Leica R mount Summilux-R 35 mm Summilux-R 50 mm 1st version Summilux-R 50 mm 2nd version Summilux-R 50 mm 3rd version – 1997 (ROM contacts) Summilux-R 80mm

For the Leica L Mount Summilux-TL 35 mm ASPH. Summilux-SL 50 mm ASPH.

For the Four Thirds mountmanufactured under license by Panasonic

For the Micro Four Thirds mount

Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Summilux 10–25 mm ASPH. Panasonic Leica DG Summilux 12 mm ASPH. Panasonic Leica DG Summilux 15 mm ASPH. Panasonic Leica DG Summilux 25 mm Panasonic Leica DG Summilux 25 mm II ASPH.

References

External links Summilux.net lens review site Overgaard Leica 35mm Summilux article Overgaard Leica lens compendium of all Summilux lenses