Summilux

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/1.0. The lens has been in production since 1959 and carries on to the present day.

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.

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

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.

For the Leica Q system (Leica Q, Leica Q2, Leica Q3)

• Summilux-M 28 mmf/1.7 ASPH.

For the Leica M mount

• Summilux-M 21 mmf/1.4 ASPH.
• Summilux-M 24 mmf/1.4 ASPH.
• Summilux-M 28 mmf/1.4 ASPH.
• Summilux 35 mmf/1.4
• Summilux-M 35 mmf/1.4 ASPH. FLE Version V
• Summilux-M 35 mmf/1.4 ASPH. FLE "Short Focus" Version VI
• Summilux 50 mmf/1.4
• Summilux-M 50 mmf/1.4 ASPH.
• Summilux-M 75 mmf/1.4
• Summilux-M 90 mmf/1.5 ASPH.

For the Leica R mount

• Summilux-R 35 mmf/1.4
• Summilux-R 50 mmf/1.4 1st version
• Summilux-R 50 mmf/1.4 2nd version
• Summilux-R 50 mmf/1.4 3rd version – 1997 (ROM contacts)
• Summilux-R 80mmf/1.4

For the Leica L Mount

• Summilux-TL 35 mmf/1.4 ASPH.
• Summilux-SL 50 mmf/1.4 ASPH.

For the Four Thirds mount

For the Micro Four Thirds mount

• Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Summilux 10–25 mmf/1.7 ASPH.
• Panasonic Leica DG Summilux 12 mmf/1.4 ASPH.
• Panasonic Leica DG Summilux 15 mmf/1.7 ASPH.
• Panasonic Leica DG Summilux 25 mmf/1.4
• Panasonic Leica DG Summilux 25 mmf/1.4 II ASPH.

• Summilux.net lens review site www.summilux.net
• Overgaard Leica 35mm Summilux article www.overgaard.dk/leica-35mm-Summilux-M-ASPH-f-14.html/
• Overgaard Leica lens compendium of all Summilux lenses www.overgaard.dk/leica_lens_compendium.html/