Leica 11819 (1979–1994)

Name: Leica 11819
Brand: Leica

A manual focus 50mm f/2 M-mount lens, part of Leica's 70 Years Anniversary Edition, made in Canada with a focusing tab and no built-in hood.

Overview

The Leica 11819 is a manual focus normal lens for M-mount rangefinder cameras. It came out in 1979 as part of the 1913-1983 70 Jahre / 70 Years Anniversary Edition. It is an Early Version IV of the Summicron-M 50mm f/2, built in Canada. It has a focusing tab and no built-in hood. It fits every Leica M camera from the M3 onward, including the M7, MP, and M9.

Specifications

Focal length	50mm
Maximum aperture	f/2
Lens mount	M-mount
Optics	6 elements in 4 groups, double-Gauss variant. Five surfaces are planes. Mostly single-coated in magenta.
Diaphragm	8 blades, stops down to f/16, half-stop clicks.
Close focus	Marked 0.7m / 2.5 ft; measured 0.66m (26″ / 2.17 ft).
Maximum reproduction ratio	1:11.5
Extension from flange	43.5 mm (1.713″) at infinity (specified)
Maximum diameter	53 mm (2.09″)
Filter	39 x 0.5mm screw-in (E39)
Weight (measured)	197.6g (6.970 oz) in black
Weight (specified)	195g (6.9 oz) in black
Hood weight	12 538 plastic hood: 12.6g (0.445 oz) measured

Design

Focusing is manual, with a focusing tab. There is no built-in hood, but the lens takes the 12 538 plastic hood. It is made for M-mount rangefinder cameras, belongs to the Early Version IV series, and was made in Canada.

Context

Introduced in 1979, the Leica 11819 stayed in production until 1994. It is the oldest optical design in Leica's Summicron-M 50mm f/2 catalog. It was released as a 70 Years Anniversary Edition (1913-1983). The later version, produced from 1994 to 2013, uses the identical optical formula.

Market

It is claimed to be "the world's best 50mm lens," with strong sharpness even at f/2 and no distortion. It is compact and works with all Leica M rangefinder cameras since 1954, which makes it sought after by collectors and photographers.