This super fast wide-angle lens has been a benchmark product since its launch. It is highly compact, and from maximum aperture on down it delivers outstanding picture quality. Its ultra-fine detail rendition yields pictures of extraordinary plasticity. Even under critical lighting situations, such as when shooting into the light, disturbing reflections and diffusion are largely eliminated. With its 75° wide angle, it captures a wide enough frame for lively reportage situations. The high aperture of f/2.0 enables creative selective focus to be employed even for wide-angle shots. And this lens is particularly recommended when shooting in difficult lighting conditions, such as at dusk or in dimly lit rooms with no flash.

A combination of the know-how of Leica's engineers and the latest developments in manufacturing technology has resulted in this outstanding standard lens. It delivers high-contrast images, with high-resolution detail, even at its widest aperture, and down to its minimum focusing distance. This is made possible by a number of factors including the use of a floating element, special glass types with unique refraction properties, and elements with aspherical surfaces. The properties of this lens not only make it ideal for any photo situation demanding a handy all-rounder with the natural image angle of the 50 mm standard focal length, but also for available light situations, selective-focus shots, and even fine art photography - usually the preserve of much larger formats. Its wide-ranging versatility also makes it a top choice in assembling a Leica M lens outfit.