Leica’s bright prime Summilux lens family just gained its longest focal length yet. Announced on Thursday, December 12, the Leica Summilux-M 90mm f/1.5 ASPH is designed an extremely shallow depth of field for that background blur or low-light photography. Leica also announced the Leica M10-P “Ghost” edition inspired by the color of the glass on an aged wristwatch.
The M-mount lens is constructed from eight elements in six groups — a design that the company says renders lens distortion and vignetting inconsequential. The design includes a floating lens element to allow for sharp images from varying focal lengths. Floating lens elements are more common in larger lenses than a more compact prime, Leica says. The design also includes two aspherical lens elements.
That mix of optics, Leica says, creates images with a very soft background but a sharp subject. The manufacturer is also bragging up the lens’ clarity and sharpness.
Bright short telephoto primes like the Summilux-M 90mm are favorites for portrait photography, so Leica created a short focusing distance to help capture close portraits. The 1:8.8 reproduction ratio isn’t macro standards, but allows for more intimate portraits than most, the company says.
The lens is built with an integrated lens hood. With sales beginning today, the lens is listed for $12,995. An M Mount Adapter L is available to adapt the lens to the L-Mount.
Also announced on Thursday, the Leica M10-P Ghost Edition was created in collaboration with watch company Hodinkee. The light colors of the body are inspired by Hondikee founder and CEO Ben Clymer and the ‘ghosted’ glass bezel on an old watch. The camera body is a matte gray, with white and silver accents and a gray cowhide wrap.
The new colors are adapted to the M10-P, a minimalist version of Leica’s mirrorless camera that’s designed to be more discrete. The limited-edition ghosted colors will only be available on 250 camera bodies.
The special edition camera will be paired with the Summilux-M 35mm f/1.4 ASPH and a gray rope strap. The Ghost Edition is now available. Leica did not share the list price — but based on the limited availability, it’s undoubtedly a luxury item.
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