APO-Summicron-M 50mm f/2 ASPH
NotableKnown as "50AA"
Widely benchmarked as the highest-resolving 50mm lens ever made for any system. APO correction, aspherical elements, and modern coatings deliver clinical perfection — the opposite of vintage character, and extraordinary in its own right.
Famous for
- Peter Karbe's benchmark APO design — widely regarded as the sharpest 50mm ever made for the M mount
- Resolves fine detail that outpaces most digital sensors; the reference lens for technical reviewers
When Leica released the APO-Summicron-M 50mm f/2 ASPH in 2012 at $7,195, independent optical bench tests quickly produced a remarkable verdict: this was the highest-resolving 50mm lens ever measured for any camera system. "APO" stands for apochromatic — the lens is corrected for chromatic aberration across three wavelengths rather than the usual two, meaning colour fringing is essentially absent even at the pixel level on high-resolution sensors.
For beginners: the difference between an APO lens and a conventional lens is most visible in fine detail — text on signs, individual hairs, fabric weave. On a 24MP M10 the APO-Summicron delivers results that previously required a medium-format system. It is also, paradoxically, a much more neutral-looking lens than the vintage alternatives: no glow, no swirl, no character aberrations. Photographers who want a Leica for film-era rendering buy something else; photographers who want the absolute optical limit buy this. Used prices hold within 20% of new.
Key specs
- elements groups
- 8/5
- minimum focus
- 0.7m
- filter size
- 39mm
- weight
- 335g
Variants & finishes
The sole variant of the 50mm APO-Summicron-M ASPH — widely regarded as one of the sharpest production lenses ever made, with apochromatic correction and near-zero field curvature.
Market value
Launch price: $7,195 (2012)
Used-market price history is coming soon.
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