Summary
- Artizlab has introduced the Classic-M 50mm f/1.4 for Leica M.
- The design draws on the 1961 Summilux E43 and uses manual focus.
- It focuses down to 45cm, although mechanical rangefinder coupling starts at 70cm.
- Pricing is $399 with orders scheduled for November 15, 2026.
Artizlab is bringing back the look of a legendary 1961 Leica Summilux 50mm f/1.4, this time for $399 and with much closer focusing.
The Classic-M 50mm f/1.4 is a manual-focus Leica M-mount lens in black or silver. Its inspiration is the original non-aspherical E43 Summilux, valued for its distinctive rendering rather than the highly corrected sharpness of modern optics.
A design inspired by the 1961 Summilux
The optical design uses seven elements in five groups and a 12-blade diaphragm. Artizlab is aiming for gentle transitions between sharp and out-of-focus areas, natural color and smooth bokeh. These are manufacturer claims, not results from an independent optical test.
The aluminum-and-brass body includes the distinctive scalloped focusing ring and a metal hood with a hammered finish. Filter size is 43mm and the stated weight is 189.3 grams. Both colorways share the same basic design.
45cm close focus comes with one important distinction
Where the original E43 Summilux focused down to roughly one meter, the Classic-M reaches 0.45 meters. However, mechanical rangefinder coupling works only from 0.7 meters to infinity. Between 45 and 70cm, photographers need live view, an electronic viewfinder where supported, or a suitably adapted mirrorless camera.
The M mount supports compatible Leica rangefinder bodies, along with Sony E, Nikon Z, Canon RF, Fujifilm X and Micro Four Thirds mirrorless cameras using the appropriate adapter. Focusing remains manual. On a 1.5× APS-C body, its angle of view is approximately equivalent to a 75mm lens on full frame.
Reviving historic optical designs is not limited to independent manufacturers: Leica’s own Summicron-M 66 f/2 based on the Elcan is a very different and far more expensive example of a lens returning with a specific story behind it.
Price and availability
Pricing is $399 for either finish, with orders scheduled to open on November 15, 2026. The official listing showed the lens as sold out ahead of that date. No official European price was found.
What we think
A 50mm f/1.4 with this styling at this price is appealing to photographers who enjoy rendering with personality rather than chasing perfect test-chart scores. For portraits, street photography and details, manual focusing can be part of the experience instead of a drawback.
The most useful improvement is the 45cm close-focus distance: it makes it easier to move in on flowers, objects and small details instead of stopping at the original lens’s one-meter limit. On a rangefinder Leica, though, that advantage requires a focusing method other than the optical rangefinder.
We would like independent samples in backlight, nighttime scenes and portraits shot wide open. Those situations reveal whether the vintage rendering feels creative or whether optical flaws get in the way. Its low price makes it an intriguing experiment, not an automatic replacement for a modern 50mm.
Frequently asked questions
Does it have autofocus?
No. The Artizlab Classic-M 50mm f/1.4 is a manual-focus lens.
Can it focus at 45cm through a Leica rangefinder?
Not via mechanical rangefinder coupling, which only works down to 70cm. From 45 to 70cm, a different focusing method is needed.
Can I use it on Sony or Nikon mirrorless cameras?
Yes, with a suitable Leica M-to-camera adapter and manual focusing.
