So this is the part you’re probably most excited about – THE LENS. Well before we get too excited, let me get something out of the way. For those of you that regularly shoot at close distances - under 1.5 meters, this new Summilux is more like a ‘variable maximum aperture’ lens. You’re probably wondering what I’m talking about so let me explain. Have you ever used a professional macro lens? If so, you’ll know that most macro lenses are of incredible quality and are optimised for close range shooting, obviously. What many people don’t realise is that the maximum aperture of the lens is dependant on the focal distance, so at macro distances, the lens’s maximum aperture cannot be used. This is a design compromise that is made for macro lenses, and all lenses, macro or not always have some type of design compromise, whether it be low distortion, but soft wide open; flat field, but more prone to flare, etc, etc. The biggest design compromises are usually made due to one main factor – size.

So why am I rambling on about this? Because the new ‘small’ Summilux lens designed for the Leica X has a similar compromise to most macro lenses. If you’ve read the specifications you’ll know the lens focuses as close as 20cm in AF mode (a little closer in MF mode). For a camera of this design, this is quite a feat, especially considering the Leica X1, X2 and X-E all only focus to 30cm, using a maximum aperture of f/2.8. Therefor, when shooting under (approximately) 1.5 meters, the maximum aperture will stop down automatically to f/2.8 at 20cm, and f/2.5, f/2.2, and f/2 within 20cm to 1.5 meters, where f/1.7 becomes available to infinity. Now while this may seem annoying and limiting, it is a compromise that is welcomed given the new close-up ability of the new Summilux lens. Sure it would be awesome if the f/1.7 aperture could be used all the way through the focus range, but it can’t due to the design compromise of keeping the lens’s size down to fit well with the overall X design - so in my opinion, it’s a job well done.