Leica Summicron-R 50mm, Leitz Canada

The Leica Summicron-R 50mm f/2 Leitz Canada is a classic standard prime for the Leica R system, combining a natural 50mm perspective with a bright f/2 aperture and precise manual focus.

It's a versatile focal length that works particularly well for everyday photography, street, portraits, documentary and travel. The 50mm field of view keeps things natural and familiar, while f/2 gives you useful flexibility when the light drops and more control over depth of field.

This later Canadian Summicron-R uses a 6-element, 4-group optical design, replacing the earlier 6-element, 5-group version. It also focuses down to 0.5m and has a compact built-in telescopic hood.

This particular lens is marked LEITZ CANADA and carries serial number 2956703.

Best for

Everyday film photography, street photography, portraits, documentary work, travel and Leica R photographers wanting a compact standard prime.

What to expect

A 50mm focal length gives a natural perspective that sits comfortably between wide-angle and telephoto, making it one of the easiest focal lengths to use as an everyday lens.

The f/2 maximum aperture provides good flexibility in lower light and lets you isolate subjects when needed. The lens focuses manually down to approximately 0.5m, while the aperture runs from f/2 to f/16.

This Canadian second-generation design is also considerably more compact than the earlier Summicron-R construction, weighing around 300g and measuring approximately 41mm long.

Developing

This is a Leica R system film lens.

When used natively on a compatible Leica R or appropriate Leicaflex film body, developing depends on the film loaded into the camera. Colour negative film commonly uses C-41 processing, while black and white and slide films require their respective processes.

The lens can also be adapted for use on some digital camera systems, but its native system and intended format are 35mm film.