Leica Summicron-M 66 f/2, black anodized finish

Leica Summicron-M 66 f/2 — Key Specs & Highlights

• Rooted in Leica legend: Based on the Elcan 66 mm f/2, a rare spy lens developed by Dr. Walter Mandler at Ernst Leitz Canada in the late 1960s for the US Navy — never sold to the public, with only around 200 original units ever made.
• Limited Edition of 660 units: A numbered, collectible release worldwide, part of the Leica Classic Line.
• Unique within the Leica portfolio: The only Leica lens ever produced with a 66 mm focal length.
• f/2 maximum aperture: Delivers soft, harmonious bokeh and a flattering, slightly telephoto perspective — particularly well suited to portrait photography.
• Maximum sharpness when stopped down: A defining optical trait carried over from the historic Elcan 66 mm f/2.
• Black anodized finish: Complete with lens hood, metal front and rear lens caps, and a leather case.

A Legendary Lineage — The Elcan 66 mm f/2

The Leica Summicron-M 66 f/2 draws its identity from one of the rarest and most historically significant lenses in the Leica M-System: the Elcan 66 mm f/2. Originally developed by Dr. Walter Mandler at Ernst Leitz Canada in the late 1960s as a specialist lens for the US Navy, it was never released for public sale — with only around 200 units ever produced. Now, more than half a century later, this once-secret optic returns as a numbered Limited Edition of 660 units, giving photographers and collectors alike the chance to own a piece of contemporary Leica history.
 

Unique Within the Leica Portfolio

The Summicron-M 66 f/2 stands alone in the Leica lineup as the only lens ever offered with a 66 mm focal length — a distinctive in-between perspective that sets it apart from every standard prime in the M-System. This rarity of focal length, paired with its extraordinary origin story, makes the lens as much a collector's object as it is a working photographic tool.
 

Distinctive Rendering, Wide Open and Stopped Down

Wide open at f/2, the lens produces soft, harmonious bokeh with a flattering, slightly telephoto character, making it particularly well suited to portraiture. Stopped down, it reveals the maximum sharpness already associated with the historic Elcan 66 mm f/2 — a duality of dreamy rendering and clinical precision that defines the shooting experience across the aperture range.
 

What's in the Box

• Leica Summicron-M 66 f/2 lens (black anodized finish)
• Lens hood
• Metal front lens cap
• Metal rear lens cap
• Leather case

 

Firmware Updates

To support the new Summicron-M 66 f/2, the list of recognized Leica M-Lenses has been expanded via firmware update. A new firmware version is available for the Leica M10, M10 Monochrom, M10-P, M10-P ASC, M10-D and M10-R. Leica M11, M11-D, M11-P, M11 Monochrom and the M EV1 receive version 2.6.3. Firmware is available to end customers via the Leica corporate website and the Leica FOTOS App from September 03, 3:00 p.m. (CEST).
 

Leica Summicron-M 66 f/2 — Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Leica Summicron-M 66 f/2 based on?

It is based on the Elcan 66 mm f/2, a rare lens originally developed by Dr. Walter Mandler at Ernst Leitz Canada in the late 1960s as a specialist optic for the US Navy. It was never released for public sale, and only around 200 original units were ever produced.

How limited is this edition?

The Summicron-M 66 f/2 is released as a worldwide Limited Edition of 660 units, each individually numbered.

What makes the 66 mm focal length unique?

It is the only Leica lens ever produced with a 66 mm focal length, giving it a distinctive perspective not found anywhere else in the Leica M-System lineup.

What kind of images does this lens produce?

Wide open at f/2, it renders soft, harmonious bokeh with a flattering, slightly telephoto character — well suited to portrait photography. Stopped down, it delivers the maximum sharpness already associated with the historic Elcan 66 mm f/2.

What is special about serial number 001?

The lens with serial number 001 — the first-numbered unit of the 660-piece edition — will be auctioned at the Leitz Photographica Auction in Wetzlar in November 2026.

What's included in the box?

The lens ships in a black anodized finish together with a lens hood, metal front and rear lens caps, and a leather case.

Is a firmware update required?

A firmware update adding recognition of the Summicron-M 66 f/2 is required and is available for the Leica M10-family (new version) and the Leica M11-family (version 2.6.3) via the Leica corporate website and the Leica FOTOS App from 3:00 p.m. (CEST) on the launch date.