Leica Lens News: New Limited‑Edition 50mm f/1.1 Released in Japan, Rare Prototype to Be Auctioned

A limited‑edition Lailens LTM 50mm f/1.1 KP lens, inspired by the pre‑war Kino Plasmat, has been launched in Japan. Production is capped at 70 units worldwide and the lens is priced at ¥138,800. It offers a maximum aperture of f/1.1, a 13‑blade aperture, a 0.5 m minimum focusing distance, and a 52 mm filter thread. The compact 44.5 mm long, 308 g lens is available in black and silver finishes.

Separately, the one‑of‑a‑kind Leica APO‑Summicron‑M 50mm f/2 ASPH “Leica M for (RED)” prototype, designed by industrial designers Jony Ive and Marc Newson in 2012, will be auctioned by Wetzlar Camera Auctions on October 10. The unique lens, made from a special alloy and never serial‑numbered, was part of a charitable project that previously raised millions for disease‑related causes in Africa.