Leica Summilux-C lens series for Super 35 with T1.4 aperture in 9 focal lengths (16–135 mm), prized for warm color rendition and compact design suited to handheld and gimbal work.
Technical Details
Focal Lengths
| 16 | 18 | 21 | 25 | 29 | 35 | 50 | 75 | 135 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| T1.4 | T1.4 | T1.4 | T1.4 | T1.4 | T1.4 | T1.4 | T1.4 | T1.4 |
| 0.30m | 0.30m | 0.30m | 0.30m | 0.35m | 0.35m | 0.45m | 0.60m | 0.90m |
| 1.90kg | 1.90kg | 1.90kg | 1.90kg | 2.00kg | 2.00kg | 2.10kg | 2.30kg | 2.40kg |
| 95 | 95 | 95 | 95 | 95 | 95 | 95 | 95 | 95 |
| 92° | 84° | 74° | 64° | 57° | 48° | 34° | 23° | 13° |
| ◀━━━━━▶ | ◀━━━━▶ | ◀━━━▶ | ◀━━━▶ | ◀━━▶ | ◀━━▶ | ◀━▶ | ◀▶ | ◀▶ |
PL · 95mm Front · 300° Focus Travel · T1.4–T16 · Super 35 · >150 LP/mm
History & Development
Leica Camera AG introduced the Summilux-C series at NAB in 2012, marking their first foray into professional cinema lenses since the 1960s. Development began in 2009 in collaboration with Cine Optics, a German specialist manufacturer of cinema optics. In 2014, the 135mm focal length was added to the set, followed by a revised version in 2016 with improved stray light suppression and optimized color rendition for digital sensors.
Practical Use in Film
Cinematographer Roger Deakins used the Summilux-C lenses on "Sicario" (2015), particularly for the nighttime border sequences where the fast T1.4 aperture was crucial. The series is frequently employed in documentary work and low-light situations where available light must be utilized. The consistent look across all focal lengths makes cuts between different lenses seamless. The compact design is suitable for handheld shots and gimbal systems, while the precise mechanics reliably drive follow focus systems.
Comparison & Alternatives
Compared to Zeiss Master Primes, the Summilux-C lenses offer a warmer, less sterile look with characteristic bokeh rendering. The Cooke S4/i series achieves similar apertures but costs approximately 40% more per lens. Modern alternatives include the Sigma Cine Primes (T1.5) or Zeiss Supreme Primes (T1.5), which, however, exhibit different optical characteristics. For budget productions, the Summilux-C is often chosen as a compromise between Leica quality and availability, as they are more affordable than comparable Cooke or Zeiss sets.