Leica Lenses: Which Cameras Use Them?

Leica cameras are some of the most finely engineered cameras ever made, delivering exceptional images with their unique lenses. The German firm has been manufacturing cameras for over a century, and its iconic Leica red dot is a mark of respect among photographers. Leica offers a range of digital cameras, including mirrorless cameras, M rangefinders, and compact cameras, catering to professionals and enthusiasts alike.

Leica's mirrorless range includes the SL3 and the more affordable CL, which provide large, high-resolution sensors. The M rangefinders, like the M11, offer a vintage shooting experience with manual focusing and multiple lenses. The Q3, a compact camera, pairs a high-resolution full-frame sensor with a sharp 28mm f/1.7 lens.

In addition to their own cameras, Leica also produces lenses for other brands. Panasonic's Lumix Micro Four Thirds mirrorless cameras are compatible with Leica lenses, such as the Leica DG Nocticron 42.5mm f/1.2 ASPH lens.

Leica lenses are renowned for their exceptional imaging performance, utilising high-quality glasses and an understanding of physics to create flawless optics.

Leica M-Lenses

The range includes high-speed prime lenses, wide-angle lenses, and various zoom lenses, all designed to be fast and compact. Leica M-Lenses are available in focal lengths from 16mm to 135mm and with bright apertures up to f/0.95. They are compatible with all Leica M-Cameras, ensuring versatility and longevity for photographers who invest in them.

The Leica M-Lens range includes the following lenses:

• APO-Summicron-M 35 f/2 ASPH
• APO-Summicron-M 50 f/2 ASPH
• Summilux-M 35/f1.4 ASPH
• Summilux-M 50 f/1.4 ASPH
• Summicron-M 28 f/2 ASPH
• Summicron-M 35 f/2 ASPH
• Tri-Elmar-M 16-18-21 f/4 ASPH
• Tri-Elmar-M 16-18-21 f/4
• Super-Elmar-M 18 f/3.8 ASPH
• Summilux-M 21 f/1.4 ASPH
• Super-Elmar-M 21 f/3.4 ASPH
• Summilux-M 24 f/1.4 ASPH
• Summilux-M 28 f/1.4 ASPH
• Summicron-M 28 f/2 ASPH, Edition "Safari"
• Elmarit-M 28 f/2.8 ASPH

Leica M11 Monochrom

The Leica M11 Monochrom is a camera that is completely dedicated to black-and-white photography. It is equipped with a full-frame Monochrom BSI CMOS Sensor with triple resolution technology, allowing you to produce images at 60, 36 or 18 megapixels. The camera offers maximum artistic freedom and flexibility, with an enormous sensitivity range of ISO 125 to 200,000, delivering images with exceptional detail, contrast and sharpness.

The Leica M11 Monochrom is the fourth generation of Leica M Monochrom cameras, and the eleventh year of the Leica Monochrom series. It is an intuitive precision tool that serves as a source of inspiration for photographers dedicated to black-and-white photography. The camera is manufactured with high-quality materials, such as an all-metal body, a top plate made of high-quality aluminium, a sapphire glass display and a solid leather finish. It has a minimalist design, with the deliberate omission of the red Leica logo, allowing photographers to blend in inconspicuously and capture authentic images.

The Leica M11 Monochrom also features 256 GB of internal memory and convenient connectivity to the Leica FOTOS app, allowing for an optimal mobile workflow. It is a certified Apple "Made for iPhone® and iPad®" accessory, offering unique possibilities for images with the unmistakable Leica Monochrom character.

The camera has a USB-C connector, which is a real game-changer for charging the device and connectivity to a computer, tablet or phone. It is also compatible with iOS devices, offering improved GPS tagging via low-power Bluetooth. The Leica M11 Monochrom is a robust and resilient camera, with a tough finish that can withstand various weather conditions.

Overall, the Leica M11 Monochrom is an excellent choice for photographers who want to capture exceptional black-and-white images, offering a range of features that enhance the shooting experience and deliver peerless image quality.

Leica M-A

The Leica M-A (Typ 127) is a purely mechanical camera, a precision instrument that opens up entirely new creative horizons for photographers. It has no monitor, no exposure meter, and no battery. Instead, photographers can read the shutter speed and aperture directly from the camera and lens, allowing them to concentrate fully on their subject. The Leica M-A is available in two different finishes: silver chrome and black chrome. The silver chrome version continues the design tradition derived from 60 years of Leica M-Cameras, while the black-coloured counterpart features the Leica logo on its accessory shoe.

The Leica M-A is a back-to-basics traditional film camera, based loosely on the M3 or M4. It is the M-Analogue, a purely mechanical confection. The camera has a full metal body with a solid brass top plate and bottom cover. The script across the top plate harkens back to the original Leica engravings found on the M3, M2, and M4 models. The M-A shutter is based on a solidly engineered, spring-driven rubberised cloth curtain, making it perfect for accurate, stealthy photography. The viewfinder is a 0.72x magnification flare-free viewfinder, with framelines presented in pairs as 28/90, 35/135, and 50/75mm, depending on the mounted optic.

The Leica M-A is easy to use, with photographers only needing to focus on the aperture and shutter speed. The camera has a fully mechanical body, with shutter speeds ranging from 1 second to 1/1000 of a second, and B for long exposures. It also features a flash unit connection and a standard thread for cable release. The Leica M-A has access to a wide range of M lenses from 16mm to 135mm, making it a versatile choice for photographers.

The Leica M-A is a striking and handsome camera that exudes quality. It weighs in at 578 grams, striking a perfect balance between substance and comfort. The single-stroke advance lever is styled similarly to the M3 and M2 levers, with an all-metal construction and brass top plate and bottom. The Leica M-A is a carefully distilled amalgam of the most practical features and stylistic subtleties from the M3 and M4 cameras, offering impeccable performance and luxury.

Leica SL3

The Leica SL3 is a 60-megapixel mirrorless full-frame system camera that combines cutting-edge technology with a user-friendly design. It is ideal for those who want to enhance their photography and videography skills and immerse themselves in the creative process. The SL3 delivers superior image quality and detail in three different resolutions: 60, 36, and 18 megapixels. It features a full-frame sensor with Triple Resolution Technology and a dynamic range of up to 15 stops, producing the iconic "Leica Look".

The camera's innovative hybrid autofocus system combines phase detection, object detection, and contrast detection using advanced algorithms, ensuring precise focus in any lighting condition. The SL3 is also noticeably more compact and lighter than previous models, with excellent Leica UX design and adaptable user interfaces. The camera's interface can be fully customised according to personal preferences, and its high-resolution tiltable display contributes to a user-friendly experience.

In terms of connectivity, the Leica SL3 offers a variety of options, including slots for CFexpress Type B and SD UHS-II cards, a USB-C port, a full-size HDMI output, and a timecode interface. It also features Bluetooth and Wi-Fi for a stable and fast wireless connection to the Leica FOTOS App. The camera is crafted with precision and attention to detail in Wetzlar, Germany, with a fully sealed full-metal housing, ensuring durability and protection against moisture and dust.

The Leica SL3 is a significant release for the company, as the SL mirrorless line is considered one of its "three pillars", alongside the Q and M series cameras. It showcases Leica's commitment to partnering with the creative community and delivering exceptional standards in image quality, manufacturing, and ease of handling.

Leica Q3

The Leica Q3 is a compact full-frame camera that delivers impressive image quality for photos and videos in almost any lighting condition. It is exceptionally easy to use and seamlessly connects to the Leica FOTOS app, making it a perfect tool for creating audio-visual content. The Q3 is a unique companion that combines style and cutting-edge technology, integrating effortlessly into your everyday creative processes.

The Leica Q3 features a superior Summilux 28 f/1.7 ASPH. lens with optical image stabilisation. This fixed 28mm prime lens includes an integrated macro mode, allowing you to capture stunning close-ups from as close as 17cm. The lens captures exceptional detail and brings your creative vision to life by gathering all the light you need.

The Leica Q3's full-frame sensor offers triple resolution technology, providing unparalleled brilliance and detail with 60 MP resolution. It also offers the option to select lower resolutions of 36MP or 18MP for smaller file sizes. Regardless of the chosen resolution, the Q3 always utilises the full sensor size, with an impressive ISO range from ISO 50 up to ISO 100,000. This camera ensures you capture the world with crystal-clear clarity.

The Leica Q3 boasts a state-of-the-art hybrid autofocus system, ensuring you never miss a moment. It combines highly accurate contrast autofocus, depth-from-defocus system, and fast phase detection autofocus for high speed and precision when focusing and tracking objects. The intelligent subject recognition further enhances your ability to capture the perfect shot.

The Q3 also features a tiltable 3" display and a 5.67MP or 5.76MP OLED viewfinder, adding new possibilities to your street photography. The durable tilting mechanism allows for shooting at unusual angles and provides more creative freedom. The OLED viewfinder delivers a pristine and crystal-clear image of your subject, ensuring you always capture the scene as you envision it.

The Leica Q3 offers super-fast and convenient connectivity, with transfer speeds up to 10 times faster than its predecessor. The MIMO feature enhances connection stability and data transfer rates with the Leica FOTOS App. Additionally, the USB-C and HDMI ports allow easy connections to other devices such as gimbals, power banks, or external display recorders. The Q3 is also a certified Made for iPhone® and iPad® product, seamlessly integrating into the Apple ecosystem.

Frequently asked questions